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ICE Barcelona 2026 once again established itself as the most influential global gathering in the iGaming industry. Operators, technology providers, game studios, payment systems, and key stakeholders from around the world came together in Barcelona for the first major summit of the year, setting the tone for what lies ahead in the sector.
This article was developed in collaboration with Matt Sahakian, iGaming Consultant & Partner, who held an exclusive conversation with Vigen Badalyan, co-founder of SoftConstruct Group, to explore the strategic vision and innovative approach driving the group’s latest solutions.
During the interview, Badalyan emphasized that innovation was not just an objective, but the core of their mission. This mindset was particularly reflected in two of SoftConstruct’s latest developments: Kiss Gaming and Kiss Live Casino.
Kiss Gaming was designed to deliver greater flexibility, reach, and promotional opportunities to a new generation of slot and crash games. Apart from its diverse portfolio of games, KISS Gaming also operates as a game studio, creating custom games on demand for operators and delivering a unique gaming experience tailored to each client.
Meanwhile, Kiss Live Casino introduced the use of artificial intelligence into a next-generation live casino offering. Kiss Live Casino offers operators a fully AI-generated live dealer experience, with 100% AI-generated dealers and environments. Operators can customize the studio design, choose the type and appearance of their AI dealers, and select the language, creating a tailored experience aligned with their brand and target audience. This level of personalization makes the gameplay more immersive, flexible, and adaptable to the evolving demands of different markets.
According to Badalyan, the integration of AI into live casino tables represented a new dimension in the player journey, where technology enhanced the experience without losing the human touch.
The conversation also featured Mickael Shahinyan, co-founder of Oddsgate and a long-time close associate of Badalyan. Both leaders highlighted the announcement of a strategic partnership between their companies, a collaboration expected to have a significant impact in the LATAM region, particularly in the Brazilian market, which was undergoing a regulatory process at the time.
Throughout the interview, it became clear that success in the iGaming industry goes beyond technology. Long-term vision, talent, continuous innovation, and strong relationships remained key pillars. The friendship and collaboration between Badalyan and Shahinyan illustrated how shared values and mutual trust can become powerful drivers of sustainable growth.
ICE 2026 was not just an event, but a reaffirmation of the industry’s dynamism. Driven by experience, innovation, and strategic partnerships, the iGaming industry continued to build its present while shaping its future.
