EP628: OneHazel: The AI Workforce

How is sweepstakes gaming evolving, and what can player data tell us about the market’s next phase?In this interview, Alexandre Tomic, Founder of Alea, discusses the growth of sweepstakes gaming, changing player behaviour, emerging gaming verticals and the role of AI in market research. He also explores how player preferences differ between sweepstakes and real-money gaming, including the growing importance of mobile.Ahead of his upcoming keynote at SiGMA World Rome, Tomic shares why reliable, up-to-date data matters for game providers and studios navigating a fast-changing market.

In this interview, Gege Gatt explores the future of artificial intelligence, from the importance of human judgement and ethical oversight to the role of regulation in building public trust. He explains how businesses can adopt AI effectively, why education must prioritise critical thinking and creativity, and why adaptability will be essential as jobs and skills evolve.Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

Keith Zammit, founder and CEO of OneHazel, joins SiGMA to discuss how AI agents are transforming iGaming integrations and reshaping the way businesses operate. He explains how OneHazel developed a team of AI agents to accelerate integrations between operators and vendors, the importance of human oversight and data security, and why transparency and controlled environments are essential to responsible AI adoption. Zammit also shares his vision for the future of work, the evolving relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, and how winning the SiGMA Asia Pitch Competition helped OneHazel gain industry validation and expand its reach.

Ivonne Montealegre sits down with Christina Dos Santos, Senior Recruiter at Van Kaizen, to explore how recruitment is evolving across the iGaming industry. From the growing demand for AI skills and crypto-native talent to the influence of streamers and influencers, Christina shares insights into emerging hiring trends, career progression and how candidates can stand out in a competitive market. The conversation also explores the power of networking, the importance of company culture and what it takes to build successful teams in a rapidly changing industry.

Guga Júnior, a slots and affiliate specialist in the Latin American market, shares his perspective on the evolution of Brazil’s affiliate market and the impact of technology on player acquisition and retention. In an interview with SiGMA News at SiGMA North America, he explains how creating a proprietary social media platform helped overcome restrictions from big tech companies, how artificial intelligence is used to analyse data and understand player behaviour, and why human connection can be one of the key retention strategies. Guga also discusses trends in the Brazilian market, as well as the challenges of regulation and tackling the illegal market.Host / Moderator DetailsJulia Moura, SiGMA News ReporterGuest(s) Detail(s)Guga Júnior, Slots and Affiliate Specialist in the Latin American market, with a focus on Brazil.Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

How can operators grow in the American continent while building lasting trust with regulators? In conversation at SiGMA North America in Mexico City, Cristhian Gómez Villa, Managing Director for Emerging Markets at Betsson, outlines the regulator's three missions, protecting users, collecting tax and growing the industry, and why dialogue between regulators, operators and technology suppliers produces better rules. He explains how Betsson applies its highest global standards even where local law does not demand them, why a level playing field on age verification matters for everyone, and how AI and biometrics could deepen KYC, detect fake profiles and flag problem-gambling patterns before registration.Host / Moderator Details:Caro VallejoGuest(s) Detail(s):Cristhian Gómez Villa, Managing Director for Emerging Markets, BetssonConnect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

At SiGMA North America 2026, Maria Fernanda speaks with Chad Hamzeh, Managing Director of GiroStack and winner of the Start-Up Pitch competition. Hamzeh explains how GiroStack is transforming casino operations through a platform designed for speed, flexibility and scalability. He discusses how operators can launch a casino instance in as little as 45 seconds, customise the entire player journey and leverage AI-powered tools to manage multiple brands efficiently. The conversation also explores the impact of winning the SiGMA Start-Up Pitch, the opportunities it creates for growth and visibility, and GiroStack’s roadmap towards a fully self-service platform.Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

How does a lottery founded in 1933 modernize while funding social programs? At SiGMA North America, Carlos Moyano, President of the Lotería de Entre Ríos in Argentina, explains how the provincial lottery operates across 900 retail agencies, eight casinos, 20 entertainment halls and a concession-based online platform, and why video lotteries are key to attracting new audiences. He details how revenue supports security, sports, independent theatre and audiovisual programs, alongside initiatives promoting responsible gaming and healthy technology use. Moyano also discusses the challenge of coordinating regulation across Argentina's 24 jurisdictions and why events like SiGMA help regulators share experiences.Host / Moderator Details:Carolina VallejoGuest(s) Detail(s):Carlos Moyano, President, Lotería de Entre Ríos (Entre Ríos Lottery), ArgentinaSiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

During SiGMA North America 2026, our reporter Carolina Vallejo spoke with Nestor Vazquez, founder of iGaming SEO Consulting, about how AI, LLMs, and changing search algorithms are reshaping gaming SEO. He also explained the importance of maintaining rankings, improving keyword research, and adapting to Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT as user search behaviour enters a wholly new era. #SiGMA #SEO #AI #mexico #gaming #2026 Host / Moderator DetailsCarolina Vallejo — SiGMAGuest Details Nestor Vazquez — Founder, iGaming SEO ConsultingConnect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

In this executive interview, Lissa Mencía, General Director of Lottery and Gaming Operations at Loto Honduras, discusses the transformation of Central America’s lottery sector. She highlights digitalisation, omnichannel strategies, and product innovation as key priorities for attracting new generations and improving the player experience. Mencía also addresses the challenge posed by illegal gambling and explains how differentiated products and responsible gaming can strengthen regulated operators. She outlines Loto’s investment in flexible technology across retail, mobile and third-party platforms, while emphasising the social purpose of lotteries and the importance of supporting children, older people, and vulnerable communities across the region today.Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree