It’s no secret that technology defines success. And the iGaming industry is moving forward with it. Already Media anticipates the latest trends and adopts the best practices to stay ahead.
In this interview, Dmitry Ambrazhevich, Already Media’s CTO, provides an in-depth look at the strategic use of analytics, key technological trends, data security, and innovations that help the company maintain its leadership position.
As a bonus, Dmitry shares his hand-picked set of books and useful sources for those willing to become the next tech leaders!
Strategic Approach
What is the role of the data-driven approach in Already Media’s current strategies in the iGaming market?
In Already Media, we see data as a fundamental philosophy that drives our decision-making. We treat every byte of information as a strategic asset. Our data-driven approach gives us a competitive advantage, as we rely on mathematical models rather than intuition. Data analytics allows us to anticipate user behavior, simulate business development scenarios, and optimize marketing and product strategies in real time.
A data-driven approach is the cornerstone of our strategy. We use data to make informed decisions on every level. In marketing, we analyze player behavior to fine-tune targeting and campaign performance. In product development, we use data to identify UX bottlenecks and validate hypotheses through A/B testing. Analytical models help us predict industry trends at the strategic level, ensuring we stay ahead of the competition.
What key data-driven tech trends will shape the iGaming industry in the coming years?
We see two significant trends driving innovation:
• Artificial intelligence for hyper-personalized user experiences;
• Machine learning for predictive behavioral analytics.
The future belongs to technologies anticipating user needs before they even feel like they need something.
How does Already Media ensure data-driven decision-making across the company?
Our decision-making process operates like a finely tuned system. We track dozens of key metrics, assess risks, and validate changes through mandatory A/B testing. No significant update is rolled out without expert evaluation and a pilot launch on a controlled audience segment. We analyze data using BI tools such as Yandex DataLens, Tableau, Power BI, and ML algorithms.
Technology and Innovation
What technological solutions help Already Media remain competitive in the fast-paced iGaming sector?
Our strength lies in a microservices architecture, which enables us to rapidly adapt to changing traffic loads and implement necessary feature updates. Staying ahead requires continuous tech stack updates, so we actively monitor new tools and methodologies and integrate the most promising innovations into our products.
We heavily rely on cloud solutions for scalability and flexibility. Streaming data processing (Kafka) allows us to manage millions of real-time events, while anomaly detection systems help us anticipate user churn and respond proactively.
Which data analytics tools and platforms do you find most effective?
Our technology stack includes Tableau and Power BI for multi-dimensional data visualization. We also extensively use ClickHouse and Yandex DataLens for deep analytics. It’s not just about collecting data—it’s about transforming it into business insights.
What is the most impactful innovation implemented by Already Media?
One of our standout achievements is the development of a real-time traffic mediation and analytics system. Our optimization algorithms significantly boost conversion rates while improving the overall user experience.
What are the biggest technical challenges for the iGaming industry today?
We highlight three critical challenges:
1. Cybersecurity;
2. Fraud prevention;
3. Regulatory compliance.
Already Media’s tactic is proactive protection, not a reactive response.
Additionally, handling massive data volumes is becoming increasingly complex. Efficient storage and processing solutions are now essential for managing industry growth.
Data Management
How does Already Media ensure data security and privacy?
We implement multi-layered security protocols, strict access controls, cryptographic encryption, and redundant data storage with replication and backups.
Our leading principle: User-generated and company-critical data is of the utmost value. All data transmissions and storage are encrypted, and we conduct regular internal and external security audits.
How does Already Media process large-scale data, and what machine learning techniques are used?
Our goal is to convert raw data into actionable insights. We utilize Apache Hadoop and Spark for distributed data processing, while our ETL processes are fully automated for efficient data ingestion and transformation.
How does Already Media work with user data to improve the customer experience?
We strive for maximum personalization, employing AI-powered recommendation systems and in-depth micro-level UX analysis to optimize engagement.
Team and Development Process
How is the technical team structured at Already Media?
We follow Scrum methodology with two-week sprints and daily stand-up meetings to maintain alignment and efficiency. Small, cross-functional teams are formed around specific products and microservices, enabling agile development. Jira is used for task management, while Confluence serves as our documentation hub.
What key skills and qualities do engineers need to excel in data-driven projects?
Success in data-driven environments requires analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and the ability to see the bigger picture. Adaptability and continuous learning are also crucial.
A great data engineer is naturally curious and thrives on solving complex problems in innovative ways.
How does Already Media foster an innovative engineering culture?
We create an environment that encourages bold experimentation, allowing employees to test new ideas without fear of failure. Open internal communication and a centralized knowledge base support this culture. We also invest in ongoing learning, covering the costs of books, courses, and certifications.
Our core technological advancements started as employee-driven experiments, such as adopting microservices, implementing message brokers, deploying K8s, transitioning to ClickHouse, and developing hybrid infrastructure solutions.
The Future of iGaming and AMTech
How do you see the role of data evolving in iGaming over the next five years?
Data will no longer be just a tool but a standalone product. We’re moving toward ultra-personalized, real-time predictive analytics, where machine learning and AI-driven automation will take center stage. In some areas, AI could soon handle 100% of decision-making processes.
What new technologies is Already Media planning to integrate shortly?
One of our top priorities is building our own AI solutions for end-to-end data processing and automation. We’re building fully automatic systems for our users and internal company’s needs. Also, developing AI assistants for players is on the agenda.
Out of the large language models, we use OpenAI API, Google Gemini API, and Anthropic API, and we also experiment with smaller, fine-tuned models like LLaMA, Mistral, Qwen, and Phi. Our team is actively working on custom AI models tailored to specific industry needs.
What AI models do you use? Do you develop proprietary AI solutions?
Out of the large language models, we use OpenAI API, Google Gemini API, and Anthropic API, and we also experiment with smaller, fine-tuned models like LLaMA, Mistral, Qwen, and Phi. Our team is actively working on custom AI models tailored to specific industry needs.
Personal Questions to Dmitry
What inspires you as a CTO?
Being at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, solving complex challenges, and shaping innovations that impact millions of users. I also take great pride in building high-performing teams and witnessing their expertise and ambition drive real industry change.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in the iGaming industry?
Technology is ultimately about people’s needs, desires, and experiences, not coding or hardware. All that matters at any company is its team members and their ability to collaborate toward a shared vision.
What books or resources would you recommend to aspiring tech leaders?
• Williamson – “The Real CTO: Think Like a Technical Director”
• Martin – “Clean Code”
• Fried – “Rework: Business Without Prejudices”
• Sutherland – “SCRUM: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time”
• Csikszentmihalyi – “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience”
Recommended Conferences:
• HighLoad++
• DevOpsConf & TechLead Conf
• TeamLead++ Conf
• dotNext
Online Courses:
• DomeTrain.com
Conclusion
Dmitry’s technology-first mindset and focus on AI integration drive Already Media’s success in the iGaming market which is known for it’s high competition. His strategic vision guarantees continuous innovation and a strong data-driven approach, keeping the company ahead of the curve.
Already Media remains committed to improving and setting new industry standards, securing its position as a leader in the field.
