Date: 13.09.2024

by Mateusz Mazur

Last update: 13.09.2024 15:02

Tech Meets Experience: Inside the Dynamic Partnership Driving CrustLab’s Future

Today we take a closer look at the unique collaboration between Adam Gontarz, the young and ambitious CEO of CrustLab, and Marcin Jabłoński, an experienced veteran responsible for the commercial side of the company.

CrustLab is essentially a story about how two very different minds meet—where they support each other and where their perspectives sometimes clash. From technological innovation to industry expertise, we’ll see what they’ve learned from each other so far and how this dynamic duo is shaping CrustLab’s journey.

The two share their views with iGamingExpress on CrustLab’s current activities, ambitions and future plans, giving us an insight into the direction the company is heading.

What distinguishes your solutions from those of the competition?

Marcin: From my perspective, apart from the quality of the products and services provided, the biggest differentiator is domain knowledge in the iGaming sector. We’ve managed to gather a fantastic group of people who combine a passion for the latest technologies, the ambition to deliver a top-class product to the client, and an understanding of the industry’s needs. Thanks to this, both discussions with clients and planning the next steps move forward much faste

Adam: What truly sets us apart is our unique approach to iGaming solutions and product development. We’re penetrating a niche space by merging several key methodologies, allowing us to deliver a truly comprehensive service.

First and foremost, we are a one-stop-shop for product development in the iGaming sector. By “product,” we mean full-scale betting platforms across various verticals, custom frontends, mobile apps like social gaming applications, and more. Thanks to our core focus on business and product consulting, we guide our clients through the entire process, from ideation to execution, ensuring that every aspect of their business is optimized.

What really sets us apart, though, is our team of experts in many verticals of iGaming, bringing over a century of combined experience in the industry. These experts provide business consulting that ensures our clients’ visions align with market needs and opportunities.

Alongside this, we have a top-tier team of architects driving the technical vision for complex, large-scale products, while our dedicated product managers ensure projects are consistently market-oriented and aligned with customer goals.

In short, we offer end-to-end services, from concept through to delivery, backed by deep industry expertise, cutting-edge technical leadership, and a clear focus on customer success.

What are the biggest challenges CrustLab faces when working with clients in heavily regulated industries like iGaming? How do you address these challenges?

Marcin: Local regulations have become a natural part of the process. The biggest challenge is perhaps not the implementation of specific solutions or technologies itself, but rather the intensity and number of requirements. Additionally, there are relatively short deadlines for implementing these solutions.

Although there are many common points for a given jurisdiction, the devil is in the details, and it’s those details that most often cause the greatest problems.

Another significant challenge is managing a project during the so-called transitional period when a country is in the process of introducing a local license, but there are still no clear guidelines.

Adam: The regulatory landscape in industries like iGaming is complex and constantly changing. One of the main challenges is staying up-to-date with various legal frameworks across different jurisdictions. To navigate these challenges, we work closely with legal experts and compliance teams to ensure that our solutions meet all necessary regulations while maintaining high security and transparency. This helps us build trust with clients and end-users.

Are there any markets where you are already satisfied with your current position, or are there specific markets you would like to focus more on in the future?

Marcin: Our markets, in the context of iGaming, differ from specific GEOs in that we serve clients from Europe who offer their products, for example, in Brazil. Therefore, we hope that indirectly we are doing well in Brazil. Another unconventional GEO where we are thriving is definitely the Crypto space.

Adam: We operate in multiple verticals, which makes it difficult to pinpoint a specific market where we feel our presence is sufficient. However, we have a strong position in pari-mutuel betting, particularly in the United States and North and South America. In the casino space, we’re leading with innovation, especially in unregulated markets, where we’re testing new solutions that often drive trends in regulated markets.

From a broader perspective, we still see plenty of room for expansion. Unregulated markets are essential for us, as they often push regulated markets to adopt new innovations, which creates a ripple effect of opportunities.

We see substantial potential for further growth in North and South America, as well as in emerging Asian markets, which are also becoming increasingly interesting for innovative solutions.

Could you share your thoughts on the long-term vision of the company and how CrustLab plans to develop in the coming years, especially in the context of new technologies?

Marcin: Introducing new services is a time-consuming process, but from our perspective, a very necessary move to stay ahead of the game and outpace the competition. I am very proud that we have already achieved some initial successes in this area.

In the long term, we hope the slogan ‘your iGaming Powerhouse’ will materialize, and our position on the market as The Digital Agency in the iGaming sector will solidify.

Personally, I also hope that CrustLab will allow me to bring to life some product ideas that, for various reasons, couldn’t be realized before. In other words, watch this space.

Adam: Over the past few years, we’ve significantly evolved as a company. We’ve established ourselves as a strong consultancy within this space, specializing in key verticals. Looking ahead, we aim to expand this portfolio further by collaborating with even more prominent players in the industry.

Our long-term vision is to lead with cutting-edge technology and be recognized as a top consulting firm in the iGaming sector. We’re committed to driving the industry’s vision through comprehensive business, product, and technology advisory and execution services.

On the technology side, while there’s a lot of noise around emerging trends like artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and blockchain, we believe that these advancements will gradually embed themselves into the fabric of the industry. We don’t foresee a sudden drastic shift but rather a continuous evolution, where more advanced solutions become integrated into the latest products. Our role is to stay ahead of these trends, understand the best available solutions, and apply them innovatively without reinventing the wheel.

In summary, we see CrustLab evolving to deliver best-in-class technology solutions and shape the future of iGaming through deep expertise, strategic advisory, and the smart adoption of emerging technologies.

What are your expectations for the upcoming SBC Summit in Lisbon?

Marcin: We’re thrilled to be exhibiting at the upcoming SBC Summit in Lisbon. This event presents an incredible opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and forge new partnerships. We’re eager to showcase our innovative software solutions that are helping shape the future of iGaming.

Lisbon, as a venue, adds an extra layer of appeal—its vibrant culture, dynamic atmosphere, and emerging reputation as a tech hub make it an ideal location for a global event like this.

For those attending, we warmly invite you to visit us at stand B230. We’d love to discuss how we can support your business goals and give you a firsthand look at the powerful solutions we’ve developed. It’s going to be an incredible event, and we’re excited to connect with industry leaders and innovators.

Adam: We have high expectations for the upcoming SBC Summit in Lisbon. This show is shaping up to be one of the standout industry events of the year, and we’re excited to be a part of it. Our primary goals are to strengthen relationships with existing partners and clients, explore new business opportunities, and showcase our brand to a broader audience.

We’re looking forward to making a strong impact and taking full advantage of the summit’s networking and business opportunities.

Is there a specific collaboration or project that CrustLab is particularly proud of? If so, what made that project stand out from the rest?

Adam: Absolutely, there are several projects we’re proud of, but one that truly stands out is the comprehensive platform we developed. This platform includes advanced business analysis capabilities and white-label solutions, currently supporting over 20 brands. The project also features dedicated mobile apps, a custom UI, and full integration with a retail system.

What makes this project particularly special is its scale and complexity—it can handle a massive load of bets in real time and operates seamlessly across multiple jurisdictions and countries. This was a significant challenge from a product perspective, and seeing it function smoothly in a live environment is a major achievement for us.

Are there any upcoming projects or technological advances that you are particularly excited about?

Adam: Looking ahead, I believe that next year, we’ll be able to discuss the best product we’ve created so far more in-depth. The upcoming product, specifically tailored for the lottery business, is shaping up to be just as complex and innovative, if not more so. Beyond that, we have several exciting projects under development, including new casino products, eSports offerings, social gaming solutions, and crash games.

As mentioned, with our scale and expertise, we can work across multiple verticals, delivering immense value through our talented team of specialists. Being the company’s founder, I can confidently say that each year, as we look back over our six-year journey, the complexity and ambition of our projects only increase. We’re particularly excited about integrating blockchain, AI, AR, and even metaverse-related technologies into our solutions, which continue to elevate the services & products we bring to the iGaming industry.

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About Adam: Adam Gontarz is a visionary leader and CEO of CrustLab, where he combines a deep passion for technology in eSports, gaming and iGaming with strategic expertise. Under his leadership, CrustLab has transformed from a software agency into a strategic powerhouse, offering tailored solutions in custom front-end development, sports betting platforms, fiat and crypto casinos, and cutting-edge mobile applications. Working with leading industry players such as BetMakers and SoftSwiss, Adam is shaping the future of iGaming with innovative, customer-centric services, positioning CrustLab as a leader in the global gaming space.

About Marcin: Marcin Jabłoński is the Chief Commercial Officer at CrustLab, bringing many years of extensive experience in the iGaming sector. Prior to joining CrustLab, he was the CCO at LVBet, where he was known for his strategic insights and leadership in navigating the challenges posed by rapid regulatory changes in key markets such as the UK, US and Europe. Marcin has a deep understanding of product development and player engagement strategies, with a particular focus on leveraging emerging technologies such as AI to enhance the user experience.

About CrustLab: CrustLab is a leading iGaming software development company founded in 2017, specializing in custom solutions for online casinos, sportsbooks and other gaming platforms. With a focus on innovation and technical expertise, CrustLab serves multiple gaming verticals, including lottery, esports and sweepstakes. The company specializes in providing white-label products, front-end and back-end development, and integrating key technologies such as fiat and crypto payments, sportsbook APIs and player management systems. CrustLab’s strong partnerships with industry giants such as BetMakers and SoftSwiss underscore its position as a trusted player in the global iGaming market.