In 2020, Stake, a budding crypto gambling operator, and Softswiss, an established gaming supplier, embarked on a partnership that would transform both companies into billion-dollar enterprises. At the time, Stake was a modest platform offering just 15 proprietary games, looking to scale its operations in the burgeoning crypto market. Softswiss founder Ivan Montik recalls seeing the potential in Stake immediately. “They were ambitious, but also incredibly focused on quality and user experience,” he recalls, noting the distinct identity Stake had even in its early days.
Stake’s goal was clear: expand its gaming catalogue rapidly. To do so, it required a partner that could ensure seamless, crypto-optimized access to a broad range of game providers, according to Stake co-founder Ed Craven. This is where Softswiss played a crucial role. “From the start, it was clear we shared the same pace and mindset,” Montik says. This synergy allowed the partnership to develop organically.
The alliance resulted in Stake’s game offerings skyrocketing from 15 to 1,500 titles almost instantly. However, this was not merely a simple API integration; it involved a comprehensive business overhaul. “We had to recreate our business from being a proprietary content-first website to one that enabled third-party providers, meaning restructuring the entire website architecture,” Craven explains. The technical revamp was a pivotal moment for Stake, marking a significant milestone for the company.
Montik emphasizes the intense nature of such large-scale integration but acknowledges that it helped solidify trust between Stake and Softswiss. “I remember how quickly both teams aligned,” he notes. “There was mutual respect and a shared sense of urgency.”
The partnership has been fundamental to Stake’s explosive growth. At the start of the partnership in 2020, Stake’s gross gaming revenue was $105 million. By 2024, this figure had surged to $4.7 billion, with Stake’s parent company Easygo claiming the brand accounts for 4% of global Bitcoin transactions. Stake’s trajectory from a challenger to a global presence has been rapid, as the company has moved into regulated markets worldwide, acquiring entities like Betfair Colombia and VinderCasino operator MocinoPlay in Denmark.
Softswiss has also seen explosive growth, surpassing 100 brands launched on its Game Aggregator, which now hosts over 36,700 games from 300 developers. Montik attributes this growth to a shared mindset with Stake, focusing on technology as a tool to empower ideas. “We both see technology not just as a tool but as a means to empower ideas,” he says. This shared vision is what makes the collaboration so powerful.
Underpinning the collaboration is a focus on player experience, something Craven believes will drive the next phase of growth for the gaming industry. “Stake is built for fans,” he says. “Our players want new experiences and innovative ways to interact with games, so staying ahead of what excites them is crucial.”
Montik adds that innovation matters only when it creates value for the player. “The challenge for modern iGaming companies is to maintain speed and creativity while ensuring trust and transparency,” he asserts, noting that Stake manages this balance well.
As Stake continues its expansion into regulated markets, maintaining trust and offering a differentiated experience is paramount. “Growing our customer base in fiat currencies is a major priority,” Craven states. This requires offering something better than what is already available in these markets.
The partnership between Stake and Softswiss has evolved into a long-term relationship between two market leaders. Both companies are now looking to anticipate the next shift in the gaming industry. “We’ll see more interactive games that don’t fit the classic slots or table games mould,” Craven predicts. “Players want something new, they want variety, they want mechanics that feel fresh.”
However, Montik cautions that operators and suppliers must meet this demand responsibly, combining innovation with ethics. “I believe the future belongs to companies that combine innovation with ethics. Those that can entertain while maintaining player trust,” he emphasizes.
For Montik and Craven, despite technological growth and global expansion, trust continues to be the foundation of their relationship. “The right partner is someone who’s proactive, brings opportunities to the table, and grows alongside you,” Craven notes. Montik agrees, stating that success is not just about software but the relationships behind it. “It’s the relationships behind it that truly define success for us,” he says.
As each business looks to a future of new markets, games, and regulatory challenges, their partnership remains strong. “When you have that level of trust and shared ambition, true synergy becomes possible,” Montik concludes, adding that long-term success follows naturally when such synergy is present.
4.6/5
