We’re opening our new expert interview series with someone who hardly needs an introduction: Glenn Debattista, COO of BetStarters and the winner of our Peachtober Frenzy competition.

Filmed live at SiGMA World Rome, the conversation was led by our Sales Lead, Maria Vartanians, who has a talent for getting guests to share their most candid and thought-provoking perspectives.

What followed was a fast-paced, insight-packed discussion about design choices that matter, clichés the industry should finally retire, and the operational mindset that keeps a betting platform running smoothly.

When Slot Design Stops Being Fun

We opened with a question that exposes the gap between intention and real player behavior: where does the experience actually break? Glenn’s view made it clear that the very first interaction defines whether the player stays. When a game demands too much too soon, even strong features can’t recover the lost momentum. His comments hint at something larger, reminding us that usability isn’t a “nice-to-have” but the baseline for engagement.

What Will Shape the Next Two Years

Toward the end, Glenn turned to a trend already reshaping how companies build, market and scale their products:

“ - We’re still in the early stages, but the impact is already visible in our daily work. In a year or two, it’s going to be even bigger and the companies that adapt now will feel the difference the most"

His point underlines a decisive moment for the industry: the evolution isn’t theoretical anymore. Teams that embrace the transition early will set the pace for the next growth cycle.

Leadership Behind the Scenes

When the conversation shifted to operations, Glenn described the reality behind the COO role: cross-department alignment, decision-making under pressure, and the responsibility to keep different teams moving in sync. He emphasized how understanding the interplay between departments matters more than being a hands-on specialist in each one. It’s a reminder that operational leadership is less about control and more about maintaining a steady rhythm across the entire organisation.

Explore the Full Interview

There’s much more to unpack than what fits into a written recap. Glenn shared insights, stories and nuances that truly come through only in the full conversation.

If you want the complete picture, we encourage you to watch the interview in full