A new tycoon-style game created by a Sportradar employee offers a fresh way to understand the inner workings of the gambling industry.
The gambling industry has long been associated with innovation in digital entertainment, but a new project is taking that to another level. Maksim Afanasev, Platform Strategy Lead at Sportradar (global sports technology company), has presented what he describes as the first simulator that allows players to step into the shoes of an iGaming operator CEO. The game, titled “iGaming Manager Simulator”, blends gamification with real-world insights into how online betting and casino businesses operate.
At its core, “iGaming Manager Simulator” is designed in the style of a classic tycoon simulator. Players don’t just build an empire from scratch; they make key executive decisions that mirror the realities of managing an online gambling company. Marketing strategies, product development, and regulatory challenges all form part of the gameplay.
According to Afanasev, the goal was to combine entertainment with education. The simulator exposes players to the daily dilemmas faced by senior executives in the sector, from negotiating with traffic and payment solution providers to handling conflicts within top management. Unlike generic business games, the scenarios are modeled directly from operational experiences in the gambling industry, making the simulator both realistic and practical.
One of the standout aspects of the project is its rapid creation. Afanasev built the simulator in only three days using the no-code platform Lovable.dev, supported by AI for generating both text-based content and in-game graphics. This approach highlights how modern development tools can dramatically shorten the time from concept to execution.
AI played a central role in producing the dynamic storylines and visual elements. This not only sped up production but also allowed the project to incorporate a wide variety of scenarios that would otherwise have taken weeks or months to design manually.
The simulator draws heavily on Afanasev’s years of experience in the iGaming space. Players may find themselves negotiating licensing conditions with regulators, balancing budgets under market pressure, or resolving boardroom disputes that threaten the stability of the business. Each decision can have lasting consequences, making replayability a key feature of the game.
The inclusion of regulatory interaction is particularly timely, given the heightened scrutiny the iGaming sector faces worldwide. By weaving such elements into the gameplay, the simulator offers a light but valuable look into how executives navigate the often complex web of compliance requirements.
While clearly a playful project, the simulator also demonstrates the growing trend of using gamification to communicate industry knowledge. For industry newcomers, it provides an accessible way to understand how iGaming businesses function behind the scenes. For insiders, it serves as a thought experiment in strategy, risk management, and leadership.
The game’s tongue-in-cheek approach—such as satirical boardroom clashes and exaggerated market shifts—ensures that it remains entertaining while still rooted in reality. It’s not intended as a training tool, but it does reflect many truths about the challenges and decision-making processes of a modern gambling operator.
Afanasev’s announcement on LinkedIn quickly drew attention from professionals across the iGaming ecosystem. Many praised the creativity of the project, with some noting that it could become a useful entry point for discussions about industry practices.
The simulator also sparked conversations about how AI and no-code platforms are reshaping not only product development but also the way knowledge is shared within the sector.
Whether “iGaming Manager Simulator” evolves into a fully fleshed-out product or remains a passion project, its launch marks an interesting moment in the crossover between gaming and gambling industry education. It reflects both the creativity and adaptability of professionals working in this fast-paced space.
In a sector where regulatory frameworks, technological innovation, and market competition shift rapidly, the idea of putting oneself in the role of CEO—even virtually—offers a unique way to grasp the stakes involved. Afanasyev’s experiment suggests that serious industry insights can, with the right tools, be delivered in engaging and unconventional formats.
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