“INNOVATION AND ADAPTATION TO CHANGE – THE KEY TO POWERBET SUCCESS”
Today we will have a discussion with Romeo Ungureanu, the development director of PowerBet, one of the most famous gambling companies in Romania. Even though it’s only been a year since our last interview, we know that some important changes have taken place at PowerBet. We are curious to know how the company has fared during this period. We will discuss the evolution of the company, the expansion of the network of locations, the rebranding process and the change of the car fleet, but also about the future plans. We are sure to have an interesting discussion!
We found out that Power Bet has seen impressive growth in terms of locations. Can you give us more details?
Power Bet is a company that has always focused on expanding its presence in the market and offering superior quality services to its customers. In recent years, we have invested significantly in expanding our network of locations across the country by opening new agencies and partnerships with local operators. This expansion is part of our strategy to be as close as possible to our customers, giving them access to our products and services in any corner of the country.
Currently, we have managed to reach more than 1500 locations, both our own and in the franchise system, and to be present in almost all cities in Romania. As for how we managed to achieve this growth, I think the secret lies both in the effort and commitment of the team but also in the close collaboration with our partners.
Another consideration that led to this success was the decision to take over the LiveBet1x2 company.
I would like to discuss the takeover of the company LiveBet1x2 and how this decision will influence the development of PowerBet?
Taking over LiveBet1x2 was one of the most important strategic decisions we made in the last year and we believe it will have a significant impact on our evolution on the Romanian market. A large part of the locations newly brought to the portfolio are located in certain geographical regions of the country that have been of interest to us for a longer time, so the takeover occurred at an opportune moment. With the number of locations brought to the portfolio through the acquisition of LiveBet1x2, we have considerably increased our coverage area, the number of employees and the number of betting terminals. In this context, another essential aspect for us was the integration process of new colleagues in the already existing system of Powerbet. Steps have been taken to ensure a smooth and efficient transition and we have opened new departments. This significant team growth has allowed us to be more agile and efficient in providing quality services and products to our partners and customers, and we have been able to improve our response time to their requests. This move helped us to strengthen our position in the market as one of the largest and most important gambling companies in the country.
You also mentioned in the previous interview about betting terminals. What are the main advantages of using them for PowerBet customers?
Betting terminals are in trend and in high demand today because they are a modern and convenient solution for players who want to place their bets in a quick and simple way. Our terminals are synchronized with the main platform, so customers who walk through our door can enjoy the same benefits and promotions they are used to, whether we are talking about pre-match betting, live betting, virtual games or international lotteries. One of our priorities was to increase the number of such devices in order to satisfy as many customers as possible, today Powerbet makes available to them more than 850 terminals, compared to the same period last year when the number was around 500.
The promotions that our customers can enjoy both in the cashiers and on the betting terminal are ” Pariu Șansă 15 %” – the biggest in the market and are activated on tickets that contain a minimum of 10 events and a minimum odds of 1.25 for every event bet, “Power Bonus 125%” – a very popular promotion that allows bettors to receive a gradual bonus starting from 3 chosen events per ticket with a minimum odds of 1.25, which can reach up to 125% Also, players can choose daily increased odds within the “Cota Power” and “Extra Power” promotions.
However, how does PowerBet manage to continuously grow and maintain its performance in the current economic environment?
Certainly, the current period is a difficult one for all companies, regardless of the field. However, PowerBet has always been able to face these challenges thanks to a well-planned and focused strategy involving measures adapted to the economic context. Over time, the fact that we were flexible and we knew how to quickly adapt to changes in the market helped us position ourselves on an upward slope without encountering too many obstacles. In addition to this aspect, we have always emphasized efficiency and cost optimization, which allowed us to focus on our central goal, the continuous development of the company.
We have recently decided to replace our car fleet with newer and more fuel efficient and gas emission efficient models. This important step combines our cost reduction strategy with our social responsibility towards the environment. In addition, having a modern fleet of cars allows us to provide a better and more efficient service to our partners and customers, moving quickly and smoothly to different locations.
Innovation and adaptation to change have always been PowerBet’s key values that have helped to maintain performance. In addition to the purchase of hybrid cars, an important move for us is also the change of branding that conveys the company’s tendency towards evolution and development.
Why was this rebranding necessary and what are the benefits of this change?
We are aware that our image plays an important role in customers’ choices, thus we have made the decision to make this change.
First, we wanted to modernize PowerBet’s image and adapt it to new trends to stay relevant. In this regard, we decided that a branding change was necessary to adapt to the current market demands. Our new logo is much more modern and easier to recognize.
Second, we wanted to convey to the public that we are a modern and innovative company in a fast-changing industry where you always have to stay up to date with new technologies and trends. Thus, we decided to move away from the old branding, which no longer reflected these values, and to bring in a breath of fresh air.
Following this rebranding, we got more than we bargained for. We attracted the attention of potential partners and customers, our brand becoming more visible and attractive. We also received positive feedback from both parties.
How do you see the evolution of the industry in the next period?
As a company active in the gambling industry, we expect a positive evolution of the market in the next period, although the current challenges and predictability may give us something to think about. However, we believe that we will witness an intensification of competition in the gambling market, which can have a positive impact on innovation and the development of new products and services. At the same time, regulations and public policies will continue to play an important role in the evolution of the resort market. Adaptability is key to staying relevant in a market as dynamic and complex as ours.
We are ready to quickly adapt to new conditions and innovate, so as to respond to the needs and requirements of our customers and at the same time continue to fulfill the missions and targets that we have set for ourselves from the very beginning.
What are the future plans for PowerBet?
PowerBet constantly has plans, projects and goals to achieve. As a young and dynamic team, we want to continuously progress and implement new ideas. In the context of constant changes in the gambling industry in Romania, we are aware that we have to adapt and meet the increasingly varied and novel demands of our customers, that’s why we want to focus on the development of the e-sports section. We see a significant increase in interest in video games among young people and we are aware that e-sports is becoming more and more popular. We want to be in step with this trend and offer a wide range of bets on e-sports events. The trends in this industry are revolutionized by technology, and we see these changes as opportunities for continuous development, at the organizational and personal level.
Our main plan for this year remains the development of the retail sector, as we believe it is essential to have an even stronger presence in this segment. In this process we do not lose sight of the evolution of technology in the field, the increasingly varied requirements of partners or players and the feedback we receive constantly that helps us improve our services according to the standards required to provide a pleasant experience.
In addition, we want to start the activity in the online environment as well, where we will offer a dynamic platform with a wide range of sports betting (pre-match), similar to that in our retail agencies. At the same time, we aim to keep the promotions that differentiate us in the Romanian betting market.
The platform is in the testing and analysis stage, which is a complex and rigorous process involving several important steps. These steps are essential to ensure the correct and efficient operation of the online platform, as well as to guarantee the security and protection of players’ data. The launch is scheduled for the end of the year and we have the confidence and conviction that it will be a real success.
