Prop trading firm PlayMeTech has this week expanded into igaming with the acquisition of a stake in online sportsbook and casino operator Alphabook.
Launched in 2022, Alphabook has established itself as one of the fastest-growing crypto-friendly platforms, offering more than 750 sports betting markets and thousands of casino games to players around the world.
Commenting on the acquisition, Group CEO Mark Kozyritskiy said: “On behalf of the whole operation, we are excited to support Alphabook’s UX experts with our trading resources, to further scale and deliver the most rewarding gaming platform, built around serving Alphabook’s growing betting communities.”
In a statement confirming the deal, Alphabook also revealed the signing of UFC star Ilia Topuria as a brand ambassador to expand its rapidly growing MMA community.
“Ilia is an extremely humble and respectful individual who always remembers where he came from, through hard work and determination,” it said. “He has always put his community ahead of himself and is a true reflection of our company’s values. He is also a notorious knockout artist.”
Mixed Martial Arts has come a long way since its inception in the early 1990s. With the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), MMA has been able to establish itself as one of the most popular sports in the world, with its events taking place all over the globe. As a testament to its popularity, betting on MMA has skyrocketed in the past 12 months, demonstrating the widespread interest and excitement surrounding the sport.
In a statement on his partnership with the operator, Topuria commented: “Alphabook supports the next generations and takes care of its existing communities, which is aligned with my objectives in the MMA world and everyday life.
“It’s crypto friendly, which allows users to deposit and withdraw in their preferred crypto currency, and this is not a feature that many companies on the market have. The platform is fast and easy to use, and I’m a strong believer in not over-complicating things.”
The unbeaten featherweight, who has risen through the UFC rankings, is set to face his biggest challenge yet later this year.
“My next big goal is the evening of June 24 when I will be the main event against Josh Emmett – a fight that will bring me even closer to my goal of fighting for the title at the end of this year. I only have one purpose in my mind and that is to be a champion,” said Topuria.
With its rising popularity among high-roller communities, Alphabook is poised to expand its reach in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where the online gaming market is projected to grow between 18 per cent and 40 per cent over the next five years.
The regions are known for their complexity in marketing, payments and a fragmented regulatory framework, yet the potential for development among gaming operators remains significant.
The partnership with PlayMeTech strengthens Alphabook’s expansion plans to meet growing demand for competitive sportsbook odds, as well as seamless transactions and product diversification.
