Banana Town

About Banana Town

SOFTSWISS’s CTO gets candid on AI hype, Tech Race and why the room matters more than the stage.

In July, iGB announced the media partnership between SOFTSWISS and World Gaming for Tech Race Summit 2026 in September.

Recently, Margaret Dunn, portfolio director at WorldGaming, interviewed Sergey Kastukevich, chief technology officer at SOFTSWISS, in a primer of both Tech Race and ICE Hall 7. The pair also shared their perspective on the development of AI in the industry.

How to play Banana Town

The ASA reviewed whether the ads were directed at under-18s through their placement or content. Its rules prohibit advertising through media where more than 25% of the audience is likely to be under 18. 

While the audience data did not conclusively define the website’s age demographics, the regulator noted small percentages of under-18s in HLTV’s social channels but found the website’s content and presentation clearly targeted adults.

Ultimately, the ASA ruled that the ads did not breach CAP Code rules 16.1 or 16.3.13 and took no further action.

How to play Banana Town

In March, William Hill told staff it plans to permanently close approximately 200 of its retail shops in the UK, around 15% of Evoke’s retail estate.

Last month, meanwhile, Betfred announced plans to shutter 132 of its UK betting shops, reducing its workforce by over 600 employees.

Betfred CEO Jo Whittaker said: “We have tried hard to protect all our sites and the colleagues who work in them, but the combined impact of higher employer National Insurance contributions, wage inflation, increases in gambling taxes and wider economic uncertainty has left us with no choice.”