Superbet launches new technology group as it plans future growth roadmap

Superbet has divested its technology division to create a new group within the business dubbed ‘Happening’.

Happening will see Superbet unite its various tech and product teams under a single entity, with the Romania-founded Central and Eastern European (CEE) operator adding that it was an opportunity to establish the firm as a “world-class tech company”.

EGR understands the decision to launch Happening was two-pronged as Superbet looks to action on its growth roadmap.

The first was to bring the company’s widespread tech teams under one umbrella, with the retail and online bookmaker having a mixture of organically grown teams and company acquisitions across the business.

The second was to establish a brand capable of attracting top tech talent in a competitive market.

Superbet also noted its proprietary tech would allow it to deliver on “Silicon Valley-scale projects”, with the firm noting it has taken up to one million bets in 24 hours on the platform.

EGR understands current Superbet chief technology officer (CTO) Bruno Kovačić will lead the new organisation, in an as yet undecided role.

He will be supported by an initial four-person senior team, comprising of three existing senior Superbet figures and one external hire.

Sameen Jalal has been confirmed as VP of engineering and moves across from VP of platform engineering at Superbet, while Ivan Klarić has also been named VP of engineering, reprising his same role at Superbet.

Chief information security officer Alex Balan will continue in the same position at Happening and Tijana Kovačević has been appointed as VP of people after joining from currency exchange Wise.

EGR also understand the Happening team will initial be formed of around 500 people, with the group looking to expand rapidly and planning to open a further 150 tech roles in the near future.

While Superbet has divested its tech arm, it currently has no plans to launch a B2B vertical; instead, Happening will continue to provide its exclusive tech to the Superbet platforms.

Speaking to EGR¸ Kovačić said the establishment of Happening would act as a catalyst for Superbet’s future growth and transformation.

“Technology is central to our ambitions of becoming a global entertainment platform. That is why we are establishing the right culture to thrive,” he explained.

“We have already achieved impressive results through the targeted acquisition of technology brands, and now we can embrace the best traits of our legacy technology brands and to build something new.

“Furthermore, within the current market dynamics, as we continue our on our path of exponential growth, it is essential that we can attract the best talent. While Happening is designed by our people, for our people, it will also be the key driver in attracting the next generation of technologists,” he added.