Harrison Barrett, Soft2Bet: “Our operations and teams based in North America have been well-equipped to handle the surge in users”
Ahead of SBC Summit Americas, Harrison Barrett, VP of Business Development at Soft2Bet, discusses the company’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the growth of its MEGA gamification products and opportunities in North America.
Exclusive interview.- As the sports betting industry prepares for one of its biggest growth opportunities ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, operators and suppliers are increasingly focused on scalability, player engagement and long-term retention strategies. Soft2Bet is among the companies looking to capitalise on the momentum through its gamification-driven approach and expanding footprint in North America.
Ahead of SBC Summit Americas, Focus Gaming News spoke with Harrison Barrett, VP of business development at Soft2Bet, about the company’s readiness for the expected surge in betting activity, the reception of its MEGA11 football manager game, the role of MEGA Islands in player retention, and what visitors can expect from Soft2Bet at the upcoming event in Fort Lauderdale.
We’re approaching a key period for sports betting in the Americas with the FIFA World Cup 2026. How are you preparing for that?
We have prepared our platform through rigorous testing exercises throughout the year in preparation for the surge in activity that will be expected across our brands during this summer’s sporting events.
Additionally, we’ve aligned our marketing and product roadmaps with legendary sports cultural figures. Partnering with football icon Diego Simeone is a perfect reflection of our core philosophies at Soft2Bet. Known for his vision to win, relentless hard work, and dedication to improvement, Simeone shares our exact mindset.
We have already proven our ability to handle explosive growth in the region. For instance, our ToonieBet brand operating out of Ontario has seen exponential increases in users, playtime and session time. Overall, our operations and teams based in North America have been well-equipped to handle the surge in users that we have seen. This is an incredible opportunity to plant our flag in the ground within the Ontario market, especially as we prepare for the pending Alberta market launch.
“We have prepared our platform through rigorous testing exercises throughout the year in preparation for the surge in activity that will be expected across our brands during this summer’s sporting events.”
Harrison Barrett, VP, business development at Soft2Bet.
How has the MEGA11 football manager game been received?
MEGA11 has been very well received, and players are enjoying the game’s fantasy sports manager experience. We recognised that football manager and fantasy sports games command some of the longest session times in gaming, and we built MEGA11 to bridge the gap between sports betting and casual gaming.
Among the game’s more popular features are the F2P aspects of the game, which allows players to progress through game mechanics without placing bets or deposits. MEGA11’s new soft currency model is approachable for players and allows users to play for longer and enjoy an authentic fantasy sports game in an entirely new way.
“We recognised that football manager and fantasy sports games command some of the longest session times in gaming.”
Harrison Barrett, VP, business development at Soft2Bet.
What do you think are the keys to engaging and retaining new players who might place their first bet during the competition, and what role can tools like MEGA Islands play?
One of the most promising aspects of MEGA Islands is its exceptional player retention and user engagement. It is engineered as a standalone casual gaming experience for our partners throughout the North American market, and the platform serves as a powerful new customer engagement tool. While betting can drive in-game progress, MEGA Islands introduces a layered gamification experience where everyday player activity translates into resources. Players use these resources to build villages, unlock new territories, and engage in social mechanics like plundering other islands.
These progressive features have proven incredibly successful in extending player sessions and bridging the downtime between match days, all without relying on constant bonuses or deposits.
What can we expect to find at Soft2Bet’s stand at the SBC Summit Americas?
As a major headline partner for the summit in Fort Lauderdale, we are showcasing the latest products and ideas from Soft2Bet. Our Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Cochrane, will kick off the summit, taking the Leaders Stage at 10:45 AM on May 10th, where he will join executives from Fanatics and Optimove on steering the future of gaming.
When you visit the Soft2Bet booth, you can expect live immersive MEGA demonstrations showcasing our proven award-winning products, including new MEGA engines, as MEGA11 and MEGA Islands.
Our senior Commercial and Business Development teams will be on the ground to discuss how operators can leverage our turnkey platform to maximise their ROI just in time for the summer’s sports betting boom.
