At the recent SiGMA Asia 2025 in Manila, Tom Jang Lemke, Founder and Chief Executive of SavageTech, shared his perspective on how emerging technologies are reshaping the iGaming sector. In a continuously evolving market, Lemke shared during an exclusive interview on SiGMA TV how the growing influence of blockchain and artificial intelligence is swiftly changing market entry, player engagement, and industry expectations.
Blockchain’s role in lowering entry barriers
For Lemke, blockchain in iGaming is not a distant vision but a reality already exerting significant market impact. “With blockchain, it is already here,” he noted, naming platforms such as Stake.com and BC.Game among the leaders. By removing intermediaries and enabling decentralised infrastructure, blockchain has accelerated operations.
“It is not only faster, but also cuts out the middleman,” Lemke explained. “It lowers the barrier to enter the market.” This ease of access, he suggested, opens the door to new operators while creating tangible tensions for regulators as they adjust to decentralised ecosystems. The growing adoption reflects shifting business dynamics as blockchain-based operators increasingly attract market share among digital-first audiences.
AI is growing exponentially, and it is going to be everywhere.
AI‑driven personalisation and onboarding
Turning to artificial intelligence, Lemke underlined its strategic role in redefining customer acquisition and retention. From sports betting to interactive casinos, the ability to personalise player experiences through tailored content is now central. “I think personalisation is going to be huge,” he said. “When you’re in a casino or sportsbook, the moment you land, AI greets you with offerings tailored towards your taste, based on your online history. It curates the journey for you.”
He pointed to customer onboarding as a critical touchpoint, where AI-driven tools adjust content delivery in real time to increase conversions. In his view, AI will be embedded across the value chain – from customer relationship management to marketing campaigns, and eventually, in creating customised game content itself. “The technology is not going anywhere,” Lemke emphasised. “In two years, the industry will look completely different. AI is growing exponentially, and it is going to be everywhere.”
A younger audience demands faster change
Discussing adoption hurdles, Lemke acknowledged that some segments of the industry face challenges adapting. He set this against a demographic shift towards younger cohorts. “We are seeing a new group of 18 to 39 year olds – and 86% of the men in that cohort are gamers at heart. They want instant gratification; they want something fast-paced. If you don’t adapt to that, then you will have a problem.”
By contrast, operators relying on traditional formats, such as horse racing, struggle to appeal to this generation’s expectations. SavageTech, founded by Lemke in Berlin, positions itself within this adaptation curve, innovating to align with younger, digitally attuned audiences who insist on faster, customised experiences.
This ecosystem gives you access to people. Everyone has one or two minutes to meet. And meeting in person makes a real difference.
Beyond Manila’s ecosystem
Reflecting on his own company’s journey, Lemke noted that it was SiGMA Asia Manila, where SavageTech had launched exactly a year earlier. He referenced the event’s collaborative ecosystem as instrumental in creating commercial opportunities. “This ecosystem gives you access to people. Everyone has one or two minutes to meet. And meeting in person makes a real difference,” he said.
While traditional operators may find the pace of change difficult, Lemke sees technological adoption as inevitable. Both blockchain and AI, he suggested, are no longer future trends but immediate structural realities driving the sector into new territory. As iGaming continues at a rapid pace, industry leaders such as Tom Jang Lemke believe that blockchain and AI will remain the twin forces shaping its next phase.
