Uri Poliavich
Uri Poliavich | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1981 (age 44–45) |
| Alma mater | Bar-Ilan University. |
| Occupation |
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| Organization | Soft2Bet |
| Website | soft2bet |
Uri Poliavich (born 1981, Ukraine) is a businessman, philanthropist, and the founder of Soft2Bet, a gaming turnkey solutions provider. He is recognized for his leadership in the iGaming industry, where he has played a pivotal role in developing innovative platforms, technologies, and business models for online entertainment.[1][2]
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Poliavich is also known for his philanthropic contributions, supporting educational programs.
As an influential figure in both business and community development, he has earned a reputation for combining innovation with social responsibility.
Biography
Poliavich was born in 1981 in Ukraine.
At the age of 14, Poliavich’s family moved to Israel, where he completed high school and completed his mandatory three-year military service.
During his studies, Poliavich developed an early interest in business law and entrepreneurship, which later influenced his transition from the legal field into the iGaming and technology sector.
Between 2005 and 2009, he earned a Bachelor of Law (LLB) in Legal Studies from Bar-Ilan University. Poliavich began his career as a lawyer, working primarily in commercial and real estate.[3][4]
Career
Between 2007 and 2010, Poliavich worked as a legal intern at HBW Law, specialising in M&A contracts for international commercial and real estate deals.
In 2010-2012, he served as VP of Business Development at WK Group, managing diverse business operations of the group in Central Asia and working with major iGaming suppliers such as Microgaming, BetConstruct, and Playtech.[5]
In 2012, Poliavich moved with his family to Republic of Moldova, and simultaneously held a role at Playtech as a Consultant for Emerging Markets, developing business opportunities and expanding Playtech’s presence in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.[6] He was also COO at IMS Limited overseeing igaming operations, customer support, finance, and marketing until August 2016.[7]
In 2016, Poliavich founded Soft2Bet, which began as a startup and has grown into a global iGaming provider, reaching several key milestones:
- Secured 19 global licenses and launched multiple gaming brands.[8][9]
- Led the development of the Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), a gamification-driven platform designed to enhance player engagement and revenue growth.[10][11][12][13]
- The MEGA platform was named "Product Launch of the Year" at the 2025 Global Gaming Awards in the EMEA region.[14][15]
Under Poliavich’s leadership, Soft2Bet has grown from a small team of fewer than 20 employees to an international workforce of over 100 professionals by 2025. The company operates across 11 regulated jurisdictions and holds 19 licenses, establishing a strong presence in the global online gaming market. With its official office located in Malta, Soft2Bet continues to expand its operations while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and delivering high-quality services to its diverse customer base.. In addition to technology, Poliavich emphasized corporate culture, introducing employee-centered initiatives such as innovation labs, leadership training, and a diversity & inclusion program.
He has been a keynote speaker at major industry conferences, including ICE London, SBC Summit Barcelona, and SiGMA Europe, where he often discusses digital transformation in gaming and gamification strategies.
In 2024, Poliavich expanded Sof2Bet’s operations in Malta, officially opening a new local office.[16]
Soft2Bet, led by Uri Poliavich, has been granted a certificate from the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario), enabling the Group to expand its operations into the North American market by obtaining an iGaming license.[17]
In July 2024, Soft2Bet unveiled Soft2Bet Invest, a €50 million iGaming Innovation Fund dedicated to fostering innovation in the iGaming and casual gaming sectors. This fund aims to provide financial and business support to entrepreneurs and companies eager to elevate their ideas and operations to new heights.[18][19] This initiative received the “Outstanding Contribution to Gaming” award at SIGMA in September 2024.[20][21]
In September 2024, he was recognised as the "Leader of the Year" at the SBC Awards[22][23] and as Executive of the year by Global Gaming Awards EMEA in 2025.[24]
Beyond corporate awards, Poliavich was profiled in major business publications including Forbes, Gambling Insider, and Business Insider, which highlighted his role in shaping the gamification trend in iGaming.
He played a pioneering role in developing responsible gaming frameworks at Soft2Bet, ensuring compliance with international standards and promoting safer gaming environments.
Philanthropy
After moving to Israel and graduating from the law faculty at Bar-Ilan University, Poliavich contributed to Jewish education around the world, funding both day schools and extracurricular programs for Jewish children.
The Yael Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting Jewish education worldwide. Its mission is to ensure that every Jewish child has access to high-quality, identity-strengthening education. The foundation funds organizations already active in their local communities, including schools, kindergartens, after-school programs, and other educational initiatives, acting as a catalyst for change by supporting strong, existing community-led efforts. Emphasizing accessibility, the Yael Foundation focuses on regions where Jewish education is limited or costly, while prioritizing quality, innovation, and sustainability in all educational programs it supports.[25][26][27]
In 2020, he and his wife, Yael, established the Yael Foundation.[28][29] As of 2025, the foundation operates in 37 countries, supporting over 13,500 Jewish children through educational programs, summer camps, and other initiatives.[30]
The Yael Foundation is committed to advancing Jewish education through innovative programs that inspire, empower, and elevate students and educators worldwide. Its initiatives combine modern educational methods with a deep respect for tradition, creating lasting impact and setting new standards for excellence. Key programs include the Yael Camp, which brings together Jewish youth from diverse backgrounds each summer at no cost to foster community and identity; the Yael International Summit, an annual event connecting educators from 31 countries to share knowledge and best practices; and the Yael International Leadership Program, a year-round initiative that empowers Jewish school principals globally to drive educational innovation while building a strong peer network.
According to The Jerusalem Post, in 2024 Uri Poliavich was named among the Top 50 Most Influential Jews.[31]
Poliavich collaborates with other global Jewish leaders, like Ronald Lauder, to support Jewish education.[32][33]
References
- ↑ "Gamification in Banking and Fintech — Five Learnings from iGaming". Forbes. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Uri Poliavich: Soft2Bet tapping into mobile gaming's two billion players with MEGA". SBC News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Uri Poliavich — executive profile". Gambling Insider. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "50 Jews 24 — profile (Jerusalem Post)". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Uri Poliavich — executive profile". Gambling Insider. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "CEO Special: Soft2Bet CEO Uri Poliavich — Feeding the Fire". Gambling Insider (Magazine). Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Uri Poliavich — Soft2Bet org chart/profile". The Org. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet to share iGaming insights at Forbes Cyprus Future of Fintech Summit". Yogonet. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Launching in Greece — Soft2Bet's general counsel on latest licence". Gambling Insider (In-depth). Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Gamification in Banking and Fintech — Five Learnings from iGaming". Forbes. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Uri Poliavich: Soft2Bet tapping into mobile gaming's two billion players with MEGA". SBC News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Using Motivational Engineering to Fight for User Screen Time". Sigma.World. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Motivational engineering is in and iGaming is leading the way". Tech.eu. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet's Motivational Engineering app MEGA recognised by Sigma Europe Awards". European Gaming. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Three awards for Soft2Bet at 2025 GGA EMEA". G-M News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet opens new office in Malta". SportsInsider. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet granted certificate of registration in Ontario (Apr 1, 2024)". Covers. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet announces new iGaming Innovation Fund". Gambling Insider. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet launches iGaming Innovation Fund". Next (news). Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet Invest wins Outstanding Contribution to Gaming 2024 at Sigma East Europe". European Gaming. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet Invest wins Outstanding Contribution to Gaming 2024 (AgBrief)". AGBrief. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet CEO & founder Uri Poliavich recognised — Leader of the Year (SBC Awards)". EE Gaming. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet's CEO Uri Poliavich honoured with SBC's Leader of the Year award". AGBrief. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Uri Poliavich — executive profile". Gambling Insider. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "50 Jews 24 — profile (Jerusalem Post)". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Yael Foundation looks to boost Jewish education worldwide (new leadership & budget)". eJewishPhilanthropy. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soft2Bet reflects on eight years of leadership and philanthropy — new film featuring Uri Poliavich". The-European.eu. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Yael Foundation to hold third annual conference in Cyprus". JNS.org. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Jewish education foundation announces major budget expansion (Israel Hayom)". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Article on antisemitism (Jerusalem Post)". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "50 Jews 24 — profile (Jerusalem Post)". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Yael and Lauder Foundations partner to support Jewish education across Europe". The Jewish News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "50 Jews 24 — profile (Jerusalem Post)". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 September 2025.