João Soares joins Vyking to lead iGaming innovation

Vyking, recognized for its innovative iGaming solutions, has appointed João Soares to serve as Chief Technology Officer. The appointment marks a significant step in Vyking’s strategic growth, reinforcing its commitment to technological innovation and excellence in the iGaming sector.

Soares, a Portuguese technology executive with extensive experience in the online gaming industry, brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in scaling engineering teams and leading product development initiatives for top-tier operators. His appointment reflects Vyking’s ongoing focus on enhancing platform capabilities, fostering high-performing teams, and maintaining a competitive edge in an increasingly complex and regulated iGaming market.

João Soares’ Professional Journey

João Soares’ career spans over a decade in technology leadership roles within iGaming and other digital sectors. He is widely recognized for his expertise in transforming engineering teams, implementing scalable structures, and driving operational efficiency.

Leadership at White Hat Gaming

In his prior position as Head of Engineering at White Hat Gaming, Soares oversaw a team exceeding 120 engineers and technical staff. During his tenure, he led a comprehensive transformation of the company’s engineering function.

He introduced scalable team structures, developed mentoring programs for managers and technical leads, and implemented Agile methodologies across the organization. These initiatives were instrumental in converting a flat engineering setup into a high-performing, resilient, and delivery-focused organization. His efforts ensured improved operational efficiency, better product delivery timelines, and a culture of continuous innovation.

Experience at BetVictor

Before joining White Hat Gaming, Soares spent over five years at BetVictor, where he held several senior engineering positions. Notably, he led the launch of eight native mobile applications across iOS and Android platforms. These apps accounted for nearly 60% of BetVictor’s business in key markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and parts of Asia.

His work at BetVictor encompassed both technical leadership and strategic product oversight, emphasizing user experience, mobile-first development, and integration of modern software practices. This experience underlined his capacity to manage large-scale projects with significant commercial impact.

Early Career at William Hill

At William Hill, João Soares served as a development manager, overseeing multiple teams involved in platform and product development initiatives. His early career experiences allowed him to gain insights into enterprise-level software development, platform scalability, and cross-functional team collaboration.

Expertise Beyond iGaming

While Soares’ iGaming credentials are extensive, his expertise is not confined to this sector. He has held senior leadership roles in diverse technology industries, providing him with a broad perspective on digital transformation and operational excellence.

At Vision-Box, Soares served as Head of Engineering, overseeing complex technology projects and leading teams through digital innovation programs. He further extended his experience as Director of Engineering at Easyship, focusing on digital transformation initiatives, quality assurance implementation, and leadership coaching.

This cross-industry exposure enables Soares to bring fresh ideas and best practices to the iGaming landscape, particularly in areas such as scalable architecture, agile delivery, and team development.

Vision for Vyking

Commenting on his new role, João Soares said:

“I am thrilled to be joining Vyking at such an exciting time. The company’s platform vision, which combines flexibility, scalability and true product ownership for operators, is exactly the type of challenge I’m passionate about. My goal is to help accelerate innovation, build high-performing teams and ensure Vyking continues to set new standards for iGaming technology.”

Soares’ vision for Vyking aligns closely with the company’s mission to provide operators with a robust, adaptable, and future-proof iGaming platform. His focus will include further enhancing platform flexibility, ensuring seamless integration for operators, and advancing product innovation to meet evolving market demands.

CEO Perspective: Strategic Growth and Leadership

Franz Gerhart, CEO of Vyking, emphasized the strategic significance of Soares’ appointment:

“João brings the perfect blend of technical expertise, leadership capability and proven industry experience. His track record of scaling engineering teams and driving transformation at leading operators will be invaluable as Vyking enters its next phase of growth.”

Gerhart also acknowledged the contributions of Vyking’s outgoing technology lead, Helmut Kleinhans, who is transitioning to a new role as Chief Software Architect:

“I also want to acknowledge Helmut Kleinhans, who has excelled in leading our technology function and is now stepping into a new senior role as chief software architect. This transition reflects his passion for deep technology and innovation, enabling him to focus on advanced engineering across the wider business. Helmut’s impact has been pivotal in positioning Vyking for success, and we are thrilled he will continue to shape our technology future.”

This leadership continuity ensures that Vyking maintains stability while simultaneously driving innovation, technological advancement, and operational excellence across its platform.

Advancing iGaming Technology

Vyking has built a reputation as a next-generation iGaming platform provider, offering operators a combination of flexibility, scalability, and comprehensive product ownership. The appointment of João Soares reinforces Vyking’s commitment to these values and strengthens its capability to meet the rapidly evolving needs of global operators.

With Soares’ leadership, Vyking is poised to focus on several key areas:

Enhancing Platform Flexibility

The company aims to provide operators with a platform that allows greater control over product customization, game integration, and operational workflows. By enabling flexible configurations, Vyking ensures operators can respond quickly to market trends, regulatory changes, and player preferences.

Driving Agile Innovation

João Soares’ extensive experience with Agile methodologies will help embed a culture of continuous improvement, iterative development, and faster product delivery. This approach ensures Vyking remains at the forefront of technological innovation while minimizing operational risk.

Building High-Performing Teams

A major focus of Soares’ role will be cultivating high-performing engineering teams. His previous success in mentoring managers and technical leads, combined with his experience in scalable team structures, will be instrumental in developing talent, retaining top performers, and fostering a culture of excellence.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance

Operating in the iGaming sector requires adherence to strict regulatory standards. Soares’ experience in regulated markets, including the UK, Germany, and Asia, equips him to oversee technology strategies that comply with local and international regulations, reducing compliance risk for Vyking and its operators.

Conclusion

The appointment of João Soares as CTO marks a significant milestone in Vyking’s growth trajectory. With his extensive leadership experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge, Vyking is well-positioned to enhance its platform capabilities, scale engineering operations, and set new benchmarks in iGaming technology.

This strategic move signals Vyking’s ongoing commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering high-value solutions for operators in a highly competitive and regulated global market.

FAQs

What is Vyking’s new appointment?
Vyking has appointed João Soares as its Chief Technology Officer.

What experience does João Soares have in iGaming?
He has held leadership roles at William Hill, BetVictor, and White Hat Gaming, managing large engineering teams and launching mobile platforms.

What will Soares focus on at Vyking?
He will focus on accelerating innovation, building high-performing teams, enhancing platform flexibility, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Who is Helmut Kleinhans?
Helmut Kleinhans was Vyking’s previous technology lead and is now Chief Software Architect.

What are Vyking’s core platform values?
Flexibility, scalability, and operator-focused product ownership.

Which markets has Soares worked in before?
He has experience in the UK, Germany, Asia, and other regulated markets.

How does Vyking plan to innovate its platform?
Through Agile methodologies, scalable architectures, and advanced engineering leadership.

Why is this appointment significant for Vyking?
It strengthens Vyking’s leadership team and positions the company for growth and technological advancement.

Does Soares have experience outside iGaming?
Yes, he held senior engineering roles at Vision-Box and Easyship, focusing on digital transformation and leadership coaching.

What is the expected impact of this leadership change?
It will enhance Vyking’s engineering capabilities, support platform innovation, and maintain regulatory compliance across global markets.