FIRST.bet celebrates Tom Light in Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2026

FIRST.bet Founder and Chief Executive Officer Tom Light has been named to the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2026, receiving recognition for his contribution to the international gaming industry. The annual programme honours professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and measurable impact across different sectors of gaming.

The recognition was presented by The Innovation Group in partnership with Global Gaming Business and iGB. According to the organisers, the 2026 class was selected from a record number of more than 250 nominations submitted from around the world. The announcement highlights professionals whose work continues to influence the future direction of the gaming sector.

The latest recognition adds to an already successful year for Tom Light and FIRST.bet. Earlier in 2026, Light received the Individual Achievement Award at the EGR Awards while FIRST.bet was recognised as Sports Betting Supplier of the Year.

Commenting on the recognition, Tom Light said, “Building in this space requires long term thinking. Results take time and consistency matters more than short term wins.”

Recognition reflects sustained industry contribution

The Emerging Leaders of Gaming programme has become one of the industry's recognised initiatives for highlighting professionals who are helping shape the future of gaming. Selection is based on professional achievements, leadership qualities and contributions to innovation across the sector.

Being included in the 2026 class places Tom Light among a group of executives who have demonstrated continued progress in their respective organisations while contributing to wider industry development.

Global Gaming Business magazine has also published a profile featuring Tom Light as part of its coverage of the 2026 class. The publication provides additional insight into the careers and achievements of those selected for the programme.

For FIRST.bet, the recognition represents another milestone as the company continues expanding its sportsbook technology offering across regulated gaming markets.

Building FIRST.bet around sportsbook expertise

Tom Light was born and raised in Israel before relocating to Bulgaria in 2013. Since then, he has spent more than a decade working within sportsbook technology and trading systems.

Throughout his career, Light has been involved in developing platforms used by several major betting operators worldwide. His experience includes work during the early evolution of live betting, where technological improvements transformed how sportsbooks manage odds, markets and customer engagement in real time.

This experience later became the foundation for FIRST.bet, which was established with a clear focus on sportsbook technology rather than a broader portfolio of gaming products.

Under his leadership, FIRST.bet has expanded to employ more than 500 professionals with major operational centres located in Sofia and Plovdiv. The company develops sportsbook solutions designed to deliver fast performance, scalable infrastructure, dynamic pricing capabilities and efficient risk management for licensed operators.

Speaking about the company's approach, Tom Light said, “Today we are talking about thousands of events per day and hundreds of markets. We focus on speed, scalability and real time performance.”

Product development driven by market demand

One of the defining features of FIRST.bet's business strategy is its emphasis on adapting sportsbook products to local market requirements instead of applying a single approach across every jurisdiction.

The company supports betting across a wide selection of international sports while also integrating regional sporting events that are important to local audiences.

Brazil provides one example of this strategy. FIRST.bet offers betting markets on vaquejada, a traditional sport that remains highly popular in several parts of the country. By supporting locally significant events alongside international competitions, the company aims to provide operators with products that reflect regional player preferences.

This localisation strategy has become increasingly important as regulated markets continue expanding and operators seek greater flexibility in meeting customer expectations.

Tom Light commented on this philosophy by saying, “This reflects our approach. We adapt to real market demand and local player behavior.”

Continued investment in sportsbook technology

FIRST.bet continues investing in technologies designed to improve sportsbook performance and operational efficiency.

The company's ongoing product development includes enhancements to bet builders, automated trading systems, data driven pricing models and personalised betting experiences. These capabilities are intended to help operators manage increasingly complex sportsbook operations while improving customer engagement.

Automation has become particularly important as sportsbooks process growing numbers of sporting events every day across multiple jurisdictions. Real time pricing, rapid market updates and efficient risk management all require technology capable of handling significant volumes of data without compromising performance.

By concentrating exclusively on sportsbook development, FIRST.bet seeks to provide specialised solutions that evolve alongside changing industry requirements.

Industry outlook remains focused on quality and compliance

Looking ahead, Tom Light believes the gaming industry will continue evolving as regulatory frameworks expand across additional jurisdictions. Operators are expected to place greater emphasis on compliance, operational efficiency and technology capable of supporting regulated environments.

As competition increases, providers are also expected to invest more heavily in scalable platforms that deliver consistent performance while meeting increasingly detailed regulatory requirements.

According to Light, maintaining product quality while delivering rapid execution will remain critical factors for long term success.

He said, “In this industry, product quality and speed of execution are what ultimately determine success. Unlike many providers, we are fully dedicated to sportsbook. That focus allows us to move faster and deliver a stronger product to our partners.”

Recognition supports FIRST.bet's continued growth

Industry awards and leadership recognition do not determine business success on their own, but they can reflect the progress organisations have achieved over time. For FIRST.bet, the recognition of Tom Light follows a period marked by product development, organisational growth and continued expansion within sportsbook technology.

The company's focus on specialised sportsbook solutions has helped establish its position within a competitive market where operators increasingly seek reliable technology partners capable of supporting regulated operations across multiple jurisdictions.

As regulatory expectations continue developing globally, providers that combine technical expertise with operational scalability are likely to remain important participants within the broader gaming ecosystem.

Conclusion

Tom Light's inclusion in the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2026 represents recognition of his ongoing contribution to sportsbook technology and leadership within the gaming industry. Combined with his recent Individual Achievement Award and FIRST.bet's Sports Betting Supplier of the Year recognition, the achievement highlights a period of continued progress for both the executive and the company.

FIRST.bet continues to pursue a focused strategy centred on sportsbook innovation, scalable technology and market specific solutions. As the gaming industry develops through expanding regulation and increasing technological demands, the company's commitment to specialised sportsbook products positions it to continue supporting operators with performance driven solutions for regulated markets.

FAQs

What is the Focus Keyword for this article?
The Focus Keyword is Tom Light.

Who is Tom Light?
Tom Light is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FIRST.bet and has more than a decade of experience developing sportsbook technology and trading platforms.

What is the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 programme?
It is an annual industry recognition programme that honours professionals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the global gaming industry.

Who organises the Emerging Leaders of Gaming programme?
The programme is presented by The Innovation Group in partnership with Global Gaming Business and iGB.

Why was Tom Light recognised?
He was recognised for his leadership, innovation and contribution to sportsbook technology and the wider gaming industry.

What award did Tom Light receive before this recognition?
Earlier in 2026 he received the Individual Achievement Award at the EGR Awards.

What recognition did FIRST.bet receive in 2026?
FIRST.bet was named Sports Betting Supplier of the Year at the EGR Awards.

Where are FIRST.bet's main operations located?
The company's primary operational centres are located in Sofia and Plovdiv in Bulgaria.

What products does FIRST.bet develop?
FIRST.bet develops sportsbook technology including trading platforms, bet builders, automated trading tools, pricing systems and risk management solutions.

What is FIRST.bet's approach to different markets?
The company adapts its sportsbook offering to local market demand by supporting both international sports and regionally popular sporting events.

What does Tom Light believe will shape the future of the industry?
He believes product quality, fast execution, regulatory compliance and continued technological innovation will remain key factors for long term success.