Key Moments:
- Fincore launched its Break Clean initiative, calling for improved system architecture, integration, and reliability in the gaming sector.
- The Break Clean Manifesto reported that 38% of technology budgets in gaming are now allocated to legacy system maintenance.
- The Manifesto highlighted that legacy platforms continue to cause downtime and suboptimal player experiences for many operators.
Manifesto Highlights Industry Technical Debt
Fincore, an engineering-focused technology company behind prominent platforms in gaming, iLottery, and sports betting, has introduced the Break Clean initiative. This program urges the sector to adopt elevated standards regarding system design, integration quality, and lasting platform dependability.
Central to this announcement is the release of the Break Clean Manifesto, which investigates the growing reliance on outdated technology within the gaming industry and the increasing costs associated with its upkeep. According to the document, 38% of technology spending in this space now goes toward maintaining legacy systems. This trend is forcing operators to “spend more to stand still than to move forward.”
Exploring the Causes and Consequences of Technical Debt
The Manifesto explains that technical debt often arises due to practical industry pressures—including tight deadlines, inherited system frameworks, evolving requirements, and the challenges of operating live environments—rather than a lack of skill or determination. Break Clean offers a framework for operators, engineers, and commercial teams to reset and modernize systems without causing disruption.
CEO Mateja Popovic addressed the need for the industry to fully acknowledge the impact of lingering technical debt:
“Too many operators are held back by messy stacks and fragile integrations that slow them down. What concerns me most is the amount of budget being spent simply to keep systems on life support instead of moving the business forward. Technical debt happens naturally in fast-moving environments, it’s not a failure of the people doing the work. But it does compound. Break Clean is about giving teams the clarity and confidence to start fresh, without disruption or blame.
Break Clean is our call for a higher standard. If this industry wants real progress, the backbone systems must be engineered clean, transparent, and reliable from day one. Operators deserve clarity, not codewashing; confidence, not compromise.”
Ongoing Dependence on Legacy Platforms
The Manifesto cautions that outdated platforms still underpin essential activities like onboarding, payment processing, and regulatory compliance for many firms. It states that three-quarters of operators identify legacy infrastructure as a leading cause of outages and diminished player experience. Additionally, it notes that global technical debt has exceeded $1.5 trillion, amplifying the pressure on regulated industries to upgrade their technology without disturbing active operations.
Advocating for Modular and Auditable Architectures
Break Clean characterizes progress as a structured transition toward clean, modular, and auditable system designs. This shift is intended to lower integration risks, accelerate project delivery, and rebuild trust in the sector’s core technologies. Instead of promoting disruptive overhauls, the initiative advocates for moving away from fragile, patch-reliant setups.
Fincore underlines its commitment to these ideals through a proven history of successful project delivery, having supported more than 20 national and state lotteries and over 30 commercial gaming operators across more than 25 regulated jurisdictions.
| Key Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology Budget Allocation | 38% dedicated to legacy system maintenance |
| Global Technical Debt | Over $1.5 trillion |
| Operational Reach | 20+ lotteries, 30+ gaming brands, 25+ jurisdictions |
- Author
Daniel Williams
