VIP Play Bets Big on AI Overhaul to Redefine Sports Engagement

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 26, 2026 – Sports entertainment and fan engagement company VIP Play, Inc. (OTCQB: VIPZ) today announced the completion of a sweeping technology transformation, a strategic maneuver designed to accelerate its growth and solidify its position as an “AI-first” leader in the interactive sports market. The initiative integrates advanced payment systems, AI-driven marketing, and a new enterprise-level Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, marking a pivotal moment for the company as it seeks to scale its operations.

The multi-phase deployment, finalized over the past several months, is aimed at enhancing user experience and retention. "These advancements mark a transformative shift in how VIP Play, Inc. delivers value to customers and accelerates our long-term growth trajectory," said Les Ottolenghi, Chief Executive Officer of VIP Play, Inc. "By integrating top-tier gaming research expertise with enterprise-level CRM, and AI systems, we are building a next-generation platform capable of deeper engagement, smarter personalization, and sustained operational performance."

A Foundation of Tech and Talent

Fueling this technological push is a significant enhancement in executive leadership and strategic partnerships. In October 2025, the company brought on executive directors from Black Fire Innovation, a premier gaming research and innovation center affiliated with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This move brings individuals like Dr. Robert Rippee, a 30-year gaming industry veteran who led the development of Black Fire Innovation, into VIP Play's orbit, granting the company access to a world-class lab for prototyping and testing advanced applications.

This infusion of research and development expertise is paired with the leadership of CEO Les Ottolenghi, who joined in June 2025. Ottolenghi's extensive C-suite background includes a transformative tenure as Executive Vice President & CIO at Caesars Entertainment, where he is credited with leading a company-wide pivot to digital that significantly boosted performance. His track record suggests a deep understanding of how to leverage technology for growth in the competitive gaming and entertainment sectors.

The operational backbone of this transformation includes several key deployments. On January 26, 2026, the company implemented the HubSpot CRM platform to enable more sophisticated customer data analysis and relationship management. This followed the launch of a completely redesigned corporate website in November 2025 and the deployment of Hootsuite for streamlined social media management, alongside an enhanced customer retention program.

The AI Playbook in Action

At the core of VIP Play's strategy is its “AI-first” identity, which it aims to embed in every facet of the user experience. The company’s platform promises features like a "Smart Pick Generator" that uses AI to analyze sports matchups and a "Strategy Optimizer" for creating personalized betting approaches. This focus on artificial intelligence extends to its marketing efforts, which are designed to drive brand awareness and user acquisition.

The company reports that its influencer and AI-driven marketing programs are already generating between 142,000 and 481,000 views per campaign, though these internal metrics have not been independently verified. Looking ahead, VIP Play has teased a potential "Beat AI" campaign for the first quarter of 2026, suggesting a marketing push that will directly engage users with its artificial intelligence capabilities.

According to Ottolenghi, this AI-powered engine represents the “next frontier” of the company's innovation roadmap. The strategy is not just about acquiring new customers but also about re-engaging existing ones. The company has stated a strategic focus on reactivating dormant users, leveraging its upgraded payment capabilities and new data-driven retention programs to increase customer lifetime value.

Bridging the Gap Between Ambition and User Experience

While the company builds its next-generation backend and promotes a vision of seamless, AI-enhanced engagement, the front-end user experience tells a more complicated story. For its licensed mobile sportsbook operating in Tennessee, the rubber meets the road on the app stores, where user feedback points to significant operational friction.

Reviews for the “VIP Play TN” application highlight recurring frustrations, particularly concerning financial transactions—a critical component of any wagering platform. Multiple users have reported severe difficulties with withdrawing funds. A common complaint centers on the inability to withdraw winnings back to a debit card, a standard feature on major competing sportsbooks. Users describe being able to deposit funds instantly via debit card, only to find the withdrawal option is “temporarily unsupported,” leaving them unable to access their money easily.

The lack of other modern payment options like Venmo for withdrawals has also been cited as a point of friction compared to more established players in the market. Beyond financial transactions, some users have described customer service as poor and the onboarding verification process as problematic. These on-the-ground issues present a stark contrast to the company's high-level strategic announcements and pose a significant hurdle to its goals of improving user retention and lifetime value.

Navigating a Complex Regulatory and Competitive Field

The challenges on the user front are compounded by a complex operating environment. VIP Play successfully renewed its sports gaming operator license in Tennessee through May 2026 and holds an interim iGaming and mobile sports-betting license in West Virginia, signaling its intent to expand. However, the user-reported issues with fund withdrawals could attract regulatory scrutiny if not addressed, as timely access to funds is a key principle of gaming compliance.

Perhaps in recognition of these state-by-state regulatory hurdles and the intense competition in the sports wagering space, VIP Play is actively diversifying its strategy. In early January 2026, the company announced an expansion into the skill-based gaming market. This strategic pivot is significant because, as the company notes, this type of platform can “operate nationwide without requiring sportsbook licenses.”

This move allows VIP Play to tap into a broader market with what it describes as “reduced regulatory barriers,” potentially creating a more scalable revenue stream that is not dependent on the slow and costly process of securing licenses in individual states. This dual approach—attempting to refine its core licensed sports betting product while simultaneously building a parallel, less-regulated business—highlights the company's agile response to the challenges and opportunities in the evolving American gaming landscape.