Career paths do not always match the plan you had at 18. Sometimes the skills you build early on end up being useful in a completely different field. Uri Poliavich, founder of Soft2Bet, is a good example of that kind of shift, from structured training into leading a company in a highly regulated industry.
This piece is not here to hype anyone up. It focuses on practical career lessons you can use, even if you are not in iGaming.
Uri Poliavich: The Basics
Uri Poliavich was born in Ukraine in 1981 and emigrated to Israel at the age of 14. He holds an LLB degree from Bar-Ilan University and served in the Israeli army.
In 2016, he founded Soft2Bet. The company is an international B2B/B2C iGaming provider and operates in 19 regulated markets, including Sweden, Denmark, Romania, and Ontario (Canada).
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Born in Ukraine (1981)
- Moved to Israel at 14
- LLB from Bar-Ilan University
- Served in the Israeli army
- Founded Soft2Bet in 2016
- Operates in 19 regulated markets (examples include Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Ontario)
Lesson 1: Your Early Skills Can Travel
A law degree does not only lead to “law jobs.” It can build habits that matter in a lot of careers, especially roles where decisions need to be clear and defensible.
Skills That Tend to Transfer Well
- Thinking in structure: breaking big problems into smaller parts
- Clarity: saying exactly what you mean, without gaps
- Risk awareness: spotting what could go wrong before it does
If you are worried your background does not match where you want to go next, this is the reminder. The label matters less than the skill set.
Lesson 2: Regulation Changes How You Build
Some industries move fast because they can. Others move carefully because they have to. Regulated markets bring rules, oversight, and standards that shape everything from product decisions to operations.
Instead of treating regulation like a blocker, Uri Poliavich built within that reality. Soft2Bet operates in regulated jurisdictions, which means growth depends on consistency and compliance, not just speed.
Why Regulated Environments Can Reward Disciplined Teams
- There is less room for improvisation. Systems matter.
- Repeating a process across markets becomes a real advantage.
- “Good enough” usually is not good enough.
Lesson 3: Build the Core Before You Chase the Next Thing
Soft2Bet MEGA – Image | Soft2Bet
Soft2Bet developed a proprietary platform and a product called the Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA). According to publicly announced results, MEGA won “Product Launch of the Year” at the Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2025.
The point is not the award itself. The point is what it suggests about career growth. Strong outcomes often come from putting time into the core work, not just talking about innovation.
A Practical Way to Think About Innovation
- Start with a clear problem
- Build something repeatable
- Improve it over time
Lesson 4: Growth Can Include Backing Other People
Uri Poliavich also launched Soft2Bet Invest, an investment arm with a €50 million fund to support innovative iGaming startups.
Even if you never run a fund, the career idea behind this is simple. As you grow, your impact can shift from what you do yourself to what you help others build.
What That Can Look Like in Everyday Careers
- Mentoring someone junior
- Sharing opportunities with peers
- Helping a team build better processes
- Supporting new ideas when you have influence
Beyond Work: Separate Lanes Can Still Matter
In 2020, Uri Poliavich co-founded the Yael Foundation with his wife. The foundation is involved in educational initiatives within Jewish communities worldwide.
The useful takeaway here is not “do philanthropy.” It is that you can have more than one lane in your life, and keeping those lanes clear helps you stay consistent and credible.