button in SafariKing's Resort CEO Says Poker Should Set Trends, Not Follow Them
When Federico Brunato looks across the live poker landscape, he doesn't spend much time worrying about what other operators are doing. In fact, he thinks that's one of the biggest mistakes they make.
The King's Resort CEO believes too many venues shape their schedules around competitors instead of building a long-term identity of their own. For Brunato, success comes from setting clear goals, sticking to a strategy, and creating ideas that others eventually want to copy.
Building a Long-Term Vision
That philosophy has shaped King's Resort over the past decade as it transformed from a relatively unknown destination into one of Europe's busiest poker venues.
"I think many competing casinos focus more on what others are doing rather than on their own strategy, which often leads to rushed and poorly thought-out decisions," Brunato told PokerNews.
"We should be setting new trends in the industry, not copying them from others"
Rather than chasing quick and easy wins, Brunato says King's has always focused on planning years ahead, constantly refining its festivals while understanding that sustained growth doesn't happen overnight.
"I believe the key is that we focus on building a long-term strategy and always having a Plan B and C in place," he said. "Ultimately, it's about thinking long-term and continuously improving the details of every event we run. We are aware of our strengths and weaknesses, but we're also not afraid to set ambitious goals."
That approach dates back more than eight years, when Brunato established a simple objective for King's Resort.
"Since September 2018, when I became Poker Director, I've always said that our goal must be to set clear targets and achieve them step by step. We should be setting new trends in the industry, not copying them from others."
Innovation Over Imitation
Brunato believes poker has reached a point where standing still is no longer an option.
"I think European poker is still actively searching for new trends and innovations"
Player expectations continue to evolve, and operators need to evolve with them instead of relying on the same formulas that worked years ago.
"I believe many operators don't fully understand what players are really looking for and often think it's just about setting a guarantee and hoping the tournament will hit it," he said. "That's the biggest shift from the past, when communities were built around the experience, not the guarantees."
For Brunato, that means constantly experimenting with structures, formats, and schedules rather than simply increasing prize pools.
"It's about constantly trying to innovate, whether it's adjusting starting stacks, game variants, level durations, or introducing new formats," he said. "The game is evolving and speeding up, just like the world around us."
Looking Ahead, Not Sideways
That mindset also shapes how Brunato views the wider poker industry. While he welcomes the current boom in live poker, he believes operators should resist the temptation to blindly follow trends or flood the calendar simply because demand is high.
Instead, he argues that every venue should focus on developing its own identity and bringing new ideas to the game. It's one reason Brunato believes Europe has become a leader in poker innovation.
"I think European poker is still actively searching for new trends and innovations," he said. "In the U.S., where poker has been deeply rooted for decades, it's harder to move away from established processes, formats, and habits. In the long run, this gives European poker an advantage in adapting more quickly to global trends and attracting younger generations more effectively."
