News
Startup Pitch at SiGMA this November

This November, SiGMA will have the pleasure of hosting Malta’s largest gaming exhibition and 2017 takes the cake as the biggest one yet. Eleven conferences and a large sold out floor plan are bringing a multitude of people this year so expect a crowd at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre from the 22nd-25th of November. Main executives and exhibitors showcasing here will include of Mr. Green, Blexr, Bet365, William Hill, Better Collective, Poker Stars, Catena Media, Malta Gaming Authority, Cherry, Microgaming, XLMedia, Ladbrokes, and many, many more.
Amongst the lavish networking dinners and appealing conferences that will be taking place throughout the week, an exciting startup pitch will be drawing eyes and attention for the second year in a row. After a successful first run in 2016, SiGMA’17 is coming back with sixty startups and several investors all under one roof. All sixty startups will be awarded with a booth at SiGMA, invitations to networking events, SiGMA PR, free office space to use at SiGMA’s Gaming Hub, as well as free consultancy and potential leads from leading industry veterans. However, only ten of these innovative startups will have the chance to present their pitch to a panel of investors. In a Dragon’s Den-like environment, each startup will have three minutes to present their project. Following the pitch, a Q&A session will allow the investors and the audience to get involved.
Of the investors, Morten Klein Founder and Chairman of Klein Group will be sharing his intelligence as “one of the 50 most significant people in the world within the gambling industry.” Klein Group consists of a group of companies with different investments within the iGaming industry, e-commerce, real estate and venture companies.
Another significant mind, present at the Startup Pitch will be Carla Maree Vella, CEO/COO of Optimizer Invest. With ten years of experience in online marketing and five years in iGaming, Vella’s entrepreneurial drive serves her well and her opinion will be strongly valued on the investor panel.
Another businesswoman on the panel of investors will be American entrepreneur, Julie Meyer. Meyer is the Founder and CEO of Ariadne Capital as well as Managing Partner at the Ariadne Capital Entrepreneurs (ACE) Fund, Ariadne Ecosystem Economics™ Fund and the Founder of EntrepreneurCountry.
In addition, we will have the pleasure of seeing innovator, Mark Blandford, considered by many to be one of the founders of the developed online gaming industry. Blandford was the owner of a betting shop chain when the Internet began proving its potential. In 1998, he launched his first interactive betting service from Alderney and was one of the first to see the significance and growth potential in online gaming.
Entrepreneur, Robin Reed, has a real heart for startups and will take a place on the investor panel at SiGMA this year. Together with Frode Fagerli, Reed founded Gaming Innovation Group (GIG) in 2008. As a rapidly growing technology business, the Group offers cutting-edge Cloud based services and Performance Marketing through its three B2B products.
Another investor, Simon Collins, is Founder of both Gaming Realms and Cashcade Ltd. and will be scrutinizing the startups at this year’s lineup. Gaming Realms is a bingo based consumer preposition, which publishes and licenses next-generation mobile gaming content. Similarly, Cashcade Ltd is an online bingo focused gaming business.
Roger Walker, a Partner with Partis Solutions, provides direct support to board execs and corporate development teams from some of the largest gaming industry operators and investors and will be offering his support to the lucky ten startups this year. Walker’s clients range from publically listed £multi-billion operators and B2B suppliers, investment banks, private equity/venture capital houses to smaller private firms and early stage entrepreneurial start-ups.
Industry expert, Ory Weihs will have a seat on the panel as one of the investors analyzing the startups at SiGMA. As one of the Founders and the CEO of XLMedia Group, he is responsible for business development and strategy, focusing on technical abilities and expanding the Group’s reach.
Rickard Vikström, Founder and Chairman of Polarbear Group, works with sales and product development and will also be critiquing in this year’s Startup Pitch. Vikström is no stranger to starting a company as he has founded and sold several in the last decade. He will be a strong force in the panel of investors this year.
There is still time to get your foot in the door if you wish to attend. For more information on the show or to book your tickets, please log in to www.maltaigamingsummit.com or send an email to [email protected].
Awards
Blask wins Best Tech at iGB Affiliate Awards 2025

Blask, the data-driven analytics ecosystem transforming iGaming oversight, has been named ‘Best Tech’ at the prestigious iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London.
The win underscores the platform’s transition from a promising startup into an industry mainstay.
Launched publicly in May 2024, Blask has already secured two major accolades: SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 and Startup of the Year at the Starlet Awards, making this the third milestone in its brief yet impressive journey.
“Winning this award proves that Blask has outgrown its startup roots and become a data-first iGaming institution,” said Max Tesla, CEO and co‑founder. “We’re continuing to build out the platform, and with the recent launch of Blask Games, we now offer Game Visibility Rank across casino titles. No guesswork, just transparent, repeatable insights.”
Blask is now used by some of the biggest operators, affiliates and suppliers in the iGaming industry, providing real-time, data-driven market intelligence as well as a competitive edge in more than 60 markets worldwide.
The platform is regularly updated with new features and functionality.
Last month Blask Games was added, giving operators, affiliates, and analysts access to granular intelligence around game placement within casino lobbies.
Conferences
EEGS Affiliate Conference Returns – Celebrating Its Fourth Edition as a Key Industry Milestone in Eastern Europe

Building on the success of previous years, the EEGS Affiliate Conference is set to host its fourth edition, reaffirming its position as the leading event dedicated to affiliates, affiliate managers, and industry partners in Eastern Europe.
The conference will take place on 25th November in Sofia, Bulgaria, as a key accompanying event to the Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS). It provides a premier platform for affiliates to connect, share insights, and drive growth within the rapidly evolving gaming and entertainment sectors.
Since its launch, the EEGS Affiliate Conference has attracted over 150 top-tier affiliates, affiliate managers, and industry stakeholders from across Europe. It serves as a vital hub for networking, strategic partnerships, and the exchange of innovative ideas, enabling attendees to maximize their success in a competitive market.
The upcoming edition promises to be even more impactful, featuring engaging panel discussions, expert-led presentations, and exclusive networking opportunities tailored specifically for the affiliate community. The event will culminate in a lively networking party, offering attendees a relaxed environment to forge new collaborations and strengthen existing relationships.
As the only dedicated affiliate conference in Eastern Europe, this event offers unparalleled visibility for brands and affiliates seeking to expand their reach, share best practices, and stay ahead of industry trends.
EEGS also offers premium sponsorship opportunities designed to elevate brand presence and maximize exposure. Interested parties are encouraged to stay tuned for sponsorship details or contact the organizers directly at [email protected].
Mark your calendars for the upcoming EEGS Affiliate Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, and seize the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and explore new avenues for growth and innovation. The program and registration details will be announced soon. More updates will be shared shortly!
Affiliate Announcements
Discover Affigates: BetConstruct’s Innovative Affiliate Network for the iGaming Sector

Industry powerhouse BetConstruct is announcing the official launch of Affigates, a full-scale affiliate ecosystem that is set to redefine how operators and partners connect in iGaming.
What Sets It Apart?
Affigates brings affiliate software, affiliate program management, and a performance-tested network under one roof, designed from the ground up for scale, speed, and smarter growth.
From AI-aided management to a proprietary scoring system that filters the noise and finds real partners, Affigates removes the friction and delivers results that actually move the needle. With over 4500+ affiliates, 630+ active partner operators, and access to more than 30 million players, the ecosystem is already making a significant impact.
See It First at iGB L!VE
Affigates is making its global debut at iGB L!VE in London, where the sharpest minds in iGaming converge. You will find the ecosystem in action at its own stand, C40, as well as the dedicated team behind it.
Catering to both ready-to-scale operators and affiliates aiming higher, Affigates is here to deliver the affiliate solution the industry has been waiting for.
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