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How to Work with Affiliate Programs, Drive Mobile Traffic, Target Africa, and What Is the Role of Blockchain in All These Things? Results of Kyiv iGaming Affiliate Conference 2019

On September 26, the long-awaited Kyiv iGaming Affiliate Conference 2019 by Smile-Expo took place, the event dedicated to affiliate marketing in the gambling business. The second event outmatched the first in terms of the volume and quality of practical information, the scope of exhibition area, and the general atmosphere of dedicated networking.
About reports
The conference was moderated by the co-founder of Papa Karlo CPA network Konstantin Karpalov, who organized breaks full of humor between the informative reports.
The first to speak was the Chief Marketing and PR Officer of Alfaleads Roman Manuylov. He told the audience how affiliate programs usually worked with advertisers and why it did not bring traffic, and gave recommendations on how to improve the situation.
СМО of TruePlay Lyudmila Krivko shared the details and advantages of the first blockchain-based affiliate program, noting that the distinctive feature of TruePlay was the protection of affiliates against shaving. Besides, Lyudmila offered everyone to take part in the contest that allowed getting 100% RevShare from attracted customers.
The report of CMO Parimatch Africa Dmitry Belianin provoked huge interest, as he focused on the promising African market. Dmitry shared analytic data that showed remarkable demand for the gambling segment in the region alongside the small competition. The speaker mentioned that the market was a gold mine for affiliates and webmasters in case of cooperation with a strong brand.
Head of mobile at the international marketing agency Digital Choo (DC) Maxim Kirienko reviewed the case study of Parimatch. Having experience of work with this upscale customer, the speaker told how to drive traffic to mobile betting apps correctly. Maxim paid attention to the difference between the betting and gambling niches in terms of traffic acquisition, struggle against unfair webmasters and frauds.
The owner of Clicklead.ru affiliate network Anton Voystrikov continued the theme of mobile traffic. He talked about categories of CPA apps focusing on gambling and betting apps. Anton specified strategies of traffic acquisition through apps, their advantages, and related risks.
Founder of Initium Group Vitaliy Stetsenko also contributed to the understanding of the mobile market. In his report, he highlighted the main benefits of apps in lead generation, provided examples of creatives and statistics.
Founder of Quints Roman Bout thoroughly analyzed the CPA model and compared it with the Revenue Share. He noted that CPA traffic was the pain of beginning operators that had to compete with major brands, as it required much effort. Roman noted that only the correct retention strategy could help to cope with the problem and explained how to achieve that.
CEO of LAWBOOT law firm Viacheslav Ustimenko raised the question of loot boxes and skins in video games as gambling elements. The speaker dispelled the widespread myth about the lack of regulation of cryptocurrency settlements and gave recommendations on license acquisition and business registration.
CEO of Gambling.pro Tatiana Nasonova discussed the needs of advertisers, webmasters, and CPA networks, as well as the possibility of their realization. The speaker explained how to come to understanding between parties and build trust relations.
CEO of Endorphina Jan Urbanec looked at the market from the standpoint of game developers. He explained why they appreciated affiliates and what kind of collaboration they expected. Jan especially highlighted the value of content and explained how developers could help webmasters gain it.
Panel discussion
Panel discussion “Casino, betting, esports: finding the right balance” raised a furor among attendees that were leaving questions for speakers during the whole conference and the discussion. As the moderator, CEO of PartnerMatrix Levon Nikoghosyan studied the interests of the audience and made sure that all main themes were covered.
CEO of Playtini Anton Tlustyy and Head of Acquisitions at Firelink Media Vladimir Luchaninov analyzed the market mainly from the standpoint of content. In their turn, Head of Product Marketing at Adjarabet Giorgi Gvenetadze and СМО of Favbet/Favorit Sport Nik Rudenko assessed the situation in the market from the side of operators. Affiliates and webmasters showed interest in their stance on numerous questions.
Feedbacks of sponsors and exhibitors
The exhibition area of the second Kyiv iGaming Affiliate Conference significantly increased. Ten big industry companies presented products and services.
Among them, you could find gambling operators PokerMatch, Favbet and Favorit Sport, affiliate program TruePlay, online casino developer SoftGamings, international marketing agencies Digital Choo and ZLODEI, aggregator Slotegrator, outsourcing company SupportLAB, developer of affiliate marketing software Quints, and international LPB Bank.
In many respects, the event has been successful due to sponsors that supported it. Organizers express gratitude to:
- Platinum and Bags Sponsor – international operator PokerMatch;
- Silver Sponsor – affiliate program TruePlay;
- Exhibition Area Sponsor – online casino software developer SoftGamings;
- Badge / Lanyard Sponsor – international marketing agency Digital Choo (DC);
- Registration Sponsor – international bookmaker FINBET.
The following feedbacks can convey the general atmosphere of the event.
“I liked the event a lot. It means that you were great at attracting visitors and we did our best with the product. Keep moving!” Ruslan Bangert, CEO of PokerMatch.
“Everything was great, we liked the event. We will participate once again. We wish you good luck in the further development of the event,” Sergey, SoftGamings.
“I like the dynamics of the event. We participated in this conference last year. And we can see how it grows, gets more diversified and convenient for work, offers many interesting speakers. Good job, make it more often,” Eduard Rogov, CMO at Quints.
You can read more about the goings-on in the exhibition area of Kyiv iGaming Affiliate Conference 2019 and find feedbacks of all exhibitors and sponsors in standalone materials that will be soon published on the website of the event.
Kyiv iGaming Affiliate Conference 2020
The second conference outperformed the first one in all respects, which is confirmed by feedbacks of participants, sponsors, and guests of the event. The team of Smile-Expo will do everything possible for the third event to outshine the success of previous events. See you in 2020!
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QMRA Research – Warning on potential Affiliate Ban in Finland

Lessons from the Netherlands Show the Risks of Eliminating Regulated SEO Affiliates
Finland is planning to ban affiliate marketing in its newly regulated online gambling market. The Finnish Government proposal HE 16/2025 VP sees affiliate marketing as problematic for the following reasons: risk of misuse by presenting incorrect information, blurring legal boundaries (difficulty distinguishing licensed and unlicensed operators), a lack of consumer protection (by not being neutral) and tax avoidance (as most affiliate operators are foreign registered).
New research from Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (QMRA) warns that such a ban could have severe unintended consequences, including a rise in illegal gambling operators dominating search engine results.
Drawing on lessons from the Dutch market, where online gambling has been regulated since 2021, the report underscores the crucial role of SEO affiliates in directing consumers to legal, licensed operators and countering the influence of unregulated platforms.
The Netherlands has witnessed firsthand the challenges of illegal gambling platforms using SEO and Google Ads to attract vulnerable players. Research by Keurmerk Verantwoorde Affiliates (KVA) found that when legal affiliates are restricted, search results are quickly overrun by unlicensed operators. These sites often target minors and self-excluded gamblers, lack responsible gambling protections, and operate with minimal oversight.
Steven Vrolijk, QMRA Director: “The Dutch market has taught us a lot about how illegal operators adapt. We’ve also seen that proactive, responsible affiliates play a crucial role in pushing back against them. SEO affiliation is a form of advertising that only appears when a consumer is actively searching for gambling options. If Finland bans legal affiliates, its search results may soon be dominated by illegal results.”
The report highlights key risks associated with an affiliate marketing ban:
- Increased visibility of illegal gambling sites – Without regulated affiliates, players will primarily encounter unlicensed operators.
- Lack of consumer protections – Illegal sites do not enforce responsible gambling measures or age verification.
- Higher risk of fraud and money laundering – Many unlicensed operators accept cryptocurrency and other anonymous payment methods.
- Targeting of vulnerable players – Minors and problem gamblers are more likely to be exposed to unregulated gambling.
Instead of a full ban, QMRA recommends Finland implement a structured affiliate marketing framework.
Download the full report
The full report provides an in-depth analysis of the risks and offers data-driven recommendations.
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Gurhan Kiziloz Secures Gaming License to Drive Nexus International’s $1.54 Billion Vision In 2025

Gurhan Kiziloz, the strategic force behind Nexus International, is accelerating his presence in the online gaming sector, leading the company’s rapid expansion. Under Nexus International, two brands—MegaPosta and Lanistar—sit at the core of its growth strategy.
While Lanistar continues to develop, it is MegaPosta that has already established itself as a major revenue driver. In 2024, MegaPosta generated $400 million, marking a significant milestone in Kiziloz’s aggressive scaling efforts.
With further expansion planned, projections indicate that revenue could climb to $1.54 billion in 2025. As he continues to push into new markets, Kiziloz’s ability to navigate regulatory challenges and capitalize on high-growth sectors will determine whether Nexus can meet its ambitious targets.
A major step in this expansion involves securing a Brazilian gaming license and granting Nexus International access to one of the largest regulated betting markets globally. Meeting Brazil’s strict financial and operational compliance standards was a key requirement—an effort that Kiziloz personally oversaw as part of his mission to establish the company in fully regulated spaces.
With this approval, Nexus International is now authorized to operate and expand within Brazil, a market that has intensified regulations to curb unlicensed operators.
Kiziloz’s Strategy for Growing Nexus International
Kiziloz has ventured into multiple industries, with his entry into online gaming reflecting a deliberate move to leverage emerging regulatory shifts. Before entering this sector, he developed Lanistar as a fintech company, but under his leadership, it has evolved into an online gaming enterprise. This shift aligns with his broader approach to reshaping and scaling business models in response to market trends.
His direct involvement has fueled Nexus International’s expansion across Latin America. Megaposta has already gained traction in several countries, and with the Brazilian gaming license, Kiziloz has positioned the company for further growth. He has played a key role in negotiating strategic partnerships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and setting a competitive direction against well-established gaming firms.
However, his strategy comes with obstacles. Brazil enforces strict regulations covering advertising, taxation, and consumer protection. Any compliance lapses could result in financial penalties or even the loss of the company’s operating license. Kiziloz now faces the challenge of ensuring Nexus International adheres to all legal requirements while navigating an increasingly competitive marketplace.
How Kiziloz Aims to Scale Nexus International
Under Kiziloz’s direction, Nexus International is targeting regions where legal online gaming is expanding. Megaposta has already established a foothold in Latin America, and the new Brazilian license enables the company to operate openly, unlike unlicensed competitors facing regulatory constraints.
Lanistar’s transformation from fintech to gaming was a calculated move by Kiziloz, allowing Nexus International to strengthen its position in sports betting and online casinos. By managing two platforms under one umbrella, Kiziloz diversifies revenue streams and broadens market reach.
Brazil’s updated gaming regulations have created a competitive environment where only licensed operators can legally offer betting services. By securing Nexus International’s place in this regulated market, Kiziloz ensures the company can advertise, collaborate with local businesses, and scale its user base without the uncertainties associated with unlicensed operations. However, increased compliance costs and operational restrictions remain challenges.
Revenue Goals & Industry Challenges
Kiziloz aims to drive Nexus International’s revenue to $1.45 billion through market expansion and higher user engagement. His approach focuses on attracting new users and increasing participation in sports betting and casino games, two of the most lucrative segments in online gaming.
Yet, the industry presents multiple challenges. Regulatory frameworks remain fluid, with governments frequently revising tax policies, imposing new restrictions, or tightening compliance requirements. Any legal adjustments in Brazil could directly impact Nexus International’s profitability.
Additionally, Nexus International faces competition from established gaming brands with strong customer loyalty and extensive marketing resources. To stay competitive, the company must prioritize user retention, introduce exclusive offerings, and deploy strategic marketing campaigns—all while complying with strict regulations.
Cybersecurity is another pressing concern. Online gaming platforms are often targeted by fraud and cyberattacks. To safeguard user data and maintain trust, Kiziloz must ensure Nexus International heavily invests in security infrastructure. Any security breach could lead to financial losses and reputational harm.
Where Kiziloz is Taking Nexus International Next
Beyond Brazil, Kiziloz is exploring opportunities to expand Nexus International into additional regulated markets.
Securing new licenses is a complex, time-intensive endeavor requiring compliance with diverse tax regulations, advertising laws, and consumer protection policies. Kiziloz must oversee negotiations, obtain regulatory approvals, and implement tailored marketing strategies to facilitate smooth market entry.
While the Brazilian license has laid the groundwork for expansion, Nexus International’s long-term success hinges on Kiziloz’s ability to tackle industry challenges. Ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and competing against major gaming operators will be critical in sustaining growth. His strategies in regulation, marketing, and technological investment will ultimately shape Nexus International’s trajectory in the coming years.
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Raketech Chairman Ulrik Bengtsson to Step Down Following New CEO Appointment

Raketech has been informed that Ulrik Bengtsson has accepted a role as full-time CEO of an international company. Ulrik has consequently informed the Board that this new role will eventually require him to step down from Chairman and Board member, but Ulrik remains available for re-election at Raketech’s AGM in May and is committed to stay on up until July 30th to assisting Raketech in the transition period. The nomination committee has started the process of finding a new board member, who may also assume the role of Non-Executive Chair. A further update will be provided in due course.
The Company appreciates this is an opportunity for Ulrik and thanks him for his contribution and dedication to the Raketech board since joining in May 2021.
“Stepping back into a full-time CEO role feels like the right professional move for me, and the opportunity I have been presented with is compelling. I am confident that the entire Raketech board and executive team remain dedicated to strengthening the balance sheet and shaping an exciting strategy that I expect will be unveiled to investors in the coming months. I firmly believe Raketech has the potential to be a key player in the global iGaming ecosystem, both now and in the future, and that the company is well-positioned to generate substantial returns for all shareholders over time.”
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Raketech Chairman Ulrik Bengtsson to Step Down Following New CEO Appointment
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Gurhan Kiziloz Secures Gaming License to Drive Nexus International’s $1.54 Billion Vision In 2025
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QMRA Research – Warning on potential Affiliate Ban in Finland
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