News
Finland’s Veikkaus OY Seeks New Sports Betting Chief Following Departure of Sami Kauhanen

The national gambling monopoly in Finland, which goes by the name of Veikkaus OY, is seeking out a new sports betting chief following the departure of Vice President of Wagering Sami Kauhanen. After his long-term stint in that position, Kauhanen opted to leave the organisation so as to lead the Finnish horse racing scene.
It was earlier on in June that Suomen Hippos, which operates as the country’s horse racing and stud breeding association, announced the appointment of Kauhanen as inbound President and CEO. This appointment will become effective as of September 1, 2020, and the association listed his credentials that make him the optimal candidate for the position. Having been a key stakeholder in Veikkaus OY’s wagering enlargement throughout 2017, Kauhanen saw the organisation absorb the assets of the former state-owned racing operator Fintoto.
Kauhanen remained in the senior executive role with Veikkaus for 10 years, and has led all sorts of sports betting related divisions, as well as helped to launch a variety of products for Finland’s gambling scene. Additionally, Hippos highlighted the fact that Kauhanen has professional horse racing instructor experience, which has seen him secure 2,700 track starts in his career.
Hippos Gains a Treasure While Veikkaus Seeks Out Another
It’s true to say that Kauhanen has a passion for horse racing and all things equestrian, which he said has “been an integral part of my life”. And while a couple of months still remain until his appointment with Hippos begins, he looks forward to getting involved in “this great field and sport again”. Kauhanen spoke of the future offering “many challenges”, but also a lot of opportunities alongside.
Following Veikkaus’s takeover of Fintoto and Ray (which relates to slot gaming and arcades), government agencies will be undertaking a review of the organisation. A selection of trusted betting sites in Finland are already operational, although there still remains a monopoly on gambling within Finland in general. Of course, Kauhanen won’t be around in his former position for the government review, as he will be taking leadership of the Finnish horse racing sector.
Speaking of the overall gambling industry, Kauhanen said that with the new situation in place since the merger of gaming companies, the industry “has had to get used to” it all. Adaptation has been necessary, but he said that he’s sure “that in the future the strong will of the racing people will help find a common goal, which we are willing to do our best for”.
It remans to be seen who will take over his former role as sports betting chief for Veikkaus. The organisation has had a lot to deal with lately, announcing earlier on in June that there will be a reduction in the overall slot machine capacity by more than was initially planned. It also made the announcement that its retail network will re-open this month, with online slots returning from July onwards. The reduction in the number of active slots falls in line with the governmental organisation’s new social responsibility strategy.
Conferences
New Sponsorship Opportunities Announced for the EEGS Affiliate Conference

The EEGS Affiliate Conference, now in its 4th edition, is pleased to announce the launch of new sponsorship opportunities. As the region’s only event dedicated exclusively to affiliates, this conference serves as a vital platform for industry professionals, brands, and affiliates to network, share insights, and drive growth.
Part of the prestigious Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS), the Affiliate Conference will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on the 25th of November. This event continues to grow as an essential opportunity for those seeking to expand their presence and influence within the affiliate marketing ecosystem.
The new sponsorship packages are thoughtfully designed to provide maximum visibility, targeted exposure, and valuable engagement opportunities for partners looking to connect with a focused and dynamic audience.
Bronze Sponsorship
Silver Sponsorship
Gold Sponsorship
Platinum Sponsorship
Fun Mirror Sponsorship
For more information, please click HERE or visit EEGS website https://eegamingsummit.com/
If you have any questions or would like to discuss customized opportunities, reach out to the organizers at [email protected]
The EEGS Affiliate Conference eagerly anticipates welcoming new partners and making this 4th edition in Sofia the most successful yet.
Affiliate Program News
Let’sBet Partners with NetRefer for its Affiliate Marketing Platform

Emerging US sportsbook operator Let’sBet has partnered with NetRefer, the industry’s leading data-driven, AI-powered affiliate marketing platform, to support the launch and long-term growth of its affiliate programme.
Headquartered in Maryland, USA, Let’sBet is a dynamic new entrant to the regulated US betting market. Built with a player-first mindset, the operator delivers a seamless sports betting experience across all major US and international events – including the NBA, UFC, UEFA Euro Cup and Formula 1– via a mobile-optimised platform designed for both desktop and on-the-go bettors. The brand also offers extensive live and in-play betting options, keeping users engaged in real time.
New players are welcomed with a 100% deposit bonus, and frequent bettors can look forward to being handpicked for the Let’sBet VIP Club – a tiered programme offering access to personal account managers, dedicated promotions, express payouts, and exclusive VIP events such as race days and hospitality experiences.
Licensed by the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and operated jointly by Veterans Services Corporation and Bee-Fee Limited, Let’sBet is committed to delivering a secure, compliant, and intuitive betting environment. Its infrastructure is monitored 24/7 by a dedicated Information Security team, with robust measures in place to protect data and ensure safe, frictionless transactions.
Let’sBet also maintains a strong commitment to Responsible Gambling. Its platform is equipped with a comprehensive suite of player protection tools, including deposit, wager, loss, session, and single-bet limits; timeout periods; and voluntary self-exclusion through Maryland’s state-run programme. These tools are supported by a customer service team trained to guide users toward healthy betting behaviours.
Marcin Doszczeczko, Director of Sports Betting Operations at Let’sBet, commented: “Choosing NetRefer as our affiliate platform provider was a natural step in building Let’sBet into a standout name in the US sports betting market. Their technology gives us the clarity and scalability we need to launch a high-impact programme from day one. It brings together everything we need to grow a successful affiliate operation – clear reporting through ASR 1.0 API and smart, actionable insights from NetRefer CoPilot AI. Just as we’ve built Let’sBet around trust, service, and user experience, we see those same values reflected in NetRefer’s platform and team. We’re excited to grow this partnership together.”
Amanda Camenzuli, Manager of NetRefer’s Account Management team, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Let’sBet to NetRefer. They’re an operator that blends innovation with a strong sense of player responsibility, they’re exactly the kind of forward-thinking company we’re proud to support. With a growing footprint in the US market, Let’sBet will benefit from our platform’s ability to deliver real-time insights, data clarity, and the flexibility needed to scale sustainably – while also strengthening NetRefer’s presence in this key region.”
This collaboration marks a significant step forward for both companies, combining the momentum of Let’sBet in the US market with NetRefer’s 20 years of experience in affiliate marketing technology. Together, they aim to build a programme defined by transparency, performance, and long-term growth.
Affiliate Success
Casino Guru secures Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year at iGB Affiliate Awards

Casino Guru is proud to announce that it has won the Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025, for a third consecutive year.
The distinction further highlights the company’s commitment to building a sustainable future for the gambling industry, not only through its dedication to providing players with the most complete, real-time-updated database of online casinos curated by trained experts, but also through its efforts to influence business standards and responsible practices across the sector.
As a leader in informed play, Casino Guru has dedicated a significant portion of its time and efforts to building a casino database that uses safer gambling as one of its core metrics for assessing a brand’s reliability, sustainability, and treatment of customers.
Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable and Safer Gambling, Šimon Vincze, was excited to share his appreciation for the award: “As someone closely involved in responsible gambling and safer play at Casino Guru, I can say this award is a true testament to our work. We’ve worked tirelessly to leverage our market position to produce tangible outcomes in terms of awareness and impact of safer gambling practices, player complaints, and the availability of blocking software. We are a trailblazer in safer gambling among affiliates, but collaboration with other like-minded companies has enabled us to stay at the forefront.”
Casino Guru could not be prouder of this moment, which once again reinforces the company’s leadership in helping to set safer gambling standards industry-wide.
Daniela Sliva, Public Relations and Creative Projects Director, commented on the distinction: “Winning the Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year for a third consecutive time was an emotional moment and a well-deserved one. Casino Guru has worked tirelessly to establish itself as a leader in promoting sustainable and responsible play. We truly believe we are setting new standards for responsible gambling, not just within the affiliate space, but across the wider industry. Our company ethos places safer gambling at the heart of everything we do, from our Complaint Resolution Center to the Safety Index, and especially through initiatives like the Casino Guru Awards, which further reinforce this commitment.”
Among the achievements that Casino Guru has to be proud of are the Casino Guru Awards, which have established clear competitive guidelines for safer and responsible gambling and distinguish companies that adhere to the Casino Guru’s ethical guidelines and best practices.
Furthermore, Casino Guru established the Gamtegrity platform, which reunites all of the company’s safer gambling projects in one place.
Among Casino Guru’s notable achievements are the Casino Guru Academy, which offers upskilling programs with a focus on responsible gambling, the Global Self-Exclusion Standards Initiative, an active list of partners with some of the leaders in the responsible gambling space, including Mindway AI, and much more.
“An industry-wide commitment to responsible gambling is not only possible: it’s within reach. Casino Guru’s achievement at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 is yet another reason for us to double down on our efforts and work even harder to make this vision a reality,” Silva concluded.
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