Press Releases
Affiliates at the Forefront of CasinoBeats Summit’s Educational Experience

At the eagerly-awaited fifth edition of the CasinoBeats Summit, the specifically-curated ‘Affiliation’ track will provide attending affiliates with an exceptional educational opportunity by enhancing their understanding of the operations and best practices in affiliate marketing.
Taking place on 25 May at the InterContinental Hotel in Malta, the track will feature some of the savviest minds in the industry who will explore topics such as better data adoption for affiliates, platform strategies for casino streamers, and how affiliates can ensure that their opinions are heard and their interests are considered when communicating with business partners.
In addition, attendees will have a unique chance to participate in three in-depth SEO sessions hosted by ComeOn Group’s SEO Director, Ivana Flynn. These sessions will delve into technical aspects, new markets, and marketing strategies and enable affiliates to shape the panel discourse, by anonymously posing their most pressing questions online.
The panel titled “Affiliate Voice – What Do Affiliates Really Want?” will feature industry affiliate leaders, explore the relationship between operators and affiliates and reflect on how transparency of data and new negotiation styles can improve their interactions. The esteemed panel will include Sam (Shmulik) Segal (Co-Founder & CEO, MediaTroopers), Fintan Costello (Managing Director, BonusFinder.com) and Tejinder Kumar (CCO, Finixio). The discussion will be moderated by Rafael Costa (Affiliate Manager, NOK Services).
The “Mitigating the Impact of Ad Fraud in Affiliation” panel will explore the impact of ad fraud on both operators and consumers, and how the industry can work to mitigate the effects of these bad actors. The expert panel will feature Johan Styren (CEO, Dilanti Media), Dariia (CPO, MegaPartners), and Vadim Aidlin (CEO, Mamuta Media). These industry leaders will share their experiences and insights on how to tackle the rise of bots targeting bonus offers on affiliate sites, which saw a dramatic increase during the pandemic.
Rounding up the second conference day for the affiliate track will be the SEO Trilogy series, allowing attendees to gain crucial insights into technical SEO, effective strategies for building SEO in new and saturated markets, and the crucial role SEO plays within the marketing funnel. Ivana Flynn will host the series, which will feature experts such as Lasha Kiladze (SEO Consultant & Co-Founder, LK Gambling), Maja Jovancevic (Head of SEO, GIG), Edoardo Ganetti (SEO Director at Gambling.com), Maria Sayapina (Head of Performance, Game Lounge) and Eitan Gorodetsky (CMO, Kitcode) among others.
Aksel Heitman Olsen (CTO, Acroud), will moderate the first session, while Flynn will moderate the second and third sessions. With a unique opportunity to ask questions anonymously, participants can directly influence the discussion on stage and address their most pressing pain points and concerns.
Apart from the above topics, the track will feature a range of dynamic panels, including an exclusive presentation from SlotCatalog, the leading affiliate site with the largest database of casino games, as well as insights into casino streaming trends and player demographics. Participants can also explore how to leverage new technology for better data management and to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly-evolving industry.
The ‘Affiliation’ track is just one part of the action-packed CasinoBeats Summit, which boasts an impressive line-up of expert-led panels across four additional conference tracks. With three stages running simultaneously each day, attendees will have abundant opportunities to explore diverse subjects, including Leadership, Casino Slots, Casino Product, and Global Casino.
iGB
Barcelona editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate welcome world record gaming industry attendance of 59,101 from 163 nations

• Total attendance up 13% year-on-year
• Visitors from 163 nations make journey to Barcelona
• Spain top represented nation at ICE
• UK top represented nation at iGB Affiliate
• Visitation exceeds 100,000 for first time
The Barcelona editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate have ripped up the record books attracting a total of 59,101 unique attendees surpassing the previous high of 52,345 which was set in 2024 – the last editions to be held in London.
The ICE unique attendance of 50,019 represented an 11% year-on-year uplift with iGB Affiliate recording a total of 9,082 unique visitors an increase of 24% on the previous highest which was set 12-months ago.
ICE and iGB Affiliate registered a total Visitation figure, which measures the number of person days spent at the Fira Gran Via Barcelona of 107,664 another gambling industry world record. Nine nations recorded four figure attendances with Spain topping the table (8,954), followed by the UK (6,518), Malta (3,074), Cyprus (2,328), Ukraine (1,938), United States (1,730), Italy (1,496), Bulgaria (1,252) and Germany (1,157).
Stuart Hunter, Managing Director Clarion Gaming said: “The data has been interrogated by an independent registration body and reflects the number of unique attendees.”
He added: “I am delighted that the transition of ICE and iGB Affiliate to Barcelona has been so well-received by our international community of stakeholders. The data has confirmed an all-time opening day high of 32,788 ICE attendees and a closing day attendance of 24,926 which was 20% higher than 2024’s closing day.
“Growth was achieved across all key jurisdictions, including Continental Europe, North America, LATAM, and Asia, with notable new growth recorded from the UAE and India. While UK attendance saw an anticipated reduction in numbers, like-for-like UK company representation remained stable. Looking behind the data it has been a case of UK companies rationalising their representation to their senior teams. The overall attendee growth mitigated and exceeded that reduction.”
Looking ahead to 2026 Stuart Hunter confirmed that 86% of the event space is already booked. He stated: “The response has been so positive that many exhibitors have already rebooked and in many cases secured additional space for January 2026. ICE will expand into Hall 1 addressing exhibitor requests for extra space while iGB Affiliate will relocate to Hall 8 providing attendees with a dedicated arrival experience. The success of the 2025 event underscores the value of the move, and we look forward to building on this momentum for 2026.”
Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director, iGB Events described the response to the first edition of iGB Affiliate to take place in Barcelona as ‘simply outstanding’. She stated: “The growth of iGB Affiliate has been phenomenal and Barcelona has underlined the popularity and status of the brand. Whilst the figures can only tell part of the story the unique attendance of 9,082 was a 24% uplift on 2024 with the 2025 figures representing the fifth consecutive year of significant growth.”
She added: “108 nations were represented at iGB Affiliate making it one of the most international live b2b events on the industry calendar. All of the metrics that we use to measure performance are looking extremely healthy and we are in the midst of analysing in more detail the exhibitor and visitor surveys that we commission after each event. Our attention now switches to July and the relocation of iGB L!VE from Amsterdam to ExCeL London.”
Affiliate Announcements
VERSUS Renews its Partnership with NetRefer as its Affiliate Marketing Platform Provider

VERSUS, a leading online casino and sportsbook operator in the Spanish iGaming market, has renewed its partnership with NetRefer, a top provider of affiliate marketing solutions for the iGaming industry.
Founded in 2019 as a rebrand of VivelaSuerte by Spanish leisure and entertainment giant Grupo Orenes, VERSUS has quickly become synonymous with premium online gambling experiences in Spain. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and a user-centric platform, VERSUS has secured its position as a major player in the European iGaming landscape.
Since its launch, VERSUS has expanded substantially, adding Yaass Casino to its portfolio, which aims to become the #1 Online Supercasino in Spain. With a license from Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), VERSUS operates across Spain and Mexico, with plans to expand into Brazil and Portugal in the next few months.
To deliver a unique and personalised betting experience, both VERSUS and Yaass Casino offer a wide range of customised promotions and bonuses, tailored to match players’ individual preferences and keep them engaged and rewarded.
With a strong commitment to mobile-first optimisation, users enjoy a seamless experience across all devices. Both brands provide dedicated apps that allow players to access sports betting, online casino games, and live betting options anytime, anywhere.
Customer service is a priority for both brands, with a professional support team ready to assist players with all types of questions and concerns. Responsible gaming is also central to the company’s policy; to support players facing gambling-related challenges, VERSUS provides resources, including a dedicated Responsible Gaming Test.
Miguel Albert García, Affiliate Manager at VERSUS, shared insights on the company’s approach to partnerships: “In just five years, VERSUS has experienced significant growth, thanks in large part to the partnerships we’ve built along the way. We’re excited to see where our journey with NetRefer will take both VERSUS and Yaass Casino.”
NetRefer’s CEO, Dexter Cutajar, expressed similar optimism: “Over the past four years, the relationship between VERSUS and NetRefer has been exceptionally rewarding, and we’re thrilled to have them renew their partnership with us. We’re equally pleased that VERSUS has chosen NetRefer for its second brand, Yaass Casino. We’re confident that our continued partnership will bring exciting opportunities for both companies in the years ahead.”
News
ICE Barcelona 2025: Alona Shevtsova on Sends’ Vision for the Future of Gaming

The Sends team attended the biggest and most famous gaming conference, ICE, now held in Barcelona, Spain. From the 20th to the 23rd of January, the leading gaming companies and solution providers gather for business meetings, experience sharing and networking. More than 170 countries visited, achieving the number of 55,000 visitors.
“Our team attends the ICE conference annually. Previously held in London, the financial capital and home to our head office, 2025 is the first time it’s hosted in Barcelona—and it remains as expansive and resourceful as ever. We’re thrilled to participate, connect with our partners, explore innovative solutions, and engage with market leaders. At Sends, we are committed to staying ahead in this dynamic industry, never missing an opportunity to gain fresh insights and experiences,” commented Alona Shevtsova, Director at Sends.
As the organisers of ICE 2025 said, after a rigorous, independent selection process, ICE and iGB Affiliate moved to Fira Barcelona Gran Via because Barcelona presents a compelling list of benefits, including improved logistics and operational efficiency. The location is close to Barcelona airport and is well connected to the public transport network, offering a world-class in-show and around-show experience.
It is worth mentioning that this February, Send will co-host its event in London for fintech companies. This is the third gathering in London to network and connect industry professionals. To get more information about the London Fintech Meetup, follow the link.
To get more details, keep in touch with Sends on social media: LinkedIn and Instagram.