News
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!
Affiliate Announcements
Affiliate Leaders Summit Grows 40% as Global Operators and Affiliates Flock to Lisbon

Following a successful run, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will make its return to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) this September, now expanded to a three-day format and featuring the debut of the Affiliate Leaders Awards.
Taking place from 16–18 September, the Affiliate Leaders Summit runs alongside SBC Summit as a focused, standalone platform for affiliates, affiliate managers, and enabling suppliers. It also delivers a more targeted networking and learning experience, with a dedicated content stage and curated audience of 8,000 operator representatives and 3,500 affiliates.
Affiliate Leaders Summit delegates will also enjoy full access to wider SBC Summit features, including evening socials, the main expo floor, and Super Stage keynotes from leading voices such as Gary Vaynerchuk.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Last year’s launch of the Affiliate Leaders Summit was a big milestone for us. The response was incredible, but we knew we could do even more. That’s why this year, we’re giving it the time it deserves; three full days to ensure attendees can take in everything this event has to offer.
“We’re also introducing the Affiliate Leaders Awards, which I’m personally very excited about. Affiliates play a vital role in this industry, and it’s time we had a platform that truly celebrates their work alongside the operator programmes and suppliers who help make it all happen.”
A 40% expansion of the 2025 show floor also underscores the event’s rising influence, following 2024’s debut that earned standout NPS ratings—79 from affiliates and 68 from operators. This year’s exhibitor list is stacked with leaders of the field, including Catena Media, Clever Advertising, Evoke, Flashscore, Kaizen Gaming, Medier, Megapari, Novibet, and Shake, offering attendees direct access to key players across the affiliate and operator landscape.
On the conference side of things, the Affiliate Leaders Stage at this year’s summit delivers a powerful three-day journey through the evolution of affiliate marketing, starting with the martech tools redefining performance and partnerships, moving into audience-focused strategies that tap into community-driven SEO and smarter collaboration, and culminating in a forward-looking exploration of AI, diversification beyond Google, and the future role of affiliate managers.
With debates, CEO insights, hands-on workshops, and panels tackling everything from automation and CRM to content authenticity and deal transparency, this stage arms attendees with the ideas, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.
The conference sessions will bring together some of the biggest names in affiliate marketing, including Jonathan Edelshaim (CEO, Natural Intelligence), Elaine Gardiner-Ruddock (Managing Director, TAG Media), Peter Gunni (CEO, Traffic Lab), Filip Komljenovic (Head of Sales, Sofascore), Deb Lee (Director of AI & Data Operations, CILA, Entain), Andre Machado (CCO, Clever Advertising), Leanne Muleba (Chief Operations Officer, Matching Visions), and Johan Styren (CEO & Co-founder, Dilanti Media).
Those joining the Affiliate Leaders Summit will benefit not only from the tailored content on the dedicated stage and Super Stage but also from the addition of the Global Markets and Emerging Markets stages. With affiliates and operators among the most curious about cross-border growth, these new stages provide an ideal opportunity to explore regional strategies and understand new audiences.
Affiliate and operator attendees can expect the VIP treatment at the Affiliate Leaders Summit, with complimentary access to the event’s premium evening networking lineup. That includes the high-energy Opening Party with Joel Corry and Imanbek, and the return of INFINITY Lisbon, featuring electrifying performances from Alok and Timmy Trumpet.
Sojmark added: “The Affiliate Leaders Summit is designed to make networking and easier by giving you a dedicated space to connect. But the hospitality doesn’t stop there. You’re part of the full SBC Summit experience. With access to all six stages, complimentary food and drinks at the Food Festival, and the freedom to explore every area of the event, you’re welcome to engage as widely as you like. The Affiliate Leaders Summit simply helps you focus your efforts where they matter most.”
News
iGaming.Com joins QMRA & More News

The Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (QMRA) initiative is pleased to announce that iGaming.com has officially joined its growing network of compliant affiliate partners. The partnership starts with the inclusion of iGaming.com’s Danish portfolio, which will now be reviewed and monitored under the QMRA compliance framework.
This move follows earlier commitments by other major players in the iGaming affiliate industry, including Gentoo Media, Leadstar Media, GameLounge, and as a QMRA Operator, LeoVegas. With iGaming.com now joining their ranks, QMRA continues to build a stronger foundation for responsible and transparent affiliate marketing practices in Europe and beyond.
As part of the onboarding process, QMRA’s compliance team will assess the participating iGaming.com website against the established QMRA Code of Conduct. The partnership reflects mutual confidence and a shared objective: raising the standard of regulatory compliance and responsible marketing in the affiliate sector.
“We are very pleased that iGaming.com has chosen to partner with us. Their decision shows continued momentum in the industry towards credible, structured compliance. It also strengthens QMRA’s ability to advocate for a safe and transparent online gambling environment,” said Steven Vrolijk, spokesperson for QMRA.
Google Core Update: Optimized QMRA Member Certificates
In other news, following the latest Google Core Update, which emphasized the importance of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), QMRA is further optimizing its certification standards. Specifically, QMRA certificates will now include a new section titled Company Verification and Relationship with QMRA.
This section confirms that:
QMRA has verified the identity of the organization behind [Website Name] and confirmed that it is an established, demonstrably reliable entity with a registered business. QMRA maintains direct contact with the management of this organization regarding the operation of the website. A contractual relationship exists between QMRA and this company, under which periodic compliance checks are carried out and clear agreements have been made concerning adherence to applicable laws and regulations.
This added transparency helps reinforce the credibility of certified affiliate websites, not just with regulators and partners, but also with search engines increasingly focused on authoritative sources.
German Deposit Limits
Recently, QMRA specialists conducted research related to the overarching deposit limits in Germany: https://qmra.eu/online-gambling-deposit-limits-in-germany/
Germany’s strict deposit limit policy aims to reduce gambling harm, but its rigid framework, exemplified by a €1,000 monthly cap and technical restrictions, may unintentionally drive players toward illegal markets, highlighting the need for data-driven, flexible regulation that balances consumer protection with market realities.
News
Amusnet Partners with Leading Affiliate CasinoFreak

Amusnet is excited to announce a new partnership with CasinoFreak, one of the most trusted and comprehensive online casino affiliate platforms. This collaboration supports our ongoing efforts to expand global reach and deliver high-quality gaming experiences to a broader audience. The affiliate is renowned for its reliable casino reviews, in-depth game insights, and player-first approach. This partnership will focus on providing in-depth coverage of Amusnet’s diverse portfolio of top-tier casino titles to CasinoFreak’s global user base – launching with a spotlight with the standout release, Sparta Legend.
“Working with CasinoFreak aligns perfectly with our vision of reaching players who value quality and amusement. Their commitment to up-to-date information and user-focused service makes them an ideal partner to showcase Sparta Legend’s unique gameplay and thematic appeal.”, comments Liliya Chatalbasheva, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at Amusnet.
“Sparta Legend by Amusnet is a bold step into the heart of ancient Greece, where polished visuals meet deliberate, focused gameplay. Its Free Spins feature with stacked Wilds creates steady momentum, and the Buy Feature allows immediate access to the core mechanics. As April’s Editor’s Choice, the game earns its place through consistency, clarity, and a theme that never strays from its mark.”, said Bogdan Romedea, PR Specialist at Casino Freak.
As we begin this exciting partnership, we invite gaming enthusiasts to explore CasinoFreak’s comprehensive reviews. With Sparta Legend and other Amusnet titles in focus, this collaboration marks an important step in enhancing the online casino experience and deepening community engagement. It reflects Amusnet’s commitment to partnering with top affiliates to deliver exceptional gaming worldwide.