Latest News
Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Grainne Hurst as New Chief Executive Officer
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has appointed Grainne Hurst as its new CEO.
Grainne brings an unparalleled wealth of experience in the regulated betting and gaming sector, joining from global betting brand Entain, where she spent nearly 10 years, including as the firm’s Group Corporate Affairs Director.
The appointment, first announced in April, came as part of a wider restructuring of the BGC’s senior leadership, with former BGC CEO Michael Dugher becoming Chair.
Grainne has held a number of senior roles in the land-based and online sectors, and brings a passion for increasing the number of high profile women in the industry, establishing the international arm of Global Gaming Women, where she is a board member, and where she currently oversees the charity’s expansion to the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
In her first comments as CEO, Grainne committed to delivering the White Paper, ensuring the sector can move to a new era of stability and growth, with a renewed focus on improving diversity.
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get started as CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, the industry champion for so many iconic brands, at home in the UK and around the world.
“This is a crucial time for the BGC’s diverse and growing membership, which supports 110,000 jobs, and caters to millions of customers who enjoy a bet each month in the UK.
“There is a huge amount of work ahead of us, not least delivering and implementing the outstanding proposals outlined in last year’s White Paper, many of which our members called for.
“That includes a statutory levy to address problem gambling and related harms, an Ombudsman for improved consumer redress, online financial risk checks carefully targeted on those at risk, new stake limits for online slots, a Sports Sponsorship Code, plus mission critical modernisation proposals for the land-based casino sector.
“While achieving regulatory certainty after a period of so much change is top of my priority list, it is important for our industry to focus on stability, growth and diversity across the sector. That work must be underpinned by strong data and guided throughout by the voice of the everyday consumer.
“My huge thanks go to Michael Dugher for his amazing work so far getting the BGC to where it is today, I’m really looking forward to working alongside Michael in his new role as BGC Chair.
“I would also like to thank all of the BGC’s members for their support and, alongside the excellent BGC team, I look forward to championing our world class members, on hard-pressed high streets, in the land-based sector and online.
“Our members are rightly proud of their vital role in the UK entertainment industry, and the significant part they play supporting the local and national economies through tax and high value jobs.
“Millions of us enjoy a bet, in bookmakers, in casinos and online and I look forward to championing everything our members do, for their customers, communities and the country.”
BGC Chair Michael Dugher added: “On behalf of the entire BGC membership, I’d like to warmly welcome Grainne as she officially starts as CEO.
“She brings years of experience and knowledge in the regulated industry, together with a bold vision and strategy to refresh and reset the organisation going forward.
“I look forward to working with Grainne in my new role as Chair, and the rest of the outstanding BGC team, as we continue to represent thousands of workers and millions of customers, as well as delivering on our mission to raise standards in safer gambling.”
The post Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Grainne Hurst as New Chief Executive Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
N1 Traffic Cups: The Year of Traffic Tournaments Starts soon
N1 Partners is launching a series of traffic tournaments N1 Traffic Cups – with the first one kicking off this March. Throughout 2026, partners can expect a variety of promo activities: from standalone cups to a global championship.
This marks a logical continuation of N1 Partners’ community-focused initiatives. Recently, the team summed up the results of N1 Puzzle Promo – a top-tier promotion in the iGaming industry that ran for almost the entire year of 2025. After gathering participant feedback, consolidating the best practices from the successful campaign, and enhancing it with new engaging mechanics and a fresh perspective, N1 Partners developed a brand-new concept. The traffic tournament series will provide additional opportunities for teams working with traffic and focused on consistent performance growth and scaling results.
SEO teams, get ready – the first stage will be the N1 SEO Traffic Cup, opening the new season and setting the tone for the entire 2026 tournament series. A dedicated leaderboard with a tiered level system based on performance, a new competitive format, and a focus not only on scale but also on real traffic efficiency – this spring promises to be truly competitive.
Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners, comments on the upcoming launch:
“There are plenty of races and battles in the industry, but it was important for us to create a format that stands out in both spirit and approach. We’re not just preparing another competition – we’re building a story with character, centered around strategy, structure, and true competitive drive.
2026 is a year of major sporting events: the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The spirit of competition and top-level achievement perfectly aligns with the DNA of N1 Partners: energy, high performance, and healthy competitive ambition are what motivate and push both us and our partners forward.”
We’ll reveal all the details very soon…
Stay tuned to N1 Partners’ social media channels and follow the latest updates in iGaming media.
To learn more about the tournament launch, contact N1 Partners Leadgen Manager, Kristina:
Email: [email protected]
Telegram: https://t.me/Christina_N1L
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-ladik-6a7068206/
Why N1 Partners?
- 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
- 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
- CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45% + NNCO for top partners + hybrid models
Be number one with N1!
Affiliate Succes
Hiring Blitz Expands Quantum Affiliate’s Staff By 10%
The UK-based affiliate is expanding its marketing and commercial teams by hiring six new staff members, while there are still five positions to be filled.
Power affiliate Quantum (previously QiH Group) has experienced significant expansion in the initial two months of 2026, hiring six new staff members for its commercial and marketing teams since December.
First on the list is Shannon Walsh, who enters the swiftly expanding commercial department as a partnerships manager.
Dimi Papamichael, speaking about the stellar growth of his team, said: “From day one, I’ve felt a huge amount of backing and belief in what we’re building here at Quantum – and that’s already turning into real momentum. We’ve recently hired a couple of great people to join our growing commercial team, and we’re not stopping there – with a few more hires lined up in the next couple of months.
“It’s a clear sign of where we’re heading, and there’s a real energy around the business right now. With big plans for this year, we’re continuing to invest in the commercial team to make sure we’ve got the right people in place to move quickly on the opportunities ahead. I’m excited to be building such an ambitious and talented team as we head into a big 2026, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.”
The marketing team, headed by Luke Watkin, is proud to welcome:
- Cameron Harris, Marketing Specialist
- Caitlin McIntyre, Affiliate Sales Lead
- Caroline Millington, Affiliate Account Manager
- Ariadni Argyropoulou, paid social specialist
- Gabriela Profir, performance marketing lead
Luke Watkin, director of marketing for Quantum, said: “As a leader I’ve found it to be extremely energising having the backing, the investment, and the ambition within the business to be able to recruit top marketing talent in a number of key positions in recent months. In a short space of time we have really levelled up the quality of our team, and this is already paying dividends both in terms of how we are working, but also (and most importantly) in the form of results. I am excited to continue doing what I love, which is building brilliant teams.”
In addition to the six roles, Quantum is also seeking to fill roles for:
- head of sales
- senior business development manager
- paid social lead and
- sales ops executive
HR Director for Quantum, Andrea Talreja, shared: “It’s a time of exceptional growth for Quantum, which is exciting and rewarding. We’re seeking not only the roles listed here, but quite a few more in 2026, so if you’re a tech or performance marketing professional – whether from iGaming or other sectors – please get in touch!”
The post Hiring Blitz Expands Quantum Affiliate’s Staff By 10% appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
CasinoCanada
CasinoCanada announces new partnership with MelBet
CasinoCanada has announced a strategic partnership with MelBet, the international betting and gaming operator, aimed at expanding the brand’s footprint in Canada through dedicated content and brand representation on CasinoCanada’s digital platforms.
Under the agreement, CasinoCanada.com will produce detailed reviews and SEO-focused content tailored to Canadian audiences. The partnership is designed to provide users with clear, transparent information about MelBet’s products and services, while enhancing the operator’s visibility in Canada and driving traffic to the MelBet website.
CasinoCanada is operated by SEOBROTHERS, and Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR, said:
“MelBet operates across multiple international markets and has established a consistent presence in the iGaming industry. Through CasinoCanada, we will focus on delivering clear, data-based content tailored to users in Canada and quality traffic to the MelBet website. This partnership is structured around transparent communication and long-term cooperation.”
MelBet offers daily betting on over 1,000 events across sports and esports, alongside a wide range of slots from more than 120 global providers. The brand has earned multiple accolades, including Best Online Gambling Operator (EVENTUS 2023), Best Affiliate Program (SiGMA Africa Awards 2024), and Live Casino of the Year (AffPapa iGaming Awards 2024).
The operator’s high-profile sports partnerships feature legends such as Andrés Iniesta, Didier Drogba, and Kamaru Usman. In October 2025, MelBet extended its agreement as Juventus’ official betting partner in MENA and Africa, while Spanish La Liga and professional Dota 2 organisation OG Esports further enhance its global portfolio.
Anastasiia Shcherbyna, CMO at MelBet Affiliates, commented:
“Working with CasinoCanada has been smooth and efficient. They understand the specifics of our brand, communicate clearly, and consistently deliver on their commitments. We appreciate their professional approach and see strong potential for long-term cooperation.”
This collaboration positions MelBet for sustained growth in Canada, leveraging CasinoCanada’s content expertise and digital reach to strengthen brand awareness and user engagement.
The post CasinoCanada announces new partnership with MelBet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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