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European Gaming Q1 2024 Meetup: Exploring Innovation, Marketing, and the iGaming Industry Hubs
HIPTHER’s staple Quarterly Meetups for the Gaming industry have officially returned for 2024! The European Gaming Q1 Meetup 2024 took place on February 28 online, featuring an incredible lineup of speakers, including Ilya Machavariani, CEO and Senior Partner at 4H Agency, Krysta Muscat and Kevin Perks, International Recruiters at Van Kaizen, Jekaterina Dubnicka, Marketing & Communications Manager at Slotsjudge, Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale Productions, and John Chyriwsky, Head of Marketing at Fincore Ltd. HIPTHER’s Co-founder and Host-Extraordinaire, Zoltan Tuendik, moderated the panel discussions.
The Meetup sessions explored the gaming and technology industry, focusing on various topics such as the importance of innovation and transformation in the sector, strategies to combat offshore gambling, the emergence of Malta and the Isle of Man as iGaming industry hubs, potential future hubs for the gambling industry, marketing strategies in the gaming industry, and innovation in the gaming with a particular emphasis on personalization.
Gaming and TECH: Future Journey and Fight Against Offshore Gambling
The meeting kicked off highlighting the importance and intersection of gaming and technology industries, which will be explored at the upcoming MARE BALTICUM and Prague Gaming & TECH Summits by HIPTHER. Our first guest, Ilya Machavariani, CEO and Senior Partner at 4H Agency delved further into technology and the latest strategies in the global fight against offshore gambling.
Ilya discussed strategies to combat offshore gambling, proposing a separation into active and passive instruments. He suggested that governments should legalize all verticals of the industry and ensure operators obtain licenses. Ilya also emphasized the importance of transparent and sensible regulations and the role of technology in identifying and preventing access to offshore gambling sites. He highlighted the challenges of regulating and blocking websites from a governmental perspective and the need for international cooperation.
The discussion ended with a focus on improved consumer protection measures and the importance of educating consumers about potential risks associated with illegal gambling activities.
Gaming Industry Hubs: Malta, Isle of Man and Beyond
For the 2nd Session of the European Gaming Q1 Meetup, we welcomed Krysta Muscat and Kevin Perks, International Recruiters at Van Kaizen, to discuss iGaming hubs and hotspots of the Gaming Industry. Kevin introduced their global headhunting company that primarily serves the gaming sector, recruiting for approximately 140 businesses. The discussion revolved around the factors contributing to Malta and the Isle of Man emerging as hubs for the iGaming industry, with Krysta highlighting Malta’s modernized infrastructure and highly regulated environment, and Kevin pointing out the supportive government and dedicated government agency in the Isle of Man, along with its tax breaks. Both islands were found to have a skilled workforce and a multilingual population. Kevin also discussed the benefits of living on the Isle of Man, emphasizing the slower pace of life, the island’s 40% open space, and its status as one of the safest places in Europe. The discussion ended on the topic of the government’s efforts to promote the island and attract businesses, with a focus on recruitment strategies for gaming companies in competitive markets.
The session concluded with a discussion on potential future hubs for the iGaming industry, with Krysta and Kevin emphasizing on the US, Canada, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Bulgaria, highlighting the significant interest and potential opportunities in these regions.
Marketing, Communication, and Community building in iGaming
In this first Marketing-focused session, Zoltan hosted our special guest Jekaterina Dubnicka – Marketing & Communications Manager at Slotsjudge. The conversation focused on marketing strategies in the gaming industry, with Jekaterina explaining the shift towards more interactive and immersive content by leveraging social media and video interviews, and focusing on SEO tools to gain insights into audience interests. She also provided insight into the role of community in the gaming experience, the importance of navigating strict regulatory environments while maintaining compliance and a strong brand voice, the importance of innovation in content creation and delivery, and emerging trends in the gaming industry.
Innovation and Personalization in Gaming Industry
The last panel discussion focused on innovation in the gaming industry, with a particular emphasis on personalization. Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, and John Chyriwsky, Head of Marketing at Fincore Ltd joined us to discuss innovation in iGaming and Sports Betting. John highlighted the potential for improvement in the area of personalization and user experience, suggesting that platforms should “step up” to respond better to user needs. Eberhard pointed out the industry’s flexibility and the importance of meeting customer expectations, while John emphasized the need to enhance customer experience, suggesting the use of real-time data to create personalized experiences. He cited examples of successful companies that prioritize customer experience, such as Amazon and Uber. Eberhard also discussed the potential of AI and machine learning in the industry. The conversation concluded with a group exercise where participants shared their hopes for technology implementation in the gaming industry by the end of 2024.
Coming up Next:
Watch the recording of the European Gaming Q1 Meetup on HIPTHER TV, and keep an eye out for our next European Gaming Quarterly Meetups!
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.
Barbara Bang
QTech Games Amplifies Action Through Barbara Bang Integration
Emerging-markets leader enhances its content selection with new games from a rising contender.
QTech Games, the premier game aggregator for emerging markets, has sustained its robust momentum in its pipeline, owing to its recent agreement with promising studio, Barbara Bang, a slots provider recognized for its unique method of game development and a customized approach to discovering localized solutions for various markets.
Incorporating an outstanding portfolio from a highly unique and innovative digital slots supplier further enhances QTech Games’ expanding platform, which is bringing a diverse selection of online games to emerging markets, featuring well-known brands alongside the industry’s most thrilling new providers.
The games offered to QTech partners through this agreement are crypto-friendly and include popular titles and new releases like Sky Rail Riches, Juicy Fruits, Sunshine Rich, and Chieftain Buffalo. Each utilizes distinct maths modeling that alters the volatility spectrum, contributing to an engaging gaming experience.
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We’re committed to rolling out first-class content that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Barbara Bang extends our impressive sequential pipeline – and we’ve so much more to come in 2026! In today’s marketplace, only high-quality games offering something different separate you from the rabble, so we’re delighted to see how Barbara Bang is fulfilling this demand. Their dedication to data-driven content development, coupled with an acute focus on even the most specific player-centric details, matches up neatly with QTech’s own localisation techniques across emerging markets.
George Dias, Partnership Manager of Barbara Bang, added: “Barbara Bang prides itself on our ever-expanding production line of titles which provide unique and head-turning experiences in an increasingly homogenised space. And we’ve found QTech to be a natural habitat for embracing such content, and delivering it to new audiences. Founded with the goal of bridging the gap between players and gaming platforms, Barbara Bang is now acquiring progressive recognition in the iGaming market, thanks to this deal with the top aggregator QTech Games.
“We’re confident that this partnership will allow us to seamlessly broaden the scope of our slots for fresh audiences across emerging markets. It’s a significant step for Barbara Bang in enlarging our global footprint.”
The post QTech Games Amplifies Action Through Barbara Bang Integration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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