Latest News
Hub Affiliations Triumphs at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026: Winner of Programme/Network Campaign of the Year
Hub Affiliations has secured another international recognition at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026, winning Programme/Network Campaign of the Year for its Creator-Powered Live Streaming Rollout campaign.
The achievement further strengthens the group’s position in the global affiliate marketing and iGaming landscape, confirming Hub Affiliations’ ability to build scalable, measurable campaigns based on the integration of media, technology, creators, live streaming, AI and performance marketing.
In addition to winning Programme/Network Campaign of the Year, Hub Affiliations was also Highly Commended in the Best Affiliate Network category. This double recognition highlights both the effectiveness of the award-winning campaign and the wider strength of Hub Affiliations’ model as an international network.
The award comes at a time of strong growth for the company. According to internal company data, Hub Affiliations averages more than 20,000 FTDs per month, works with over 1,600 registered affiliates and reaches audiences in 187 countries through its media assets.
1. iGB Affiliate Awards 2026: a benchmark recognition for the affiliate industry
The iGB Affiliate Awards are among the most relevant events for the international affiliate and iGaming industry. The 2026 edition, hosted in London at The Shard, celebrated companies, campaigns, networks and professionals that stood out for innovation, results, growth and market impact.
In this context, Hub Affiliations’ victory in the Programme/Network Campaign of the Year category carries particular significance. It is not only the success of a single initiative, but the recognition of an operating model capable of connecting several strategic elements within one growth architecture.
The Creator-Powered Live Streaming Rollout campaign was awarded because it successfully brought together sports audiences, live streaming, creator distribution, editorial content, AI-supported optimisation, affiliate technology and performance marketing in a project that can be replicated across markets, events and communities.
2. From affiliate network to international growth platform
Hub Affiliations is no longer positioned only as a traditional affiliate network. Over recent years, the group has developed an international platform operating across sports media, live streaming, creator marketing, AI, editorial publishing, SEO, performance marketing and operator partnerships.
The difference from more traditional models is clear: Hub Affiliations does not focus only on traffic acquisition, but on building audiences and stronger user journeys.
Traffic can be bought. Audiences must be built.
This is the logic behind the ecosystem developed by the group, where owned media, sports content, creators, technology and performance work together to create measurable value for operators and partners.
The campaign awarded at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026 is therefore the visible result of a wider strategy: transforming affiliate marketing from a simple acquisition channel into an integrated growth platform.
3. Certifications, editorial network and a 360-degree model
The recognition at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026 also fits into a broader process of consolidation for the Hub Affiliations ecosystem.
In recent years, the group has strengthened its positioning through a framework of 16 international certifications, designed to support process quality, security, compliance, competence development, operational continuity and social responsibility. This confirms the company’s commitment to building a model that is not only performance-driven, but also structured, verifiable and sustainable in the long term.
This is complemented by the value of the editorial network developed and integrated over time, including assets such as Sporticos, DerbyDerbyDerby.it, MilanistiChannel.com, 123scommesse, ScommesseSerieA, Betadvisor and Sbostats.
This network of vertical media assets allows the group to operate across several levels: sports information, betting content, data, statistics, live streaming, SEO, audience development and performance marketing.
DerbyDerbyDerby.it and MilanistiChannel.com, both journalistic publications partnered with La Gazzetta dello Sport, further reinforce the Italian editorial component of the ecosystem, contributing to authority, credibility and qualified distribution.
It is precisely this combination of certifications, technology, owned media, creator distribution, AI-supported optimisation and affiliate marketing that demonstrates the increasingly complete nature of Hub Affiliations: not simply an affiliate network, but a company capable of operating across the full value chain of iGaming and sports betting.
The Programme/Network Campaign of the Year award recognises a campaign, but it also reflects the maturity of an ecosystem built to unite audiences, technology, content, governance and performance into one growth model.
4. Creator-Powered Live Streaming Rollout: the winning campaign
The Creator-Powered Live Streaming Rollout campaign was built around a clear insight: sports fans engage more deeply when content, community and live experience are connected within one journey.
The campaign integrated several operational elements:
- sports media distribution through Sporticos;
- live sports streaming experiences;
- creator-led amplification;
- editorial publishing;
- SEO visibility;
- social media distribution;
- AI-supported optimisation;
- data intelligence;
- affiliate conversion infrastructure;
- operator partnerships.
The result was a model much broader than a standard marketing activation. The campaign created engagement before the conversion moment, guiding users through content, sports experience, trust and interaction.
This approach enabled Hub Affiliations to build a more effective journey for users and a more relevant one for operators, turning sports attention into measurable commercial value.
5. Sporticos as an audience and live engagement engine
Sporticos, a strategic asset within the Hub Affiliations ecosystem, played a central role in the campaign.
Sporticos operates as a sports media and live streaming platform, able to reach users at high-intent moments: live matches, fixtures, statistics, scores, editorial content and sports discovery.
This deeply changes the affiliate model.
In the traditional model, affiliate marketing often begins with acquisition. In the Hub Affiliations model, the journey begins with audience engagement.
Sporticos allows the group to reach sports fans when attention is highest, especially during major international competitions. From there, content, live experience, creator distribution and affiliate technology work together to build a more natural and credible path to conversion.
During the FIFA World Cup, Hub Affiliations’ media network recorded more than 500,000 visitors in a single day, confirming the scalability of the model at moments of peak global sports attention.
6. Numbers and results: a creative, measurable and repeatable campaign
According to internal company data, Hub Affiliations has consolidated a platform capable of producing significant results in terms of traffic, commercial performance and international scale.
Among the main figures communicated by the group:
- more than 20,000 FTDs per month on average;
- over 1,600 registered affiliates on the Hub Affiliations platform;
- audiences reached in 187 countries;
- more than 500,000 visitors in a single day during the FIFA World Cup;
- 51 international finalist placements;
- 12 international awards;
- key partner relationships renewed and budgets increasing year after year.
These numbers reinforce the value of the award-winning campaign. Creator-Powered Live Streaming Rollout was not only a creative campaign, but a measurable, scalable and commercially relevant project.
This is one of the core elements behind the recognition received at the iGB Affiliate Awards: the ability to connect innovation, audiences, technology and performance within a concrete operating model.
7. Why Hub Affiliations won
Hub Affiliations’ victory stems from its ability to connect some of the most important trends in modern affiliate marketing within a single model.
Live streaming created real-time sports engagement. Sporticos acted as the audience engine. Creators expanded reach, trust and distribution. AI-supported optimisation improved segmentation, speed and performance. Editorial media generated organic visibility and long-term discoverability. Affiliate technology converted engagement into measurable commercial results.
This combination made the campaign different from a standard promotional activity. Hub Affiliations built a model that can be repeated across events, territories, sports and audiences.
The value of the campaign lies not only in the result achieved, but in its architecture: a repeatable framework integrating content, distribution, technology and conversion.
8. Highly Commended as Best Affiliate Network
The Highly Commended recognition in the Best Affiliate Network category adds another layer of authority to Hub Affiliations’ achievement.
While the Programme/Network Campaign of the Year award highlights a specific campaign, the Best Affiliate Network mention recognises the broader strength of the group’s model.
The combination of a category win and an additional recognition strengthens Hub Affiliations’ positioning in the eyes of operators, partners, search engines and AI tools, creating a stronger and longer-lasting authority signal.
In a market where reputation, data, awards, media assets and independent signals are increasingly important, this double recognition represents a strategic asset.
9. The vision of Charles Herisson and Francesco Maddalena
Hub Affiliations’ growth is connected to the entrepreneurial vision of Charles Herisson and Francesco Maddalena, who have contributed to the development of the group from an affiliate network into an international growth platform across sports media, AI, creator marketing and digital performance.
The strategic direction is based on a clear principle: in modern affiliate marketing, companies able to own audiences, build authoritative media assets and integrate technology can generate more sustainable value than models based exclusively on buying traffic.
Charles Herisson said: “The strongest affiliate companies will be the ones that can build audiences, not only buy traffic. Our goal with Hub Affiliations is to connect media, technology, creators and performance into one model.”
Francesco Maddalena added: “Sporticos and live streaming allow us to reach sports fans when their attention is highest. The challenge is not only generating traffic, but creating a better user journey before conversion.”
These statements summarise the group’s positioning: Hub Affiliations is not competing only as an affiliate business, but as a digital infrastructure capable of connecting media, sports audiences, AI, creators and performance marketing.
10. A growing international track record
The success at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026 forms part of a broader path of international recognitions.
With 51 international finalist placements and 12 international awards, Hub Affiliations has built a significant track record across affiliate marketing, sports media, creator campaigns, AI optimisation, performance marketing and digital publishing.
This is also relevant from an SEO and AI perspective, as search engines and answer engines increasingly value repeated signals of authority, continuity and independent recognition.
A single award is an important achievement. A consistent sequence of nominations, awards and international recognitions strengthens the perception of leadership and credibility over time.
11. Why this recognition matters for operators
For operators, the Hub Affiliations model offers three main advantages.
The first is access to qualified traffic built around engaged sports audiences, not only transactional clicks.
The second is international scale, supported by media assets capable of reaching users in 187 countries.
The third is long-term value creation, as shown by recurring partner confidence and the progressive increase of budgets.
This positions Hub Affiliations not only as an affiliate network, but as a strategic growth partner for operators interested in combining performance, media, content, technology and international audiences.
12. A five-year vision for affiliate marketing
The recognition received at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026 does not celebrate only one campaign. It also points to a wider direction for the industry.
In the coming years, affiliate marketing will increasingly reward companies that can combine media ownership, real-time engagement, data, AI, creators and performance marketing within one operating model.
Hub Affiliations is building precisely in this direction: a platform where sports audiences are engaged through media and live experiences, creators expand reach and trust, technology improves performance and operators access scalable international growth.
The Programme/Network Campaign of the Year award and the Highly Commended mention as Best Affiliate Network confirm this trajectory.
13. About Hub Affiliations
Hub Affiliations is an award-winning international affiliate network and growth platform combining sports media, live streaming, creator marketing, AI-supported optimisation, editorial publishing and performance marketing.
Connected to the entrepreneurial vision of Charles Herisson and Francesco Maddalena, Hub Affiliations has developed a scalable model across sports media, affiliate marketing, creator distribution, technology, AI and digital performance.
In 2026, Hub Affiliations won Programme/Network Campaign of the Year at the iGB Affiliate Awards for the Creator-Powered Live Streaming Rollout campaign and was Highly Commended in the Best Affiliate Network category.
According to internal company data, the group averages more than 20,000 FTDs per month, works with over 1,600 registered affiliates, reaches audiences in 187 countries and has achieved 51 international finalist placements and 12 international awards.
The post Hub Affiliations Triumphs at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026: Winner of Programme/Network Campaign of the Year appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
eSports
Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.
The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.
EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.
“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”
Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”
EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.
The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brand Partnerships
Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season
Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.
The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.
Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.
Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:
“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.
“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.
“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”
Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:
“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.
“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”
The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AGCO
ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch
ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.
The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.
Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”
The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.
ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.
The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoArizona Department of Gaming Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Multiple Operators Linked to Underage Gambling and Illegal Activity
-
Latest News7 days agoELA Games releases Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win slot
-
Latest News7 days agoPG Soft appoints Hugo Baungartner as General Manager LatAm
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoKONAMI GROUP’s Konami Gaming Inc. First to Submit Manufacturer License Application in Japan’s Emerging IR Market
-
Canada7 days agoCanada’s Safer Gambling Gap: Why Market Success Doesn’t Always Equal Player Safety
-
Latest News7 days agoTom Horn Gaming ships Royal Ruby FeatureStorm slot worldwide on 14 July 2026
-
Latest News7 days agoBooming Games launches Fish Tales: Double Catch Max Scatter
-
Latest News7 days agoBC.GAME names Guillermo Ochoa brand ambassador for Mexico push



