Ace Alliance Riga: One iGaming Show to Remember

Ace Alliance Riga is a relatively new event in the diverse world of affiliate marketing, but it has already gained its fair share of attention and attracted just the right players. This is not to say other conferences are in any way inferior to this one; the point is that the organizers arranged the show in such a way that it was set apart from bigger brands, where people rush past one another, hoping to buttonhole the affiliate celebrity who can dedicate only a moment to a passerby.

This unique advantage is the atmosphere of the boutique event: despite its size, Ace Alliance Riga was packed with real decision-makers, effortlessly navigating the highly competitive iGaming niche. The following interviews only prove that statement, and you will be able to see so for yourself.

Good Morning Vietnam: Podcast as a Mirror of the iGaming Industry

Most professionals today are familiar with podcasts: they are an excellent tool to pass the time, acquire new knowledge, or learn recent developments in your field. It is a logical step to create an affiliate podcast, highlighting significant trends and sharing insights directly from affiliate experts who are actively growing their businesses and participating in notable industry conferences.

The industry grew, so did the phenomenon of podcasting. It is no longer considered to be a means of entertainment — affiliates treat it as a solid, trustworthy source of information about affiliate marketing. But there’s even more to it. Our esteemed colleague Mike Waizman, Head of Brand at NGM Game, conducted an interview with Rodion Gusarov from Royal Partners, the host of the Good Morning Vietnam podcast, and revealed a few masterstrokes in the complicated picture of iGaming.

Rodion Gusarov (source: LinkedIn)

“It started as a conversation, no ambition or lecturing involved,” Rodion says. “Your guest takes the floor, and you listen; as simple as that. The honesty of the format worked like a magnet, attracting these first speakers to the podcast. Many showed up to support beginner hosts, so the promotional goals were put on the back burner. In the end, however, this was exactly the reason that ensured the growth.”

Shifting the focus, Rodion tackles the subject of challenges. He claims that geography is the biggest of them. “We attend conferences, and that’s it. Sometimes it takes a year to intercept a speaker you want to talk to. Barcelona, London, Malta... The podcast roams across the map to release another episode.”

However, geography doesn’t seem to be the only hindrance, though the following complication is tangentially connected with it. Affiliate marketing is as diverse an industry as it can be, and the guests come from different countries. While English is widely considered the language of universal communication, it isn’t always comfortable to exchange opinions in it: for many guests, English is a second or even third language, and while they can communicate, they don’t always connect. Here, Rodion recalls a not uncommon situation: a guest shares their views in English, the host is struggling to keep up, but then the real savior emerges — a colleague with a better command of language. Technically, Good Morning Vietnam has become a platform that prioritizes communication between specialists, quickly resolving the challenge of the linguistic barrier.

Apart from these purely practical impediments, Rodion mentioned another one, of a more psychological nature. He says that some guests tend to wear a disguise, and the host has to find the right approach to lure out the real person hiding behind the armor. In some cases, one smart question is enough to peel off the mask; other times, the host has to build an entire strategy to slough off the camouflage and expose the character.

"Good Morning Vietnam" has become a full-fledged product where top speakers come to happily engage and share insights.

Recalling the Conference

Another guest of Ace Alliance Waizman conversed with was Vegas Legends’ Ambassador Bilyan Balinoff. In his interview, he shared his perspective on why such events matter — and how they help networking evolve further.

The first hallmark of the conference mentioned in the interview was the format. Bilyan believes that Ace Alliance is becoming a boutique event where guests have an opportunity to communicate with more decision-makers than at any other bigger conference, where you simply don’t have enough time to communicate with every person you meet: people are busy, they’re rushing past one another, and you’re always in a hurry. At events similar to Ace Alliance, you can actually discuss the current state of business, explore potential touchpoints, and, perhaps, secure a collaboration.

Bilyan Balinoff (source: LinkedIn)

In a similar vein, Mike steered the conversation around connections, but he decided to stay out of the bell curve and asked Bilyan about his opinion on LinkedIn, one of the most important professional networks. The question revealed an unusual slant: Bilyan insisted that other social media platforms didn’t exist for him, and LinkedIn provides experiences other platforms fail to deliver. “I don’t use Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. But I do have LinkedIn,” he says. “For me, LinkedIn is like an internship — it helps you learn what to do, how to position yourself. It personalizes your business. On most social media, you get a lot of noise that has nothing to do with work. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is the best if you want your social presence to truly reflect your business.”

Finally, the confabulation revolved around one of the most exciting topics for any affiliate — channels for affiliate marketing and traffic. Surprisingly, LinkedIn, his favorite platform, wasn’t on the list: “The most important channel is expos and booths. You need real, face-to-face interaction. When you have a booth, you meet people, you grab attention. But digital media also has to be part of it. You can’t just do booths and ignore digital, and you can’t only focus on digital without having a real presence. Let’s say you google ‘best casino’ or ‘best aggregator.’ If you’ve already seen my partner Alex Tomic everywhere at expos, with big booths and PR, that brand sticks in your mind. But if you google it and it doesn’t show up first, you’ll forget and choose another aggregator. That’s why it works hand-in-hand — digital visibility plus real-world exposure. For true industry leaders, the winning formula is both.”

Well said, there’s nothing else to add: in an industry driven by relationships and reach, it’s not about choosing between digital or physical, it’s about mastering the synergy between the two to scale the game.

We Are a Tribe, Not a Family

It would be highly unwise to miss out on such a prominent figure. Cedomir Tomic, Bilyan’s colleague and friend mentioned in the previous paragraph, is the founder and CEO of Alea, one of the world’s leading casino game aggregators. Impressed by this tech-driven platform, which focuses on API security, innovation, and team culture, Waizman also chatted with him.

Unlike many other affiliates and business owners, Tomic doesn’t deem his team “a family” — to him, it is mostly “a tribe” with meritocracy and a clear hierarchical structure, where the less experienced are guided by the more experienced. Still, Tomic emphasizes that all people he works with are his friends, so these “tribal” allusions are simply used to describe strong bonds and shared values within the team, rather than imply anything informal or chaotic.

Cedomir Tomic (source: LinkedIn)

Little by little, the conversation gradually moved on to the active stance against piracy — or to the diametrically opposed point of view. Tomic’s response was remarkably unequivocal. “Alea fights piracy aggressively,” he replied, “Especially through API governance. Hackers are increasingly targeting gaming APIs. Banks already have PCI and 3D Secure, but in iGaming, some providers still don’t even have basic authentication. That makes it possible to turn demo games into production, trigger jackpots, and cash out winnings. And yes, it happens more often than you’d think.”

As if trying to maintain the mental connection with the previous speaker, Waizman touched upon branding and the role of LinkedIn for managers in iGaming. Again, the response couldn’t be clearer. “It’s important in any business”, says Tomic, “But in iGaming it’s critical. If you work in this industry and don’t use LinkedIn as a personal branding tool, you’re losing a ton of opportunities. Of course, you need balance: promote yourself and your company, but don’t forget the actual work. And most importantly — don’t turn LinkedIn into Instagram with cats.”

On a final note, Tomic offered a word of advice to all aspiring professionals in iGaming. We will not shorten or alter the quote, so you can hear it exactly as he intended it — clear and candid.

“Reputation takes 10 years to build and 5 seconds to lose. One mistake — let down a client, missed a deal — and that’s it. In this industry, you must always respect people: today he’s selling you a product, tomorrow he may decide whether to buy your games. It’s a small industry, and reputation is your key asset.”

Slotjudge: a Look from Inside the Niche

Jekaterina Dubnicka, Head of Marketing and Communications of the Slotsjudge game portal, became Waizman’s next victim — ah, the joke was impossible to resist. In this interview, the professionals discussed the future of gambling, marketing, and AI, dwelled on the prolonged effects of the pandemic, and why one should be cautious around ChatGPT.

Jekaterina Dubnicka (source: LinkedIn)

Mike Waizman: So, let’s start from the beginning. What do you do?

Jekaterina Dubnicka: My name is Jekaterina Dubnicka, and I am Head of Marketing and Communications of the Slotsjudge game portal. What I do is essentially seeking the right contacts around the globe to integrate them into our ecosystem.

M.W.: What is SlotJudge?

J.D.: I’d say this project is truly unique. We aren’t mere affiliates; we are a team that knows how to find the common language with the most demanding players. Our main goal is to provide high-quality slot reviews, discover the latest thing, help players understand the industry, and treat the game responsibly.

M.W.: How did you get into the industry?

J.D.: By accident. It’s 2020, the pandemic. I have a cousin working in MyBettingDeals, and she suddenly offered me to try working as an assistant there. At the time, I studied to become a marketing specialist. As I didn’t have a job, I agreed. Then, 4 months later, I attended my very first SiGMA, and it dawned upon me: I want to stay in the niche.

M.W.: Where do you think the niche is going?

J.D.: My hopes run high for Skill Games. It’s not the random number that matters; it’s the player who’s responsible for the outcome. I’m convinced that in the upcoming years, this segment will gain momentum and capture a considerable part of the market.

M.W.: Now, a tricky one. What do you make of ChatGPT?

J.D.: Not everyone can use it, and it’s constantly hallucinating. Yet, this is one tool I work with on a daily basis. I keep everything in there: my notes, plans, even SlotJudge projects. By the by, we launched our own AI-slot, and the media mentioned it somewhere. But I still have my doubts as ChatGPT causes addiction: people stop thinking critically and treat every bit of information they receive from it as a fundamental truth.

Vegangster’s on a Roll

Michael Oziransky from Vegangster is in high spirits: the company has just moved to a new office, where it’s actively expanding its B2B direction. Evidently, Michael is eager to reflect on the brand’s journey and share his thoughts on the future of UX, automation, and evolving industry standards.

Michael Oziransky (source: LinkedIn)

Mike Waizman: Michael, I can’t ignore the elephant in the room and refrain from the question. This new office, B2B — is it about growth or the change of focus?

Michael Oziransky: Actually, a little bit of both. This new office, as you have put it, is a symbol for us, a new stage. The company has been on the market for many years already. We started as a B2C company: we were operators, and we faced all imaginable complications businesses face in real markets. Eventually, we realized that the experience we gathered could be bundled and distributed as a B2B product, which solves the same problems but for other operators. Today, we have two main products: the platform and the game aggregator. Besides, we are currently developing cash products, sportsbooks, and specialized B2B tools. Essentially, we aim to provide a full-cycle starter pack for launching and running a turnkey iGaming project.

Mike Waizman: This is your competitive advantage, being an operator in the past?

Michael Oziransky: Absolutely. We don’t build a platform as an independent model somewhere in space; it was created as a result of analyzing pain points and requests. We know how to work with players, who are always expecting something, and we also know how to work with operators who must scale up and maintain competition. Finally, we’ve invented a product for operators — made by operators.

Mike Waizman: Okay, let’s speak about the future. What are the new UX standards?

Michael Oziransky: UX in iGaming no longer centers on usability. Now, it’s a way to detain players. We’re developing interactive personalization, where the lobby adjusts to the user. For example, we implement mini-games and challenges into the interface. We encourage people to use Scroll&Play, Stories, streams, and tournaments because users are already accustomed to the formats. This method also works in difficult conditions: when the connection is unstable, on mobile devices, and with vertical videoslots. Then, there are multigaming sessions when a user plays several games in one display window.

Mike Waizman: Automation has been trending for a few years already. How do you approach it?

Michael Oziransky: We deliberately removed integration with external tools such as FastTrack or Optimum. All the necessary solutions are built directly into the platform. There is a customer journey builder that allows you to build interactions with players and automate their launch. Then, you can segment by geography, behavior, and value. Campaigns can be adjusted to a specific country — from language to visuals — without additional software. We also have AI assistants. They translate and localize content, generate texts and creatives, and offer ready-made templates. It speeds up the launch of campaigns and reduces the workload on marketing and operations teams. Operators respond positively to these updates. We are gradually transferring them to the new admin panel, trying to collect feedback as early as possible. More often than not, we contact operators at the design stage to test hypotheses and make sure that the product will be intuitive. Our goal is to create an easy-to-use tool for everyday working routine, not a technological miracle with a cool interface. Current feedback suggests that we are moving in the right direction.

Mike Waizman: What is your ideal client?

Michael Oziransky: There are two types. The first one is a marketing team that already has traffic. They used to drive it to other people’s projects, and now we can help them launch their own brand. We provide a platform and, if needed, managed services, such as anti-fraud, content, license... The second category includes operators who want to launch their project from scratch — they need technological and operational assistance. There are different options: it can be white-label with our license, or a turnkey solution with the client’s license.

Mike Waizman: Okay, but what would you do if you needed to launch a new brand from scratch without loud marketing efforts? What’s your first step?

Michael Oziransky: Prioritize the project. Marketing endeavors are indeed important, but if the product is crude, the players will go. A solid product speaks for itself: it attracts attention with a minimal marketing budget. Second, watch your retention. Even if you don’t have a lot of users at first, do everything you can to make them stay and invite new people.

Building Games Anew: Endorphina on Future Gaming

Endorphina is a well-known decision-maker in iGaming — this company’s slots are spinning all over the world. The secret to their success lies in the amalgamation of mathematics, vivid visuals, and adjustment to any available market. Mike Waizman interviewed Artyom Moskvin, COO of Endorphina, and discussed localization, new niches, piracy, and the future of gaming.

Artyom Moskvin (source: LinkedIn)

Mike Waizman: Do you alter slots to fit local cultural and legal standards?

Artyom Moskvin: We operate globally and are certified in more than 32 jurisdictions. Of course we localize all the content. But it’s important to understand that a game successful in one region doesn’t always become a hit in another. Therefore we work hard both on localization and adaption: the mathematical model, look and feel of the game.

In Europe, it’s our classic games consistently that perform well: Crown Coins, 2025 Hit Slot, and Lucky Streak 1000. Our recent release, Burning Coins 20, also quickly gained popularity among European players.

In the LATAM region, niche products such as Fortune Capybara and Fortune Snake perform especially well. In the CIS region, Amazon's Riches consistently shows strong results.

M.W.: Do you have exclusive games for specific audiences?

A.M.: Yes, we regularly develop games tailored to specific regions. For instance, we already have projects specifically designed for the Brazilian market, and we plan similar releases for South Africa in the future. This approach helps us better understand local audiences and create products that resonate with them.

A good example is Hell Hot 100, developed in collaboration with Betano for Brazilian players. Another example is Fortune Capybara, created for the Latin American market. Working on these localized products allows us not only to strengthen our presence in particular regions but also to gather valuable insights into player preferences.

In short, our principle is simple: we create games that consider the specifics of each audience and launch unique projects for individual markets. At the same time, the industry constantly surprises us, so we are always looking for new ideas and opportunities to delight players and stay relevant.

M .W.: In this industry, we mostly speak about our successes. What about negative experiences?

A.M.: Not that I remember anything too serious. Of course, something can come up from time to time, but we’re an open company: we talk to the media and bloggers, and we are always ready to give feedback. That’s what you should do: get back to the dialogue and evaluate feedback.

M.W.: The future of gaming. What does it look like?

A.M.: We closely monitor the development of blockchain games, though we haven’t fully ventured into that space yet. I think the nearest future of iGaming is all about gamification, innovative bonus mechanics, and delivering memorable experiences to players.

Right now, our main focus is on retention-oriented mechanics. We believe this is one of the key directions for the industry, and it’s something we’ll continue to prioritize both this year and next.

M.W.: How many games do you release annually, and which of your 2025 games were the most significant for you?

A.M.: On average, we release about 20 games per year, roughly two per month. I would highlight the games that I personally love: 2025 Hit Slot and Amazon Riches are the two games I adore.

I also can’t skip mentioning our recent release, Thunder Crown. I consider it extremely successful. Catchy, engaging… I highly recommend trying it! This is a perfect example of how a hit game comes together; it’s always a combination of factors: timing, region, math, features, and, of course, competition. When everything aligns, that’s when a true bombshell appears. We put all our talent and expertise into every slot!

M.W.: How do you fight piracy?

A.M.: Smiling. We have a team and the right software to track and report transgressions and violations. Sometimes, however, copies are so creative that we’re surprised in the best way possible. But that topic really deserves a separate interview! (laughs)

Wrapping Up

Ace Alliance Riga, a relatively young show in the iGaming niche, managed to create an atmosphere of a refined boutique event, where major players shared their views on personal branding, security, affiliate marketing, and team culture. These exceptional interviews demonstrate how diverse this show was, and who knows, maybe next time you will be the one discussing business structures and the future of iGaming.