Interestingly, he is convinced that AI is going to eradicate the black market and that marketers need to take this into consideration when strategising.
He says there's never been a better time to be a fully compliant operator in the industry.
Now, staying with the Pulse Theatre, a rare opportunity to hear directly from Google.
Camillo Cortesi is a Digital Consultant with Google Ads and straight away drops the bombshell that there are roughly 8.5bn Google searches every day. That's quite a few really.
Real value is not always easy to identify when operators partner with affiliates. And as our panel moderator explains, FTD obsession can distort your assessment of value in the long term.
Holmes agrees, saying:
If you become too focused on FTDs, over time you’re potentially not acquiring the users you need at the right price, and you're maybe acquiring ones you don’t.
Shannon adds: "Large numbers of FTDs don't automatically indicate success."
Line Peteri is hosting this talk at the Pulse Theatre.
Ben Holmes, Growth Director at Moloco, and Dan Shannon, Head of Player Acquisition at Betable, are giving their thoughts on first-time deposits and the metric's importance to affiliate programmes.
Shannon explains what a valuable indicator of success FTDs are. But as Holmes adds, it doesn't answer the question of how you segment the quality of traffic you're providing clients:
If you don't look past FTDs, you're maybe leaving money on the table.
We caught up with January cover star Vlad Kaltenieks, CEO of Boyle Sports.
He and his team are here with their sportsbook and more recently relaunched Boyle Casino product. 2025 was a big year for the company and Kaltenieks was impressed with the infectious positivity here at iGB Affiliates.
It’s great to see a good energy here, people trying to innovate and figure out a way forward. I think there’s probably more optimism than there’s doom and gloom.
Boomerang Partners is showcasing its sports expertise with the presentation of the Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026 at iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2026
Boomerang Partners is participating in iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2026 from January 20th to 21st. The marketing agency will have its own booth, 81-L10, at this premier industry event. Through its participation, it aims to showcase its expertise in the sports vertical of the affiliate marketing industry, including the launch of the exclusive Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026 – a practical tool for sports-focused affiliate teams.
What is the Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026
The Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026 was developed with the involvement of Boomerang Partners’ in-house analytics department, its sponsorship manager, and affiliate managers. The guide is designed for affiliate teams already working with sports traffic or looking to enter this vertical. It contains a wealth of valuable data that can enhance the effectiveness of affiliate campaigns in 2026 – a year that can rightfully be called the Year of Sports, thanks to numerous upcoming events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The schedule for these top-tier tournaments is featured in the guide, along with insights into traffic peaks and the geographic regions where such competitions are particularly popular.
The value of the guide
The Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026 contains a wealth of insights from Boomerang Partners’ analysts, explaining the nuances of user behavior and campaign planning depending on the tournament stage (pre-, during, and post-event). These insights are supported by recommendations for tools that affiliate teams can use to enhance the effectiveness of their strategy, as well as information on current industry trends.
Boomerang Partners also highlights its strategic partnership with AC Milan as an opportunity for sports-focused affiliate teams to elevate the quality of their promotional campaigns and strategies. They can achieve this by accessing exclusive content and utilizing the Club’s schedule to understand seasonal peaks in fan and online bettor attention.
How to get the calendar
The Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026 will be available in two versions, the primary one being digital. Anyone interested can download it from a dedicated Boomerang Partners website by completing a simple registration form.
If you plan to attend iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2026, you can visit the Boomerang Partners booth and utilize the promoters’ assistance to register via a QR code. The company will also offer affiliate partners the opportunity to obtain a printed copy of the guide.
Win the AC Milan home match trip
One of the main highlights of Boomerang Partners’ participation at iGB Affiliate Barcelona will be an exclusive giveaway for visitors to the company’s booth. Every visitor who meets the conditions below will have a chance to win a fully funded trip to and accommodation in Milan, including tickets to an AC Milan home match at the San Siro Stadium. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Download the Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026 during the exhibition to gain access to comprehensive betting analytics for the entire year
2. Automatically enter the draw
To be eligible for the prize, participants must be present at booth 81-L10 on January 21st at 3:30 p.m.
Win the AC Milan jersey
On top of that, the Boomerang Partners will prepare a special SMM activation.
Instagram:
1. Follow the official Boomerang Partners account (@boomerang.partners).
2. Like and repost the pinned post to your Stories, tagging the @boomerang.partners account and using the launch hashtag (#BoomerangCalendar).
LinkedIn:
1. Follow the brand’s account (boomerangpartners).
2. Under the calendar launch announcement post, leave a like and a comment answering the question:
Which 2025 sporting event do you consider the most underrated from a marketing perspective?
Telegram:
1. Subscribe to the channel (boom_partners).
2. Under the pinned post: leave a reaction and write a comment saying “AC Milan jersey” – more comments increase your chances.
If a booth visitor fulfills all conditions, they will enter into an exclusive giveaway for an AC Milan jersey (the Boomerang Partners promoters will verify that the conditions have been met during the draw). A total of three such jerseys will be available (one for each social network – Instagram, LinkedIn, and Telegram) – two signed by AC Milan players and one signed by Rafael Leão (for the LinkedIn giveaway). One person can enter the giveaway across all 3 social media platforms. The giveaway for all prizes will take place on January 21st at 15:30 UTC+1.
Furthermore, Boomerang Partners is preparing a bonus activation, Boomerang Blitz, for booth visitors. Three AC Milan jerseys with ‘Boomerang’ printed on the back will be raffled off among participants of the mini-interviews.
Presenting the Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026, participating in prestigious award ceremonies, and hosting engaging marketing activations are just part of what Boomerang Partners has planned for iGB Affiliate Barcelona. Visit its booth 81-L10 to learn more and explore opportunities for a mutually beneficial partnership.
GamblePause has been confirmed as Clarion Gaming’s Safer Gambling Charity Partner for 2026. The independent social impact organisation works to reduce gambling-related harm across Africa and will be represented at the January editions of iGB Affiliate and ICE in Barcelona, as well as at iGB L!VE London in July.
World Gaming Week is set to be the largest ever international gathering of the gambling industry, welcoming more than 65,000 attendees from over 180 countries to Barcelona. Across ICE and iGB Affiliate, 750+ exhibitors will showcase thousands of new products while millions of business conversations take place between operators, suppliers, regulators, and policy makers. With a strong emphasis on innovation, technology, and responsible gaming, the week will play a key role in defining the future direction of the global gaming industry.
iGB Affiliate Barcelona ’26 is set to deliver its most dynamic networking experience yet, with new spaces designed to help attendees connect and unwind. The iGB Hangout brings tattoo salons, live DJs, immersive brand moments, meeting pods, and drinks together in one vibrant social hub, while the outdoor iGB Oasis offers a breezy Sky Garden setting to relax and soak in the atmosphere. iGB Introducing provides pre-bookable meeting tables through the show App, making it easy to secure the right conversations. VIP guests can enjoy a luxury retreat in the VIP Lounge with all-day refreshments and the option to host a guest, and affiliates have their own dedicated space in the 4th edition of the Affiliate Lounge complete with a live DJ and complimentary drinks.
Clarion Gaming is strengthening its sustainability efforts for ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2026 with initiatives like the Better Stands Programme and a new award for the Most Sustainable Stand. Exhibitors will be encouraged to use reusable stand structures and demonstrate eco-friendly practices to qualify for top-level certification. Finalists will be shortlisted by Clarion’s sustainability team, with winners revealed on 23 January 2026.
Record Growth Fuels iGB Affiliate 2026 with 19% Expansion at Fira Gran Via Barcelona! 📈
iGB Affiliate 2026 is set to build on its reputation as the industry’s leading iGaming affiliate showcase by expanding to 17,815 sqm - a 19% increase on the 2025 edition and almost double the size of the 2022 event (9,153 sqm). This growth will see the show extend into Halls 8 and 8.1 at Fira Gran Via Barcelona, a move driven by exceptional demand from both new exhibitors eager to tap into unparalleled business opportunities and long-standing partners increasing their presence at what is now considered the industry’s most influential growth platform.
Registration for iGB Affiliate 2026 is NOW OPEN! The world’s ONLY dedicated iGaming affiliate event returns to its new home in Spain but it is moving to Hall 8 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
📍 20–21 January 2026 | Fira Barcelona Gran Via Hall 8 (North access)
On 10 September, Global Gaming Insider joined a press event at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, hosted by the iGB Affiliate and ICE teams, where they unveiled their vision for World Gaming Week 2026. The presentation highlighted their ambitions, new initiatives, and commitment to sustainable growth.
