The Affpapa IGC 2025 Conference in Malaga became the center of industry gathering where iGaming trends, challenges, and opportunities of the sector were discussed. Among these highlights was the insightful conversation that Jeremy, the Head of Sales of the Affnook team, had with Barb Tasci from Revpanda.
The conversation revolved around Barb’s discernment of the market dynamics, traffic acquisition, and the future of the ever-evolving iGaming industry.
Revpanda’s Twofold Approach Towards Traffic and Growth
Barb Tasci, the Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Revpanda, elaborated on what his company does as an “iGaming traffic powerhouse.” He talked about the two legs that Revpanda stands on.
First is Revpanda Media, which is designed to drive high-quality SEO traffic for operators.
Second is Revpanda agency, which not only works with operators but also affiliates and providers. These providers can be gaming providers, PSP providers, and solution providers.
According to Barb, Revpanda agency’s role here is to maximise the potential of these providers, “In terms of getting more organic traffic or retaining their existing clientele and customer base.” He elaborated that Revpanda does not just want to acquire traffic but also aims to expand its market share and improve engagement with the existing audiences.
Barb Tasci’s Views on Affpapa IGC 2025 Malaga Conference
This was Barb’s first time attending the Affpapa IGC 2025 Malaga Conference, and his first impression of the same was said to be positive. He noted that “It gives the vibe that it’s not too big, so people are more connected.”
He further highlighted that the atmosphere was such, that it encouraged meaningful conversations. He appreciated the engagement of the attendees, suggesting that the event balanced a sense of friendliness with professionalism.
The Road Ahead: Conferences and Global Events
Revpanda’s 2025 calendar is occupied as they aim to attend iGaming events and conferences globally. Barb talked about the conferences their team will be attending post the Affpapa IGC 2025 Malaga Conference, starting from the Sigma series in Manila and Rome, followed by iGB London and ICE Barcelona.
He also revealed that their team plans to organise the upcoming ACE Alliance conferences in Riga and Latvia. He emphasised that just like the IGC 2025 Malaga Conference, the ACE Alliance too will focus on experiences and connections.
What makes ACE Alliance different from IGC 2025 Malaga is that “it will be more like an industry gathering.” He also reasoned why Riga was the chosen city for the event, and that is “because Riga is a hub of iGaming itself.”
However, he also added that even though people are socially connected, they are unaware of how active the iGaming scene actually is there. And so, in order to bring relevant people closer to each other, the event is being conducted in Riga.
2025 iGaming Outlook
While sharing his views on the changing trends of iGaming, Barb highlighted that even though opportunities exist, the market is becoming increasingly challenging. This is because the number of white label providers, game providers, and operators has increased.
He also elaborated on the impact it may have by stating,” There’s a huge demand in the industry, but traffic resources are limited and it’s very challenging to get the traffic that you want.”
Furthermore, he added that since the cost of acquiring new players is getting higher, a strategy that only focuses on acquisition will not be able to sustain. It is also because of this that 80% of operators fail in the first year itself. They over-rely on paying affiliates to drive traffic without ensuring retention or long-term engagement.
This was also a subject that he had set to explore further on his panel in the event.
How to Grow and Sustain in a Competitive Market?
Barb stressed on the importance of having a strategic approach when it comes to acquisition. “Focusing on only acquisition is also wrong. Resources are limited, and a lot of cash is burnt for it.” People think that the most convenient way to go about it is “to pay the affiliates to get some players, which is a good but not sustainable.”
This is exactly why it is important for iGaming businesses to keep a balance between acquisition and retention strategies, so that every earning has a long-term value.
Final Thoughts
Jeremy’s insightful conversation with Barb Tasic was not just grounding but also forward-looking, as they shed light on the realities of the iGaming industry.
As the competition and acquisition costs continue to increase, Revpanda’s approach of focusing on both traffic and growth sets it as an example of long-term success.
Revpanda’s definition of growth isn’t about merely bringing in new players; it’s also about building connections that last.
