SBC Summit Malta 2026 hosted a large number of professionals for three days of networking and discussion, including opportunities for business and market insight. Held 28-30 April 2020 in Malta, it was the ideal setting to connect with affiliates, operators, and other industry experts about where the industry is heading.
On day two of the event, Jeremy Castillo and Jose Dubois of HighBet were guests on the NookTalks podcast, where they shared an insightful, yet casual, dialogue covering topics ranging from new market developments to regulated markets and how they will impact affiliate marketing in the future. This podcast episode was one of many recorded during SBC Summit Malta 2026.
A More Personal Type of Conference
Jeremy interviewed Jose on his second time attending the SBC Summit Malta. The first thing they discussed was how positive his experience has been. Jose said the meetings were productive and that he had built many solid contacts during his time at the conference.
Another point made by Jeremy was that many attendees appreciate SBC Malta as they felt it was much smaller and more intimate than other events where there were so many people in one area. At SBC Malta, participants had more time to relax and really develop relationships.
Finally, both Jose and Jeremy agreed these types of events provide tremendous opportunity to foster long term relationships and develop true connections.
HighBet’s Focus on New Markets
Jose indicated that HighBet has a current business focus of expanding into new markets and seeking affiliate partners.
HighBet’s current priorities is Canada. Jose said that while they are targeting Ontario for traffic, they are very interested in Alberta as an outside market. Jose indicated that HighBet sees a lot of potential with the Canadian market. The company feels they are in a good position to be successful in Canada because they have the proper payment solutions as well as the product quality to be successful in the area, allowing them to continue to grow in the area.
Navigating the UK Market
Jeremy also touched on the challenges of operating in regulated markets, especially in the UK.
Jose says that a number of recent regulations and changes in the areas of taxation have caused many companies to re-evaluate their affiliate agreements and strategies.
Despite this, HighBet continues to grow in the UK. Jose said that, even though some changes have been made to affiliate agreements (such as commission structure), HighBet is still feeling positive about the future.
Focus for now is on producing solid products and preparing for large betting events (like the World Cup) which will create significant traffic and user activity.
Exploring Opportunities in Nigeria
After discussing Latin America, they moved onto Africa, which is another key region in the fast-expanding iGaming world, following the continued rise in online gambling and content consumption in that continent.
Jose shared that HighBet is developing a brand specifically focused on Nigeria, where they are seeking out affiliate partners to expand into that burgeoning region as well.
With a fast-growing online betting market, many operators have taken notice of Nigeria. Jose mentioned the necessity of speed and user experience within this market. He contends that having a fast and reliable product in Nigeria can certainly help with providing both new users and getting current users to continue using the product.
He also explained that the Nigerian market is not limited to sports betting alone. HighBet is focusing on both sports and casino products, offering users a complete experience across multiple verticals.
Friendship Beyond Business
One of the things that made the conversation enjoyable was the natural friendship between Jeremy and Jose.
The two clearly shared a long professional history, which made the discussion feel genuine and relaxed rather than overly formal.
Jeremy mentioned that they had known each other for many years and spoke warmly about the HighBet team, including Alberto and the rest of the company. These personal touches gave the conversation a more human side and highlighted how relationship-driven the affiliate industry really is.
A Funny Moment to End the Conversation
There was also a lighthearted moment toward the end when Jeremy talked about a HighBet cap he had worn during his trip to South Africa for SiGMA Cape Town.
He explained that he had given the hat to one of his fisherman friends, who now wears it regularly while fishing in Cape Town. Jeremy joked that with summer approaching in Malta, he would probably need a replacement soon.
Jose laughed and promised to send more hats for both Jeremy and his friends.
Moments like these are what make industry events and podcasts feel authentic. Beyond the business discussions, they remind people that networking is ultimately about building relationships and enjoying conversations with others in the industry.
Key Industry Trends Discussed in SBC Summit
The interview also highlighted some important trends currently shaping the iGaming landscape.
Expansion into emerging markets, adapting to new regulations, and maintaining strong affiliate partnerships remain key priorities for operators in 2026.
Canada, Africa, and regulated European markets continue to attract attention, while operators are becoming more focused on delivering better products and sustainable growth rather than simply chasing traffic numbers.
For affiliate managers like Jose Dubois, events such as SBC Malta provide the perfect opportunity to meet potential partners, discuss market trends, and strengthen existing relationships.
Final Thoughts
For Jeremy Castillo and the NookTalks podcast, conversations like these continue to showcase the people behind the industry.
Instead of focusing only on companies and products, the podcast highlights personal journeys, honest opinions, and real experiences from professionals working in iGaming every day.
As SBC Malta 2026 came to an end, one thing became clear — the industry continues to evolve quickly, but relationships, trust, and meaningful conversations remain at the center of it all.
