An overview of the inaugural iGaming Marketing Circle in Malta, where people from the industry had a chance to exchange ideas and establish business links.
The event took place on 19 August 2026 at Manouche Bistro in St Julian’s and brought together representatives of the iGaming marketing community to enjoy some informal networking and communication. The NookTalks team was glad to be part of the networking event, organized by Mark Grech and Brendon Spiteri and act here as one of the Media Partners of the event.
One of the team members of NookTalks, Jeremy Castillo, also represented the company at the event.
From the perspective of NookTalks, which does a lot of research on similar events and discussions within the iGaming community, the event turned out to be very useful as it provided us with some interesting insights into how the industry connects in a new more interactive way.
Reason for the Creation of the iGaming Marketing Circle
The concept behind IGMC is plain and clear: it is a special place for those who contribute to the advancement and expansion of iGaming business (marketing specialists, manager of acquisition and customer relations, experts in content production and partnerships, etc.). What the creators of IGMC looked for was not an opportunity to organize yet another major exhibition; they aimed to create a more particular environment where specialists could freely meet, talk and network.
This idea is significant. The iGaming sector already boasts a large number of exhibitions, conferences and networking chances, especially in Malta, however small-scale targeted meetings are certainly of help by making communication easier and connection more efficient.
The first IGMC took place according to that concept. All players in iGaming industry (operators, affiliates, B2B companies, agencies, media and marketing managers) gathered in a location where networking was the main goal rather than an add-on to everything else.
A Strong Response to the First Edition
The feedback from the first event of iGaming Marketing Circle is perhaps the best proof of the need for the given kind of event.
The whole thing started with an idea of organizing an event for 75 participants. However, due to the fact that organizers received over 170 registrations from people eligible to attend the event and who were interested in the idea of the event, it was decided to increase the capacity to 125 people but to keep exclusiveness of the event. It should be noted that registrations are one thing and attendance is another but the level of interest in the first event was still quite impressive.
On that note, one can conclude that it is important for professionals to follow the trend of relevance.
More Than Just Another iGaming Networking Event
One of the most appealing aspects of this concept was its simplicity. Networking doesn’t have to be complicated, and this was evident throughout the event. Combining food, drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere made it easier for networking to happen organically.
The official event recap highlights how the atmosphere was one where operators, affiliates, B2B suppliers, agencies, media, and marketing specialists felt free to connect without the hustle of a big expo.
From the media partner’s perspective, this is where events like IGMC become useful. For Nook Talks, it is not just documentation of the event. It is about looking at people and interactions within the larger iGaming marketing community.
Marketing in iGaming is wide, including brand and content marketing, acquisition, affiliate marketing, CRM, and commercial partnerships. Bringing together professionals from different parts of the industry gives room for different viewpoints and builds relationships in a stress-free environment.
This community aspect is important, as industry networking is more effective when it is avoid it being forced.
The People Who Made the First Circle Possible
When it comes to an event like this, you have to keep in mind that there is no single factor that makes things work. The success of the event depends on the people organizing the gathering, on those participating, on the sponsors and so on.
The first IGMC event was realized thanks to the support of Gain Changer, affie.ai, Interwetten Group, ShieldHub, BEST WXRLD, MyAffiliates, and many others. All the companies mentioned above played a major role in making the first event possible and created the atmosphere for those involved in iGaming marketing.
Partnership with Nook Talks was also important for the iGaming representation.
The participation of Nook Talks as a media partner in the event was another step that made it so important for the media partner as it emphasized the necessity of keeping up to date with the processes going within the industry.
What Happens Next for IGMC?
Though the first edition of iGaming Marketing Circle is over, the organizers continue to maintain that it is but the first step forward.
The official website of IGMC has already been updated with the key moments and a photo gallery from the first event, and the organizers have shared their plans to develop the idea and plan different event formats, develop new ideas and create even more ways to unite the representatives of iGaming marketing community.
The presence of these facts opens the doors to some interesting possibilities for IGMC. The first event demonstrated the original idea: gather like-minded people and create a conducive atmosphere for communication. The following events may continue along the lines emphasized by the first gathering.
The most exciting part of the story perhaps lies in the fact that, when it comes to Nook Talks’ iGaming community, the real worth of an event is not measured by what happens on the night of the event; it is measured by the kind of relationships built afterwards, the kind of issue that has given birth to the future conversations and the kind of community that grows around the issue.
The first iGaming Marketing Circle has already initiated this process. The event was able to gather more than 125 people in a properly arranged setting while receiving more than 170 relevant registrations, which made a good start for the project.
Even though the iGaming marketing industry is full of large-scale events, IGMC chose another way by keeping the circle small, keeping conversations relevant, and providing people associated with iGaming marketing with a separate venue.
