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Gamesforum announces expert-led Advisory Boards

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Gamesforum, the global and highly renowned platform and event series is levelling up in 2024, introducing two Advisory Boards to aid in content curation ahead of the full suite of globe-spanning events. With one focussed each board focussed on User Acquisition and another on Ad Monetisation.

The newly established Advisory Boards are composed of esteemed industry leaders and experts in their fields. Carefully selected to provide invaluable insights and guidance to Gamesforum and its diverse, knowledge-driven community, the focus of these boards will be to gain a deeper insight into the evolving challenges and opportunities in Ad Monetisation and User Acquisition. The Board will be advising the suite of content curated and presented across the world at Gamesforum’s upcoming series of events.

User Acquisition Advisory Board

UA is one of the key pillars of the Gamesforum platform that brings insightful and thought-provoking content fuelled by the dialogue of debate from professionals in the space. With the introduction of the User Acquisition Advisory Board, Gamesforum will further cement itself at the heart of the issues that really matter in the evolution of UA in the games industry, allowing for more impactful and valuable interactions and learning through its event content.

With a focus on offering insights to attracting and retaining users, this board will delve into the latest trends, data analytics and marketing methodologies to empower the attendees at Gamesforum events throughout 2024.

The User Acquisition Advisory Board consists of leading figures in the mobile games industry:

Gus Viegas, VP of Marketing, Cosmic Lounge

Claudia Trujillo, ASO Expert, Gameloft

Alex Kozachenko, CEO, Hyperbeard

David Philippson, CEO & Co-founder, Dataseat (now a part of Verve Group)

Gus Viegas, VP of Marketing at Cosmic Lounge said of joining the Advisory Board: “Gamesforum seems to attract some of the brightest minds that are hungry to learn and share. I don’t think there is a better place to get your deep UA or Admon questions answered.”

Alex Kozachenko, CEO at Hyperbeard added: “When I was asked to join the Gameforum Advisory Board, it was a no brainer! The way they have brought together the tracks of organic & paid UA, monetization and retention in such a seamless manner is amazing. Furthermore, they do a great job of balancing “what’s working now” with “future trends” to provide a functional roadmap of things to work on for any mobile game developer. I look forward to providing my insights and experience with, especially, organic UA to push the conference track even further.“

Ad Monetization Advisory Board

Ad Monetization is constantly evolving in the mobile games industry, and a constant topic for debate for many publishers and developers operating in the space. Gamesforum has put together an elite team of Ad Monetization professionals to advise on the upcoming events throughout the next 12 months.

With Ad Monetization as a critical issue for a vast proportion of the games industry Gamesforum recognises the importance of guidance from those intrinsically involved in the sector. As well as this, Gamesforum recognises this guidance as a catalyst to improve the events series going forward.

The Ad Monetization Advisory Board consists of:

Otto Simola, Head of Game Economy at Fingersoft

Felix Braberg, Ad Monetization Consultant

Andy Ulery, Director of Publisher Sales at Moloco

Raymong Stauffer, Founder at PlayValve

Otto Simola, Head of Game Economy at Fingersoft said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the talented people in the Gamesforum Advisory Board. The work that we do is quite unique in my opinion and it’s not always easy to find people to have peer discussions and support. This is a great opportunity for me to learn and share my knowledge on ad monetisation.

I’ve enjoyed the Gamesforum events a lot in the past couple of years. The event is relatively compact in size but when focusing on topics around ad mon and UA, it does not matter who you meet at the event, we always get into meaningful and interesting discussions.”

Recognising the power and potential of the thriving mobile games market, Gamesforum is renowned for its quality-first approach to event content, for experts and built by experts.

John Speakman, CEO at Gamesforum said: “We want 2024 to be our best year yet at Gamesforum, and by bringing on board our fantastic new Advisory Boards – we believe it will be just that.

Having a strong team is crucial to bringing a series of events like this to life. Offering talks and panel discussions that those involved in these sectors will gain something of true value from is incredibly important to us.

With the Advisory Boards standing by to share insights and guidance on what content they believe is going to be relevant in 2024, we can’t wait to get started for what is shaping up to be a big year for the mobile games industry.”

Gamesforum’s globe-spanning events series kicks off in Barcelona from the 7th-8th of February 2024.

Latest News

Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment

Published

18 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.

The Full Story

Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.

The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.

Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.

By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.

Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.

Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.

The post Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand

Published

22 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.

The Full Story

LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.

The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.

Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.

Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:

“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”

Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.

The post LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona

Published

22 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).

The Full Story

Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.

Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.

Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.

Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.

Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.

Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.

Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.

The post Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.