iGB L!VE returned to ExCeL London on 1–2 July 2026, and by most measures it delivered on its “biggest yet” billing.
WorldGaming (formerly Clarion Gaming), the show’s organiser, drew in over 15,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors and sponsors to the event, building on the record turnout of over 20,000 visitors from 149 countries during its 2025 debut at the venue. The iGB Affiliate Awards, staged at The Shard across 21 categories, was a cherry on top of the two networking days.
On the ground, the dominant storyline was artificial intelligence. Similar to most fintech and affiliate events out there, AI has fundamentally reshaped iGB conversations about new games, regulatory technology, and compliance tooling across the exhibition. The event was also characterized by a universal theme take shape: as the use of digital tools progresses, trust in real life becomes more important. One participant of the Sustainable Gambling Zone in the event rightfully claimed that collaboration with proven, reliable partners is key to making the industry safer for each of its stakeholders.
Where payments fit with gaming
Like every other entertainment experience, smooth gaming goes hand in hand with a seamless payment process, whether to sign up for a service or make an in-app purchase. So, for a publication covering payments and fintech, like Payspace Magazine Global, the more interesting question is what iGB L!VE offered on rails, orchestration, and compliance infrastructure.
One of the angles iGB L!VE was positioned at was as a genuine touchpoint for the sector, pitching it as a chance to explore how payment orchestration, alternative payment methods, and fraud and compliance solutions are evolving specifically within gaming. Alongside responsible-gambling and affiliate-tracking vendors, payments and fraud-prevention specialists were present among the exhibitor categories. Those could help visitors understand the different types of gaming industry payment needs, since a crypto-first casino brand obviously requires a meaningfully different technology stack than a traditional regulated sportsbook.
There is also a regulatory hook worth flagging for readers tracking crypto-adjacent gaming compliance. Crypto regulation is now being actively discussed across economies. However, not everyone links that to other industries, like iGaming, for instance. Let’s take a look at one example, though. From 1 March 2026, South Africa’s tax authority began feeding crypto and offshore financial data into global exchange systems, a development that will make it easier to match trading activity, including that of bettors using crypto rails, to tax filings. This move in a country where gambling revenues surged by over 1,400% in five years is a reminder that the payments conversation inside iGaming increasingly overlaps with cross-border tax and AML frameworks, not just checkout or conversion rates.
Awards night: Brian Christopher and Blask lead the winners
Marking its 20th edition at The Shard on 2 July, the ceremony produced two double-winners. Casino streamer Brian Christopher, entering for the first time, took both Best Streaming Affiliate and Affiliate Campaign of the Year for his BetMGM collaboration. Market-intelligence platform Blask picked up Rising Star and Innovator of the Year, building on its Best Tech win in 2025.
Elsewhere, Better Collective defended its Best Sports Betting Affiliate title, Norwegian newcomer Kongebonus dethroned two-time reigning champion Gambling.com Group in Best Casino Affiliate, and TAG Media’s First Look Games platform took Best Tech. The biggest ovation went to Alessandro Valente, founder of Brazilian affiliate Super Afiliados, who received the Affiliate Idol lifetime-achievement award. No payments or fintech-specific category featured among the winners, since the ceremony’s focus sits on affiliate marketing rather than payments.
