The inaugural SPARK (Software, Payments, Affiliates, Revenue Kickoff) 2026 is set to take place in just one week, running from October 19 to 20 at the Hotel Marinela Sofia in Bulgaria. This event aims to be a significant gathering for both online and offline gaming industry professionals, encompassing operators, affiliates, regulators, payment experts, marketing leaders, and technology innovators.
Over the course of two days, the agenda will delve into critical topics such as regional regulations, strategies for player acquisition and retention, payment processes, AI integration, and responsible growth. The venue is particularly pertinent, as Bulgaria is currently reviewing extensive changes to its gambling regulations, especially concerning advertising restrictions. This backdrop will foster vibrant discussions regarding live regulatory issues.
### Programme Highlights
**Day One:**
– **Navigating MiCA: A Legal Roadmap for Crypto & Digital Assets in CEE:** Konstantin Mikov of Mikov & Attorneys will kick off the event with insights on compliance, anti-money laundering (AML) integration, and the legal obligations of operators concerning digital assets.
– **Responsible AI in Marketing: Navigating the EU AI Act Without Killing Performance:** A panel featuring Georgi Kanev from Kanev Lukaev Tech Law, Mark McGuinness from CreateFuture, and Martin Georgiev from Flutter Bulgaria will explore marketing compliance within the context of the EU AI Act while maintaining performance standards.
– **Retail Gaming in a Digital-First World:** This session led by Robert Brassai from Sense4Gaming and Robert Stoica from WinBet will focus on how traditional gaming operators are evolving in a predominantly digital marketplace.
**Day Two:**
– **Turning Strategy into Revenue: What Works in Modern iGaming Operations:** Industry leaders Atanas Popivanov from ImperiaBet, Georgi Stoianov from PaymentIQ, and Nikoleta Hristova from Vegas Legends will share insights on effective strategies currently driving success in a challenging market.
– **Channelisation, Competition and Tax Yield: Lessons from CEE Licensing Models:** Olga Polishchuk, an iGaming Regulatory Compliance Consultant, will present a comparative analysis of regulatory outcomes across Central and Eastern Europe and their implications for market performance.
– **Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead: Strategies for Resilient Growth:** Closing the event, Hanna Plachkova from The Persona Lab and Henk Wolff, an iGaming Consultant, will summarize key insights from SPARK 2026 into actionable strategies for operators and partners in Southeast Europe.
### Hear From Top Industry Experts
SPARK 2026 will feature prominent industry speakers including:
– Chrysothemi Valanidou, Founder of Startwise Ltd
– Kristiyan Kyulyunkov, CEO of Websa Ltd
– Nicolo Valchev, Affiliate Marketing Manager at efbet
– Martin Yakimov, Partner and Head of Gambling at Velchev & Co. Law Office
– Nikolay Tonev, CMO of Noreeva Technology Group
Many other senior figures from the industry will also participate in discussions at the event.
With only one week remaining, opportunities for exhibitor, sponsorship, and delegate packages are still available for those interested in joining the conversations unfolding in Sofia.
**Event Details:**
October 19 – 20, 2026
Hotel Marinela Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
