The iGaming industry is highly competitive, and standing out in a job interview requires more than just a strong resume. In an exclusive interview with Next.io, Valeriia Virchenko, Head of Talent Acquisition at PIN-UP Global, shares expert insights on what recruiters focus on, common mistakes candidates make, and how to prepare effectively for a successful interview.

Interview Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job

According to Valeriia Virchenko, some candidates unknowingly make interview mistakes that leave a lasting negative impression.

“Sometimes, candidates do unexpected things during interviews. For example, I once had an interview where a candidate applied makeup during the call. I assure you, this is not the best way to make an impression,” she recalls.

Other red flags include:

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• Poor communication skills – Struggling to engage in a constructive dialogue can be a dealbreaker.
• Being late – Punctuality is a sign of professionalism and respect for the recruiter’s time.
• Lack of basic interview etiquette – Candidates should showcase both professional qualifications and ethical behavior during an interview.

How to Make a Strong Impression in an iGaming Interview

So, what does it take to succeed in an iGaming job interview? Virchenko highlights several key preparation strategies:

✅ Research the company – Learn about its operations, values, and hiring team to establish rapport during the interview.
✅ Showcase your work – A portfolio, work samples, and references from past employers add credibility.
✅ Understand company pain points – Ask questions about the challenges the company faces and suggest potential solutions based on your experience.
✅ Adaptability & efficiency – iGaming is a fast-paced industry; candidates who demonstrate quick thinking and problem-solving skills stand out.

“We have seen highly positive cases where candidates shared their experience or proposed interesting solutions to company challenges right during the interview,” Virchenko explains.

What PIN-UP Global Looks for in Candidates

At PIN-UP Global, finding the right fit means more than assessing technical skills. Virchenko emphasizes that the company seeks candidates who align with its core values:

🔹 Industry expertise & results-driven mindset – Specialists who excel in their field and focus on delivering measurable impact.
🔹 Strong communication & teamwork – Open dialogue, constructive feedback, and collaboration are highly valued.
🔹 Agility & decision-making skills – The ability to adapt quickly, multitask, and navigate an ever-evolving environment.
🔹 Minimal bureaucracy, maximum efficiency – The company prioritizes fast decision-making and values employees who can take initiative.

“We are looking for people who understand that collaboration is the key to success,” she adds.

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Final Thoughts: How to Secure Your Dream iGaming Job

The iGaming sector is constantly evolving, and companies like PIN-UP Global seek innovative, adaptable, and results-driven professionals. By following these expert tips from Valeriia Virchenko, candidates can improve their chances of making a strong impression and securing a role in this dynamic industry.

You can read the full interview on Next.io: How to Pass an Interview in the iGaming Industry

Tom Walton, Director at technology consultancy, Burendo, shares how operators can achieve sustainable profitability with learnings from other sectors

Operators who are merging and acquiring other businesses, launching new products or even integrating third-party technologies, can find themselves navigating complex internal processes. It is a complex large-scale challenge. Where M&As are commonplace, brand consolidation can be critical when securing sustainable profitability while planning for higher returns in the future. Within the emerging LatAm and US markets, acquisition remains a key focus. A common issue, regardless of geography, is the challenges presented by outdated or fragmented platforms and systems, a major obstacle in the growth trajectory.

In many cases, fundamental changes in how the organisation functions: its people, processes and technology holds the key to better value, higher profits, operational efficiency and reduced risk. By addressing these complexities with proven experience, technology consultants can support operators to be successful in their strategic initiatives.

Agility in competitive markets

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To remain competitive in an ever-changing market, operators must move fast and with agility to refine their offering. A constant eye on retention, acquisition and regulatory changes is paramount to avoid financial impact. Despite this risk, research conducted by Accenture in 2022 found that 95% of B2B and B2C C-level executives believe their customers are changing faster than they can change their business, indicating most operators risk falling behind. This poses the question of how this can be supported.

The value of technology consultancies is in enabling businesses to extract greater value from existing resources through a confident understanding of what good looks like. Bringing external ideas gathered through experience, exemplary resources from process to people, can demonstrate what good looks like. More importantly, it shortens the timeline to achieving real goals in the organisation. Being under resourced or lacking the skills needed across these challenges makes it difficult to gain an overarching perspective particularly within a siloed approach.

At Burendo, we leverage more than 40 years of cross-sector experience. We are not only working with some of the biggest operators in betting and gaming, but partner with other highly regulated industries including finance and healthcare. We have helped operators across many initiatives which includes accelerating project delivery by 97% on average. We pride ourselves in ensuring we leave a lasting positive impact on the culture, enabling our partners to be empowered to carry on our work.

The retention battle

Many operators are too busy with day-to-day tasks or overwhelmed with where to start when it comes to transformation and building a cutting-edge user experience. An example of the gap between capacity and demand is the rising popularity of in-play betting. During live sports, the speed in which players can find and place their bet is critical. Here, streamlined processes that allow for quick innovation will correlate with customer satisfaction, resulting in higher retention rates.

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A fresh perspective for lasting change

A successful approach to optimisation requires taking the challenge and viewing it from an experienced and innovative angle. Our partners truly benefit from best practice and valuable lessons derived from other sectors. Through experience we have found that these challenges are not exclusive to betting & gaming and so the ability to apply these learnings drive success.

Managing complex systems and large volumes of data is a common obstacle. By applying these cross-sector principles through working with technology consultants, operators can gain valuable insight into re-engineering platforms and the skills needed, to meet both current and future demands.

Building exceptional, scalable and adaptable architectures ensures that businesses can continue to grow and evolve as the industry changes. This forward-thinking approach positions operators ahead of the curve, meaning they are poised for success in the years to come and have the agility to address any challenges or opportunities that arise.

Creating lasting change requires more than just solving immediate problems. Our goal for our clients is to maintain high levels of efficiency long after an initial transformation is complete. By empowering teams to implement and sustain improvements, operators can maintain continuous growth and unlock growth worth tens of millions of pounds, far outweighing their cost of delivery.

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The focus must now shift to building stronger, more Agile organisations that can adapt to changing market conditions. Sustainable efficiency enables operators to optimise time-to-market, improve platform performance, and manage resources more effectively, creating a foundation for long-term growth.

About Burendo   

Founded in 2018 and with offices in Leeds and London, Burendo is an award-winning, consultancy delivering stand-out products and services through technology. We partner with organisations to accelerate organisational value delivery and transform customer experiences.

We are pragmatic thinkers and doers who understand the operational world of organisations and customer demands. We work as a partner to give our clients the latest ideas, tools and techniques to deliver effective results that build long-term value.

For more information, you can visit the Burendo website: www.burendo.com

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If you have any questions, please contact Kate Smith, Senior Digital Marketing Executive by email: [email protected]

As event season approaches, the iGaming industry gears up for a whirlwind of conferences, expos, and networking opportunities. With countless chances to connect, expand, and make an impact, navigating these events strategically can set businesses up for success long after the season ends. In this op-ed, Boris Pashnev, CEO of Alpha Affiliates, shares insights on how iGaming businesses can maximize their presence during event season and build relationships that drive long-term growth.

For the iGaming industry, events are everything. Networking continues to be the cornerstone of successful marketing and sales, especially within the iGaming sector.

iGB Live Amsterdam took place last month, and in the last year, we’ve seen other notable events such as SiGMA Malta, SiGMA Dubai, and of course, iGB London.

We at Alpha Affiliates understand building connections at these events is crucial – however, converting these connections into long-term relationships is everything, and key to business growth.

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So, how can iGaming professionals build on, and maintain relationships post-event?

Here are my top tips on how you can effectively network and convert the conversations started at events into business leads:

Listen, and pay attention

One of the best kept secrets in the art of networking, is not talking – in fact quite the opposite. Sometimes the best way to network and build meaningful connections is to zone in and listen.

By listening, you learn a lot. For instance, you may learn something new about them or their business that you can connect to, or use as a hook for a follow up post-event. For instance, if a prospective client mentions they have an exciting holiday or life event taking place, you could get back in touch and ask how it was as a conversation starter. It can be as simple as that.

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By listening, you can get to know a person better, and ask more thoughtful follow up questions at the right moments. Playing close attention to what is being said goes a long way in the business world!

Focus on shared interests

I encourage my colleagues to focus on forming connections based on shared interests, values and goals. When speaking in-person, conversations naturally move away from business to other topics, from politics to the economy and hobbies. You can build genuine connections and relationships with people when you share common interests.

Consistency is also important. Regularly touch base with your network and show that you value these relationships beyond just transactional moments.

Play the long game

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Networking is often only considered to be successful if an immediate lead is generated. This is frequently not the case.

Building a network is a long-term tactic that takes dedication. Not every connection will lead to immediate benefits, but consistent effort will yield long-term results. Hard selling rarely delivers, and what really makes for effective networking is authenticity.

Focus on being present. Hand out your business card at the end of the conversation and follow up within 48 hours to nurture the relationship.

Make sure there’s never a firm goodbye

Conferences and events are there to make professional networks that last long after the venue closes. What I have learnt over the years is that even if a particular conversation is not likely to lead to a sale or outcome, it does not mean you should discredit that individual and stop any further conversation.

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In the iGaming affiliate marketing sector, we see this all the time. People can quickly move positions, and suddenly have access to new opportunities. And, we should remember that people who enjoyed a conversation can introduce you to their wider network.

This is so important when it comes to networking – be sure to look at their bigger picture and follow-up with everyone you had the chance to speak with at the event. Maintaining these relationships in the long-term could open new doors in the future.

Ultimately, in person networking can deliver significant results if approached correctly. However, no long-lasting relationship can be made without a long-term strategy. Listening, identifying shared interests, as well as remaining authentic and consistent, is key to building meaningful relationships that can convert into business leads in the future.