NEXT.io Summit Valletta 2026 brings global iGaming industry to Malta

The NEXT.io Summit Valletta 2026 welcomed thousands of delegates to Malta this week . It brought together operators, suppliers, affiliates and technology providers from across the global iGaming sector.

The event was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. It ran across several days, with the main conference programme taking place on 27 and 28 May. The venue was originally built in the 16th century by the Knights of St John and was a historic backdrop for one of the industry's largest annual gatherings.

Who went?

Organisers expected around 6,000 attendees. This included more than 1,200 C-level executives. The delegate base was made up of approximately 40% operators.

The event focused on some of the industry's most pressing topics. This included:

• Artificial intelligence.
• Prediction markets.
• Player engagement.
• Future growth opportunities.

AI and innovation dominated discussions

Artificial intelligence featured heavily throughout the summit. Speakers and panellists examined how emerging technologies are changing the way operators manage customer experiences, compliance, marketing and data analysis.

Industry representatives from several major companies participated in discussions and presentations across the two-day conference programme.

Featured speakers included:

• Adam Wilbraham, Director of Technology at Flutter UKI.
• Alexandra Voronetskaya, Chief Marketing Officer at EvenBet.
• Antonio Valicenti, Senior Legal and Compliance Manager for Italy at Betsson Group.
• Ben Wood, Chief Commercial Officer at Playson.
• Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at Betby.
• Cleber de Lima, Director of Data and AI at Betsson Group.

Hundreds of companies were represented throughout the event. This included major operators and suppliers like Bet365, Betclic, Betsson, Maxbet and Tipico.

Networking remained a key attraction

The conference sessions attracted significant attention, but networking opportunities were one of the summit's biggest draws.

Alongside the formal agenda, delegates participated in a wide range of activities designed to encourage relationship building and informal discussions. There was a morning running club, golf and padel tournaments, charity events and poolside social gatherings.

The  summit was supported by a broad group of industry partners. Among them were Alea, Stake, Altenar, Playson and Betby.

Demand for attendance was strong throughout the event. Conference-only tickets had sold out before the summit began. Full event and premium passes remained available in the run-up to the gathering.

Attendees left Malta having explored the latest developments in AI, prediction markets and broader industry innovation. At the same time, they strengthened connections across the global iGaming sector.

Key facts from NEXT.io Summit Valletta 2026