Affiliate Leaders Awards 2026: Shortlist for Lisbon Ceremony Revealed

The global iGaming community is turning its focus toward Portugal as the shortlist for the second edition of the Affiliate Leaders Awards 2026 has been officially revealed. This event represents more than just a celebration of success; it honors the entities that drive traffic, manage data, and provide the technical backbone for the modern online gambling industry. On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the MEO Arena in Lisbon will host the elite of performance marketing for an evening of recognition and networking.

The nominations reflect current market leadership, with Hub Affiliations standing out significantly. The company secured eight nominations, positioning itself as a major frontrunner. Other notable contenders include AFFPRO and KR3W, each securing five nominations. The competition spans 20 distinct categories, ranging from operator programs to specialized content creation and marketing technology.

Numbers and facts

The scale of the event is evident from the projected attendance of over 400 affiliate and performance marketing professionals. In the prestigious Casino Affiliate of the Year category, Hub Affiliations faces competition from Betandeal and KR3W. Meanwhile, in the sports segment, reigning champion Flashscore aims to defend its title against industry giants like Better Collective and the Spotlight Sports Group.

Specific categories for operator programs also show high levels of competition. For the Affiliate Programme of the Year – Large, the shortlist includes bet365 Partners, who won in 2025, alongside Betsson Group Affiliates and Boomerang Partners. In the technology sector, companies like RavenTrack and PartnerMatrix are competing for top honors. These nominations highlight a shift in the industry toward sophisticated data analysis and user experience over traditional advertising methods.

Background

The awards ceremony is part of the Affiliate Leaders Summit, which has evolved into a standalone powerhouse event under the SBC banner. The selection process for winners is designed to be transparent and rigorous, utilizing a hybrid system that combines public voting with confidential scores from an independent panel of judges. This ensures that technical innovation and actual performance are rewarded alongside brand recognition.

"Launching Affiliate Leaders Summit as a standalone event reflects our long-term commitment to the affiliate and performance marketing community. Now in its second year, the Affiliate Leaders Awards gives us the opportunity to celebrate what makes this sector so important, recognising the leadership, innovation and achievements of the individuals and companies driving it forward." - Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC

A highlights of the evening will be the announcement of the Affiliate Leader of the Year. To maintain maximum excitement, the organizers keep the winner's identity confidential until the live reveal during the gala in Lisbon. This adds a layer of prestige and suspense to an event already filled with high stakes.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, these international awards have indirect yet significant implications. Affiliates often serve as the primary source of information regarding bonuses, game variety, and operator reliability. In a strictly regulated market governed by the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), the quality and honesty of marketing are paramount. German players must verify that any portal they use only promotes operators found on the official GGL whitelist.

Technical innovations recognized at such awards often lead to better player protection tools and more transparent reporting. However, German users must remain cautious: an international award does not equate to a German license. Even if a casino wins an award for its affiliate program, it remains illegal in Germany without a GGL license. Compliance with the 1 Euro per spin limit, the 1,000 Euro monthly deposit cap, and the LUGAS central monitoring system is mandatory for all legal operations in the country.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos operating with a GGL license face the challenge of ensuring their marketing partners adhere to strict German compliance rules. Professional affiliate programs, such as those nominated by SBC, provide the necessary tools to distinguish between different regulatory environments. The GGL monitors advertising closely, and non-compliant marketing can lead to severe penalties or license revocation. Therefore, having a high-quality, internationally recognized affiliate infrastructure is not just a marketing advantage but a legal necessity for operators in the German market.