TRUE WAYS 2026: Key takeaways from the second conference edition

When we launched TRUE WAYS, our goal was simple: create a space where people across iGaming could have honest conversations about the challenges shaping our industry.

After our second edition, I'm even more convinced that's exactly what the industry needs.

This year, we explored a question that's on everyone's mind: how do you capture players' attention when they're surrounded by endless content, new games, and constant competition for their time?

There wasn't one universal answer. Instead, every speaker brought a different perspective, and together those ideas painted a much bigger picture.

Looking at the same challenge from different angles

Igor Bondarenko from BGaming spoke about the growing number of game releases and how that changes the way providers should think about development. Instead of trying to follow every trend, he believes studios need to understand the role each game plays within their portfolio and focus on quality over quantity.

Gretta Kockonan from SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator showed the challenge from the operator's side. With tens of thousands of games available today, only a small share generates most player activity. Her session highlighted the value of smart portfolio management, localization, and understanding regional preferences instead of simply expanding the game library.

Leonardo Benites from Propane shared his view on Brazil, where casinos compete for attention alongside football, influencers, streaming platforms, and social media. Building lasting engagement, he explained, starts with entertaining content and helping new players better understand the product.

Caelum Ferrarese from Stake focused on those first few moments after a player opens a game. Performance, distinctive mechanics, and a memorable theme all play a role in whether someone decides to stay or move on.

Mike Danshin from 1win Crypto talked about changing player habits among mobile-first and crypto audiences. Short gaming sessions and content shared across social media are influencing both game discovery and player expectations.

Carl Wiggman from Print Studios reminded us that memorable experiences are what keep players coming back. Familiar mechanics make games accessible, but long-term success depends on creating something players genuinely enjoy.

Why this edition felt special

The second TRUE WAYS conference, powered by BGaming, welcomed more than 450 confirmed participants from 51 countries. More than 200 attendees were C-level executives, directors, and department heads, bringing together many of the people making key business decisions across the industry.

The audience included game providers, operators, affiliates, aggregators, platforms, and professionals from related sectors, creating discussions that reflected the many perspectives shaping iGaming today.

Another number stood out to me. Before and during the conference, attendees submitted almost 100 questions, which is about three times as many as last year. To me, that's the clearest sign that TRUE WAYS has become more than a conference. It's a place where people openly exchange ideas, question assumptions, and learn from each other's experiences.

The conversations continued long after the sessions

For me, one of the biggest highlights wasn't a presentation. It was watching attendees continue the discussion throughout the event. People shared their own experiences, compared approaches, challenged different viewpoints, and asked thoughtful questions. That level of participation showed there is real interest in open discussions where practical experience matters as much as expert opinions.

That's exactly what we want TRUE WAYS to continue delivering.

We're already preparing the next edition this November, and I'm excited to keep these conversations going with even more voices from across the industry.