Inside iGaming: A Conversation with Yeva Avagyan, Head of Commercial at AffPapa

Get an insider’s look into the world of iGaming with Yeva Avagyan, Head of Commercial at AffPapa. From her career journey and the recent conference in Malaga to upcoming plans and personal interests, Yeva shares her unique perspective on the industry and beyond.

Q: Hi Yeva, thank you for taking the time for this interview! I hope you didn’t write your answers during another flight 🙂 How many countries have you visited in the first half of 2024?

A: Hi Alex, thank you for having me! I’m very excited to speak with you, as always! Haha, good question. So far we have 4 countries in the list 🙂

Q: Tell us more about your work specifics, what your responsibilities are, and what you do at the company.

A: I take care of the commercial side of things at AffPapa. Pretty much everything that has to do with sales, expanding the commercial team, partner-relationships etc. It’s heavily based on establishing long-term, trustworthy connections with everyone that we have the opportunity to work with, obviously with the intent to deliver high quality services.

Q: Share your professional journey, how you started, and how you entered the iGaming industry.

A: I started my journey in the industry 4 years ago when I joined AffPapa. I remember the website being in its initial development stages, the industry wasn’t really familiar with the product, we didn’t have as much to offer as we do right now. We had a very small team, juggling tasks and responsibilities. I look back at those days very fondly, we truly had the most humble beginnings 🙂 In retrospect it’s quite rewarding to see where we are now.

Q: I have to ask about the conference you held in Malaga. How did it go, were you satisfied with the results, and what feedback did you get from the attendees? Were there any unusual moments during the organization?

A: Being the first stand-alone conference we’ve ever organized it was a huge success for us.
We’ve received amazing feedback from the attendees, both praise and constructive comments as well which are crucial when it comes to improvement. The fact that it was a niche event – mainly focusing on affiliates and operators was very well-received from our attendees. The agenda was full of panel discussions, speed-dating sessions and Armenian cognac which was the star of the show as always 🙂 When it comes to unusual moments during the organization – it was mainly the scale of the event, all the unexpected little nuances we didn’t anticipate or planned for – but we managed to execute everything in high standard.

Q: Should we expect more standalone conferences from you in the future, and if so, what format and size will they be?

A: Yes, absolutely! 2025 is a big year for us in terms of conferences. We’re definitely going back to Malaga next year – this time with a bigger venue, more thought-out activities, exhibiting opportunities as well of course. We marked down Malaga since it’s a great location accompanied with great weather and cultural richness, on top of that it’s easier for a lot of attendees to travel to. So mark your calendars for 2025. We’re also exploring new markets currently – which I’ll be able to give more information on very soon 🙂

Q: Your main side event during conferences is the iGaming Club. Tell us about the event you’re planning in Amsterdam during IGB Live. Also, share your plans for 2024.

A: This is going to be our 3rd networking event organized in Amsterdam. Actually iGaming Club debuted its first event in Amsterdam in 2022 for those who don’t know. It’s going to be in our usual “networking drinks” format with expected 500 attendees from different leading companies in the industry. Our goal with these satellite events is to connect as many people as possible, create an environment where they can relax, network and catch up with their peers. Our next event will take place in Lisbon on the 23rd of September. Registration is open now and we’re very much looking forward to meeting the community there.

Q: What are the most challenging aspects of your job? You have a lot of flights, networking, organization, etc.

A: To be honest no challenge is that serious when you’re organized and have a strong “why” behind what you do. I agree, the endless flights, hours of networking and all the energy that goes into organizing anything of any scale can be draining. The key here is to have a well-thought out road-map, a schedule and work-ethic that is compatible with your pace of work & life and the ambitions that you hold. All challenges can be overcome when you have such a solid team as I do 🙂

Q: And a few personal questions 🙂 Tell us about your hobbies, how you relax, and how you spend your free time?

A: With a fast-paced life you come to realize that it’s the small things that matter. A cup of coffee with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. A good book to take you to a different time & place. A solo trip to the country you always wanted to visit. I picked up chess recently as well, needed a new challenge, haha! So far it’s been to say the least…challenging 🙂

Q: What is your favorite country and why?

A: This is a tough question honestly. Obviously Armenia has its special place in my heart but if I had to choose one I’d go with The Netherlands. My first trip was very special for me. I got to spend 2 weeks in Amsterdam. Exploring other cities, getting familiar with the culture, the overall ambiance was immaculate. It felt very homey to me so I’m especially excited to be back! 🙂

Q: Besides English, you have also studied Chinese. Tell us more about that, are you planning to learn any new languages, and how does this help you?

A: Yes, I studied Chinese Language & Literature at university. I was very passionate about Chinese, specifically calligraphy and their overall philosophy on life. I don’t really use it in my day to day, but it’s always nice to be able to understand and communicate through a different language. When it comes to learning a new language it really depends on the country I’d potentially relocate to in the future. I took French, German and Spanish for some time and it comes to me quite naturally as well so let’s see.

Q: Do you enjoy playing at casinos or betting? If so, what was your biggest win? 🙂

A: Speaking the truth I have yet to dabble in the betting waters. I’ve never had a win either so there’s something to look forward to for sure 🙂