⚡️ Barcelona is already on the horizon. Just 10 days to go

ICE and iGaming Club in Barcelona are happening very soon. If you’re flying in too — catch 3SNET there.
We’ll be on site, open to meetings and solid networking ❤️‍🔥

And if you have time to explore the city, here’s a list of places to visit and catch the right vibe.

📌 Culture & the city
— Sagrada Família — the Basilica of the Holy Family in Barcelona, Catalonia. An outstanding work by architect Antoni Gaudí and the symbol of the city.
— El Born — a district full of bars, restaurants, and small galleries. Perfect for informal 1-on-1 meetings or a relaxed dinner.
— Gothic Quarter — the old city center. Great for a walk, food, and a change of scenery. Works perfectly to “reset your head” even without a plan or route.

📌 Food & bars
— El Nacional — a large space with multiple cuisines to suit any taste.
— Dr Stravinsky — a bar for calm conversations. Ideal for late evenings when you want less noise and a proper talk.
— Hotel 1898 Rooftop — a rooftop restaurant and bar with a beautiful city view.

📌 Shows & emotions
— Tablao Cordobes — a classic flamenco show: live dance, guitar, vocals, and an intense atmosphere in a small venue. A full evening format lasting 1–1.5 hours.
— Club nights in the Eixample district — plenty of interesting small venues where people enjoy cocktails, music, and conversation.

Networking and communication at conferences are key, and to stay connected everywhere without losing contacts, check out our article on eSIM and SIM services.

Drop a comment if you’re flying somewhere soon. And for those who haven’t decided yet, check out our activity calendar — browse and choose.

See you in Barcelona 🔥

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🔥 The biggest iGaming updates of the week: first results of the year, new bans, and headline numbers

Hello everyone! We’re jumping into the first full working week — let it be productive and free of regulator surprises (although, who are we kidding). There aren’t many news items, but each one is already setting the tone for 2026. Let’s go.

📌 First results of 2025

— According to Similarweb, traffic to legal Russian bookmakers’ websites in 2025 reached 1.11 billion visits.
— In Indonesia, online gambling deposits hit $2.3 billion, despite strict bans.
— The PlayCity regulator blocked more than 2,500 illegal websites and issued fines totaling ₴67 million.
— In Russia, illegal iGaming turnover in 2025 is estimated at ₽2 trillion — the figure speaks for itself.

📌 New laws, initiatives, and taxes

— Belarus increased the tax on player winnings from 4% to 5% and updated regulation: minimum operator reserves, a monitoring center, and the possibility of settlements in cryptocurrency.
— Georgia officially banned participation in iGaming and land-based casinos for more than 40% of the population.
— Zimbabwe sharply raised taxes: from 3% to 20% of GGR and from 10% to 25% on winnings.
— In Argentina’s Santa Fe province, the formation of a regulated market has begun and licenses are being issued.
— In Brazil, up to 51% of the betting market is still controlled by illegal operators.
— New Zealand is launching a regulated online gambling market: 15 licenses and a 16% GGR tax.

📌 Venezuela: all calm

— Despite the U.S. operation in Caracas, Venezuela’s iGaming market has remained stable.
— According to Blask, fluctuations are within normal volatility, and by the end of 2025 the market grew +134.9% YoY, remaining one of the fastest-growing in the world.

📌 Advertising and promotion

— LinkedIn is launching AI-powered job search in five languages — the tool takes into account skills, goals, and regional specifics.
— Google will allow gambling advertising in Belarus starting January 22.
— Meta* continues to run ads for illegal gambling in prohibited jurisdictions despite fines.
— Google updated its rules for prediction platforms and is opening access to advertising products for U.S. operators.

📌 Scandal of the week

— An investigation by Australia’s ABC revealed that licenses on the island of Anjouan were issued through a fictitious regulator. According to authorities, such permits are illegal — another blow to the “offshore showcase.”

* Recognized as an extremist organization and banned in the Russian Federation

👉 And now let’s discuss the main question: how does it feel for you personally to come out of the holiday haze and back into working days?

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⚡️ Blocking update: no mass apocalypse (yet)

The good news: there aren’t many new blocks.
The bad news: the internet is increasingly being shut down not “by list,” but entirely. Here’s what’s happening and where it’s worth staying alert.

🇷🇺 Russia: WhatsApp* under threat of a full ban
Roskomnadzor has officially stated its intention to completely block WhatsApp*. This is not a final shutdown yet, but the signal is extremely clear: the platform is in a high-risk zone, and the “any moment now” scenario is no longer hypothetical.

🇦🇺 Australia: ban over AI content
From 10 January 2026, Grok has been blocked due to the distribution of AI-generated pornographic content. Australia continues to demonstrate a hardline approach: zero tolerance for such formats and maximum pressure on platforms, especially in the context of protecting minors.

🇮🇷 Iran: not a block — a full internet blackout
From 8 January, access to social networks (Instagram*, Telegram, X, and others) was cut off for more than 60 hours. The formal reason was protests and “security,” but in practice it meant a complete shutdown of digital channels.

🇪🇨Venezuela: nighttime censorship mode
In early January, nighttime shutdowns of Instagram* and TikTok were recorded for 6–8 hours, along with website blocks amid protests in Caracas. X (Twitter) has remained blocked since 2024. This is compounded by rolling power and internet outages in certain regions.

📌 The takeaway is simple:
There aren’t many large-scale “new bans,” which is a plus. But more and more countries are moving away from targeted restrictions toward blackouts, temporary shutdowns, and manual control over access.

👉 All new blocks are listed in the “Blocked Services” section.
Update your strategies, track the changes, and stay one step ahead.

* Recognized as an extremist organization and banned in the Russian Federation


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🔥 Working in iGaming: where to go in 2026

iGaming is one of the few industries where the market keeps growing, job openings are updated every week, and real experience is valued more than formal noscripts. Online casinos, betting, affiliate marketing, payments, analytics, product — this is an industry that needs people who can deliver results.

📌 In the new article, we break down the iGaming job market and cover everything specialists and companies need to know:
— which roles are truly in demand;
— why iGaming offers relocation and remote work more easily than most industries;
— which professions are being strengthened by AI and which are gradually fading out;
— where to look for jobs;
— what to expect from the job market in 2026–2027.

🔗 If you’re thinking about a career in iGaming or want to keep your finger on the pulse of the market, this is a must-read. The full version is available here.

✔️ If you’re job hunting, check out our vacancies section.

👉 And a bit of networking in the comments — share what you do and which position or specialist you’re looking for.

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😱 AI in iGaming: Who Will Survive in 2026 — and Who Will Disappear

AI in iGaming is no longer an add-on — it’s a foundational layer. It cuts routine work, speeds up processes, and is rapidly reshaping the job market. And yes, some roles are genuinely disappearing.

📌 In the article:
— which iGaming roles will be almost fully automated by 2027
— which skills (urgent to develop) protect you from being replaced by AI
— how the role of copywriters and marketers in iGaming is changing
— where to look for jobs in affiliate marketing in 2026–2027
— bonus: checklist “How to Find a Job in iGaming in 2026”

👉 If you already work in iGaming or are just considering entering the industry, it’s better to understand the rules of the game in advance.
Read the full article here.

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“Nothing personal, just the numbers” 😂

👉 Drop your own caption for this video in the comments — and you definitely won’t get cut this month.

⚡️ 15% discount on gambling creatives from LR PROD

LR PROD is a creative production studio and a 3SNET partner, specializing in high-converting creatives for the gambling vertical. They work with media buying teams, CPA networks, and iGaming brands, helping increase CTR, CR, and ROI through well-thought-out visuals and up-to-date formats.

📌 What they do:
— motion videos for social, UAC, and push
— static banners with a strong CTR focus
— news-style and native creatives
— UGC formats
— actor-based videos tailored to specific GEOs
— deepfakes for scaling

✔️ Full-cycle production: from idea and noscript to final delivery and adaptation for GEOs, traffic sources, and offers.

🎁 For 3SNET partners — 15% off the first order
When contacting the manager, make sure to mention the promo code:

**3SNET-LRPROD**

If you’ve been looking for a studio that truly understands gambling and builds creatives for performance — you’ve just found it.

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⚡️ AI in iGaming: the point of no return has been crossed

AI in iGaming is no longer a trendy toy or an experimental technology. It is already reshaping the entire industry — from game development and UX to marketing, antifraud, and compliance.

📌 The question now is not whether you use AI, but where the line lies between player manipulation and fair engagement — and why AI-first companies are starting to take market share from everyone else.

✔️ In the new article, we break down:
— what new opportunities and risks AI brings to the iGaming market
— how AI helps retain and monetize players
— why regulators are beginning to step in around “emotional AI”
— what an AI-first operational model is and why companies need it

👉 Read this if you work in the industry and don’t want to stay stuck in “manual mode.”

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