We sat down to discuss the career of Levon Nikoghosyan, a pivotal figure in the iGaming ecosystem whose trajectory has transitioned from founding specialized affiliate systems to orchestrating a global networking powerhouse.
When this conversation took place, Levon was spearheading the massive redesign of AffPapa, a directory that has evolved into a comprehensive hub for operators and affiliates, which launched its highly anticipated “V3” on December 12th, 2025.
By the end of the year, Levon had also successfully navigated the complexities of international event management through the AffPapa Conference, turning a near-disaster in Cancun into a testament to operational resilience.
His journey offers a compelling case study in scaling a digital platform into a multifaceted physical and financial ecosystem, bridging the gap between connection, community, and capital.
Career Transition
Levon’s background is deeply rooted in affiliate technology and operations. His transition from a technical product focus to a community-centric leadership role was driven by a desire to solve the fragmentation he witnessed in the market. He identified that while the technology existed, the trust layer between operators and affiliates was often missing.
Q: What specific gap in the market did you identify that prompted the shift from building backend affiliate systems to creating a public-facing ecosystem like AffPapa?
Levon Nikoghosyan: Working on backend affiliate systems made me realise that the technology itself wasn’t the problem. The bigger challenge was trust and credibility. Affiliates and operators often didn’t know how to find each other, and when they did, there was no neutral space to ensure fair interactions.
AffPapa was created to bridge that gap with a platform where direct iGaming connections could finally happen. Right from the start, we knew that we wanted to create more than just a directory, but a trusted iGaming ecosystem.
Community Building
In the nascent stages of AffPapa, the challenge was moving beyond a static directory to a living, breathing marketplace. Levon had to leverage his operational background to build critical mass, convincing competitors and partners alike that a centralized hub was necessary for the industry’s maturity.
Q: In the early days, how did you manage to convince major operators to join a new directory, and what was the tipping point where AffPapa went from a “list” to a “community”?
Levon Nikoghosyan: It was about proving value from day one. We were very clear that AffPapa was not a network and we were not taking commissions on anyone’s deals. At first, of course, there was skepticism because in this industry, people are used to someone sitting in the middle.
But once operators and affiliates started using the platform and saw that they could build real, direct partnerships without interference, the perception began to shift. Conversations moved faster, deals were closed independently, and people started coming back. So, we can proudly say that the turning point wasn’t a marketing campaign. It was the results.
The V3 Rebrand
On December 12th, 2025, AffPapa unveiled a major rebrand. Levon describes this not just as a cosmetic update, but as a structural overhaul designed to handle the complexity of a maturing market. The goal was to remove the “user frictions” that had developed as the database scaled.
Q: With the major AffPapa rebrand launched on December 12th, what were the primary “user frictions” in the previous version that you were determined to eliminate with V3?
Levon Nikoghosyan: With the rebrand, we’ve taken the AffPapa Dashboard to the next level by simplifying the process of how partners connect. The new V3 now features faster searches, more intuitive filters, and clearer company profiles, making it easier to discover, manage, and communicate with affiliates and operators.
We’ve also added dedicated pages for streamers and crypto partners, better offers management, sub-brand organization, real-time chat, and a simpler events page. Everything is designed so users can spend less time navigating the platform and more time on building real connections online first, and eventually offline through our events.
Enhanced Functionality
The new V3 interface focuses on enhanced user experience (UX) and data precision. It introduces specific verification layers that allow operators to filter through the noise, ensuring that the platform functions more like a modern SaaS tool than a legacy list.
Q : Beyond the visual refresh, what new functionalities or verification layers are being introduced to help operators filter through the noise and find high-value traffic more efficiently?
Levon Nikoghosyan: Beyond the visual refresh, V3 introduces powerful functionalities designed to streamline how operators identify high-value traffic. We’ve launched a transparent Offer System which highlights GEOs, commissions, and “hot” expiry dates which empowers operators to benchmark their competitiveness and lets affiliates instantly spot the right deals.
To capture niche traffic, the new Sub-brands feature enables operators to distinguish portfolio assets, such as separating a sportsbook from a main casino brand, ensuring they attract the most relevant partners. All of this is underpinned by our rigorous manual verification process, ensuring that while the experience is faster, the network remains active, legitimate, and trustworthy.
Global Event Strategy
The AffPapa Conference has rapidly expanded from simple networking dinners to full-scale conferences. The strategic choice of Cancun, a venue far removed from the traditional hubs of Malta, London, or Amsterdam, was a calculated move to merge high-level networking with a unique “escape” atmosphere.
Q: You chose Cancun for a major AffPapa Conference, which is an unconventional choice compared to European hubs. What was the specific strategy behind targeting the LatAm region with such a distinct “leisure-first” format?
Levon Nikoghosyan: Cancún was really about giving our community something different. It was the first time we took the AffPapa Conference outside Europe, and we wanted it to feel like more than just another industry event. That’s why we called it the iGaming Escape of the Year. We designed the agenda to balance focused panels, speed-dating sessions, and the Affiliate Market with plenty of time to relax and network not only formally but also informally, so attendees could get real value while also enjoying the environment.
LATAM is a fast-growing market, and we saw a chance to bring affiliates, operators, and investors together in a setting where they could connect naturally, learn from each other, and enjoy the location itself.
The feedback was fantastic, and it showed us that blending work with a relaxed, enjoyable environment works. We’re already looking forward to doing it again in November 2026, building on what worked and making it even better for the LATAM community. Seeing this part of the ecosystem grow so quickly is exciting, and we want to keep creating events where business, connection, and a bit of fun go hand in hand.
Event Model Distinction
Levon has positioned the iGaming Club to challenge the status quo of fluorescent-lit expo halls. By focusing on intimate, high-value interactions over massive footfall, he aims to provide a higher ROI for C-level executives who are suffering from “conference fatigue.”
Q: How does the “iGaming Club” format differentiate itself from the standard mega-conferences, and why do you believe this intimate, exclusive model is generating better ROI for attendees?
Levon Nikoghosyan: I think it’s important to clarify that today we operate with two distinct event formats under the AffPapa umbrella: AffPapa Conference and iGaming Club. While AffPapa Conference is our flagship, larger-scale affiliate-led event with panels, exhibition space, and structured networking, iGaming Club serves a different purpose. It’s more intimate, offering exclusive side events hosted alongside major industry conferences, with smaller guest lists, curated audiences, and a strong focus on meaningful connections rather than foot traffic.
To make this experience even more valuable, we’ve introduced the iGaming Club Membership. Members gain year-round access to all iGaming Club events and AffPapa Conferences, along with VIP perks like priority booth access, exclusive dinners, featured badges, and other special benefits. It’s designed to help the community’s most active participants forge real, lasting partnerships.
Crisis Management
International events are fraught with logistical peril. Levon recently shared a critical incident regarding the Cancun event on LinkedIn, where the organization was nearly defrauded out of €45,000 by a venue. This situation required immediate, high-stakes crisis management to save the conference.
Q: You mentioned in a public post that you were almost scammed out of €45,000 regarding the Cancun venue just days before the event. Can you walk us through that 48-hour period and the decision-making process that saved the event?
Levon Nikoghosyan:You have to act fast. The hardest part is that after taking immediate action, there is not much you can actually control. All you have to do is wait. And waiting is the most difficult part.
You also have to manage your own stress without letting it affect the team or the delegates. If they see panic, it creates more instability. As a leader, you have to stay composed even when internally you are calculating every possible scenario.
At the same time, you realize there is still a full event to run. There are partners, speakers, delegates, and countless details that cannot stop because of one issue. It was probably that responsibility that kept me focused and productive during the “waiting period.”
Venture Capital Integration
With the launch of VenturePapa, the ecosystem is moving beyond connecting people to funding innovation. This initiative positions AffPapa not just as a directory, but as a strategic investor looking to nurture the next generation of iGaming startups that often struggle to find sector-specific capital.
Q: VenturePapa represents a shift from “connector” to “investor.” Can you share a progress update on this vertical and what specific types of iGaming startups you are currently looking to back?
Levon Nikoghosyan: VenturePapa is an important evolution for AffPapa. While our core mission has always been connecting affiliates and operators, we noticed a gap for iGaming startups seeking sector-specific funding.
To date, we’ve connected more than 12 investment companies with more than 60 startups, helping them not only secure funding but also leverage the AffPapa ecosystem with data, community, and industry insights. We’re particularly focused on startups in areas like affiliate tools, gaming platforms, and emerging tech, including crypto and blockchain applications.
Strategic Investment
Unlike traditional VCs who may lack industry context, VenturePapa utilizes the proprietary data from the AffPapa directory to identify high-potential teams early. This “smart money” approach leverages existing relationships to de-risk investments.
Q: How does VenturePapa leverage the existing data from AffPapa to make smarter investment decisions compared to a traditional VC firm entering the space?
Levon Nikoghosyan: VenturePapa doesn’t specifically target AffPapa clients for investment purposes – we connect investors with investment seeking companies just like we connect affiliates with operators and our targeted audience is the entire industry.
Trust & Verification
In an industry often plagued by non-payment issues and rogue actors, AffPapa has positioned itself as a “source of truth.” Levon has emphasized the importance of complaint resolution and mediation as a core service, rather than just a value-add.
Q: As the platform grows, how do you maintain the integrity of the “AffPapa-verified” status, and how do you handle the delicate process of mediating disputes between affiliates and operators?
Levon Nikoghosyan: Before listing anyone, we carefully review their background, performance, and compliance record. The Seal of Trust highlights those who follow our code of conduct, making it easy for the community to see which operators and affiliates are reliable. On top of that, our iGaming Complaints page gives members a space to resolve issues fairly.
We make it simple and clear: the complaint process only applies if both parties are registered on AffPapa at the time of the issue, and 99% of most disputes are actually resolved during the initial discussion phase. If someone doesn’t meet our requirements, or if a complaint shows a breach of trust, we remove their listing.
Future Trajectory
Levon views the future of AffPapa not as a singular service but as a conglomerate of specialized verticals. This section explores how he plans to tighten the integration between the digital directory, the physical events, and the investment arm.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see the synergy between AffPapa, AffPapa Conference, iGaming Club, and VenturePapa evolving, do you view them as separate entities or a single, integrated lifecycle for partners?
Levon Nikoghosyan: AffPapa is more than a single product, it’s an umbrella brand built around one purpose: connecting affiliates and operators. The Dashboard, AffPapa Conference, iGaming Club, and VenturePapa each serve a distinct role, but together they create a complete lifecycle for partners.
The Dashboard is where connections begin online, giving affiliates and operators the tools to discover and manage each other. AffPapa Conference expands those connections offline, providing structured networking and industry insights. iGaming Club offers smaller, exclusive events that keep the community engaged year-round. And VenturePapa closes the loop by supporting startups with funding and guidance, helping the ecosystem grow from both a human and financial perspective.
By integrating these pillars, we ensure that every participant can move from discovering partners to building relationships, attending events, and even attracting investment, all within the AffPapa ecosystem.
Market Outlook
As a leader with a bird’s-eye view of the industry’s connections, Levon is uniquely positioned to forecast shifts in the market. He identifies the key trends that will drive affiliate marketing strategy in the coming year.
Q: What is the one long-term trend in the affiliate marketing space that you believe will define the next 12 months, and how is AffPapa preparing its users for that shift?
Levon Nikoghosyan: AI agent ads – once launched on Gemini and OpenAI could change the game forever. Traffic acquisition may never be the same again. Operators and affiliates will face an entirely new arena to compete for visibility, and it has the potential to become even bigger than Google Ads.
