For gaming businesses looking towards Central Asia, there is more to consider than simply market growth, and in just three weeks, the 3rd annual SPiCE Central Asia 2026 will put those questions directly to the operators, affiliates and providers navigating the region, when it returns to The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi in Georgia on 24 – 25 September.
Rather than treating the region as a single market, the event will bring together gaming leaders from across Central Asia and the Caucasus who understand its nuances from the inside and can share lessons from the markets they operate in, the obstacles they continue to face, and the opportunities they believe deserve closer attention.
Top Operators’ Women Representatives Take the Spotlight
Women will have a particularly strong presence on the SPiCE Central Asia stage this year, bringing experience from across different areas of the gaming business. Ahead of the event, they offered a glimpse into the topics they will bring to the conversation.
Ekaterine Bibiluri, Human Resources Department Manager, Casino Adjara
Ekaterine highlighted the importance of creating genuine pathways for talented women to progress into leadership:
“One of the biggest barriers is not a lack of talented women, but a lack of equal opportunities to be seen, trusted, and developed as future leaders. In my HR experience, I have seen women who were strong performers for years but needed someone to actively recognise their potential and encourage them to take the next step.”
She also touched on what gaming companies can do to foster a more inclusive workplace culture that supports women’s career development and long-term retention:
“Companies should focus on real career opportunities, strong managers, mentoring, and a culture where performance matters more than gender. I’ve seen how giving talented employees the opportunity to lead a project, make decisions, and take ownership can be the turning point that gives them the confidence to grow into leadership.”
In terms of what skills and qualities will be most important for the next generation of women leaders in the gaming industry, Ekaterine said:
“Confidence, adaptability, communication, and emotional intelligence will be essential. But I would also add the courage to dream bigger – to build a future so ambitious that your own vision of becoming a leader challenges and even scares you. Because real leadership is not only about achieving your own success, but also about having the courage to create something bigger than yourself and inspire others to grow.”
Anano Kanashvili, Customer Retention Specialist, Betlive
On the need to look beyond straightforward translation when entering different markets, Anano emphasised the role of language, culture, payments and communication styles:
“From my experience, retention strategies require local adaptation in language, culture, payments, and communication styles rather than simple translation. What works in one market cannot always be directly applied to another.”
Furthermore, she considered what separates a useful player interaction from one that feels overly intrusive:
“The most effective personalisation starts with understanding behaviour, not simply adding a player’s name to a message. Customer data helps us understand what each player values and communicate with them in a relevant and timely way, making communication feel useful rather than intrusive.”
Looking ahead, Anano identified several areas where operators will need to raise their game:
“I believe the biggest differentiator will be personalised experiences rather than bonuses alone. Understanding players, building trust and providing a smooth overall experience will be key to long-term retention.”
Maka Gorgadze, CMO, Casino Adjara
Meanwhile, Maka focused on the role of regulatory clarity and consistency in building confidence among operators, players and regulators:
“For me, the key factors are transparency, clear rules and consistent enforcement. Operators need to understand what is expected from them, players need to feel protected, and regulation needs to be predictable. Understanding the realities of daily operations and maintaining clear communication among all stakeholders are also essential for building long-term trust.”
She also revealed what she is most looking forward to at SPiCE Central Asia 2026:
“I’m looking forward to exchanging experiences with people from markets that are developing in different ways, sharing Georgia’s experience, understanding where the region is heading next and, of course, networking.”
Attend, Sponsor or Exhibit
There is still time for organisations to reach out to the region’s gaming community, connect with potential partners and build valuable relationships with key industry contacts. To secure a place, register here.
For sponsorship or exhibition enquiries, contact:
Lou-Mari Burnett, Chief Operating Officer, Eventus International
loumari@eventus-international.com
+27 82 907 5850
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