Top-10 Casino and Gambling Consultants in MENA [2024]

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is emerging as a significant player in the global casino and gambling industry, marked by unique cultural, economic, and regulatory landscapes. As the industry evolves, the need for specialized expertise to navigate these complexities becomes increasingly crucial. This article introduces the top 10 casino and gambling consultants in MENA for 2024, highlighting professionals who bring extensive knowledge and strategic insights to the table.

From regulatory compliance and market analysis to operational efficiency and strategic development, these consultants provide the essential guidance required to succeed in the dynamic MENA gaming sector. Whether you’re looking to establish a foothold in the region or optimize your existing operations, these experts are equipped to help you achieve your goals in this burgeoning market.

Best Casino and Gambling Consultants

1. Shahar Attias

Shahar Attias is a globally recognized expert in the iGaming industry, specializing in CRM strategy, VIP and loyalty consulting, and C-level advisory. He is also a frequent speaker at leading industry events. Shahar’s distinguished career includes senior executive roles at prominent companies such as 888, Playtech, and PokerStars. He later founded Hybrid Interaction, a boutique consulting agency comprised of experienced specialists.

Since its inception in 2007, Hybrid Interaction has successfully completed over 200 consulting projects across various verticals and jurisdictions. These projects include online migration for brick-and-mortar casinos in markets such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Georgia, the UK, and the US. The agency’s clientele features notable gambling powerhouses like Greentube, Hard Rock & PlayStar in NJ (USA), GiG, Casino du Lac (Partouche), Logrand (MX), Holland Casino, Grand Casino Baden, Horizons Casino, Groupe Barrière, Entain / GVC / BwinParty / Sportingbet / Bet.pt, IGT, William Hill, Crocobet, BetConstruct, Pin-up.ru, EvoPlay, bgo, Win2day, Neto, DazzleTag, GetsBet.ro, and Platin Casino.

Hybrid Interaction, recognized as the industry’s leading iGaming CRM consultancy firm, is dedicated to helping iGaming companies achieve exceptional success through data-driven strategies and outstanding customer experiences. The firm has collaborated with over 50 online and offline gambling establishments, driving growth, retaining players, and achieving lasting success for its clients.

2. Dr. Maris (Bonello) Catania

Dr. Maris (Bonello) Catania is a seasoned expert in the gambling industry, with over fourteen years of experience in game integrity and safer gambling. Currently a Senior Safer Gaming Consultant at SG, she previously served as the Head of Responsible Gaming and Research at Kindred. At Kindred, she led the company’s overall responsible gaming strategy, managed numerous research projects, and coordinated collaborations with universities and treatment centers. She played a key role in developing the PS-EDS (Player Safety – Early Detection System) behavioral detection system with Karim Chikh, and they later co-founded Integrity Analytics.

In her role at SG, Dr. Catania leads the development of effective and up-to-date content on safer gambling issues and supports clients with their safer gambling needs through the SG platform. Her academic credentials include a Diploma in Gambling Addiction Counselling and Psychology, an MSc in Psychology, and a PhD from Nottingham Trent University, where she focused on consumer protection, markers of harm, and responsible gambling under the guidance of Professor Mark Griffiths. Her research contributions are extensive and can be accessed on ResearchGate.

Dr. Catania has been recognized for her significant contributions to responsible gambling research, receiving the Gambling Compliance Most Significant Contribution to Responsible Gambling Research award for three consecutive years. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, further expanding her expertise in the field.

3. Massimiliano Isoppo

Massimiliano Isoppo is a seasoned iGaming consultant currently serving as a General Consultant at BetBalancer. With over 10 years of experience in the iGaming sector, he specializes in providing reliable and value-added solutions for individuals and companies operating in Malta, Curacao, or the United Kingdom. Massimiliano possesses extensive knowledge and expertise in dealing with gaming authorities, regulations, and licenses in these jurisdictions, along with the technical and operational aspects of running an online gaming platform.

He is also the Founder and Senior Consultant at Just Eleven Limited, which offers online marketing and advertising services tailored to the iGaming sector. Massimiliano has a strong background in sales, management, e-payments, poker, and start-ups, complemented by a master’s degree in sales management and communication. His passion lies in helping clients achieve their goals, grow their online presence, and increase revenue.

Throughout his career, Massimiliano has successfully consulted on and guided multiple iGaming projects and initiatives, leveraging his extensive network and expertise in the industry.

4. Sabrina Soldà

Sabrina Soldà is an accomplished iGaming marketing strategist and Chief Marketing Officer with a proven track record of excellence in the iGaming and betting industry. Her career is marked by a steadfast commitment to delivering outstanding results.

Sabrina’s core competencies include business development, strategic media buying, effective management, and inbound marketing. She has a deep proficiency in content marketing, allowing her to craft compelling narratives that captivate audiences and nurture brand loyalty. Her leadership style combines data-driven decision-making with creative innovation, making her an adaptable and effective marketing leader, especially in high-stakes industries.

Sabrina’s professional journey demonstrates her ability to achieve exceptional outcomes and drive growth. She invites connections to explore how her expertise can elevate marketing endeavors to new heights of success.

5. Louann Micallef 

Louann Micallef is a self-employed consultant with extensive experience in the iGaming industry, financial services, and cryptocurrency. With 16 years of industry expertise, she specializes in operations, AML (Anti-Money Laundering), fraud prevention, payments, responsible gambling, resource planning, training, and development.

Louann’s career began in customer service and KYC (Know Your Customer) before advancing to roles in financial crime prevention, regulatory compliance, and AML/CFT (Counter Financing of Terrorism). She has worked closely with key stakeholders to enhance customer experience while ensuring compliance with MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), UKGC (UK Gambling Commission), and other jurisdictions’ regulations, as well as FIAU IP (Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit Implementing Procedures).

Louann is recognized for her skills in customer service, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, payments, leadership, online gaming, chargebacks, training, performance management, financial risk, team management, online gambling, gaming industry knowledge, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, team leadership, 3D Secure, due diligence, SQL, and recruiting.

6. Or Katzenstein

Or Katzenstein is an experienced online gambling marketing consultant at Hakufsa, specializing in a wide range of areas within the iGaming industry. He has demonstrated significant expertise in online gambling, trading, the gaming industry, and sports, with a particular focus on online gaming, football, casino games, sports betting, poker, and gaming in general.

Or’s skills extend to affiliate marketing, sportsbook management, affiliate management, PPC (pay-per-click) advertising, online poker, conversion optimization, online marketing, online casino operations, eGaming, bingo, and customer acquisition. His background includes experience with companies such as Ryze Beyond and Stan James, where he has honed his skills in these domains.

He is recognized for his knowledge and abilities in the iGaming sector, making him a valuable consultant for businesses looking to optimize their online gambling operations and marketing strategies.

7. Keith Williamson

Keith Williamson has a diverse and extensive background in the affiliate marketing and iGaming industries, holding various leadership roles throughout his career. Most recently, he served as Biz Dev & Program Manager at Clicxy, a rapidly growing affiliate marketing company specializing in client acquisition and lead generation, where he managed the company’s full-time operations in a hybrid work format from Israel from December 2022 to March 2023.

Prior to that, Keith co-founded TrioAffiliates, where he focused on helping affiliates grow their online iGaming businesses. The company provided access to a wide range of deals and brands, ensuring high-value profits for affiliates. Keith’s expertise in the iGaming business was crucial in securing the best deals and facilitating successful partnerships from November 2021 to December 2022.

Keith also served as the Chief Executive Officer at MBC Media, a global company that provides digital solutions, including websites, web shops, integrations, and complete database solutions. His work primarily involved digital marketing and affiliate business, leveraging a global database of over 150 million contacts to market products and brands worldwide. He led the company from July 2021 to December 2022, offering comprehensive services including a turnkey email server platform for large-scale email campaigns.

8. Elad Barzilai 

Elad Barzilai is an experienced Growth Consultant and Co-Founder at Leverage, specializing in Web 3.0 marketing, iGaming, and sports betting. He has a proven track record in the internet industry, particularly in areas such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), performance-based marketing, market research, and management. Elad is known for his strong skills in SEO, writing, creative writing, and online marketing analysis, which are key components of his expertise.

His professional background includes working with various tools and technologies to optimize user experience and online marketing strategies. Elad has extensive experience in managing teams and projects, with a focus on landing page optimization, affiliate marketing, SEM, Google Analytics, social media marketing, and digital marketing. He is also skilled in user experience testing, funnel optimization, and multi-site team management.

Elad is adept at leveraging platforms such as Google, WordPress, HTML, CSS, and Google Webmaster Tools for effective digital marketing and content management. His language skills include Hebrew and Italian, and he has a strong foundation in market analysis, market planning, and go-to-market strategies.

Elad’s expertise in conversion optimization, organic search, analytics, content marketing, mobile marketing, and performance marketing makes him a valuable asset in driving business growth and achieving marketing success. He is also skilled in A/B testing, team building, and leadership, further enhancing his ability to manage and motivate teams effectively.

9. Leo Rantanen 

Leo Rantanen is an experienced iGaming consultant specializing in affiliate marketing and business development. With a focus on data analysis, he has a proven track record of driving results in the online casino marketing industry. Leo stays current with the latest trends and best practices, dedicating himself to helping businesses achieve their goals through effective affiliate marketing strategies. He excels in analyzing data to identify areas for improvement and providing guidance and support to affiliates, ensuring success for all parties involved.

Leo’s expertise includes affiliate management, digital marketing, business development, and teamwork. He has held notable positions such as iGaming Consultant at iGaming Performance Agency and Head of Affiliates at Njord Affiliates. His skills extend to marketing strategy, online marketing, sales, customer service, and finance. He is proficient in Microsoft Office and has strong capabilities in account management, affiliate networks, communication, and problem-solving.

Leo’s commitment to excellence in the iGaming sector and his ability to leverage data-driven insights make him a valuable asset in the field.

10. Alex Bonicci

Alex Bonicci is a Senior Online Gambling Consultant offering freelance services to small and medium-sized iGaming businesses. With a base in Malta, London, and Barcelona, he has been in this role since October 2019. Alex specializes in business model development and provides expertise in various operational aspects, including customer service, payments, risk management, fraud prevention, anti-money laundering (AML), responsible gambling (RG), and data protection (DP).

Navigating the Future with MENA’s Leading Casino and Gambling Consultants

As the casino and gambling industry in the MENA region continues to expand and evolve, the expertise of top-tier consultants becomes indispensable. The professionals highlighted in this article represent the pinnacle of strategic insight and operational excellence, offering invaluable guidance in navigating regulatory challenges, optimizing market opportunities, and driving business growth. Their deep understanding of the unique MENA landscape ensures that businesses can not only survive but thrive in this competitive sector. Whether you are entering the market or seeking to enhance your existing operations, these top 10 consultants for 2024 provide the critical support needed to achieve success and secure a prosperous future in the MENA gaming industry.