BGaming’s annual Charity Gala has completed its second edition, raising more than €200,000 and welcoming over 400 guests from across the iGaming industry.
The funds raised will directly support DAR Bjorn’s new Respite Centre, covering essential medical equipment and helping to furnish new resident rooms for those in need.
Lubov Stelmakh, event manager at BGaming and the driving force behind the initiative, described the fundraising result as only part of the story behind the event’s success.
“What makes me happiest is seeing how many people and companies chose to support the initiative,” Stelmakh said, noting that many attendees were returning supporters from the previous year.
Stelmakh has a personal connection to DAR Bjorn that predates the Gala itself, having volunteered there years before the event was ever conceived.
She recalled meeting people whose lives had been transformed by neurological conditions, yet who still demonstrated remarkable strength, humor, and positivity during her time volunteering.
“Seeing hundreds of people come together today because of that same cause is incredibly emotional,” Stelmakh said, adding that it proves one idea can grow into something far bigger than its origins.
The first Charity Gala took place in 2025 and was designed to test whether the concept could work, while this year’s edition benefited from partners who already understood the mission and returned with confidence.
Stelmakh noted that conversations with potential sponsors changed dramatically once companies could see the tangible results achieved during the inaugural event rather than a concept being pitched from scratch.
Bjorn Formosa’s own background in iGaming has helped create a personal connection between the cause and industry participants, making the initiative resonate across the sector in a way that few charitable efforts manage.
Partners supporting this year’s Gala included NEXT.io, MyAffiliates, Flutter International, Alea, SiGMA, Amusnet Gaming, 1spin4win, Finteq Hub, TaDa Gaming, Focus Gaming News, Internet Vikings, and several others.
Stelmakh was clear that the Gala is not a marketing exercise for BGaming, stating that it is about using the company’s network, relationships, and resources to create something genuinely meaningful for society.
Looking ahead, she expressed ambitions for the event to become a permanent fixture in the industry calendar and potentially an inspiration for other organisations to launch their own charitable initiatives.
“If, in a few years, more organizations launch their own initiatives inspired by projects like this, I would consider that one of our biggest achievements,” Stelmakh said.
The broader message from the Gala’s growth is that the iGaming industry is capable of uniting around shared social purposes and delivering lasting support for people who need it most.
