How Padel Revolutionizes Networking in the Online Gaming Industry: Bloko Padel Tour 2026

Blokotech’s Bloko Padel Tour 2026

Padel has become one of the key drivers of this shift. A standout example is Blokotech’s Bloko Padel Tour 2026. Following successful stops in Buenos Aires, Malta, and Miami, the tour will conclude with a grand finale in Rome on October 2.

Belatra Games is Gold Plus sponsor

Belatra Games, a slot developer with more than 33 years of industry experience, joined the initiative as a Gold Plus sponsor. The brand's philosophy, aimed at an atmosphere of trust and meaningful conversations, perfectly matches the spirit of the tournament.

In an interview with SoloAzar, Delfina Crespo, Head of Marketing and Communications at Blokotech, and Katerina Goi, CMO at Belatra Games, discussed why padel has become a new platform for B2B networking in the online gaming industry.

How does Padel erase hierarchy and help partners with different mentalities find common ground?

Most partnerships are built through correspondence, online meetings and formal negotiations. This format allows you to solve work issues, but rarely gives you the opportunity to see the person behind the position, understand his character, values and style of communication.

When launching Bloko Padel Tour, Blokotech set itself the goal of creating a new business environment in which communication between professionals can go beyond formal communication.

“Padel is growing because it fits perfectly with the way people want to connect today. Business communication is becoming less rigid and more experience-driven. People no longer want to build relationships only through formal meetings, presentations or corporate dinners. They want to share moments, create memories and connect in a more natural environment,” noted Delfina Crespo.

It is important to note that this is also a sport that is relatively easy for novice players to master, which makes it possible to combine both beginners and experienced participants in one competition.

“Padel allows people to communicate naturally, without the pressure of a formal meeting or a loud party. In addition, corporate frameworks and hierarchies are practically disappearing on the court. Operators, developers, service providers, and platform representatives find themselves on the same team or on different sides of the grid, but on equal terms. There are no meeting tables and presentations here — there is the excitement of the game, lively emotions, partner support and informal communication,” said Delfina Crespo.

It is in such a relaxed atmosphere that people open up faster. A few hours spent on the court together often allow you to get to know each other better than years of e-mail communication or dozens of work calls. As a result, business contacts turn into real partnerships based not only on mutual benefit, but also on trust.

For an industry where success largely depends on the quality of the partner network and long-term cooperation, this networking format is becoming especially valuable.

“In a traditional business meeting, people usually present their company, talk about products, exchange information and maybe continue the conversation later by email. It is useful, but it can also be limited. On a padel court, the dynamic changes completely. You see how people communicate, how they react under pressure, how they collaborate, how they compete and how they handle both winning and losing. That gives you a much more natural understanding of who someone is,” said Head of Marketing and Communications at Blokotech.

That changes the way people connect. During a tournament, conversations happen in a much more organic way: before a match, after a point, during a break or while watching another game. Those moments often open the door to more honest and human conversations than the ones you usually have in a business setting.

It is also important that the tour covers different cities around the world. Each region has its own business culture. Padel also helps to unite these worlds.

“Each market has its own business culture, and that is something we respect a lot. In Latin America, relationships are usually very personal. People want to know who they are working with and build trust before moving forward. In Europe, there is often a stronger focus on structure, timing and efficiency. Once people are on the court, the cultural differences become less important. Everyone understands the same language: teamwork, respect, competition and enjoyment,” said Delfina Crespo.

Does on-court networking speed up B2B deals?

Katerina Goi, Belatra’s CMO, recently ran a LinkedIn poll asking whether padel is a lasting trend in iGaming networking or just a passing craze. The discussion drew strong interest from the industry.

“The discussion was genuinely interesting. People in our industry are very modern, highly connected, and let’s say, a bit “spoiled” when it comes to networking formats and events. Traditional dinners in restaurants are no longer as exciting on their own. Of course, the classic format — good food, wine, and face-to-face conversations — is still relevant and absolutely valuable. But for an event to truly stand out and deliver a strong brand impact today, it needs to feel more engaging and different,” Katerina Goi shared her opinion.

She also noted that the global paddle boom has also affected not only the iGaming industry. People all over the world are increasingly attracted to this sport.

“In that sense, we’re not abandoning dinners; we’re simply adding more dynamic, experience-led formats like padel to keep networking fresh and meaningful. The uniqueness of the Bloko Padel Tour also lies in the fact that it goes far beyond a one-time event at the exhibition. It is a year-long format with multiple stops across different locations and a grand final at the end, designed like a real competitive series with proper recognition and awards for the winners,” Katerina Goi added.

After three stages across different continents, the format has proven its commercial value.

“From a business perspective, we already see clear results. These interactions often evolve into real discussions, stronger connections, and follow-ups that continue after the events. At this stage, it is safe to say that this format complements traditional B2B networking and adds a more human, relationship-driven layer to business development,” noted Ekaterina Goi.

Belatra's CMO also noted that it is always difficult in the industry to assess the impact of non-standard marketing initiatives linearly. The path from initial contact to signing a deal is rarely short or straightforward, and a series of interactions across various channels typically takes place before a decision is made.

That is why Belatra does not evaluate projects like the Padel Tour solely through the prism of immediate commercial results or direct attribution, but views them primarily as a powerful brand-building tool.

“In oversaturated markets, where there are hundreds of similar products and fierce competition reigns, this becomes even more important. The goal is to remain at the forefront of potential partners’ minds so that when they’re ready to make a decision, you’re naturally the first one they think of,” said Ekaterina Goi.

Preparation of the Grand Final program in Rome

Special attention in the leadership dialogue was paid to the grand final, which will be held on October 2 in Rome in parallel with the prestigious SiGMA World.

“Together we are preparing an event that goes beyond the traditional tournament. Exciting matches, entertainment, familiar faces and lots of energy await the guests. Our goal is for people to leave not only remembering who won the tournament, but also the connections they made, the moments they shared and the feeling of being part of something different within the iGaming industry,” said Delfina Crespo.

According to Katerina Goi, each stage of the tournament was distinguished by its unique atmosphere and the way the brand was brought to life on the site. One of the most special moments was the Malta stage. In April, Belatra celebrated its 33rd anniversary, and Malta became the final point of the festive month. Together with the participants, the brand celebrated this milestone very energetically, with all the classic elements of a real Birthday, which created a warm and memorable bond between the brand and the community.

“On the eve of the Grand Final in Rome, the scale will naturally be much larger, as befits the final stage of the tour. Belatra will take an even more active part, bringing new creative touches and strengthening the brand's presence at all events. The final in Rome will become an informal center of attraction for industry professionals and executives, where more than one future partnership is likely to take place,” Belatra CMO added.