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Welcome to my blog! Here I cover a couple of key subject matters: my work & my life.

Specifically, the latest happenings of the iGaming industry, with a particular focus on affiliate marketing.

And, my experiences as a victim of the Infected Blood Scandal, cited by Andy Burnham, as the “greatest injustice the country has seen”.

You may also bear witness to various other ramblings on areas such as politics, current affairs and sport.

About Me

My name is Tom Galanis, and I am an iGaming Marketing Consultant. I was born and raised in South East England and via Leeds, London and the South of Spain, I now find myself back home with my wife Rachel and two daughters in Cambridge.

In 1986, at the age of 3, I underwent heart surgery to repair a ventricular septal defect. Unbeknownst to me, during this operation I was given a blood product that was contaminated with Hepatitis C, a disease that can remain undetected in your body for decades, whilst, at varying degrees, attacking your body, in particular your liver. It was not until 2018, after years of lacking energy and vitality – I knew no different – that I decided to visit the GP to find out what was going on. Initially, a high iron count in my blood pointed the GP towards the possibility of haemochromatosis. I was lucky enough to have private medical cover, so sought wider tests and a consultation from a specialist.

I was abroad on a work trip when I received a call from the consultant. I was clear of haemochromatosis, but, to her shock, the extensive blood tests had revealed that I had contracted Hepatitis C. An awkward conversation followed: no, I had never shared a needle. No, my sex life had always been normal. Yes.. I had invasive surgery in the 1980s.

It took months of research to get to the truth that I had received a contaminated blood product during the course of my heart surgery over 35 years ago.

I am a victim – hopefully a survivor – of the Infected Blood Scandal.

Work Life

Since 2005, I have led the strategic and operational development and management of over 50 affiliate programmes for companies as illustrious as bet365, Betsson Group, Entain, Bet Victor and the Rank Group. I operate a couple of companies specialising in connecting the iGaming World for Operators, Affiliates, Game Studios & Players, with a mission of bringing about the change we wish to see in the world.

TAG Media’s success is measured not by financial growth, but by what our current team and future alumni do in the world. TAG Media sets up to its staff to deliver the change they wish to see in the world. We do this through our unique initiative called #ThisYearsRule. TAG Media staff are given 20-23% (get it?) of their contracted time to give the World, serving their local communities and beyond in any way they choose.

I serve as iGaming Marketing Consultancy TAG Media’s principal consultant and oversees day-to-day operations of the business as CEO.

TAG Media provides affiliate business development & management services to European operators and runs its own affiliate publishing division in the United Kingdom and the United States, with flagship sites Punterslounge.com, US-Odds.com and TopNJOnlineCasino.com.

In 2023, TAG Media was recognised as the Best Digital Agency and the Affiliate Employer of the Year at the iGB Affiliate Awards. We retained our title as Employer of the Year in 2024.

I am also the Co-Founder of First Look Games, a marketing tech platform that connects game developers with affiliates, which picked up the coveted Best Innovation at the 2019 iGB Affiliate Awards.

Additionally, I also had the privilege of being the Course Director at the CPD Accredited Affiliate Management Academy, having been responsible for training over 100 executives, managers, directors and business owners in how to successfully grow an affiliate programme and thrive on a personal level in doing so. I have since passed the mantle on to Elaine Gardiner-Ruddock, who heads up our agency.

I have contributed to industry discussion in the industry press and at conferences all over Europe and the United States and have been inducted in to Global Gaming Business’ 40 Under 40 class in 2015.