Nikita Akulov, EvenBet Gaming: “Trust is a much more expensive and important currency”

Shows & conferences - 23 June, 2026

During the NEXT.io Summit Valletta 2026, Focus Gaming News had the opportunity to speak with Nikita Akulov, Chief Customer Officer at EvenBet Gaming, about the company's remarkable growth and the concomitant challenges and evolving strategies required to sustain it. Akulov acknowledged EvenBet Gaming's growth on an "unprecedented scale," highlighting that the first aspect to suffer during rapid expansion is what he termed "information symmetry." He explained that without a shared vision and roadmap among teams, growth can become chaotic rather than "deliberate vision-driven." To counteract this, EvenBet focuses on establishing robust "information workflow systems" to ensure alignment and prevent crucial data from being lost or miscommunicated. Discussing leadership styles, Akulov revealed a significant shift within the company's philosophy. They have moved from the idea of a leader as someone who "could come in parachute and save the day" to one who "can enable others to save the day." He underscored the importance of fostering trust within the organisation, stating profoundly that "trust is a much more expensive and important currency than the ability to save the day," emphasising the creation of empowering frameworks over individual heroics. The conversation also delved into the intricate nature of organisational culture. Akulov distinguished between "a set of values," which he described as emerging naturally as an organisation develops, and "culture," which he defined as "a deliberate framework that is built around those values." He stressed the necessity of cultivating this framework to allow values to flourish and ensure both individual and organisational evolution. Finally, Akulov shared his overwhelmingly positive experience at NEXT.io Summit Valletta 2026, describing the event as "fantastic" and "very lively." He particularly praised the venue, noting its "great" historical significance, which he had been incorporating into his conversations and keynotes throughout the summit.