BugsyEmpire

Betting Big, Thinking Small: How Indie Agencies Can Win in iGaming

When it comes to iGaming, the stakes are sky high — and so is the competition. For independent agencies, carving out space against global holding companies can feel like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight. 

BugsyEmpire, an iGaming marketing agency run by veterans with more than a decade of experience, faced this challenge head-on. As they expanded into the fast-growing U.S. sweepstakes, poker, and sportsbook markets, they needed a way to both acquire new customers efficiently and scale campaigns without sacrificing performance.

Snapchat’s Performance Helps Scale Spend to $10M

In 2025, BugsyEmpire joined Snapchat’s Indie Agency Partner Program in a move that proved to be a game-changer. Plugging into Snapchat’s partner ecosystem, the agency gained direct access to 1:1 training, creative strategy consultations, and streamlined advertiser onboarding. They soon developed a sharper playbook that enabled them to scale faster and smarter.

After joining the program, BugsyEmpire had the keys to unlock massive performance for their clients. By leveraging Snap Ads, Story Ads, and creator-led campaigns, the agency quadrupled daily spend while also keeping efficiency metrics in check. According to BugsyEmpire Advertising Specialist Ignacy Wilczek, “It is due to [Snap’s] expert knowledge and rapid feedback that our ads are more Snap-friendly, which naturally translates into a lower CPM, higher CTR, and ultimately better user acquisition effectiveness. We particularly value the opportunity to utilize unique video formats, such as Story Ads, which resonate exceptionally well with Snapchat's younger, highly engaged audience.”

The momentum didn’t stop there. BugsyEmpire replicated its success across its client roster delivering ROAS and CPP improvements that scaled Snapchat client spend to an impressive $10M in 2025. According to BugsyEmpire Advertising Specialist Oleg Havryliuk, “What really stood out was the partnership with the Snapchat team. Their quick feedback, insights, and openness to collaboration helped us improve creative testing and scaling. For us, Snapchat is now a reliable, performance-driven channel that keeps bringing real results for our brands.”

Snapchat soon became a growth lever for BugsyEmpire, furthering establishing itself as an agency that delivers:

• 400% growth in client roster YoY ¹

• $10M total client spend on Snapchat year to date ¹

• 180x increase in gross advertising volume YoY ¹

• Sustained performance that quadrupled ad spend for a single client

• Consistent achievement of CPM and CPA targets

Snapchat’s Indie Agency Partner Program enabled the BugsyEmpire team to demonstrate how smaller shops can rival the scale and sophistication of larger networks without losing the hands-on expertise that clients value most. For iGaming brands navigating crowded markets, this case shows that the right mix of creative strategy, platform resources, and veteran know-how can unlock rapid, sustainable growth.