iGaming AFRIKA is proud to feature this compelling conversation with an industry icon widely regarded as the GOAT of VIP – Gali Hartuv. As the CEO and Co-Founder of WarriorLab, Gali brings a wealth of experience from his illustrious global career.
Having supported some of the world’s most renowned brands, while redefining VIP strategies for sustainable long-term growth, every initiative he leads is underpinned by WarriorLab’s core values of communication, transparency, and trust.
Gali’s journey has been built on forging meaningful relationships, complemented by his passion for data-driven strategies and leveraging the right knowledge at the right time to deliver optimal results.
Alongside his team, Gali envisions an empowered industry built on shared expertise and collective progress, where cooperation drives continuous improvement and innovation.
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As the industry faces shifting market dynamics, rapid technological advancements, and the rise of new VIP program models, Gali’s message is clear – the future belongs to those who can integrate high tech with high touch, setting the stage for resilience and success in the years to come.
iGaming AFRIKA: Could you provide an overview of yourself and your background?
Gali Hartuv: As the CEO and Co-Founder of WarriorLab, I am an experienced Management Consultant originally from South Africa with a career spanning 13 years in the iGaming industry. I have been working with leading global iGaming operators, applying my expertise on an international scale since 2012. As a thought leader and industry expert in VIP and B2C Operational Optimisation and Strategy, I am driven by setting new standards of excellence in VIP program development and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in VIP service and operations.
My career has taken me to four countries across three continents, allowing me to immerse myself in key strategic regions. This global experience has augmented my skills, knowledge, and project portfolio, particularly in B2C Operations and VIP Program Development. I have extensive experience across regulated and unregulated markets, covering all major product offerings, including Casino, Sports, Social Casino, Sweepstakes, and Poker, in both fiat and crypto environments. This diverse background ensures I can speak the language of any market.
I have created, managed, and deployed award-winning VIP Programs, B2C Operations, and Global Service Strategies that have received global recognition. In 2022, my proprietary VIP strategy and approach were recognised with the Next.io’s iGaming Idol award. Additionally, I serve as the VIP Course Director for Gaming Operations Academy.
I am confident in my experience and how this has fed into WarriorLab’s domain expertise and service verticals that have helped our clients develop industry-leading VIP programs and enhance the lifetime value and retention rates of their VIP segments.
iGaming AFRIKA: How would you summarise your journey in the iGaming industry?
Gali Hartuv: Roman philosopher Seneca coined the evocative words, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” When I reflect on my career, I would describe this journey as preparation and passion meeting opportunity, and being in the right place at the right time.
While my entry into the iGaming industry was serendipitous, I’ve spent the subsequent years strengthening a keen understanding of applicable knowledge that has added value where it mattered most. For those who know me well, they know I’m a collector, and that extends to remarkable people. I feel immensely fortunate to have met and grown enduring relationships with some masterful mentors and leaders over the years, and I would not be where I am today if it hadn’t been for this irreplaceable community.
At the age of 21, I owned my first business within the gambling industry, which laid the foundation for my career. I exited the business at the age of 22, transitioning from land-based poker to iGaming. I spent the next almost decade immersing myself in the industry that I love around the world before co-founding WarriorLab and entering the management consulting space.
Throughout my career, I’ve advanced from Account Management roles to various senior positions, including Head of VIP and eventually Head of Global Operations. This progression allowed me to build and refine VIP programs, VIP specialisation, and market expansion across more than 50 brands in both start-ups and enterprise-level companies, scale VIP teams to become global powerhouses of 70+ VIP specialists strong, grow a conglomerate encompassing over 35 brands, and train hundreds of people globally on VIP best practices and strategies.
The shift to consultancy with WarriorLab marked a significant transformation. It broadened my perspective, engagement, and reach, enabling me to transcend the limitations of a single company and gain a holistic view of the industry. Consulting has opened the door to working with diverse organisations, identifying industry trends, and addressing consistent pain points.
Running a consultancy like WarriorLab requires not only a deep well of knowledge and expertise but also the strength of a dedicated and brilliant team. Our continued success and commitment to provide unparalleled insights and solutions are enabled through the collaborative efforts of our team members and our robust network of trusted professionals and strategic partners. Each project and connection in our network deepens our understanding and allows us to deliver value to our clients.
Within three years, WarriorLab has supported some of the largest global brands and nurtured startups into competitive and sustainable businesses through robust strong VIP strategies and operational excellence. We have carved out a niche in an industry that is increasingly competitive and receptive to external expertise, and this is only the beginning.
Read the full interview in our digital magazine: