for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
Italy’s iGaming scene is booming. As the market continues to mature and player expectations evolve, trusted industry voices have become more important than ever. We caught up with Salvatore Martorana, Co-Founder of Casino2k, to talk about building one of Italy’s leading gambling communities, helping players recover disputed funds, and what lies ahead for the Italian online gaming market.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what first sparked your interest in the online gaming industry?
My interest in this field goes back a long way. I have always followed the world of gaming with passion and curiosity, first in land-based settings and later online. On a personal level, I developed a background in business economics, with a particular focus on web development, online marketing, and editorial projects. At the same time, the friendship I have shared for over 15 years with the other two founders, Matteo Giannone and Stefano Franceschetti, has been a constant source of growth. It was precisely from the combination of our ideas and shared experiences that the spark emerged which eventually led to the creation of Casino2k.
What motivated you to co-found Casino2k, and what gap in the market were you hoping to fill at the time?
The final push behind Casino2k came from the desire to build an information website that was serious, useful, and able to stand out from the crowd. We realized that there was no truly reliable point of reference for Italian players. At the time, there was an overwhelming amount of unreliable content online and, even worse, a real risk of ending up on illegal websites. We, personally, had to deal with misleading information and attempted scams. Therefore we thought: why don’t we create a transparent platform, clear, and professional, which can genuinely help players navigate the online landscape?
When you look back at the early days of Casino2k, what were the biggest challenges you faced in building the platform?
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge was building trust with both operators and users. Starting a new business is already difficult in itself, but it becomes even harder when you are entering, for the first time, an area as delicate and competitive as the gambling one. From the very beginning, we focused on credibility and transparency, trying to convince our readers that Casino2k’s goal wasn’t just to talk about bonuses and promotions, but above all to offer advice, explanations, and support. The journey was long and challenging, but working hard, we managed to grow and earn the trust of our audience.
Casino2k operates in a highly competitive market. What do you believe has been the key factor behind its longevity and success?
I believe it comes down to our direct experience in the casino world, our ability to put ourselves in the players’ shoes, and, as a result, to provide real answers and practical solutions. From the very beginning, our goal was to combine editorial content with genuine support for users. In that sense, launching the forum was a major insight and played a decisive role in the growth of the brand. It transformed Casino2k from a simple information and affiliate marketing site into a real community that has grown steadily over the years.
The Casino2k Forum has become one of Italy’s most established gambling communities. Why was creating a forum such an important part of your vision from the beginning?
We didn’t want to be like any other casino’s website, offering articles, reviews, and guides. We wanted something deeper and more useful than that. Casino2k’s Forum allowed us to build an open space where users could engage with one another, exchange views, express opinions, and, above all, ask for help. We know how difficult it can be for a player to get in touch with an online casino and explain their issue. That’s where we stepped in: acting as intermediaries even in the most complicated situations. A player should never feel left alone. Our numbers have confirmed that it was the right approach, and today we have more than 4,600 registered members, which is a great result.
What makes the Casino2k Forum different from other gambling communities and discussion platforms available today?
First of all, the forum is a central part of our project and, for us, it is just as important as the official Casino2k website. It is not simply a place where people leave comments or messages, but a platform where players can receive real support. Our forum is free, open to everyone, and organized into different sections covering game rules, deposits and withdrawals, document verification, payment methods, responsible gambling, and more. We have tried to structure it in the best possible way so that it is easy to navigate and never feels chaotic. New members can introduce themselves, receive a warm welcome from the community, and open discussions on the topics that interest them most. In my opinion, that is exactly what makes the difference: helping a player solve a problem, whether big or small, is a huge source of satisfaction for us.
What types of issues and questions do players most frequently bring to the forum?
Based on the data we have collected, the most frequent cases involve very delicate issues such as blocked withdrawals, document verification, suspended accounts, registration problems, and doubts about how games and bonuses work. Many users also come to the forum to better understand topics related to the safety of online casinos, the payment methods to use for deposits and withdrawals, and the wagering requirements attached to bonuses.
One of Casino2k’s most impressive achievements is helping players recover or unlock more than €1.7 million in disputed funds. How does your mediation process work in practice?
Usually, everything begins with a new post. We assess the situation, and, if necessary, ask for further clarification, as well as the gaming account number, which is encrypted and unreadable to other users. In the first phase, it is essential to understand whether the request for help is linked to documents, bonuses, account restrictions, or a blocked withdrawal. Once we have the full picture, our admins will contact the relevant representative at the online casino, essentially acting as an intermediary. In this type of context, both the relationship of trust we have built with operators and the authority we have earned in the eyes of players are extremely important. Solving certain issues takes patience and time, both on our side and on the player’s side. It’s important to mention that thanks to our experience and dedication, we have been able to help players recover more than €1.7 million.
Can you share a memorable case where the forum made a significant difference for a player facing problems with an online casino?
Very recently, a user contacted us after winning €19,000 on roulette at 888, but his PayPal withdrawal was taking too long to arrive and he was unable to get clear answers from customer support. At first, we advised him to wait for a few more days, but when he got back to us saying that the amount had still not been credited, we stepped in. We took charge of the case, and forwarded the report to the operator. In less than 24 hours everything was sorted and the player received the funds. He thanked us immediately which for us is a great source of satisfaction. In cases like this, once the issue has been resolved, we close the report and archive it as settled. I think it is a very clear example of both the usefulness of the forum and the authority Casino2k has built over time.
What are the most common reasons why players experience delayed or blocked withdrawals, and how can they avoid these situations?
Many problems arise simply because the player is not fully familiar with the procedures and internal rules of an online casino. The most common reasons are unapproved or outdated documents, incomplete KYC verification, mistakes involving payment methods, or bonus requirements that have not been met. On the forum, we always advise users to carefully review the terms and conditions, complete account verification as early as possible during registration, and make sure all their details are correct. In general, it is always better to be well informed before proceeding.
How do you maintain credibility and trust among both players and casino operators when handling disputes?
It is essential to approach every case with caution. Communication with operators must be direct, but also respectful and professional. Players, on the other hand, need to feel heard and reassured, especially when their money is involved. We need to assess each situation carefully, approach it rationally, and provide credible answers. The close relationship we have with operators gives players an extra level of reassurance: if you can clarify a doubt or solve a problem, you earn their trust, and there is a strong chance they will come back to your site. This approach has allowed us to build trust both within the community and in our dealings with online casinos.
Have you noticed any major changes in player behavior or expectations in the Italian online gambling market over the past decade?
Absolutely, the change has been radical. Over time, players have gained much more experience and a deeper understanding of the sector, and their expectations today are very different from what they were 10 or 15 years ago. In the beginning, most of the requests on the forum were about welcome bonuses and no-deposit bonuses. Today, however, attention is also focused on other aspects such as payments, security, customer support, and, more generally, the overall reliability of a gaming platform. The questions have become more precise and now cover many different areas of the industry.
What role does responsible gambling play within the Casino2k community, and how do you encourage healthy gaming habits among users?
Responsible gambling is an issue that is particularly close to my heart, as Salvatore Martorana. Both on the website and on the forum, we always try to stress how important it is to approach gambling with caution, seeing it only as a form of entertainment and never as a source of income. We place a strong focus on the importance of limits, both in terms of time and deposits, on the mistakes to avoid, and on the importance of stopping when necessary. Another point we are keen to highlight, especially in our casino game reviews, is the importance of setting a bankroll and placing bets that are always consistent with the money available. We also make clear that the house always has an edge and luck remains a decisive factor. It is important to understand the real winning probabilities of a game. Players should never be given false illusions.
How do you see the online casino industry evolving in the coming years, particularly in regulated markets such as Italy?
I believe we can expect technological evolution to become even more significant, with a growing focus on mobile gaming, while continuing to go hand in hand with player protection. For example, games will become more interactive and realistic, and the live casino segment will continue to gain importance. I also expect changes in terms of payment speed and regulation. The Italian market will remain one of the strictest and most tightly regulated. Our goal is to continue being clear, honest, and close to users, while providing support, information, and high-quality content.
Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for the Casino2k Forum, and what can users expect from the community in the future?
One of our goals is to keep growing our forum and to continue supporting players in the most professional way. Today, our community is already very solid. We are proud of having more than 4,600 registered members and 1,600 open discussions, but nevertheless, we will do everything we can to keep expanding it and make it even easier to use. Users expect timely and accurate answers, but also to be guided step by step towards their problems’ resolution. We are proud of the strong participation we see on the forum every day, and the team’s work must continue in this direction.
A big thank you to Salvatore Martorana for taking the time to speak with us and share his insights.
For anyone interested in learning more about the Italian iGaming market and its ongoing evolution, Salvatore is well worth connecting with. The best way to get in touch is via LinkedIn.
