The switch from the customary December date in London will see the Awards staged on the final night of SBC's showpiece international conference and exhibition, SBC Summit Barcelona.

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder & CEO of SBC, said: "After consulting with our partners and audience, we decided to move the SBC Awards ceremony to sit alongside SBC Summit Barcelona to allow people to take in two must-attend events in a single trip. 

"The decision has also enabled us to select a uniquely memorable venue in the Palau Nacional, which will help us to deliver a great evening for our 1,000 guests. With the ceremony coinciding with what will be our largest ever Summit with 6,000 delegates, Barcelona will become the centre of the betting and igaming industry for a week." 

Guests attending the ninth annual SBC Awards ceremony can also expect some changes to the awards themselves, as the 45 honours to be handed out on the night include seven brand new categories.

They are Socially Responsible Operator of the Year, Best Social Responsibility Supplier, and Crypto Gaming Operator of the Year, together with regional awards for Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western European Sportsbook of the Year.

Entries for the 15 operator, 21 supplier, three affiliate, four payments, and two industry-wide categories are open from today until 3 June, when panels of independent judges will begin work on drawing up the shortlists.

There are categories suitable for companies ranging from major international brands to new market entrants, and 2021's winners included bet365, Betradar, Betsson Group, Better Collective, Evolution, Genius Sports, Glitnor Group, Pragmatic Play, Pronet Gaming, Sports IQ, Trustly, and Virgin Bet. 

Sojmark added: "We had a record number of entries in 2021, but expect to beat the total this year, as companies from around the world recognise that winning or even just being shortlisted for an SBC Award is accepted throughout the industry as a real mark of quality." 

Full details of how to enter are available at the SBC Awards 2022 website, along with information about how to book a table for the ceremony.

SBC Summit Barcelona 2022 takes place at Fira Barcelona Montjuïc on 20-22 September, when 6,000 delegates will enjoy a 12-track conference covering all aspects of the international sports betting and online casino industries, an exhibition with 200 companies showcasing their latest innovations, and a programme of spectacular evening networking events. 

Find out how to book your Summit pass at the special Super Early Bird rate here.