Effective preparation can be the difference between dominating a market and simply staying afloat. With more markets reaching regulation, fresh marketing channels like social media and influencer-led campaigns, and technological breakthroughs redefining what’s possible, the need for a central hub to discuss key industry developments has never been clearer.

That’s where SBC Summit comes in — SBC’s global flagship event, returning to Lisbon on September 16–18, and set to welcome 30,000 global stakeholders. 

Acting as a central meeting point for industry, the event will feature a three-day educational programme covering every core area of the industry — from technology, affiliation, and player protection to global markets, emerging markets, and the much-anticipated Super Stage, which will feature leading voices from inside and outside the industry.

Embedded within this agenda is a strong lineup of panels focused on the future of the industry. Expect deep dives into innovations across payments, affiliation, player protection technologies, and gamification, alongside strategic debates on what’s next for the industry and how to stay competitive.
 

Super CEO Panel: The Present and Future of Gambling

Time: 11:15 – 12:00
Date: Tuesday, 16th September
Location: Super Stage

Why This Panel is a Must-Attend:

In the world of sports betting and iGaming, it’s all too easy to get swept up in the day-to-day and miss the opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare for what’s next. This panel offers you that rare chance.

Bringing together five of the most influential CEOs in the global gambling industry, this session will dive into the forces shaping the future, regulatory reform, digital innovation, AI, Web 3.0, and the growing pressures around player protection. Expect insightful debates on how much regulation is too much, who should truly be responsible for safeguarding players, and what the next decade could look like for the industry. 

Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle: 

• What will the next decade of regulation look like, and will the industry be ready? Exploring how operators can adapt to increasingly complex global regulatory environments without losing momentum or market access.
• What does the future of player protection really look like? Debating where the responsibility should lie, from operators to affiliates to regulators, and how next-gen tech can elevate safer gambling standards.
• How are AI and Web 3.0 shaping the gambling experience of tomorrow? Unpacking how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming gameplay, personalisation, and platform design. 

Speakers: 

• Dan Taylor, CEO International, Flutter
• Neil Menashe, CEO, Super Group
• Jesper Svensson, CEO, Betsson Group
• Joanne Whittaker, CEO, Betfred
• Dinos Stramititis, COO, Altenar
   

Payments 2030: Where Could New Tech Take the Industry in 5 years? 

Time: 12:00-12:40
Date: Tuesday, 16th September
Location: Stage Three (Technology – Payments) 

Why This Panel is a Must-Attend:

With payments technology advancing at breakneck speed, operators must look ahead to stay ahead. From AI-driven fraud detection, blockchain technology and biometric authentication to open banking and instant payouts—the tools shaping tomorrow’s payment ecosystem are already in motion. 

As regulatory scrutiny increases and player expectations shift toward speed, security, and seamlessness, understanding what payments could look like by 2030 is essential. This forward-looking panel brings together payment leaders to explore the technologies, challenges, and opportunities that will define the next five years in gaming payments.

Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:

• What are the breakthrough technologies redefining the future of payments in gaming? Highlighting the impact of instant payouts, embedded finance, blockchain, and biometric authentication on player trust and transaction speed.
• How can operators future-proof their payments strategy amid changing player demands and tighter regulation? Looking at how to align payment experiences with rising user expectations while maintaining full compliance with evolving global frameworks.
• What role will digital currencies and alternative payment methods play—and how do we bring traditional players with us? Exploring how operators can balance the adoption of crypto and fintech solutions without alienating long-term players who rely on legacy methods.

Speakers:

• Christian Reinheimer, Group Director Payments Product, LeoVegas Group
• Ludiara Sousa, Head of Payments, Blaze
• John Parsons, CBDO Gaming, Trustly
• Rahul Das, Head of Payments, Dafabet
   

The Future of Affiliation: Reinvention, Resilience, and Relevance

Time: 12:00-12:40
Date: Wednesday, 17th September
Location: Stage Four (Affiliates – Audience) 

Why This Panel is a Must-Attend:

Increased regulation, evolving acquisition strategies, and the explosion of new technologies and media platforms are fundamentally transforming the affiliate landscape. With some operators even choosing to shut down their affiliate programmes entirely, affiliates face mounting pressure to stay relevant, innovative, and resilient.

This panel unites top-tier global affiliate leaders to share insights into how the traditional affiliate model is adapting, where true innovation is emerging, and what the future of affiliate marketing in the gambling industry is likely to hold.

Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:

• How is regulatory pressure and shifts in operator strategies impacting the traditional affiliate model? Examining the impact of increased licensing requirements, data restrictions, and operator-led program cuts on traditional affiliate business models.
• In what ways is the affiliate sector evolving, and who’s leading the charge? Highlighting the role of new technologies, performance-based models, influencer-led content, and compliance automation in reshaping how affiliates drive value.
• What will the affiliate–operator relationship look like in five years? Debating whether we’re headed toward stronger partnerships, with further platform integration, or a fragmented future, and what that means for acquisition and retention strategies.

Speakers:

• John Wright, CEO, Statsdrone
• Andre Machado, Chief Commercial Officer, Clever Advertising
• Jonathan Edelshaim, CEO, Natural Intelligence
   

The Future of Bet Builders – Risk, Rewards & Tech Evolution

Time: 16:50 – 17:30
Date: Wednesday, 17th September
Location: Stage Three (Technology)

Why This Panel is a Must-Attend:

Bet Builders have quickly moved from a novelty betting format to a necessity for sportsbook platforms, now accounting for over 40% of wagers during major sporting fixtures and more than doubling in stake volume year-on-year for leading operators like Entain.

But as Bet Builders continue to gain popularity, operators now must learn how to effectively balance risk, manage margins and leverage innovative technological solutions in order to stay competitive, engage players and maintain relevance. With a solid foundation for the format now established, this panel invites stakeholders to discover the next evolution of Bet Builders. 

Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:

• How are Bet Builders transforming the sports betting experience—and what should operators be thinking about? Exploring the impact of personalised, player-driven wagering on engagement, retention, and user expectations across global markets.
• What’s the formula for balancing risk, margin, and competitiveness in a Bet Builder offering? Delving into the strategic and operational challenges of pricing complex bets, managing exposure, and staying ahead in a crowded market.
• How are machine learning and real-time data shaping the next generation of Bet Builders? Unpacking how advanced tech is enhancing prediction models, speeding up pricing processes, and enabling more dynamic and scalable products.

Speakers:

• Hristo Spasov, Director of Sports Betting, Codere
• Benjie Cherniak, Principal, Avenue H Capital
• Eoin Ryan, Director of Sportsbook, BV-Group
• Aidan Barry, Group Head of Sportsbook, FEG
• Ivan Rozic, Global Commercial Director, Everymatrix
• Simon Noy, SVP Trading, Kambi
   

Right tech, Right time: Monitoring Player Habits with Next-Gen Technology

Time:  12:00 – 12:45
Date: Thursday, 18th September
Location: Stage Five (Player Protection – Technology)

Why This Panel is a Must-Attend:

For global operators, gaining a clear, real-time understanding of player behaviour is a vital component of any serious player protection strategy.

As more markets move toward full regulation and societal pressure on the industry intensifies, the need for robust, proactive safer gambling measures has never been greater. Emerging technologies such as data-driven tools, predictive analytics, and AI are empowering operators to identify at-risk behaviours earlier than ever before. But what innovations are on the horizon, and are today’s solutions delivering the results expected?

This panel will bring together leading player protection experts to explore the future of safer gambling, examining the evolving role of human oversight, the effectiveness of current technologies, and the strategic rethink needed to raise the bar industry-wide.

Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:

• What cutting-edge technologies are driving the next wave of player protection? Exploring the use of behavioural analytics, machine learning, and real-time monitoring in identifying and mitigating harmful play patterns.
• How do we measure the real-world impact of protection tools—and are they working? Assessing the effectiveness of current solutions through player outcomes, regulatory response, and operator feedback.
• Is human intervention still essential, or can automation deliver better outcomes at scale? Debating the balance between tech-driven detection and human-led support in ensuring safer gambling journeys. 

Speakers:

• Savvas Iliopoulos, Responsible Gaming & Player Protection Expert, OPAP SA
• Conrado Caon, Commercial Director, PayMee
• Iris Den Boer, Consultant, Deal Me Out

Final Thoughts

The upcoming SBC Summit invites delegates from every corner of the industry to look beyond the present and prepare for the future of gaming through a series of forward-thinking conference sessions.

Whether it’s exploring the technologies revolutionising payments and affiliation, or addressing the evolving regulatory landscape and shifting player behaviours, SBC Summit offers global stakeholders the insights and strategies required to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving industry. 

Secure your place at SBC Summit here. 

Operators and affiliates can apply for a complimentary ‘Full Event Pass’. Operators can apply here. Affiliates can apply here.