To make a valuable impact in the sports betting and iGaming industry, ambition alone isn’t enough. That’s why SBC Summit 2025 puts leadership at the centre of the conversation. 

“Our regional panels bring together founders, CEOs, and regulators, each playing a critical role in shaping their markets,” said organizers. “These aren’t abstract debates. They’re practical, high-level discussions led by people who’ve made the tough calls and delivered results in complex environments.”

To aid delegates in pinpointing the most relevant panels for their business needs, this blog highlights the leadership panels driving key conversations across Africa, Europe, Latin America, and beyond, giving you a clear view of what’s shaping each region and the insights you need to stay ahead.

Africa Leaders Panel: An Ever-Expanding Horizon

⏱️ Time: 12:00-12:40

Date: Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

Location: Stage 2 (Emerging Markets Stage)

Why This Panel Matters:

Africa represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities in global gaming. This panel offers strategic guidance from industry leaders with firsthand experience across the continent’s most complex markets. You’ll gain insight into where to prioritise investment, how to build relationships with local stakeholders, and which emerging markets present the strongest risk-to-reward potential for your expansion strategy.

Key Questions This Panel Will Answer:

• Where should new operators begin when entering African markets, and what factors should shape their rollout strategy? Industry leaders will unpack the regulatory environments, market maturity, and commercial dynamics that define Africa’s most promising entry points.
• What does it take to earn trust and traction from players in the region? From engaging with regulators to understanding cultural dynamics, explore how to foster lasting relationships with local partners and player communities.
• What missteps do operators commonly make when expanding into Africa? Learn from the experience of leaders in the region as regional experts discuss the strategic errors to avoid, whether in licensing, localisation, or partnership selection.

Speakers:

• Christopher Coyne (Co-Founder and CEO, 888AFRICA)
• Sab Jhooti (Chairman & Co-founder, Bonmoja)
• Laurence Michel (Africa CEO, Super Group)
• William Scott (Chairman, Meridianbet)
• Ronnie Whelan (CEO, Kingmakers)

Countries Covered: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania.

LATAM Leaders: Latin America First – The Home-Grown Operators Reinventing the Game

⏱️ Time: 12:00-12:40

? Date: Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

? Location: Stage 1 (Global Markets Stage)

Why This Panel Matters: 

Markets like Argentina and Colombia are growing fast, but success in Latin America isn’t just about speed. It’s about understanding. While some European brands struggle to adapt, local operators are expanding by tapping into cultural touchpoints, streamlining payments, and building authentic player connections. This panel explores how regional insight is outpacing global investment and what international brands can learn from the homegrown Latin America playbook.

Key Questions This Panel Will Answer: 

• How are local operators successfully competing against established European brands? By turning cultural insight into a strategic advantage. Explore how deep local knowledge—of player behaviour, payment habits, and regional identity—gives homegrown operators the edge in highly competitive markets.
• Which cultural touchpoints and partnerships drive the highest customer engagement across Latin American markets? Learn how football partnerships, local influencers, and region-specific content are being used to build brand loyalty.
• What payment methods and user experience approaches work best in Latin American markets? Discover the financial infrastructure and UX strategies that resonate with local players and drive conversion.

Speakers:

• Fellipe Fraga (CBO, Estrelabet)
• Karen Sierra Hughes (Vice President, Latin America & Caribbean, GLI)
• Zeno Ossko (CEO, Betwarrior)
• Sebastian Salazar (Founder, EstelarBet)

Countries covered: Argentina, Colombia and Peru.

Brazil Leaders Panel: The Bubble That Just Won’t Burst – Looking Back at the Launch of Sports Betting

⏱️ Time: 13:40-14:20

? Date: Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

? Location: Stage 1 (Global Markets Stage)

Why This Panel Matters: 

Brazil’s sports betting market is booming—but not in the way many expected. The licensing process has been more demanding than anticipated, and European-style marketing has fallen flat with local audiences. Operators finding real traction are those embracing local partnerships, tapping into influencer culture, and building brand equity from the ground up. This panel unites leading operators to analyse what’s driving success in one of the world’s most dynamic new betting markets.

Key Questions this Panel Will Tackle:

• What are the key lessons from Brazil’s sports betting launch, and how has the market evolved since regulation? Understand the regulatory realities and market dynamics that have shaped Brazil’s betting landscape.
• How do you build effective partnerships with local providers and influencers in Brazil? Learn the relationship-building strategies that drive customer acquisition and brand recognition in this unique market.
• What marketing approaches and payment solutions work best with Brazilian consumers? Discover the localisation strategies that separate successful operators from those struggling to gain traction.

Speakers:

• Leonardo Baptista (CEO, Pay4Fun)
• Andreas Bardun (CEO, KTO Group)
• Alex Fonseca (CEO, Superbet Brazil)
• Neil Montgomery (Founder Partner and Managing Director, Montgomery)
• Almir Silva (CEO Brasil, BetMGM)

Countries covered: Brazil

European Leaders Panel: Old World, New Way Forward – How the Most Established Brands Are Rethinking Regulation and Retention

⏱️ Time: 12:00-12:40

? Date: Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

? Location: Stage 1 (Global Markets Stage)

Why This Panel Matters: 

Europe’s gambling market is at a crossroads. Societal and ethical pressures are driving stricter regulations across the continent, but as guidelines tighten, concerns are growing over players turning to black market alternatives. With compliance demands on the rise, established operators must reconsider how they engage with regulators, build public trust, and retain loyal customers in an increasingly complex landscape.

Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:

• How can operators build strong, collaborative relationships with regulators? Explore practical approaches to engaging with policymakers and contributing to effective, forward-thinking regulation.
• What retention strategies are proving most effective in mature European markets? Learn how operators are maintaining customer engagement and brand loyalty within a well-regulated environment.
• How can innovation and compliance go hand in hand? Discover how leading brands are enhancing customer experience while staying aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks.

Speakers:

• Martin Collins (Chief Business Development Officer, Soft2bet)
• Axel Hefer (CEO, Tipico)
• Vlad Kaltenieks (CEO, BoyleSports)

Countries Covered: United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands

Eurasia Leaders Panel: Expansion or Contraction – Which Way Will the Bridge Between Continents Swing?

⏱️ Time: 12:00-12:40

? Date: Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

? Location: Stage 2 (Emerging Markets Stage)

Why This Panel Matters: 

Positioned between Western Europe’s established markets and East Asia’s emerging potential, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Balkans offer a compelling mix of growth opportunity and innovation. This panel explores the strategic considerations for entering these high-potential regions—and how operators can navigate evolving regulatory and political environments to unlock long-term value.

Key Questions this Panel Will Tackle:

• Which Eurasian markets offer the best opportunities for expansion, and what are the key risk factors? Understand the political, regulatory, and commercial landscape across the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Balkans.
• How can operators navigate regulatory uncertainty and political instability in emerging markets? Learn the strategies for building resilient operations in politically complex environments.
• What innovations and player engagement strategies are proving most successful in Eurasian markets? Discover the approaches that are driving growth and customer loyalty in these dynamic regions.

Speakers:

• Irakli Asanishvili (Head of Central & Eastern Europe, Flutter International)
• Adam Lamentowicz (CEO, Superbet Group)
• Lasha Machavariani (CEO, SMH Global)

Countries Covered: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan

US Leaders Panel: Sweeping the States – The Rise of Alternative Betting

⏱️ Time: 12:00-12:40

? Date: Thursday, September 18th, 2025

? Location: Stage 1 (Global Markets Stage)

Why This Panel Matters: 

With new state approvals slowing, the pace of traditional U.S. market expansion has eased—but innovation hasn’t. Operators are using alternative formats like sweepstakes and prediction markets to meet the ongoing demand for engaging betting experiences. This panel explores how these models are reshaping the American landscape, what role regulators may play in their evolution, and where the next wave of growth will emerge.

Key Questions this Panel Will Tackle:

• How are alternative betting formats like sweepstakes and prediction markets reshaping the US landscape? Understand the regulatory frameworks and business models driving this new wave of American betting innovation.
• What’s the long-term regulatory outlook for alternative betting formats in the US? Learn how operators are preparing for potential regulatory changes and building sustainable business models.
• Where are the biggest growth opportunities in the US market beyond traditional sports betting? Discover the emerging formats and customer segments that represent the next phase of American market expansion.

Speakers:

• Jared Beber (CEO, Bet99)
• Paul Burns (CEO, Canadian Gaming Association)
• Kresimir Spajic (CEO & Chair, Betfred US)

Final Thoughts

Successful sports betting and iGaming isn’t shaped by theory—it’s driven by the people making real decisions in real markets.

Whether it’s navigating Brazil’s licensing process, building partnerships in West Africa, retaining players in tightly regulated European markets, or launching new formats in the U.S., the path to growth looks different in every region.

The leadership panels taking place at SBC Summit offer direct insight from the executives, founders, and regulators dealing with those realities every day. If you’re expanding into new territories, fine-tuning your local strategy, or planning for what’s next, this is where you’ll get the information that actually matters.