Hosted at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc, from 19-21 September, the zone will offer attendees a dedicated exhibition area, networking facilities and a tech-focused conference agenda. Delegates will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge on various topics like incentivising player loyalty with NFTs, the revolutionary potential of blockchain technology for online cross-border transactions, the impact of virtual platforms on traditional live viewing, and much more. 

The exhibition area will present zone attendees with the opportunity to witness and engage with the next generation of transformative technologies, brands and services from global companies and forward-thinking start-ups. Confirmed brands for the zone include GumBallPay, Global Transaction Charge, CoinsPaid, Incode, Betting Software, PayGames, RiskScreen and Damex, with many more still to be announced.

Attendees seeking innovative ways to modernise their company can utilise the zone’s dedicated networking area to connect with key decision-makers, such as Heads of Product & Tech, investors and industry start-ups

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “In a landscape where technology evolves at such a rate, we think it’s extremely important to provide delegates with a dedicated arena to remain at the forefront of the latest technological strides. Beyond the designated zone, this year’s agenda strongly highlights AI, web3, and an array of technological advancements. However, this platform is thoughtfully inclusive, serving companies of diverse backgrounds and interests. It provides a streamlined path for each participant to quickly adapt to the changing landscape, helping them stay current and avoid falling behind.”

Additionally, the zone will host the SBC First Pitch Barcelona, powered by Yolo Investments. Five industry start-ups will pitch their product and services in front of investors and a live audience for the chance to win an exclusive industry prize package worth over €60,000. 

“At SBC, we believe it is crucial to champion the future of the industry, and we are delighted to give promising start-up companies exposure on a global scale while ushering in the next generation of innovative technology and services,” Sojmark added. 

The zone’s dedicated stage, one of seven across the summit, will feature two conference tracks. The Future Of Technology track will take place on the first day of the event, focusing on technologies that will shape the future of the industry, such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital identity wallets and challenger brands. The Technology Innovation track, on the second day, will zoom in on utilising innovative technology to strengthen brands, with discussions on the importance of blockchain technology, NFTs and more. 

The ‘Emerging Tech Toolbox- The Future Of Open AI, Metaverse, Web 3.0,’ panel will explore the practical application of emerging technologies. Panellists Chris McGowan (Head of Gaming, Scatters), Simon Lidzen (CEO & Co-Founder, Fast Track), Kate Parker (Head of Product Design, LiveScore Group) and Stefan Kovach (Founder & CEO, RARERTHINGS), alongside panel moderator Yonit Shvinkelstain (Co-Founder, Leverage), will look to technologies into the metaverse, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), and discuss the ethical implications that arise when operating in the blurred lines of reality and fantasy. 

The session titled, ‘The Future Of Search – Will Generative AI Alter Internet Habits?’, will explore the impact on traditional search engines as large language models such as ChatGPT continue to evolve. Expert speakers, Kristjan Farrugia (CPO, WKND), James Fox (Industry Manager, Google), Emilio Takas (Head of SEO, Kingbet), and panel moderator Mayank Kejriwal (AI Researcher & Author, University of Southern California), will discuss how programmes like ChatGPT could quickly become the dominant resource for people seeking information, and whether such technology will cause changes to the way we work with SEO and the importance of cookies.

The panel ‘Streamlining Integration: Mitigating Risks And Measuring Success,’ will provide attendees with insights on how to efficiently integrate and evaluate emerging technologies. Industry experts Jim Parkins (Chief of Trading and Technology, SKS365), Nick Maroudas (Global CTO, Kwiff), Joel Cettina (Director of Product Management, Identity / CEO & Co-Founder, Flex Fantasy) and Sten Andersen (Chief of Innovation & Future Affairs, ATG) will discuss the risks associated with emerging technology, how they can be mitigated and the most beneficial way brands can measure the success of technological integration.

In addition to the Emerging Tech, Blockchain & Metaverse Zone, delegates attending SBC Summit Barcelona can visit four other dedicated zones within the summit. These include the Sports Betting Zone, the Casino & iGaming Zone, the Affiliate, Payments & Compliance Zone and the Marketing & Media Zone.