With gamification emerging as a driving force in the casino industry, SBC Summit introduces the Gamification Academy, an initiative built to confront pain points in engagement, retention, loyalty, and differentiation by exploring what truly keeps players coming back.

Launched in partnership with leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider Soft2Bet, the Gamification Academy will take place on Tuesday, 16th September, at the Sala Tejo, MEO Arena.

The programme forms part of SBC’s newly introduced Tech Academies,  a series of immersive learning streams designed to arm summit attendees with practical know-how in AI, marketing, Web 3.0 & blockchain, and gamification.

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Delegates can anticipate discussions examining the role of personalisation in driving loyalty, strategies for balancing gamified features with brand authenticity, and honest reflections on both the successes and challenges of gamification in the industry.

“Gamification has transformed how people interact with digital products across industries, and iGaming is no exception,” SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark said.

“Players now expect fun, engaging, and rewarding experiences, and that’s exactly what gamification delivers. The Gamification Academy will show the industry how to apply these proven principles to build deeper connections, keep players returning, and create more meaningful player journeys,” he added.

Kicking off the Academy, Soft2Bet’s Chief Product Officer Yoel Zuckerberg will lead the ‘Introduction to Gamification & Player Engagement’ workshop. Setting the stage for the day, the session offers a comprehensive overview of gamification’s power and how it has shaped the industry in recent years.

Chief Business Development Officer Toni Jermaniš (SofaScore), CEO & Co-Founder Josh Jones (Rise & Hustle), and Senior Solutions Engineer Alec Gehlot (Optimove) will focus on the player retention angle through their ‘Why Personalisation is the Key to Retention‘ panel moderated by Soft2Bet’s Chief Business Development Officer Martin Collins.  The session will explore how tailored offers, customisable interfaces, and personalised recommendations are giving players more control over their experience and, in turn, strengthening loyalty and long-term value.

Following a networking break, two case studies will spotlight real-world lessons from gamification, dissecting what works, what doesn’t, and how to measure success.

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First up is the case study titled “Baking in Gamification During Design”, led by Alexis Wicen (CEO, Scatters Group). In this session, delegates can learn how to weave gamification into their products without losing brand authenticity. Drawing on real-world examples, the session will examine where brands have succeeded in integrating gamification into their games and platforms, and where they have fallen short, showing delegates how to approach gamification more effectively in their own projects.

The second case study, ‘The Metrics of Gamification’, will examine where the impact of gamification is most evident and how brands can measure it effectively. Featuring Uri Admon (CEO, Captain Up), the session will cover key factors such as retention, loyalty, engagement, revenue, and player enjoyment, helping delegates understand how to balance player needs with company goals.

The Academy will close with ‘The Five Steps of Gamification,’ a panel hosted by Soft2Bet’s Head of Sales, Alon Eshed, joined by Helen Walton (Founder & CCO, G Games), David Olim (CEO, FootAR), and Tom Jang Lemke (CEO and Founder, SavageTech). By breaking down the fundamental building blocks of gamification, including rewards, progression, competition, and storytelling, the session will highlight how these principles form the foundation of more engaging and personalised player experiences.

The Gamification Academy will feature at the upcoming SBC Summit 2025, SBC’s global flagship event, taking place at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena from 16–18 September. The summit will also host a six-track conference, a 135,000 square meter exhibition, the Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit, plus a full schedule of evening networking events.

Participation in the Tech Academies is exclusively for VIP Event Pass and Expo+ holders only.

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You can RSVP to attend our tech academies here.

VIP Event Pass: Access to the show floor, all networking areas and conference sessions, complimentary food and drink from the summit’s food festival and access to exclusive evening networking sessions and parties.

Group VIP Event Pass: Get your passes for just €400 each when you purchase for three or more people (a saving of €200 per ticket!) – perfect for bringing your team along.

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Expo+ Pass: Access to the show floor, conference sessions and daytime networking only.

Expo Only Pass: Our free option, which gives you access to the show floor only. This is perfect for individuals from outside the gaming industry who want to explore potential partnerships. Please note that this will not grant you access to our academies.

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Operator and Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates are eligible for a free VIP event pass. Simply apply.

SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, is preparing the new edition of its flagship industry research – iGaming Trends 2026 – and invites experts worldwide to contribute their insights. The upcoming report is written in collaboration with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, and will spotlight the key tendencies set to shape the industry in the year ahead.

The previous edition, iGaming Trends 2025, became one of the most influential industry resources. With over 100 pages of insights covering regulation, marketing, responsible gambling, innovation, and fraud prevention, the report had over 13,000 downloads . This strong reception confirmed the importance of having a trusted knowledge hub – and set the stage for an even more ambitious 2026 edition.

The iGaming Trends 2026 report is being developed jointly with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, bringing additional depth and diversity of perspectives to the research. By combining the expertise of both teams with insights from the industry at large, the new edition will offer an unparalleled overview of the forces driving iGaming forward.

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“The iGaming industry is changing faster than ever, and foresight comes from collective expertise. The strength of iGaming Trends lies in the community behind it. By partnering with NEXT.io, we are making iGaming Trends 2026 the most forward-looking edition yet, built directly on the voices of industry leaders,” added Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS.

Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NEXT.io shared: “The iGaming Trends report has become a cornerstone resource for our industry, and this year’s edition will be the most collaborative yet. We’re truly excited to be working alongside SOFTSWISS to bring iGaming Trends 2026 to life, ensuring it reflects the voices, insights, and ambitions of the people shaping the future of our sector. At NEXT.io, we believe foresight comes from community, and this partnership embodies that vision.”

The iGaming Trends 2026 report will be built on the contributions of industry experts worldwide. The survey is anonymous, but participants may leave contact details if they wish to be quoted. In appreciation of the participation, a few lucky winners will receive Apple AirTags, and one special winner will score a unique one that comes with an exclusive SOFTSWISS merch bundle.

Why Take Part?

• Co-create a leading industry resource – Your insights will directly influence one of the most widely read iGaming reports.
• Strengthen your professional visibility – A chance to share your perspective with thousands of peers across the industry.
• Be part of a collaborative effort – For the first time, the report is being developed together with NEXT.io, raising its scope and relevance.

Take the survey here: https://softswiss.typeform.com/to/AMCd3VcT

The SOFTSWISS Team will be at SBC Lisbon 2025, Stand B160, a perfect chance to connect and talk about iGaming Trends 2026.

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About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The European Gaming Congress (EGC) 2025 is set to become the defining industry event of the year, as an unprecedented number of Europe’s largest operators rally behind the Congress — showing their support through sponsorships, thought leadership, and active participation.

This year, EGC welcomes a record number of sponsors, and the attendance is including industry leaders such as SUPERBET, Betclic, Fortuna, Betfan, Kaizen Gaming, Betano, Totalizator Sportowy, ComeOn Group, LVBet, RocketPlay Casino, WinSpirit Casino, 1spin4win, Win Casino, eCasino.cz, and Alfor (Fenikss).

Some operators are powering the event as sponsors, others are shaping the conversation as panelists in high-level discussions, while many are showing their commitment to collaboration by attending in force.

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“The European Gaming Congress has always been about uniting the industry, but this year we’re seeing something truly remarkable,” said Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, the organizer of EGC. “With a record number of operator sponsors, packed panels, and incredible attendance from leading brands, this year’s Congress sends a clear message: Europe’s iGaming sector is ready to work together to build a sustainable and innovative future.”

The EGC 2025 agenda will feature powerful panel discussions and expert-led sessions covering the most critical topics shaping the industry:

• Regulatory updates and cross-border compliance strategies
• Responsible gaming and player protection initiatives

• Technological innovation — from AI to gamification and personalization
• Emerging partnerships driving sustainable market growth

By gathering top executives, regulators, legal experts, affiliates, suppliers, and innovators under one roof, the European Gaming Congress 2025 offers unmatched opportunities for knowledge exchange, strategic partnerships, and collaborative problem-solving.

The European Gaming Congress takes place between 30-31 October in Warsaw, Poland, bringing together Europe’s most influential leaders for two days of networking, insights, and shaping the future of gaming.

Meet Europe’s Leading Operators – Register Now for the European Gaming Congress!

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