Latest News
SBC Summit North America to Discuss the Uncharted Path of iGaming in the United States
The 2024 edition of SBC Summit North America will spotlight iGaming, a vertical with immense revenue potential which is, however, often overshadowed in the United States by the successes in the sports betting field.
The ‘iGaming’ conference track, scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th, will bring together senior iGaming professionals to share their invaluable insights on key topics within the sector. Attendees, numbering 5,000, can anticipate in-depth discussions on the reinvention of land-based experiences through digital integration, debates on whether iGaming is cannibalizing land-based operations, and strategies for developing profitable iGaming applications, among other compelling subjects.
The panel titled ‘Why Online Casino Legislation Hasn’t Kept Pace With Sports Betting’ will explore the lack of regulatory attention iGaming has received in North America. Industry experts Adam Glass (Director of B2B Services, Rush Street Interactive), Elizabeth Suever (Vice President, Government Relations, Bally’s), Brandt Iden (VP Government Affairs, Fanatics Betting & Gaming), Cesar Fernandez, (Senior Director Head of State Government Relations, FanDuel), and moderator Shawn Fluharty (President-Elect, National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS)) will aim to explain the disparity between sports betting and iGaming, explore the regulatory and revenue models for the two sectors, and discuss new approaches from lobbyists and legislators.
The panel ‘Omnichannel Effectiveness: From Land-Based to Digital and Back’, will discuss the necessity for land-based operations to prioritize the creation of omnichannel experiences. Industry experts Bobby Soper (CEO, Sun Gaming), Matt Reback (President & CEO, Galaxy Gaming), Oliver Bartlett (Vice President of Gaming – Product & Content, BetMGM), Nick Patrick (Co-Founder and CEO, Radar), Stacey Rowland (Vice President and General Counsel, Genting Americas) and panel moderator Zoe Ebling (VP Interactive, AGS), will underscore the importance of seamless navigation between land-based and digital platforms for players, the requisite infrastructure for optimal player retention, and how land-based establishments can reinvent themselves to be accessible to all.
The panel titled ‘Blurred Lines: When is a Game of Skill Really a Game of Chance?’ will delve into the subtle differences between games that rely on skill and those that rely on luck. Industry experts CJ Fisher (Partner, Co-Chair, Gaming Department, Fox Rothschild), Jeff Hakala (Special Investigator, Connecticut Consumer Protection), Rafael DiCarlo (General Manager, Gaming NA Bancard) and panel moderator Matt Para (Principal, 10MB, LLC), will analyze instances of ambiguous iCasino and sports betting practices and explore the distinction between skill and luck in the eyes of regulators.
The conference session titled ‘Game Design 101: Launching a Profitable Product’ will bring together a host of professionals to discuss key strategies for launching a successful iGaming application. Industry luminaries Ricardo Cornejo (VP of Online Gaming, Caesars Entertainment), Alex Ursa (Head of Gaming, Betr), Doug Fallon (Group Director of Content, Bragg Gaming), Rich Criado (VP, Product & Fanatics Game Studios, Fanatics Betting and Gaming) alongside panel moderator Tony Plaskow (Commercial Director, Pixiu Gaming), will explore the essential tools companies require to effectively promote their products, foster loyalty, and achieve high player retention rates. Additionally, it will provide valuable insights and advice for game studios aiming to successfully launch their latest games.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to bolster their knowledge of the North American landscape through dedicated conference tracks covering leadership, sports betting, affiliates & marketing, industry & growth, compliance & regulation, and payments & tech. Additionally, the conference will include a dedicated tribal symposium, as well as two pre-day conferences; the Capital Market Forum and the Player Protection Symposium (entry to the pre-day conferences will require a separate ticket).
asia-pacific
Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026
Groove has been named a finalist for Best Aggregator 2026 at the SiGMA Asia Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for 2 June 2026 at the SMX Convention Centre Manila during the SiGMA Asia Summit.
The shortlist was announced by Global Gaming Insider, according to the company. Groove said its platform aggregates more than 15,000 games from over 150 providers via a single API.
Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, said: “This shortlist is external recognition of a truth we already feel internally: Groove is moving at a different pace. Asia is not a single market, it is a collection of distinct regulatory environments, player behaviours, and partnership opportunities”
Campo added: “Our platform is built to respect that complexity, not smooth it over. Being named a finalist for Best Aggregator tells us that our approach; deep integration, localised content strategies, and commercial precision; is resonating with the operators who matter most in this region. We are not just bringing games to Asia. We are bringing a roadmap for sustainable growth.”
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “The aggregation space is crowded. Differentiation is everything. This nomination confirms that our vision, transforming aggregation from a commodity into a strategic growth discipline, is taking hold.” He added: “Operators across Asia are no longer asking for just volume or speed. They are asking for structural resilience, data intelligence, and a partner who can execute across fragmented regulatory landscapes with precision. Groove delivers that. To be recognised alongside the best in Asia is a privilege, but the real work continues in Manila and beyond. We are here to win, not just awards, but the trust of the operators who build their businesses on our platform.”
The post Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
data providers
DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026
DATA.BET says turnover from its virtual content grew 168% between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, with the supplier reporting the product accounted for 39% of total virtual sports turnover and 45% of profits over the period.
The company said the content is developed fully in-house and delivered through automated bot-vs-bot matches that run 24/7 without dependence on real-world fixture schedules. DATA.BET positioned the format as a way to provide continuous events and reduce operational overhead for operators.
Across the same period, DATA.BET reported +299% active users, +129% across clients GGR, +246% events per quarter, and +218% bets placed.
DATA.BET also said the audience profile overlaps with live football bettors, which it believes supports retention during seasonal breaks. The supplier added that the algorithm-driven format “carries no fraud exposure,” supports In-Stream Betting overlays, and provides near-zero latency between broadcast and market updates.
“Over the past year, our bot-vs-bot virtual content has delivered consistent, measurable results across every operator deployment. Building e-Football in-house gives us the flexibility to configure it to what each operator actually needs — whether that is a specific league structure, a particular mix of bot and player content, or a branded competition format,” mentioned Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET.
The post DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
content studios
155.io makes fintech debut with Coverd partnership
155.io has signed a partnership with US-based fintech platform Coverd, marking the content studio’s first move into fintech. The deal was announced Thursday 21st May 2026.
Under the agreement, 155.io’s real-world games will be integrated into Coverd’s platform. Coverd said the integration is designed to turn everyday transactions into interactive experiences where users can win the chance to have purchases covered through 155.io gameplay.
Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, said: “This partnership gives us the opportunity to bring our content to a completely new audience. We share a philosophy with Coverd around disrupting and modernising industries through more interactive experiences. They understand that younger audiences expect entertainment and engagement across every digital touchpoint, including finance, which is exactly how we think about design.”
Albert Wang, Coverd co-founder, added: “Today’s consumer is actively embracing gamified products across every category, so there’s no reason personal finance should stay in the stone age. We’re excited to work with 155.io to make financial experiences more interactive and give everyone a chance to live big by winning back their purchases. 155.io’s next-gen content fits perfectly with what we’re building at Coverd.”
155.io said the integration will bring its interactive content—built around live-action footage and real-time mechanics—to Coverd users. The studio’s portfolio includes Rush Hour from its CCTV Game
library, alongside Ducks.io and Snow Run.
The post 155.io makes fintech debut with Coverd partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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