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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).
BLAST
BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events
Deal covers travel and hospitality packages across BLAST’s event slate, starting with BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals in November.
BLAST has signed a one-year partnership with MATCH to develop premium fan travel experiences and related commercial opportunities across BLAST events in 2026 and 2027, including the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals 2026. The companies said the work will start immediately, with an initial focus on the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals event in November.
BLAST VP of Destinations and Market Development James Woollard said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MATCH, a company with an unrivalled track record in delivering top-tier fan travel experiences at the biggest sporting events in the world. As BLAST continues to grow globally and attract growing numbers of travelling fans, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further elevate the live event experience for fans and audiences across esports.”
MATCH is best known for hospitality and accommodation programmes at major sports events, including four consecutive FIFA World Cups
from 2010 to 2022, as well as Ryder Cup tournaments, Formula 1 Grands Prix and ATP tennis tournaments. MATCH Director of UK Events and Business Strategy Richard Parker said: “Esports is one of the most exciting growth frontiers in live entertainment, and BLAST stands out as a world-class platform with incredible potential. At MATCH, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring our expertise in creating premium fan experiences into the esports arena. We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with BLAST to deliver innovative, unforgettable experiences for esports fans worldwide.”
BLAST said MATCH will also bring its network of clients, sponsors, federations, agents and media partners to support international attendance and partner activation, alongside MATCH’s technology and operational infrastructure. The announcement follows BLAST’s 2025 live events activity, where the organiser said it delivered 15 arena shows across 10 countries spanning five titles and sold 194,421 tickets.
The post BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BLAST
BLAST and MATCH Announce Strategic Partnership to Elevate Premium Esports Experiences Worldwide
Partnership to focus on fan travel experiences for BLAST events in 2026 and 2027, including the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals 2026
BLAST, one of the world’s leading esports entertainment companies, today announced a new strategic partnership with MATCH, a globally renowned leader in premium sports experiences with extensive expertise spanning product development, production, marketing, sales and customer service.
The one-year agreement will see MATCH work alongside BLAST to deliver premium fan travel experiences and commercial opportunities across BLAST’s global esports events portfolio, with an immediate focus on the upcoming BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals in November.
MATCH, and its associated group of companies, are internationally recognised for delivering world-class hospitality and accommodation programmes at some of the globe’s biggest and more commercially successful sports events, including four consecutive FIFA World Cups
between 2010 and 2022, multiple Ryder Cup tournaments, Formula 1 Grand Prix and ATP tennis tournaments.
The partnership comes amid continued global growth and demand for elevated live esports events. In 2025 alone, BLAST delivered 15 arena shows across 10 countries spanning five of the world’s leading esports titles, selling 194,421 tickets to fans worldwide as esports continues to establish itself as one of the fastest-growing sectors in live entertainment.
James Woollard, VP of Destinations and Market Development for BLAST, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MATCH, a company with an unrivalled track record in delivering top-tier fan travel experiences at the biggest sporting events in the world. As BLAST continues to grow globally and attract growing numbers of travelling fans, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further elevate the live event experience for fans and audiences across esports.”
Richard Parker, Director of UK Events and Business Strategy for MATCH, said: “Esports is one of the most exciting growth frontiers in live entertainment, and BLAST stands out as a world-class platform with incredible potential. At MATCH, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring our expertise in creating premium fan experiences into the esports arena. We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with BLAST to deliver innovative, unforgettable experiences for esports fans worldwide.”
Through the partnership, MATCH will bring its extensive global network of clients, sponsors, international sports federations, agents and media partners to BLAST events, helping expand international attendance, elevate fan experiences and further position esports within the premium live entertainment landscape.
The collaboration will also leverage MATCH’s proven technology, infrastructure and operational expertise that has supported some of the world’s largest sporting events, creating scalable fan travel solutions tailored for esports audiences and commercial partners.
MATCH’s integrated model combines rights-holder expertise with full-service delivery capabilities, enabling efficient setup, operational consistency and premium guest experiences across global events. The company’s proven international reach attracted attendees from more than 150 countries during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
, demonstrating the scale and effectiveness of its worldwide hospitality and marketing network.
The partnership reinforces BLAST’s continued ambition to innovate and expand the esports event experience globally, creating new opportunities for fans, brands and commercial partners alike.
The post BLAST and MATCH Announce Strategic Partnership to Elevate Premium Esports Experiences Worldwide appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Big Game Summer
GG.BET rolls out Big Game Summer campaign tied to FIFA World Cup 2026
Operator publishes World Cup outright odds as of June 11 and promotes fast markets and bet builder products around the tournament.
GG.BET has launched its “Big Game Summer” campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, positioning the promotion around tournament betting and a “special tournament prize pool,” according to the company.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs across the USA, Canada and Mexico and expands to 48 teams, 104 matches and a 39-day schedule. Under the new format, the field is split into 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group plus eight best third-placed teams moving into a newly added Round of 32.
GG.BET said its World Cup offering includes “Fast Markets” for selected matches and a Bet Builder product for custom combinations, alongside “exclusive tournament bonuses” and “fast payouts.” The company did not disclose the campaign’s prize pool size or any eligibility terms in the release.
The operator also published outright odds taken from gg.bet “as of 12:00 CET on June 11, 2026,” noting they are subject to change. GG.BET listed Portugal at 5.17, followed by Spain (5.77), Germany (5.87), England (7.2), Colombia (8.62), Argentina (9.88), France (9.89) and Brazil (10.38).
In the release, GG.BET pointed to the tournament opener on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium, describing it as “the first stadium in history to host a men’s FIFA World Cup for the third time.”
The post GG.BET rolls out Big Game Summer campaign tied to FIFA World Cup 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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