Untapped potential, surging demand, and shifting regulations are putting Eurasia and the Middle East firmly on the iGaming radar.

SBC Summit 2025 will tap into this momentum with a new Emerging Markets: Eurasia & the Middle East track on Wednesday, 17 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), featuring five powerhouse sessions on market entry, regulation, and long-term growth strategies.

The track will provide in-depth analysis of key jurisdictions, including Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and the UAE; markets undergoing significant change due to political shifts, evolving regulations, and growing local demand.

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Sessions will offer practical guidance on entering and operating in these regions, with a focus on understanding regulatory frameworks and adapting to local market conditions.

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Eurasia and the Middle East are a core focus for SBC Summit 2025. The opportunities here are real, but so are the challenges. Long-term success means understanding the local landscape and building genuine relationships on the ground.

“With this track, we want delegates to hear directly from the people who know these markets best, and to walk away with strategies they can put to work straight away.”

The track will open with the Eurasia Leaders Panel: Expansion or Contraction – Which Way Will the Bridge Between Continents Swing?, offering delegates the chance to hear directly from the leaders shaping the market across the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Irakli Asanishvili (Head of Central & Eastern Europe, Flutter International), Adam Lamentowicz (CEO, Superbet Group), Max Potomkin (Deputy CEO, Parimatch), and Simon Westbury (Strategic Advisor, 1xBet) will examine whether political and regulatory pressures could stall momentum in markets like Georgia and Uzbekistan or if the region’s passionate fanbase and tech-savvy operators will continue to fuel expansion.

Following this, Georgia & Armenia Lead the Way will explore how these markets are adapting to recent tax and regulatory changes. Nika Gigashvili (Managing Director / Partner, SMH Global), Giorgi Gvenetadze (CCO, Flutter CEE),  Vahagn Tangamyan (Head of Legal Department, Totogaming), and Gega Topuridze (CBDO, Betlive) will discuss how operators can adapt to new frameworks while capitalising on the region’s abundant talent pool and digital infrastructure.

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The session Cryptocasinos & Emerging Markets – The Boom Continues will examine the rise of crypto-based gaming models in Eurasia and the Middle East. The panel will bring together Tiago Almeida (CEO, Oddsgate), Andrew Gellatly (Executive Director, Alderney Gambling Control Commission), Stefan Kovach (Founder & CEO, RARER THINGS), Melissa E. Lamb (Director of Sales – Luxury, Payhound), and Tom Waterhouse (Chief Investment Officer, Waterhouse VC) to examine how operators can maximise increasing crypto-adoption while maintaining compliance and responsible frameworks.

Crossing Borders: Cross-Selling in Balkan Markets will bring together regional experts to explore how businesses can thrive in culturally connected markets while navigating diverse regulatory frameworks. Dan Alexandru Ghiță (President, Rombet), Ivan Gojic (Chief Sportsbook Officer, Entain CEE), Rossi McKee (Vice President, CT Gaming), Alexander Popov (Director of Supervision, Gambling & Gambling Activities Directorate, National Revenue Agency (Bulgaria)), Marinos Shiapanis (Co-Founder & CEO, Campeon Gaming), and Artem Skrypnyk (CEO, Favbet Tech) will share their insights on building a consistent brand across multiple jurisdictions without compromising compliance.

Inside the UAE’s Ambitious Vision: Building a World-Class, Regulated, and Responsible Gaming Market from the Ground Up will examine the UAE’s move towards adopting a regulated gambling framework. Garret Greene (SVP Global Relationships, SBC), Christina Hu (Chief Strategy Officer, Momentum), Kevin Mullally (CEO, GCGRA), David Patent (EVP, Wynn Al Marjan Island), Lauralyn Sandoval (Vice President Gaming Strategy and Business Development, Aristocrat), will explore what a regulated betting framework in the region could look like and how the UAE’s approach could influence neighbouring jurisdictions and reshape global perceptions of gaming in the Middle East.

The Emerging Markets: Eurasia & The Middle East track forms part of SBC Summit’s Emerging Markets stage, alongside sessions analysing iGaming and sports betting growth in Africa (Tuesday, 16 September) and Asia (Thursday, 18 September).

Secure your ticket to SBC Summit 2025 today.

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Choose from three pass types: VIP Event Pass, Expo+ Pass, or Expo Only Pass. Please note that an Expo Only Pass does not include access to conference panels.

Our Group VIP Event Pass offers three tickets at €400 each (down from €600)—ideal for attending with your team.

Operators and affiliates are eligible for a complimentary passes, simply apply here.

It’s hard to find a business sector evolving faster today than iGaming. Perhaps only Formula 1, with its incredible speed, comes close. Champions of innovation and speed, Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS and Rubens Barrichello, former F1 driver and Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, will take the Super Stage at the SBC Summit in Lisbon on 16 September. Their fireside chat, Excellence Under Pressure: Evolving in a Fast-Moving Space, will explore how to thrive in an industry that never slows down.

The SBC Summit is one of the world’s leading events for the sports betting and iGaming industry, bringing together more than 25,000 delegates, 600 speakers, and 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe. Its Super Stage hosts the headline sessions, featuring thought leaders who shape the industry’s future. Against this backdrop, the fireside chat between Montik and Barrichello promises to be a highlight of the Lisbon event.

In Formula 1, excellence means performing at the limit while rules and technology constantly evolve. iGaming is no different. In this fireside chat, Ivan Montik and Rubens Barrichello will explore how to sustain excellence under pressure –  turning regulation into advantage, balancing speed with reliability, and building systems that adapt without breaking. Barrichello will share lessons from F1’s rapid technological changes, while Montik will show how SOFTSWISS applies similar agility in iGaming, innovating quickly while ensuring compliance and stability.

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Last year, Montik and Barrichello’s dialogue on leadership became one of the highlights of the SBC Leaders Summit, sparking strong interest from the audience. Building on that success, they return to the stage this year with a new focus: innovation. 

“Excellence under pressure means building systems that adapt fast without breaking. As a founder, I always stand for consistency, reputation, and delivering for our clients. We never innovate for the sake of innovation – but we always look ahead. Our R&D team closely monitors trends so we don’t miss them, but create them. At the same time, we ensure stable, uninterrupted iGaming software that runs 24/7 with uptime close to 100%. At this speed, it’s about taking every curve smoothly and helping our clients lead in every market. I look forward to meeting our partners at the Summit, sharing insights, and connecting in person,” said Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS.

Ivan Montik and Rubens Barrichello will also join the SOFTSWISS team at Stand B160 to discuss the business and innovations worldwide.

About SOFTSWISS

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SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator has been recognised as  Best Aggregator at the SiGMA World Euro-Med Awards 2025, marking its second major win in just one week. Days earlier, the solution was named the Best Aggregator at the CGS Recife Awards 2025 in Brazil. Earning two prestigious titles on two continents confirms the Game Aggregator’s reputation as the standard-setter for the industry.

Being recognised twice within a week is a milestone that underscores the global stature of the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator. Latin America and Europe – two rapidly evolving iGaming markets – have both named it Best Aggregator, affirming its reputation for reliability, scalability, and innovation. These awards highlight the company’s commitment to growth, global coverage, and platform stability.

The Game Aggregator offers direct access to more than 35,000 games from 300+ providers and operates seamlessly in 24 regulated jurisdictions. Its robust infrastructure ensures 99.999% uptime and the ability to handle thousands of requests per second, making it one of the most stable aggregation platforms worldwide. With this latest honour, the Game Aggregator celebrates its eighth international award. 

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Recognition as Best Aggregator twice in one week reflects the platform’s ability to deliver measurable results. Its Tournament Tool raises daily betting volumes by 22%, while Jackpot Aggregator campaigns increase average player turnover by 50%. These tools translate awards into business growth for operators.

“To be named Best Game Aggregator twice in one week is a remarkable achievement and a powerful validation of our product. Recognition in both Latin America and Europe proves the Game Aggregator’s global strength. Our team will continue to expand the platform’s capabilities, delivering unmatched content, stability, and engagement tools that help our partners grow,” added Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator.

The SOFTSWISS team will be available at SBC Lisbon 2025, Stand B160, to discuss the possibilities of the Game Aggregator.

About SOFTSWISS

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SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.