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SBC Summit Rio to welcome EDM legend Afrojack as INFINITY headliner, supported by Brazil’s Dubdogz
SBC will light up Rio de Janeiro with the highly anticipated INFINITY Rio party, happening on February 27th at the 2025 edition of SBC Summit Rio.
With Grammy award-winning producer Afrojack at the helm and Brazilian house duo Dubdogz bringing their signature energy, this electrifying event promises an unforgettable night of music and excitement for the event attendees.
“INFINITY was born in Lisbon, where we kicked off our first EDM festival with top-tier DJs; Don Diablo, Miss Monique, and Darude. Now, we’re bringing that momentum to Rio with INFINITY Rio, taking things to a whole new level,” said Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC.
In the gaming industry, connections are everything, and INFINITY Rio will provide a unique platform to meet the game-changers driving progress in Brazil. As an event organizer, SBC is known for elevating attendee experiences with VIP treatment, combining business opportunities with world-class networking. By integrating music and entertainment—longtime inspirations for gaming—into the closing party, SBC will offer an event finale that truly captures the energy of the gaming world.
EDM icon Afrojack rose to stardom with “Take Over Control,” becoming a key figure in the genre. Known for collaborations with Beyoncé, Pitbull, and Will.i.am, his accolades include spots on Rolling Stone’s “50 Most Important People in EDM” and Forbes’ “30 Under 30.” Moreover, the DJ’s 2020 track “All Night” climbed to the top of US dance radio charts and earned over 40 million streams, cementing his reputation as an EDM powerhouse.
Sojmark commented: “Having Afrojack headlining the first INFINITY Rio really shows just how massive SBC Summit Rio is going to be. Our delegates are in for an EDM festival experience that mixes world-class entertainment with top-tier networking.
“To give it that special Brazilian vibe, we’re also bringing in Dubdogz, an incredible homegrown duo that is taking the global scene by storm. We couldn’t miss the chance to showcase Brazil’s own talent at an event that’s all about Brazil!”
Dubdogz, Brazil’s twin sensations Lucas and Marcos Ruback are known for their dynamic blend of Brazilian Bass and House, chart-topping hits and a devoted fanbase. Among the few Brazilian acts on the “DJ Mag Top 100,” they’ve performed at iconic stages like Tomorrowland, EDC, and Ushuaïa Ibiza. Their track “Infinity,” a collaboration with Bhaskar, achieved Double Platinum status and surpassed 126 million Spotify streams.
The Riocentro Super Stage, a fresh addition to SBC Summit Rio, will shed its conference atmosphere to host the party, with Afrojack and Dubdogz setting the tone for the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, starting the next day on the 28th of February.
“We’ve timed SBC Summit Rio 2025 perfectly so attendees can dive into business and then roll straight into the Carnival. With Afrojack and Dubdogz lighting up the stage, the Carnival kickoff is going to be epic,” Sojmark added.
In October, SBC announced superstar DJ Alok as the headliner for the INFINITY party in Rio. However, Alok has had to step down due to personal reasons. The SBC CEO commented: “Unfortunately, Alok won’t be able to join us at SBC Summit Rio 2025 as originally planned due to personal reasons. We’re as disappointed as you are, but these things happen, and we totally understand.
“We’ve worked quickly to ensure the INFINITY Rio party still delivers the electric energy and unforgettable vibe you’re expecting. With Afrojack and Dubdogz taking the stage, we’re confident they’re the perfect replacements to make the night truly spectacular.”
SBC Summit Rio has quickly established itself as the must-attend event for Brazil and has moved to Riocentro, one of Latin America’s largest convention centres, for its 2025 edition. February’s event is projected to attract more than 15,000 attendees.
Alongside this growth, the introduction of the Super Stage will elevate the attendee experience, while the Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit brands—both of which debuted in Lisbon—are set to make their Rio debut.
Curious about Brazil’s biggest betting and iGaming event? Visit the official website for more details. Want to join us at the event and INFINITY Rio? Early Bird tickets are available now at R$2000 ( ~ $550 USD). Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary tickets.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.
The Full Story
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.
The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.
Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.
Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.
The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.
The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.
Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:
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Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
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Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
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Player’s Pick Award.
Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:
“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”
The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.
The Full Story
Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.
The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”
The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:
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Plinko
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Mines
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Tower
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Limbo
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Crash
Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.
Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.
Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:
“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”
Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.
The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.
The Full Story
Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.
Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.
The Commercial Deal
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SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
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The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.
A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.
Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:
“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”
Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:
“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”
The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year:
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9th Jan: Wolverhampton
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6th Feb: Newcastle
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20th Feb: Southwell
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20th March: Wolverhampton
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27th March: Newcastle
The post Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
