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SBC Summit 2025: bigger, smarter and with more surprises
SBC Summit will make a powerful return to Lisbon this September, bringing together 30,000 industry professionals for its biggest edition yet.
The 2025 edition will focus on fine-tuning every aspect of the attendee journey and strategically balancing buyers and sellers, aiming to deliver the industry’s most results-driven event.
The flagship event, which drew attendees from 134 countries in 2024, will once again transform the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and MEO Arena into the global epicentre of the betting and gaming industry from 16-18 September 2025, spanning three full days.
At 135,000+ square meters, the 2025 SBC Summit show floor will be its largest ever, featuring 700+ exhibitors. Enhanced signage will streamline navigation, while the zone format will return alongside an expanded Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit, ensuring attendees can still count on a more targeted approach and efficient lead generation.
Last year’s Lisbon show cemented the event’s reputation as the industry’s fastest-growing business gathering. With soaring momentum and a significant economic contribution to Lisbon, estimated at €100 million in indirect benefits in 2024 alone, the event has earned the backing of Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, Minister of Economy Pedro Reis, and Secretary of State for Tourism Pedro Machado.
With SBC Summit scaling fast, SBC CEO & Founder Rasmus Sojmark has made operational excellence the key focus for 2025. “Last year was our first experience at FIL, and we learned a great deal. We made sure to gather and act on attendee feedback, fine-tuning everything from venue conditions to transport logistics while working closely with Lisbon officials to enhance the overall experience. As we grow, every operational detail becomes even more crucial,” he commented.
With 8,000+ operator representatives set to attend, SBC Summit 2025 will also double down on delivering a premium, 360-degree experience for the industry’s most in-demand audience. Last year’s survey showed high satisfaction, with operators awarding the event a 60 NPS score. This year, SBC will raise the bar even further, ensuring it remains a must-attend event for every operator team member.
To elevate the operator experience, SBC is introducing the Operator Academy—an exclusive training initiative led by top industry experts and global trainers. With six specialised academies, it delivers practical, hands-on learning in odds-making, gamification, AI, marketing, compliance, and crypto, ensuring attendees gain immediately actionable skills to enhance performance.
The Operator Academy will elevate an already dynamic agenda, making SBC Summit 2025 the most comprehensive edition yet. With five vertical-specific stages and the Super Stage at MEO Arena featuring its strongest speaker lineup to date, attendees can expect game-changing content delivered by industry icons and global pioneers alike.
Sojmark said: “I was going to keep this under wraps a little longer, but we’re all too excited. Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia, is confirmed as one of the keynotes for SBC Summit! If you’ve ever seen a viral marketing video that made you rethink everything, chances are, he was behind it.
“Gary Vee is one of the most influential voices in digital strategy today. His viral content has taken over the internet, and now we’re bringing him—and his infectious personality—to our Super Stage. This is huge!” the CEO added.
The industry’s biggest party, The INFINITY Lisbon, will also return to MEO Arena on Thursday night, closing SBC Summit with a spectacular DJ set—headlined by none other than Alok.
SBC’s Event Director Paul Mills commented: “Alok was originally set to headline SBC Summit Rio in his native Brazil, but scheduling conflicts meant we had to shift plans to Lisbon. We’re thrilled he’ll still get to meet the SBC crowd that was so eager to see him. Also, one of the biggest DJs on the planet—currently in the top 10 worldwide—will be part of this. We’ll be announcing his name soon.”
The INFINITY Lisbon won’t be the only SBC evening event featuring superstar DJs. This year’s opening party, held in partnership with Pin-Up on Tuesday, September 16, will bring Joel Corry and Imanbek to the stage, delivering high-energy for an unforgettable night of music and networking.
Among this year’s exciting upgrades, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will return even stronger after a standout 2024 debut. Now running for three full days, the side event will feature an expanded show floor, dedicated content, and a major new highlight—the Affiliate Leaders Awards—set to complement the prestigious SBC Awards 2025 by celebrating excellence in the affiliate space.
Sojmark added: “It’s impossible to highlight everything that goes into this event, so I’ll just say this: this year, we’re building an event that’s not just bigger, but smarter. Yes, once again, we’re growing the event—and that’s great, a testament to the success it witnessed last year.
“But when organising events of this scale, you have to take a step back and focus on the fundamentals. Are we creating an event that is both productive and hassle-free for attendees? Because that’s the only way forward for the Greatest Show in Gaming.”
The post SBC Summit 2025: bigger, smarter and with more surprises appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced today $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This represents an approximate 5.6 percent increase when compared to the same quarter of FY 2025.
“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”
The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions, providing significant dollars to support instructional improvement for schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation throughout the state. If interested in viewing the cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year, please visit our reports webpage: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports.
Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of the State’s FY 2026 are as follows:
Instructional Improvement Fund/Education………………………………………………..$22,373,810
Trauma and Emergency Services Fund………………………………………………………..$11,186,905
Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs………………………………………….$4,040,214
Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund……………………………………………………………$3,196,258
Tourism Fund…………………………………………………………………………………………..$3,196,258
Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention……………………………..$897,825
Total: Tribal Gaming Contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund……………………..$44,891,270
Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, the remaining 12 percent is distributed by the tribes to the cities, towns, and counties of their choosing for community services and public safety programs for local governments. Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions have totaled approximately $2.5 billion, benefitting both the state and its cities, towns, and counties.
Currently, there are 26 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates in partnership with Arizona tribes. For more information, view our tribal gaming webpage: gaming.az.gov/tribal-gaming-page.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
888.it
R. Franco Digital Shortlisted for Casino Platform Excellence at EGR Europe Awards 2026
R. Franco Digital, the leading Spanish iGaming provider, has been officially shortlisted for Casino Platform Supplier of the Year at the prestigious EGR Europe Awards 2026. The nomination recognizes a landmark year for the company, characterized by the explosive growth of its IRIS Open Omnichannel Platform and a major commercial breakthrough into the Italian market.
The winners will be announced during a gala ceremony on February 18, 2026, at the Hilton Malta, where the industry’s top-tier operators and suppliers gather to celebrate European gaming excellence.
IRIS: The Engine of Omnichannel Growth
The core of R. Franco Digital’s success lies in its IRIS platform, a highly scalable, multi-jurisdictional solution that unifies casino, sports betting, and retail management.
IRIS Platform Milestones (2025-2026):
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Jurisdictional Reach: Certified in 6 jurisdictions and operational in over 10 regulated markets.
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Content Depth: Seamlessly integrated with over 1,600 games from global third-party providers.
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Operational Stability: Provides 24/7 multilingual support and advanced real-time analytics for operators.
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Commercial Momentum: Secured 50+ new operator partnerships and entered three new markets within the last 12 months.
Performance Highlights: 4 Billion Game Rounds
R. Franco Digital’s games portfolio has seen a massive surge in engagement, bolstered by 20 new high-performance slot releases in 2025. Standout titles such as Strange Spins, Aphrodite, Zorro: Final Duel, Ovomon, and The Phantom contributed to a record-breaking year.
| Metric | 2025–2026 Achievement |
| Total Game Rounds | 4 Billion+ across regulated markets |
| Revenue Growth | 30% Increase during the judging period |
| New Content | 20 New slot titles launched |
| Expansion | Debut in the Italian regulated market |
Strategic Italian Market Entry
A major factor in the EGR shortlisting was R. Franco Digital’s successful entry into Italy. The provider rapidly localized its content to meet the specific demands of Italian players through tier-one partnerships:
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Stanleybet.it: Launched 19 games, including the Italian-exclusive debut of Strange Spins.
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888.it: Successfully rolled out the popular Super 7 3×3 title.
“We’re proud to be shortlisted for this award, which reflects the strength of our IRIS platform and the quality of the content we’ve delivered over the past year,” said Javier Sacristán Franco, International Business Director at R. Franco Digital. “Our team has worked hard to support operators with reliable, innovative solutions… we are delighted to see that effort recognised.”
The post R. Franco Digital Shortlisted for Casino Platform Excellence at EGR Europe Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Big Hot Flaming Pots
Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures – Lightning Box Brings Land-Based Hit Online
Light & Wonder has officially launched Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures, the digital debut of its highly successful land-based franchise. Developed by in-house specialist studio Lightning Box, this 3×5 slot offers 243 ways to win and a high-energy “three-pot” mechanic that has already become a staple on casino floors worldwide.
The game transitions the whimsical “dumpling-tossing” theme to online audiences, combining vibrant Asian-inspired aesthetics with a deep mathematical model designed for high-engagement sessions.
The Three-Pot Mechanic & Seven Feature Combinations
At the core of the gameplay is the persistent pot system. Landing specific colored coins fuels three separate pots—Yummy, Spicy, and Upsized. These pots can trigger individually or in any combination, leading to seven distinct bonus paths.
| Feature Mode | Gameplay Enhancement |
| Yummy Mode | Increases the Hold & Spin respin counter from 3 to 4, significantly extending bonus life. |
| Spicy Mode | Introduces Chilli multipliers; landing a pepper adds its cash value to every symbol currently held on the board. |
| Upsized Mode | Unlocks a Dual Grid (two reel sets) for the Hold & Spin round, doubling the win potential. |
| Combined Modes | Triggering all three at once creates the “Mega Bonus,” featuring dual grids, 4 respins, and value-boosting peppers. |
Innovation: The Stack N’ Hit
Feature
Unlike traditional Hold & Spin mechanics where symbols simply lock until the round ends, Tasty Treasures introduces the Stack N’ Hit
evolution.
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Reel Clearing: When a vertical reel is filled with Bun symbols, the prizes are instantly collected, and the reel is cleared.
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Persistent Respins: Clearing a reel creates open spaces for new prizes to land, allowing the bonus round to continue far longer than standard industry alternatives.
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The Path to Grand: Each cleared reel activates a “Pepper Tracker” above it. Lighting up all five trackers awards the Grand Progressive Jackpot.
Jackpot Tiers & Base Game Depth
Operators benefit from a versatile math model that supports both consistent base-game performance and high-volatility jackpot chases.
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Progressive Jackpots: Grand and Major tiers for life-changing win potential.
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Fixed Jackpots: Minor and Mini tiers awarded through symbols landing during features.
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Nudge Wilds: In the base game, Wild symbols can nudge to cover entire reels, assisting in achieving the 243-way payouts.
“Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures carries forward a brand that has already made its mark in land-based venues,” says Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box. “This release offers operators a flexible, high-performing title that combines familiarity with fresh layers of engagement.”
The post Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures – Lightning Box Brings Land-Based Hit Online appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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