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SBC Summit on Track to Welcome 30,000 Attendees to Lisbon
SBC Summit returns to Lisbon next week with its biggest edition yet, delivering 20% year-on-year growth to reach 30,000 delegates. The event will also debut fresh features addressing urgent industry priorities, alongside a renewed emphasis on hospitality.
With attendees from over 130 countries, the summit will take on its most international scope to date, introducing stages on Global and Emerging Markets and regionally focused networking spaces to spotlight opportunities across Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Agenda highlights include keynotes with Gary Vaynerchuk, Randi Zuckerberg, and a lineup of sporting icons, plus the launch of Tech Academies with hands-on learning in AI, blockchain, gamification, and marketing.
The expo floor, conveniently split into themed zones to help delegates navigate the 700 exhibitors across 135,000 square metres, will also feature lounges, interactive showcases, plus nine Food Festival areas offering more than 40 options. Notable names exhibiting on the floor include 1xBet, Altenar, Amusnet, Clever Advertising, Digitain, EveryMatrix, GR8 Tech, iGP, Kaizen Gaming, Optimove, PayFuture, Smartsoft, Soft2Bet and Stake.
Adding to the excitement, the show floor will also feature celebrity appearances and walkthroughs from the likes of award-winning artist Jordan Dawson, Portuguese actress and influencer Margarida Corceiro, and international footballers Cafu, Marco Materazzi, Claude Makélélé, and Marek Hamšík, among others.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, commented: “We are looking forward to SBC Summit returning to Lisbon next week. Last year was a huge success and taught us a lot, especially when it comes to what really connects with delegates.
“This year, we focused on the topics that matter most, from adding new stages covering global and emerging markets to dedicated academies on AI and marketing. And of course, some super star appearances to add that iconic SBC flair.”
On the educational front, the six-stage conference programme, which now includes the new Global and Emerging Markets stages, will bring together over 550 industry experts, 44% of whom are C-level executives. Affiliation and player protection will be discussed extensively, while the revamped technology stage will now include a focus on martech and payments, complementing the offerings at the Payment Expert Summit.
Adding to the event’s star-studded line-up will be the return of the Super Stage at the MEO Arena. The stage will host a series of inspirational talks from some of the biggest names in sport, including Oleksandr Usyk, Rubens Barrichello, and legendary footballers from the Legends Charity Game such as Kaká, Edwin van der Sar, Roberto Carlos, Michael Owen and Petr Čech.
Super stage attendees will also have the chance to explore the latest industry thought processes and strategies during a ‘Super CEO Panel‘ featuring the likes of Daniel Taylor (CEO International, Flutter International), Neal Menashe (CEO, Super Group), Joanne Whittaker (CEO, Betfred), Jesper Svensson (CEO, Betsson Group) and Simon Lidzén (CEO & Co-founder, Fast Track).
In the evenings, the MEO Arena will be transformed into a stage of celebration, hosting two industry award ceremonies. On Wednesday, 17 September, the venue will welcome the inaugural Affiliate Leaders Awards, a ceremony dedicated to honouring the brands driving innovation in the affiliate sector. The following evening, the industry will gather for the 12th edition of the SBC Awards. Hosted by renowned goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, the evening will recognise the achievements of global operators and suppliers across payments, marketing, platform provision, and data.
The Affiliate Leaders Awards will also anchor the expanded Affiliate Leaders Summit, which this year runs across all three days and features a 40% larger show floor, bringing together the industry’s leading affiliates and operator affiliate programmes under one roof.
Closing the week, delegates will gather on Thursday evening for the INFINITY Lisbon Closing party, hosted at the MEO Arena. The finale will feature headline performances from EDM icons ALOK and Timmy Trumpet, ensuring the Summit concludes on a high note.
Ahead of the main event, SBC will host the Legends Charity Game on Monday, 15th September, where Portugal Legends will take on World Legends in a match aiming to raise more than €1 million for local and international charities.
Other standout features of SBC Summit include:
- Airport Registration: Collect your event badge on arrival at Humberto Delgado Airport (14–17 September) for seamless entry on Tuesday.
- SBC Connect app: Your dedicated event app allowing you to network with attendees, book meetings, view the agenda, and bookmark key sessions.
- SBC Summit Opening Party: Celebrate the start of SBC Summit at Urban Beach with headline sets from world-class DJs Joel Corry and Imanbek (VIP pass holders only).
- Media Headquarters: Uniting the industry’s leading media publications, allowing brands the chance to boost visibility through interviews, press conferences and podcasts.
- Masterclasses: Participate in expert-led masterclasses on sportsbook trading, designing engaging slot machines and Ukrainian regulation.
- First Pitch Competition: Watch five startups pitch their products for a prize package worth over €90,000.
- Numerous daytime & evening networking events.
“SBC Summit 2025 wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of the industry. To our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees, thank you for helping us bring to life what has truly become the greatest show in gaming.” Sojmark added.
The post SBC Summit on Track to Welcome 30,000 Attendees to Lisbon appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.
The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.
EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.
“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”
Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”
EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.
The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.
The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.
Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.
Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:
“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.
“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.
“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”
Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:
“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.
“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”
The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.
The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.
Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”
The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.
ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.
The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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