December 4, 2023

Future of the iGaming Industry at SBC Summit Barcelona 2023

The leading titans of the best online casinos from around the world converged in Barcelona from 19-21 September 2023 for the much-awaited SBC Summit 2023. With representatives from casino operators and sportsbooks, 95 countries were in attendance at the summit including key players from the United Kingdom, Spain, Malta, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. The key topic of discussion at the event was the future of igaming.

The summit also included a dedicated exhibition area, which was split into five separate zones. This was frequented by some 15,000 industry professionals in attendance. The conference had an unrivalled speaker line-up of 450 industry professionals and over 350 exhibitions.

Key Topics of Discussion at SBC Summit

The gathering aimed to serve as a platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities. With the iGaming industry undergoing rapid transformation, the event’s key objectives were:

Exploring Emerging Markets: The potential of new markets and regulatory challenges.
Technological Advancements: The latest technical innovations driving the iGaming industry, including blockchain, AI, and virtual reality.
Responsible Gaming: With increased scrutiny of player safety and well-being, the event addressed strategies for promoting responsible gaming practices.
Sustainable Growth: Sustainability is becoming a focal point in the industry, and the Summit explored eco-friendly initiatives and corporate social responsibility.
Global Partnerships: Attendees had the opportunity to foster partnerships and collaborations that could shape the future of the iGaming sector.

The summit featured two exclusive keynote panels of many notable industry-specific personalities, including best-selling author Matthew Ball and Flutter International CEO Daniel Taylor.

SBC Director of Conferences and Relationships Jonathan Whelan led the agenda and provided a fresh perspective on the industry’s adjustment to new challenges in light of regulatory changes. Whelan outlined a unique perspective on emerging technologies and new business strategies and focused on practical applications for operators and consumers.

SBC Summits have always served as a critical platform for industry leaders, but this year, the event brought together leaders from every function within the sector. The online gambling industry faces immense opportunities and challenges, so navigating this landscape requires collaboration from all departments.

Exhibitions at the SBC Summit

The 2023 SBC Summit Barcelona was divided into five zones:

Sports Betting Zone – This zone offers all the latest developments in the sports betting industry. Attending were influential senior sportsbook executives from major international operators. Discussions included the evolving relationship between operators and media companies, the future of esports, and sportsbook product innovation. Attendees discovered the next generation of online sportsbook products and everything happening in the global sports betting industry.
Casino and iGaming Zone – This zone was where users learnt about new iGaming technologies, discovered the hottest new game releases, and participated in high-level interactive gaming.
Payments Zone – This section allowed attendees to connect with representatives from major international operators, find payment service providers, and interact with Know Your Customers (KYC) experts and world-leading, safer gambling specialists.
Affiliate, Marketing, and Media Zone – Users caught up on the gambling industry’s latest strategies, technologies, and regulatory challenges.
Emerging Tech, Blockchain, and Metaverse – This zone offered a chance to test out the latest technologies while gaining insight into emerging trends.

Winners of The 2023 SBC Summit Barcelona

The SBC Barcelona 2023 Summit honored exceptional operators and companies whose unwavering commitment resulted in top-notch customer products and services. The winners were announced across 39 categories – operators, affiliates, media, suppliers, and payment and compliance tools.

Among the winners, best online casino and sportsbook Bet365 retained their title as Sportsbook Operator of the Year. Kaizen Gaming was awarded Casino Operator of the Year and Southern European Operator of the Year 2023. The Betsson Group won the 2023 Innovation in Casino & Gaming awards, Marketing Campaign of the Year, and Western European Operator of the Year. The newest leads are Betiton Casino, Rising Star 2023, and Rhino.bet, a Rising Star in Sports Betting 2023.

The Employer of the Year Award went to Flutter Entertainment, a global sports betting gaming provider with famous brands like FanDuel Casino and PokerStars Casino. The award for Socially Responsible Initiative of the Year went to Entain Foundation. This US-based non-profit company promotes responsible gambling, sports integrity, and corporate compliance in the US.

Software provider Pragmatic Play was awarded Casino/Slots Developer of the Year 2023; Relax Gaming won Innovation in Mobile 2023, and Evolution Gaming kept their title as best Live Casino Supplier. Moving onto payment providers, IDNow, Trustly, and Nuvei dominated the Payment and compliance categories field. IDNow was awarded Fraud and Compliance Solution of the Year, Trustly won the Payment Innovation of the Year prize, and Nuvei won Payment Solution of the Year.

Conclusion

Some 15,000 delegates from every corner of the globe converged in Barcelona for the 2023 SBC Summit to discuss all the latest developments in sports betting and iGaming in international markets. The summit also focused heavily on the technological advancements redefining the industry and how to move forward with Responsible Gambling. Through an 80-hour conference agenda, attendees learned about new products and could then walk through an expansive exhibition floor showcasing the latest products of over 350 new game releases.

To ensure smooth navigation, the floor space was divided into five distinct zones, each dedicated to a specific industry vertical: Sports Betting, Casino & iGaming, Payments & Compliance, Affiliate, Media & Marketing, and Emerging Tech. Attendees could engage in industry meet-ups like the Global Gaming Women Breakfast. The event broadened the delegate’s understanding of critical industry issues, global market opportunities, sports betting, and casino innovation.

Outcomes from the Summit included:

Strategic Partnerships: Numerous partnerships were forged, promising exciting collaborations in the iGaming sphere.
Tech Advancements: Participants gained a better understanding of cutting-edge technologies poised to revolutionize the industry.
Responsible Gaming Commitment: The industry reaffirmed its commitment to responsible gaming practices, seeking to create a safer environment for players.
Market Expansion: Insights into emerging markets could lead to the expansion of iGaming services into new territories.

Besides seeing all the latest new developments and hottest game releases, the audience was captivated by industry-related talk delivered by a star-studded line-up of 450 of the industry’s brightest experts.

In 2024, the SBC Summit will be held in Lisbon, Portugal. In a calculated effort to meet the needs of the fastest-growing global gaming sector, it is anticipated that the event will be held at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) from September 24 to 26, 2024.