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SBC Summit 2026 to Combine CPD-Accredited Learning With Product Innovation and Hands-On Masterclasses

SBC Summit and the co-located Affiliate Leaders Summit will bring a broader focus on professional development to Lisbon this September, with every conference session, academy and masterclass across the two events now officially accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by The CPD Certification Service.

SBC Summit 2026 to Combine CPD-Accredited Learning With Product Innovation and Hands-On Masterclasses

Taking place from 29 September to 1 October at Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and the MEO Arena), the events are expected to welcome 40,000 industry professionals from around the world. Following the 2025 edition, which attracted delegates from more than 150 countries, this year’s programme will bring together operators, affiliates, suppliers, regulators, media, investors and sports organisations from across the betting and gaming ecosystem.

The CPD accreditation means delegates can turn three days of industry learning into recognised professional development, covering areas including executive leadership, regulation and compliance, payments, technology, product innovation, market expansion and affiliate marketing.

“Learning has always been one of SBC’s core priorities because a stronger industry starts with better-informed professionals,” said Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC. “Becoming part of Continuing Professional Development reflects our commitment to helping raise standards across the global betting and gaming industry through ongoing learning and development,” he added.

The accreditation comes as continuous professional development becomes increasingly important across the global betting and gaming industry. With regulation evolving, new technologies emerging and consumer expectations changing, professionals are under growing pressure to continually develop their knowledge and skills.

“People don’t come to SBC Summit just to listen to presentations,” Sojmark added. “They come to solve challenges, discover new ideas and learn from the people writing the rules of our industry. CPD accreditation ensures that the value of that learning extends well beyond the event itself. Delegates leave with recognised professional development that supports their careers, while businesses benefit from teams returning with new knowledge, practical skills and fresh perspectives.”

CPD-accredited conference programme

At SBC Summit, delegates will be able to build recognised CPD hours by The CPD Certification Service across six dedicated conference stages.

The Super Stage will feature headline keynote sessions from globally recognised leaders in business and sport, while the Global & Emerging Markets Stage will examine international growth opportunities and regional market developments.

The Technology & Innovation Stage will cover artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, infrastructure, data and product innovation. The Payment Expert Summit Stage will focus on payments, fintech, crypto, AML and financial technologies, while the Regulation & Compliance Stage will examine licensing, policy, responsible gambling and regulatory best practice.

The Product Innovation Showcase Stage will highlight product launches, live demonstrations and emerging technologies.

The co-located Affiliate Leaders Summit will also form part of the accredited programme, with two conference stages and the Affiliate Leaders Academy dedicated to the affiliate and performance marketing community.

Topics will include platforms and performance, the future of affiliate strategy, content and discovery, leadership, media buying, branding, customer acquisition, automation, artificial intelligence and business transformation. The Affiliate Leaders Academy will complement the conference content with practical, skills-focused learning.

iGaming Product & Design takes centre stage

SBC Summit 2026 to Combine CPD-Accredited Learning With Product Innovation and Hands-On Masterclasses

One of the key areas of the SBC Summit programme will be the iGaming Product & Design track, which will take place on Wednesday, 30 September on the Tech & Innovation Stage.

The track will bring together leading casino operators, game developers and technology experts to examine how operators can create smoother, smarter and more engaging experiences for casino players.

Across the sessions, delegates will follow the player journey from first registration through to long-term retention, covering smarter onboarding, AI-powered game design, seamless cross-platform experiences and evolving loyalty strategies.

“Casino players judge a product by how simple, intuitive and entertaining it feels. They do not see the compliance systems, data infrastructure or commercial decisions operating behind the experience, but each of those elements influences whether players register, continue playing and remain loyal to a brand.

“The iGaming Product & Design track will examine how those behind-the-scenes systems and decisions can work together to remove unnecessary friction, support more informed product development and create casino experiences that deliver genuine long-term value for both players and operators.”

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC

The programme will open with “RegTech: Is “invisible KYC” actually achievable or just another industry fantasy?”, examining whether invisible know-your-customer processes can reduce one of the biggest points of player drop-off without weakening compliance standards. Speakers will include Elen Barber, Managing Director – Online at SkyCity; Matteo Iannucci, Business Development Europe at GeoComply; and Giorgi Tsamalaidze, CLO at Random Systems Georgia.

The panel “The Art & Science of Game Design: UX, Data & Player Psychology” will explore how behavioural data and player psychology are reshaping game design. Ivan Korkin, Head of Account Management at Kanggiten; Tim Poole, Editor at Global Gaming Insider; and Marko Žulj, CEO & Co-Founder of Koom Games, will examine how AI can interpret player signals to inform personalised experiences and where better game design ends and manipulation begins.

The session “Cross-Platform Consistency: Designing Seamless Mobile, Web & App Experiences” will examine how shared data, consistent design and joined-up product decisions can reduce friction across the customer journey. Panellists will include David Evans, Chief Product Officer at Buzz Bingo; William Hansen, Sales Team Lead at Xtremepush; Alex Kozachenko, CEO of Turbo Stars; Ivan Ochoa, Board Member at Grupo GELSA; and Francesco Postiglione, CEO of Casumo.

The track will also explore “Gamification, Gen Z and the Rise of Social Play”, with Andrés Blanco, Managing Director and Chief Product Officer at Gamanza Engage; Brett Calapp, CEO and Co-Founder of Turnt Gaming; Anthony Gaud, Chair of the Regulated Esports and Video Game Committee in New Jersey; Tero Holopainen, Head of Product, Casino & Games at Coolbet; and Marion Ryan, Managing Director at Tombola.

The discussion will focus on how AI, adaptive UX, creator influence and community-driven entertainment are moving casino products beyond traditional formats, including crash games, live communities, rewards ecosystems and hybrid play.

The track will also address how operators can respond to rising taxes, tariffs and running costs without losing players, alongside the growing use of AI in product development and day-to-day operations. Speakers will examine how smarter loyalty strategies and AI tools capable of planning and carrying out complex tasks could change how casino products are built and run.

Education+ adds specialist training

SBC Summit 2026 to Combine CPD-Accredited Learning With Product Innovation and Hands-On Masterclasses

For delegates looking to take conference learning further, SBC is offering an optional CPD-accredited Education+ upgrade for both SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit attendees.

Available as individual €249 sessions, Education+ combines expert-led instruction with interactive, workshop-style learning. The programme includes four specialist Tech Academies covering AI, Marketing, Web 3.0 and Gamification, alongside three expert-led Masterclasses focused on Sportsbook Trading, Electronic Gaming and Responsible Gaming Marketing.

The Player Experience Academy will explore how gamification can strengthen engagement and loyalty while supporting responsible play, while the Electronic Gaming Academy Masterclass will examine how modern player behaviour can inform stronger casino product decisions.

The three new expert-led Masterclasses are designed to provide practical training that professionals can take directly back into their roles.

“Conferences are an excellent place to discover new ideas, but the next challenge is turning those ideas into something people can use when they return to work.

“That is exactly what these Masterclasses are designed to do. They give attendees the time, expert instruction and practical environment needed to work through important industry challenges in far greater depth.”

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC

All three Masterclasses count towards CPD-certified learning hours and are aimed at professionals working across sportsbook operations, trading, casino product, CRM, marketing, compliance and responsible gaming.

Sportsbook Trading Masterclass

Taking place on Tuesday, 29 September, the Sportsbook Trading Masterclass will be led by Jonathan Smith, Founder of Sportsbook Training Services.

The programme consists of three progressive sessions covering the fundamentals of sportsbook pricing, probability and odds compilation, before moving into how trading teams use market data and predictive modelling to refine prices.

Delegates will then put the theory into practice using Excel and Python to build models across a range of NBA betting markets. The session is designed for junior traders, analysts and sportsbook managers, as well as professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of trading and risk management.

Electronic Gaming Masterclass

On Wednesday, 30 September, Lucien Wijsman, Gaming Consultant at Electronic Gaming Academy, will lead the Electronic Gaming Masterclass, examining how modern casino players behave and experience slot games.

The session will cover player motivations, behavioural archetypes and the differences between land-based, hybrid and online-first audiences. Delegates will also be introduced to Expected Session Volatility, a framework for understanding how players experience game mathematics during real sessions.

The insights are intended to support decision-making across product development, CRM, marketing, customer communication and responsible gaming.

Responsible Gaming Marketing Masterclass

The Responsible Gaming Marketing Masterclass will take place on Thursday, 1 October and will be led by Arjan Korstjens, Owner of Casino Marketing Academy.

The session will explore how operators can integrate player protection across acquisition, retention and customer communication, while challenging the idea that responsible gaming should sit apart from wider commercial strategy.

Through practical exercises and real-world examples, delegates will examine how clearer communication, customer education and proactive monitoring can support earlier intervention and more sustainable player relationships. Participants will leave with a framework for building a responsible gaming marketing strategy across the full customer journey.

The Education+ upgrade can be added to an SBC Summit ticket for €249, providing access to a Masterclass or Tech Academy of choice.

Show floor expands the learning and networking offer

Beyond the conference rooms, a dedicated iGaming & Casino zone will bring together game studios, platform providers, live casino suppliers and player engagement specialists.

Delegates will be able to explore potential partners through the Casino Games Show Floor Tour, while operators and suppliers can use SBC Summit’s Smart Connect feature to arrange pre-qualified meetings based on their business goals.

For delegates attending SBC Summit, conference access is included with Conference (€599), Business (€799) and VIP (€999) passes. Those interested only in the Super Stage keynote programme can choose a Super Stage Pass (€199) or Super Stage Golden Circle Pass (€499).

Use our 30% Discount Code: PAYSPACEPARTNERVIP to receive VIP Passes AND Conference, Networking, and Business Passes at reduced prices.

The Conference Pass (€599) includes access to the exhibition floor and conference stages, including the full iGaming Product & Design track. The Business Pass (€799) includes conference and show floor access alongside SBC Summit’s structured networking programme. The VIP Pass (€999) provides full access to the conference, exhibition and networking programme, as well as complimentary food at the Food Festival and entry to evening networking events.

Access to the Affiliate Leaders Summit conference programme requires a separate Affiliate Leaders Pass, which also includes entry to the Affiliate Leaders Academy and the full SBC Summit conference programme.

For delegates seeking additional training, the optional Education+ upgrade is available for €249, with individual sessions also priced at €249.

About The CPD Certification Service

Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service is one of the world’s leading independent CPD accreditation bodies, supporting organisations in delivering structured learning that helps professionals develop and maintain the knowledge and skills required throughout their careers.

Every conference and Education+ session delivered across SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit is officially CPD accredited, allowing delegates to earn recognised Continuing Professional Development throughout the events.

SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit will take place from 29 September to 1 October 2026 at Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and the MEO Arena in Lisbon.

More information on ticket options is available at SBC Summit, while details of the Education+ upgrade are available through SBC Events.

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