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SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 Day 2: Innovation, Debate, And Big Personalities

by Elazar Gilad
written by Elazar Gilad 0 comments
SBC Summit Lisbon 2025- Day 2: Innovation, Debate, And Big Personalities

The second day of the SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 was just as intense as the first, with thousands of visitors filling the 135,000 square meter expo space to dive deeper into the topics shaping the global betting and gaming world. From heated debates on regulations to inspiring keynotes, and from hands-on tech demos to evening celebrations, Wednesday proved why this gathering is known as the greatest show in gaming. 

SBC Summit Lisbon 2025- Day 2: Innovation, Debate, And Big Personalities

Big Names on the Super Stage

Day 2 kicked off with superstar appearances at the MEO Arena Super Stage:

Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion, joined GR8 Tech’s team to share his story of resilience and excellence, earning huge applause from the audience. He blended humor and inspiration, reminding everyone that discipline, teamwork, and persistence are values that unite sports and business.

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Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee) delivered one of the most talked-about keynotes of the day, mixing bold predictions (“your grandkids may marry AI”) with practical advice on marketing strategy. He urged the industry to embrace interest media instead of outdated approaches, and to power growth with influencer marketing, content repurposing, and yes AI-driven characters.

Trends and Hot Topics

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Across the themed stages, discussions reflected just how multi-layered the global gaming industry has become:

AI and Personalization: From Aviators to newer tech startups, speakers stressed how AI is reshaping player engagement. While it presents opportunities for personalisation at scale, experts also warned about risks if human oversight is neglected.

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Sportsbook Innovation: Neo Group’s Arvids Rasa didn’t hold back, saying bluntly that “sportsbook as a product sucks” in its current form. Advocates called for fresh UX design, prediction market adoption, and personalized platforms tailored to casual vs. expert bettors.

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Emerging Markets: Panels looked at Eurasia and the UAE as two territories full of potential. In the UAE, regulators like the GCGRA have already blocked thousands of illegal sites, while industry leaders predicted the country could “redefine what gaming means for the rest of the world.”

Heated Panels and Regulatory Battles

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If Day 1 set the tone, Day 2 turned up the temperature with sharp debates on regulation:

Finland’s 2027 Market Launch sparked perhaps the fiercest discussion so far. Industry heavyweights from Kindred, Entain, Svenska Spel, Hippos, and Paf clashed on draft legislation, with criticism of vague regulation, strict advertising bans, and uncertainty around timelines. Some called it “the gloomiest launch to a multi-billion market ever.”

Italy was highlighted as a bright spot in Europe. With more trust between operators and regulators, Italy may be leading a regulatory comeback, despite scars from past missteps.

The Netherlands faced criticism for strict ads bans and unstable governance, with stakeholders worried about driving players back to the black market.

Latin America lessons also surfaced emphasizing diverse engagement through bonuses, multiple channels, and cultural sensitivity.

One of the key highlights was at Booth B30, which stayed busy all day with steady foot traffic and in-depth conversations about the future of iGaming. Visitors got the chance to exchange insights, discover innovative solutions, and meet industry leaders face-to-face.

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A major draw was CEO Kyle Wiltshire’s much-anticipated talk, which attracted a large crowd. His presentation on “Crowdsourced Testing on Watch & Bet Tech Across 5 Major Sportsbooks” was so impactful that many attendees were snapping photos of the slides. For those who missed it, the full deck is available at Booth B30 no screenshots required!

The Exhibition Buzz

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The show floor kept humming with energy as companies showcased new ideas:

  • Cactus Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Pateplay, SmartSoft, Aviator (partnering with UFC), and Evoplay drew large crowds.
  • Visitors could test gaming machines, interact with live demos, and explore tech innovations across Web3, blockchain, cybersecurity, and affiliate marketing strategies.
  • Popular zones like Sports Betting, Media & Affiliates, and Player Protection continued to act as meeting points for deep discussions.

Wrapping with Awards and Parties

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As the day’s sessions closed, attention turned to networking and celebrations. The highlight was the Affiliate Leaders Awards, bringing together the community to recognize standout achievements in the marketing and affiliate space. Needless to say, the Lisbon nightlife once again became an extension of the summit floor, with the conversations flowing just as freely as the drinks.

Looking Ahead

With two days complete, SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 has already delivered fiery debates, groundbreaking ideas, and unforgettable keynotes. Day 3 promises more of the same, closing out the record-breaking edition with the much-awaited Legends Charity Game and final Super Stage sessions.

Lisbon doesn’t just feel like the capital of Portugal this week it feels like the capital of the entire iGaming world.

Also Read:  SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 Day 1: A Marathon Of Networking, Panels, And Parties

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