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The final day of the SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 brought big debates, bold ideas, and future-driven insights. With over 30,000 attendees from 150 countries, the summit confirmed once again why it is seen as one of the world’s most important gatherings for the gaming industry.
From regulatory battles to startup energy, the third day was all about shaping the future of iGaming.
SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 Day 3: Regulation, Startups, And The Future Of iGaming
Innovation vs Regulation
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The day opened with a heated panel on unregulated markets and how they shape the industry.
Paul Burns, CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, pointed out:
“In the United States, more people are talking about banning stuff than building stuff,” said Paul Burns, CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, setting the tone for a no-holds-barred panel.
Paris Smith, CEO of Defy the Odds, doubled down: “Regulators are being told by the wrong people with the wrong agenda what is important.”
Another recurring frustration was the rising cost of official data. Altenar COO Dinos Stranomitis argued that everyone should have fair access to data, while Alea CEO Alexandre Tomic reminded that each vertical has its own audience, meaning regulation can’t be one-size-fits-all.
Mergers & Acquisitions: Risk or Reward?
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Despite global economic uncertainty, M&A activity remains a hot topic.
- Tom Field (Flutter) stayed positive, saying: “Gaming has proven to be a resilient sector over many, many years.”
- Adam Rosenberg (Blackstone) highlighted U.S. interest rate cuts as a possible boost.
- Klen Kaljulaid (Yolo Investments) struck a more cautious note, stating the industry is in “more turmoil than ever,” especially due to the ongoing black vs white market debate.
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Investors also showed interest in prediction markets like Kalshi, hinting at new growth areas in the U.S.
Asia and Brazil: Two Complex Markets
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Regulatory uncertainty dominated discussions on Asia and Brazil.
- In Thailand, Lau Kok Keng (Rajah & Tan Singapore) cited political challenges that are delaying progress.
- In India, Ranjana Adhikari described the RMG crackdown as “confused and damaging,” though others suggested it could eventually create more clarity.
- In Brazil, the challenge is more cultural than legal. Laura Beatriz (BetBoom) stressed the need for KYC systems to outsmart fraudsters, while Barbara Teles (Stake) underlined the importance of combining local adaptation with global best practices.
Mobile Growth and Rising Fraud
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Fresh data from Optimove revealed that 80% of Asian users prefer mobile gaming, and 84% choose live betting over pre-match options. Partnerships with apps like Viber and Telegram are becoming standard to reach these audiences.
But rapid growth also comes with risk. AWS’s Mike Reaves shocked the room by estimating fraud losses in betting could range from $400 billion to several trillion dollars.
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Andrea Carvalho (Entain) called for new approaches in AML roles, stressing that collaboration across the industry is the only way forward.
Gamification, Slots, and Free-to-Play
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Gamification took the spotlight in the afternoon.
- Lottofy CEO Fernando Ortega said lifetime value is the key metric.
- Marion Ryan (Tombola) highlighted session length as vital for bingo liquidity.
- On the free-to-play debate, Josh Turk (Low6) compared his model to a “non-alcoholic product,” while Herbert Gaban (Aposta Ganha) disagreed, insisting real players want real stakes.
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The slots panel brought together voices from RubyPlay, BGaming, Evoplay, and Swiss Casinos, all stressing the need for responsible but exciting innovation.
First Pitch: Startups Steal the Show
The First Pitch startup competition was a highlight. Five companies battled for €90,000 in support, with AIStats, an AI-powered football data platform, taking the prize.
Founder Alexey Vorobey left the audience inspired:
“Never give up. Pursue your idea.”
Other finalists included:
- BetPass (affiliate tech in Brazil)
- ChatBet AI (LatAm chatbot integration)
- LiveDuel (prediction-based betting)
- Nandemo Draft (Japan social casino)
A Global Giant: SBC’s Growth
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SBC’s Senior Marketing Director Dennis Algreen confirmed 20% growth year-over-year, with more than 5,969 C-level executives in attendance.
- African attendance grew by 78%.
- Lisbon booked 72,000 hotel nights for the event.
Managing Director Andrew McCarron summed it up:
“Nobody does content and networking like SBC.”
From Lisbon 2025 to the Future
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The day closed with excitement for the SBC Awards and the INFINITY Lisbon Party, featuring performances from Alok and Timmy Trumpet.
But beyond the music and celebrations, one key message echoed across all panels:
“Adapt, collaborate, and innovate or risk falling behind.”
As the industry looks toward SBC Summit Lisbon 2027, the momentum from 2025 sets the stage for even bigger conversations, breakthroughs, and opportunities.
Also Read: SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 Day 2: Innovation, Debate, And Big Personalities
