SBC Summit’s Player Experience Academy Explores Engagement and Its Limits

SBC Summit will put player experience under the microscope this September, as its Academy brings together the operators, product leaders and regulators shaping how engagement is designed, and where its limits should sit.

The Player Experience Academy forms part of the event's Education+ programme, and will explore how operators can strengthen engagement, retention and long-term player value alongside their responsibility to protect players.

Taking place on Tuesday, 29 September from 13:30 to 17:00 at Sala Tejo, MEO Arena, the Academy is designed for professionals responsible for player engagement, product and growth.

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Some of the most effective engagement mechanics in iGaming came from outside the industry. Video games, retail and entertainment have shown how missions, progression systems, battle passes and personalised rewards build stronger and more lasting customer relationships.

“This Academy will explore how operators can adapt those ideas while recognising the industry's regulatory responsibilities. Delegates will look at what can be borrowed, what needs to change, and how gamification can support engagement without compromising player protection.”

The Academy opens with “2026 Update: As It Is Now and What's Next?“, at the current state of player experience and gamification, and where the space is heading.

The panel “Driving Innovation in Responsible Player Experience” will examine how behavioural design and layered protection can drive engagement while ensuring ethical responsibility, and how operators can scale these approaches across multiple jurisdictions while balancing compliance, player wellbeing and sustainable growth.

Panellists Justin Muscat Galán (Senior Product Manager – Player Rewards & Gamification, Betsson Group), Chris McGowan (CEO, Scatters Group), Christoffer Gronland (CEO, Mindboogle Affiliate Marketing & Growth) and David Nardaia (CEO, Lambda Gaming) will discuss the balance operators must strike between behavioural design, retention and compliance.

An interactive presentation follows on what gambling can learn from other industries about responsible player experience. Led by Arjan Korstjens (Principal, Trainer, Casino Marketing Academy), “What iGaming Can Learn from Responsible Player Experience” looks at how sectors such as video gaming, retail and hospitality use rewards, progression and personalisation to build engagement and loyalty, and which approaches could be adapted responsibly for gambling.

The case study “Responsible Player Experience: Managing Risk for Commercial Sustainability” examines how battle passes, seasonal mechanics and mission-based engagement are being adapted from mainstream gaming for gambling. Dr Colin Lawrence, a pioneering expert in global risk management (Former Senior Regulator and Former Director of the Risk Specialist Division, FSA/Bank of England), will look at where these models drive retention, and the risks operators need to consider to make them commercially effective.

The Academy closes with an interactive workshop, “Know Your Player: Building Player Experience for Different Customer Segments”, led by Helen Walton (Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder, G Gaming). The session explores how player engagement varies by segment and how operators can tailor experiences to different behaviours, motivations and risk profiles. From casual users to high-value VIPs, attendees will examine how personalised missions, rewards, progression systems and engagement mechanics can improve retention, strengthen loyalty and support safer play.

The speaker line-up is still growing. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Access to SBC's Player Experience Academy is available exclusively through the Education+ Upgrade priced at €249.

Education+ Passes can be purchased as an add-on for all SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit ticket types.

Get your ticket to SBC Summit here.

FAQs – SBC Summit explores responsible player experience

What is the SBC Summit Player Experience Academy?
The Player Experience Academy is an Education+ programme at SBC Summit focused on engagement, gamification, retention, player protection and sustainable player value.

When will the Player Experience Academy take place?
The Academy will take place on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, from 13:30 to 17:00 at Sala Tejo in the MEO Arena.

What will the SBC Summit Academy focus on?
It will examine how operators can improve player engagement and retention while balancing regulatory requirements, player wellbeing and responsible gambling practices.

Who is the Player Experience Academy designed for?
The Academy is aimed at professionals responsible for player engagement, product development, customer experience, growth, compliance and related areas.

How will gamification be discussed at the Academy?
Sessions will explore missions, progression systems, battle passes, personalised rewards and other mechanics adapted from gaming, retail and entertainment.

How does player protection fit into the programme?
Speakers will examine how behavioural design and engagement strategies can be combined with safeguards, compliance measures and responsible player protection.

Who will speak at the Player Experience Academy?
The programme includes speakers from Betsson Group, Scatters Group, Mindboogle Affiliate Marketing & Growth, Lambda Gaming, Casino Marketing Academy and G Gaming.

What will the Academy cover about different player segments?
The closing workshop will examine how operators can tailor rewards, missions and engagement mechanics to different behaviours, motivations and risk profiles.

What is the Education+ Upgrade?
Education+ provides access to the Player Experience Academy and can be purchased as an add-on to eligible SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit tickets.

How much does access to the Player Experience Academy cost?
Access is available through the Education+ Upgrade, which is priced at €249 according to the event information provided.