SBC and VNLOK form strategic partnership for 2027 Amsterdam summit

SBC and VNLOK Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Licensed Operator Participation at SBC Summit Europe

Multi-year partnership will bring Dutch licensed operators and industry leadership to Amsterdam, strengthening dialogue on regulation, player protection and the future of Europe's regulated gaming markets.

SBC and Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK), the trade association for licensed Dutch online gambling operators, have agreed to a new multi-year strategic partnership ahead of SBC Summit Europe, which debuts at RAI Amsterdam from 19-21 April 2027.

With Amsterdam serving as the home of SBC's new European event, partnering with a Dutch trade association was a natural step for SBC. VNLOK's extensive network of licensed operators aligns with the event's focus on regulated markets, with licensed operators and regulators at its heart. For VNLOK's members, the partnership presents an opportunity to put their experiences and perspectives front and centre, connecting with senior decision-makers from across the continent right on their doorstep in Amsterdam.

Through the partnership, VNLOK will bring senior executives from licensed Dutch operators to SBC Summit Europe, ensuring the Dutch market is strongly represented in wider European discussions on taxation, player protection, advertising restrictions, channelisation and illegal gambling. The experiences of Dutch operators will provide valuable perspectives for other regulated markets across Europe facing similar challenges. Additionally, the event will provide opportunities to explore further European cooperation on these challenges.

VNLOK will also provide input to SBC Media's coverage of the Dutch sector, sharing first-hand perspectives on regulation, taxation, licensing and commercial sustainability with an international audience.

Commenting on the partnership, SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark said: “Our ambition is to establish Amsterdam as the annual meeting place for Europe's regulated gaming industry, bringing together the licensed operators, regulators, policymakers and associations shaping its future.
The Netherlands is an important regulated market, and through our partnership with VNLOK, we want to ensure Dutch operators are strongly represented, and their perspectives contribute to wider European discussions on regulation, player protection and market sustainability.
We are delighted to welcome VNLOK as a strategic partner and look forward to building a long-term relationship that benefits the Dutch and wider European gaming industry.”

That mix of local depth and European perspective is why SBC has added SBC Summit Europe to its events calendar. With Europe made up of many different markets, the industry needs a dedicated place to compare approaches to taxation, advertising restrictions, player protection, licensing and channelisation. SBC envisions the event as the annual meeting place for the operators, affiliates, regulators, policymakers and associations leading, regulating and building the continent's licensed industry.

Björn Fuchs, Chairman of VNLOK, said: “The Dutch licensed market has a lot of experience to share, and a lot to learn from other regulated markets. SBC Summit Europe in Amsterdam gives our members a chance to do both with operators, regulators and policymakers from across Europe, in their home market. Many of the questions we deal with, from player protection to tackling illegal supply, are the same ones other markets are working through.”

The new partnership builds on SBC's wider collaboration with industry, legal and regulatory bodies, including IAGR (International Association of Gaming Regulators) and IMGL (International Masters of Gaming Law), which support SBC's ambition for SBC Summit Europe to be a central forum for Europe's regulated gambling industry.

Taking place at RAI Amsterdam on 19–21 April 2027, SBC Summit Europe will bring together 8,000+ attendees, including 3,000+ licensed operator representatives, 250 exhibitors and sponsors, and 250 industry speakers. The event will open with the invitation-only SBC Leaders Regulatory Forum on 19 April, followed by two days of exhibition, four conference stages including a dedicated European Regulation Conference, three specialist educational forums covering lottery innovation, player protection and sports integrity, and extensive networking opportunities connecting Europe's licensed operators, regulators and industry leaders.

Tickets for SBC Summit Europe will go on sale soon. In the meantime, interested attendees can register their interest here, and companies interested in exhibition and sponsorship opportunities can contact the SBC sales team at sales@sbcgaming.com.

About VNLOK

Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK), or Licensed Dutch Online Gambling Providers, is the trade association for online gambling operators licensed by the Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit). Its members include Holland Casino, Nederlandse Loterij, bet365, LeoVegas and Unibet, among others. VNLOK is committed to a safe, fair and responsible online gambling market, and advocates for firm action against illegal providers in order to keep that market as safe and responsible as possible.

About SBC

SBC is a global events, media and advisory enterprise, founded in 2009, that connects the international sports betting, iGaming, payments, fintech, affiliate and entertainment industries. Through year-round events around the world, including its flagship SBC Summit in Lisbon, and a network of specialised and local media delivering daily news, SBC gives industry businesses a year-round platform to connect with each other and learn from one another.

FAQs

What is the strategic partnership between SBC and VNLOK?
SBC and VNLOK have established a multi-year partnership to increase participation by licensed Dutch gambling operators at SBC Summit Europe and support discussions on European gambling regulation.

When and where will SBC Summit Europe 2027 take place?
SBC Summit Europe 2027 will take place from 19 to 21 April 2027 at RAI Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

What is VNLOK and who does it represent?
VNLOK or Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders, is a Dutch trade association representing licensed online gambling operators. It advocates for responsible gambling and a safe, regulated market.

Why has SBC partnered with VNLOK?
SBC aims to strengthen Dutch operator representation at its new European event and encourage cooperation on regulatory challenges affecting licensed gambling markets across Europe.

How many attendees are expected at SBC Summit Europe 2027?
SBC expects more than 8,000 attendees, including over 3,000 licensed operator representatives. The event is also planned to feature approximately 250 exhibitors and sponsors.

What regulatory topics will be discussed at SBC Summit Europe?
Discussions will cover gambling taxation, licensing, advertising restrictions, player protection, channelisation, illegal gambling and the commercial sustainability of regulated markets.

Who are the key representatives involved in the SBC and VNLOK partnership?
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC and Björn Fuchs, Chairman of VNLOK, are the principal representatives identified in the partnership announcement.

What is the SBC Leaders Regulatory Forum?
The SBC Leaders Regulatory Forum is an invitation-only event scheduled for 19 April 2027. It will bring together senior gambling industry representatives and regulatory stakeholders.

Which gambling operators are members of VNLOK?
VNLOK's membership includes Holland Casino, Nederlandse Loterij, bet365, LeoVegas and Unibet, alongside other licensed gambling businesses operating in the Netherlands.

How will the SBC and VNLOK partnership benefit European gambling markets?
The partnership will create opportunities for operators, regulators and policymakers to exchange experiences, discuss common regulatory challenges and explore cooperation across Europe's licensed gambling markets.