Payments Innovation in iGaming at SBC Summit Malta

As the international iGaming and betting industry prepares for the highly anticipated SBC Summit Malta 2025, payments technology has emerged as one of the most critical focal points. Scheduled to take place at the InterContinental Hotel on Thursday, 12 June 2025, the summit’s Payments Innovation track promises to bring together global leaders in payments, fintech, and compliance to examine the evolving landscape of transactional infrastructure and regulatory demands in the sector.

Strategic importance of payments in iGaming

Payments have traditionally been perceived as back-end operations—a necessary function for deposit processing and withdrawals. However, in today’s competitive and heavily regulated environment, payment solutions are viewed as strategic assets. They play a direct role in driving user engagement, maintaining customer trust, and enabling scalable growth.

Rasmus Sojmark, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of SBC, underscored the significance of this shift by noting:

“Payments are no longer just a backend function. They’re a key strategic pillar for driving engagement, trust, and scalable growth across the industry.”

Sojmark also highlighted the purpose of the Payments Innovation track at SBC Summit Malta:

“That’s why we’ve introduced the Payments Innovation track: to give operators, suppliers, and payments professionals a focused space to deep-dive into critical trends in this space. Our goal is to turn these innovations into actionable advantage.”

Exploring Open Banking: A disruptor with potential

One of the major topics under the Payments Innovation track is Open Banking, a disruptive technology that is gaining momentum across financial and gaming sectors alike. The panel discussion titled Open Banking in Europe: The disruptor transforming payments and affordability is poised to assess its true potential in enhancing the payments experience within iGaming.

This session will feature a panel of prominent experts, including:

• Theresia Mallia, Head of Payment Product at Kindred
• Christian Reinheimer, Director Payments Product & Technology at LeoVegas
• Sean Spiteri, Head of Payment Solutions at PressEnter
• Moderated by Rachael Kennedy, Editor at Payment Expert

Together, they will examine how Open Banking can support instant affordability assessments, accelerate transaction times, and help mitigate fraud across the iGaming landscape. Nevertheless, the session will not shy away from addressing regulatory hurdles and the operational challenges faced by operators attempting to implement such technologies within their existing frameworks.

Addressing the rise of crypto with caution and compliance

Cryptocurrencies continue to influence payment mechanisms across various industries, including online gaming. However, as crypto adoption increases, so does the need for clarity, caution, and legal compliance.

The session Crypto myth-busting and trends: How to invest wisely and avoid common pitfalls offers participants a grounded perspective on digital assets, moving beyond speculation and hype. Industry professionals will gain practical advice on integrating crypto within legal frameworks, ensuring compliance, and maintaining player trust.

Speakers for this interactive workshop include:

• Joseph Borg, Partner at WH Partners
• Wesley Ellul, Chief Commercial Officer at Quizando
• Mark Grech, Founder & CEO of Pyaza
• Sabine Roiss, CEO & Founder of Crypto-Play

The session promises practical exercises and risk mitigation strategies, offering a balanced perspective on how operators, affiliates, and suppliers can craft viable crypto strategies aligned with regulatory expectations.

Modern approaches to fraud prevention and compliance

With regulatory scrutiny intensifying, especially in European markets, the need for innovative fraud and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solutions has never been greater. The panel Redefining fraud prevention will focus on how artificial intelligence, improved workflows, and industry cooperation are being leveraged to protect businesses and their customers.

Featured speakers include:

• Piotr Lisak, AML Governance Officer & MLRO at Kindred
• Sergio Muscat, Founder of Oxygia Consulting
• Greg Papanastasiou, Chief Compliance Officer at Play North

Participants will hear real-world examples of how companies are proactively strengthening their internal controls to meet evolving compliance requirements while staying ahead of sophisticated fraudulent schemes.

Aligning fraud and AML strategies for better risk management

Another key session, Beyond detection: The convergence of fraud & AML in iGaming risk management, will be a fireside chat aimed at unifying fraud and AML strategies. It will be presented by:

• Tim De Borle, Chief Operating Officer at Casumo
• Tamas Kadar, CEO of SEON

The speakers will discuss the benefits of integrated risk management systems and how aligning fraud detection with AML protocols can lead to more efficient compliance outcomes. The conversation is expected to address not just technical solutions but also strategic considerations for long-term resilience and regulatory adherence.

A broader view of the SBC Summit Malta

While the Payments Innovation track is a significant focus, the SBC Summit Malta 2025 offers much more for attendees seeking broader market insights and practical strategies. Other notable tracks include:

Casino evolution

Focused on trends shaping the future of online and land-based casinos, including game innovation, customer experience, and technological integration.

Europe: Regulation & compliance

An essential track for legal and regulatory professionals navigating the shifting landscape of European gambling laws.

Affiliate insights

Covering strategies, tools, and compliance concerns for affiliate marketers in gaming.

Next-gen sports betting

A look at emerging technologies, player engagement tools, and predictive analytics in sports wagering.

The marketing playbook

An exploration of player acquisition and retention strategies, branding, and marketing analytics tailored for the gaming industry.

Each of these tracks will feature hands-on workshops, expert-led panels, and networking opportunities with industry leaders, further solidifying SBC Summit Malta as a must-attend event for professionals across the iGaming ecosystem.

Legal context and responsible communication

Given the sensitive nature of the payments and compliance sectors, especially with ongoing legal developments and varied jurisdictional frameworks, SBC Summit Malta is committed to ensuring that all discussions remain within the bounds of legal responsibility.

All speakers, sponsors, and organizers are expected to maintain compliance with international standards and regulations. No specific companies or individuals are targeted or critiqued in a defamatory manner. The summit aims to foster collaborative dialogue rather than adversarial narratives, promoting transparency, innovation, and ethical business practices.

Conclusion

The SBC Summit Malta 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the iGaming and betting industry, particularly in the realm of payment technologies and compliance. As operators face increasing regulatory scrutiny and rapidly evolving consumer expectations, innovations in Open Banking, cryptocurrency integration, and advanced fraud prevention are no longer optional—they are essential.

The Payments Innovation track, with its expert-led sessions and practical workshops, is designed to equip industry professionals with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to navigate this complex landscape responsibly. By addressing both technological opportunities and legal constraints, the summit offers a balanced, forward-looking approach to sustainable growth in the global gaming sector.

Through thoughtful dialogue and collaborative engagement, SBC Summit Malta reinforces the industry’s commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. In doing so, it ensures that payments are not just a support function, but a strategic driver of innovation, resilience, and long-term success.

FAQs

What is the Payments Innovation track at SBC Summit Malta 2025?
It is a dedicated series of panels and workshops exploring the latest advancements and challenges in payments technology within the iGaming industry.

Who are the key speakers in the Open Banking session?
Theresia Mallia from Kindred, Christian Reinheimer from LeoVegas, and Sean Spiteri from PressEnter will share their insights, moderated by Rachael Kennedy.

Why is crypto included in the Payments Innovation track?
Because digital currencies are increasingly being integrated into gaming platforms, making it essential to understand their risks, regulations, and applications.

What will the fraud prevention panels discuss?
They will explore how operators use AI, enhanced workflows, and collaboration to mitigate risks, combat fraud, and ensure AML compliance.

How does the summit support compliance and legal standards?
By inviting seasoned legal experts and ensuring sessions focus on responsible, regulation-aligned strategies for payment innovation.

Can crypto be legally integrated into gambling platforms?
Yes, but only under strict legal conditions and compliance frameworks that differ by jurisdiction. The summit will address how this can be achieved.

What are the benefits of Open Banking in gaming?
It enables faster deposits, real-time KYC, reduced fraud, and improved player affordability checks.

Is the SBC Summit Malta open to all iGaming professionals?
Yes, it is designed for operators, suppliers, affiliates, legal professionals, and fintech innovators.

What is the focus of the fireside chat on fraud and AML?
It explores the convergence of fraud and AML strategies to create more effective risk management frameworks.

Will the event discuss regulations outside of Europe?
Yes, while Europe is a major focus, global market insights and compliance trends are also part of the wider agenda.