SBC Summit Lisbon Breaks Records

The SBC Summit in Lisbon concluded with an exceptional attendance of close to 25,000 participants, solidifying its reputation as the premier event in the gaming industry. Lauded by executives as “The Greatest Show in Gaming,” the summit saw record-breaking attendance and enthusiastic participation, solidifying its place as a major international conference.

Industry leaders, exhibitors, and delegates from around the world praised the summit's execution and scope, which showcased the latest developments in iGaming, esports, and sports betting. With the event drawing participants from over 130 countries, it was a hub of networking, learning, and collaboration.

A Stellar Beginning: The Opening of SBC Summit Lisbon

Held at the expansive Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena, the event's sheer scale amazed many attendees. The summit boasted an incredible 110,000 square meters of exhibition space, a 70% increase in attendance from previous years, and industry insiders were quick to acknowledge the summit’s significant growth.

Shimon Akad, COO of Playtech, spoke about the powerful first impression of the event: “When we arrived, the first reaction was ‘wow.’ This event is rapidly becoming the standard for the gaming industry.” Tim de Borle, COO of Casumo, shared similar sentiments, adding, “The bar has been raised to a whole new level. It’s inspiring to see how the event has evolved.”

Diverse Exhibitors and Attendees: A Global Gathering

The SBC Summit stood out not only for its size but also for the diversity of its attendees. Gaming companies and professionals from regions like Africa, Latin America, North America, and Asia came together to explore the latest trends and innovations. Many praised the organisers for creating a platform that successfully blended both scale and quality.

Gonzalo Perez, CEO of Apuesta Total, remarked on the event’s structure: “I love how it’s organised by specific themes like sportsbook, casino, and affiliates. It makes networking much easier, despite the size of the venue.” Marija Hammon, Marketing Director at Relax Gaming, was similarly impressed: “I’ve been blown away by the meticulous attention to detail. It’s clear that no stone was left unturned, from the moment I collected my badge to the seamless navigation of the event.”

The theme-specific structure of the expo, particularly in areas like payments, esports, and affiliates, ensured that exhibitors and attendees could find precisely what they were looking for. OKTO CCO Simon Dorsen commented: “The segmentation of the event made it much easier for industry professionals to connect with the right people in the right spaces. It’s a focused and effective approach.”

A Truly Global Experience

The summit’s ability to attract participants from around the world added to its value. Pedro Machado, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Tourism, highlighted the economic contribution of the SBC Summit to the local economy: “This major international event dedicated to iGaming, betting, and esports has made a significant financial impact. We hope to welcome SBC Summit back to Lisbon next year.”

Richard Dennys, CEO of Game Lounge, echoed this sentiment, pointing to the widespread buzz surrounding the event even before it began: “Everyone was asking, ‘Are you going to Lisbon?’ The centre of gravity for our business shifted to Lisbon for this week.”

Showcasing Player Protection and Social Responsibility

A standout feature of the summit was its focus on player protection and responsible gaming. The Player Protection Zone was introduced to promote social responsibility initiatives aimed at minimising harm to players, a cause that has become increasingly important within the industry. Duncan Garvie, Founder & Trustee of BetBlocker, praised the initiative, stating: “The Player Protection Zone is a fantastic way to shine a light on efforts that minimise harm in gaming. It’s wonderful to see SBC actively promoting these initiatives.”

With companies eager to show their commitment to responsible gaming, the Player Protection Zone proved a vital part of the summit, creating dialogue around ethical practices in the gaming industry. It also reinforced the industry’s responsibility to both players and the wider community.

A Spectacular Lineup of Speakers and Sessions

The SBC Summit also featured an impressive conference lineup, with eight stages and a central Super Stage at MEO Arena. From high-profile keynotes to sector-specific panels, the discussions covered every facet of the gaming industry, providing valuable insights into market trends, challenges, and future opportunities.

One of the keynote highlights was a conversation with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web, who shared his thoughts on the future of technology in the gaming sector. Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk also took the stage, much to the delight of attendees like Marija Hammon, who recalled being inspired by him during her childhood.

The event’s star power didn’t end there. Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel shared his insights on perseverance and teamwork, adding yet another layer of inspiration to the summit. The combination of prominent speakers from both within and outside the gaming industry helped the SBC Summit stand out as an event where the biggest names gather to share knowledge and foster innovation.

Expanding Horizons: The Affiliate, Payments, and Esports Summits

This year’s summit also introduced dedicated sub-events tailored to specific sectors within the gaming ecosystem. These included the Affiliate Leaders Summit, Payments Summit, and Esports Summit, which allowed professionals in these rapidly growing areas to engage in deeper, more targeted discussions.

The Affiliate Leaders Summit was especially well-received, with Game Lounge CEO Richard Dennys noting the high-quality leads his company was able to generate at the event. “This is the first time we’ve had a proper exhibition stand, and the results have been amazing,” he said. “The number of connections we’ve made far exceeded our expectations.”

Sofascore Co-founder and CEO Zlatko Hrkac, a regular participant in the Affiliate Leaders Summit, also praised the addition of dedicated spaces for affiliates and operators to meet: “It’s definitely a good idea to have a dedicated space for affiliates to connect with operators. It makes forming new partnerships much easier.”

The Future of SBC Summit: A Look Ahead to 2025

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the SBC Summit is already looking ahead to its next event in Lisbon, scheduled for September 2025. With projected attendance expected to rise to 30,000 delegates, the summit is set to break even more records.

SBC CEO and Founder Rasmus Sojmark reflected on the event’s success and its future prospects: “Our goal was to create a space where the entire industry could come together for meaningful experiences, whether that meant learning, networking, or making business deals. We’ve shown that SBC Summit is indeed the ‘Greatest Show in Gaming,’ and we’re excited to return to Lisbon next year.”

With the groundwork laid for an even larger event in 2025, it’s clear that the SBC Summit will continue to be a cornerstone for the global gaming community, fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration across all sectors.

Conclusion: A Record-Breaking Event with a Bright Future

The SBC Summit Lisbon has firmly established itself as a premier event in the global gaming industry, bringing together leaders, innovators, and professionals from all corners of the world. With its thoughtful organisation, diverse range of speakers, and groundbreaking initiatives like the Player Protection Zone, the summit has set a new standard for gaming conferences.

As the industry continues to grow and evolve, the SBC Summit will remain a critical platform for fostering dialogue, promoting responsible gaming, and driving the next wave of innovation. The excitement surrounding the 2025 event is already palpable, and the gaming community will undoubtedly return to Lisbon next year with even greater anticipation.

FAQs

What was the SBC Summit in Lisbon about?
The SBC Summit in Lisbon is a leading global event for the gaming industry, focused on iGaming, esports, betting, and networking.

How many people attended the SBC Summit 2024?
The SBC Summit 2024 had nearly 25,000 attendees, making it one of the largest gaming events in the world.

What sectors were highlighted at the SBC Summit?
The event focused on iGaming, esports, betting, payments, and affiliates, with dedicated summits for each sector.

Who organised the SBC Summit?
The SBC Summit is organised by SBC, a global leader in gaming conferences and exhibitions.

What were the highlights of the event?
Keynote speeches, networking, dedicated summits, and the Player Protection Zone were standout features of the event.

Where was the SBC Summit held?
The event was held at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.

What was the Player Protection Zone?
The Player Protection Zone focused on promoting responsible gaming and harm minimisation efforts in the industry.

How did the event benefit Lisbon?
The event brought significant economic benefits to Lisbon and Portugal, with international attendees and businesses participating.

What is the significance of the SBC Summit?
It is considered a leading platform for innovation, networking, and collaboration within the global gaming industry.

When will the SBC Summit return to Lisbon?
The next SBC Summit in Lisbon is scheduled for September 2025, with a projected attendance of 30,000 delegates.