SBC Summit Americas: Conference Producer Interview

The past few years have seen the North American and Latin American markets go from strength to strength. 

In 2024, the North American market was valued at approximately $181 billion, accounting for over 40% of the global gambling revenue, whilst the regulated online gambling market in Latin America reached a valuation of approximately $2.5 billion.

Recognizing the incredible growth of these two markets and the valuable lessons they can learn from each other, SBC has combined its two America-focused events—SBC Summit North America and SBC Summit Latinoamérica—into a single, unified event: SBC Summit Americas. The summit will take place at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from May 13 to 15.

To gain a better understanding of the scope and topics set to be discussed during the educational program of the event, we spoke with Eddie Toledo, the lead Conference Producer for the show. 

Hi Eddie, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us. First of all, this is the first time SBC Summit Americas will bring together North, Central, and South America, so it’s a new format for everyone, so to speak. What can delegates expect on the conference front?

Eddie Toledo: Delegates can expect an array of educational & informative sessions, designed to equip them with fresh ideas and practical knowledge they can apply to their operations. With an educational lineup that covers the entire Americas, we hope North American delegates can gain valuable insights from LATAM markets—and vice versa.

It is also great that we will have live translation in three languages, so there is no need to worry about not being able to understand the language spoken on stage. 

It’s clear that there’s a lot to cover on both sides, especially since no country—whether it’s LATAM—or state if we’re speaking about the US, for example—is the same. How are you going to ensure balanced coverage of all regions?

ET: To ensure the conference is balanced across both markets, we have a North American-focused track and a LATAM-focused track. This allows us to not only incorporate diverse speakers from these regions but also provide both localized and global perspectives.

Aside from Brazil—obviously the hottest market right now—which other LATAM markets will the agenda dedicate increased attention to?

ET: Yes, Brazil will definitely be covered in the agenda! However, that is not to say Brazil is the only region worth exploring. There are a lot of countries that are making strides in the LATAM region and many are already considered hot markets like Colombia and Argentina, so it was really important for us to showcase a diverse selection of regions. 

We have a dedicated panel on the Caribbean market, as well as a panel covering the whole Andes region. There will also be a panel on Peru since its online gaming market went live last November, so there really is something for everyone!

The Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit are both making their debut at the Americas show. What are some of the themes that come up on the affiliation and payments front, respectively, throughout the agenda?

ET: The Affiliate Leaders Summit will focus on themes like SEO innovation, influencer-driven marketing, and strategies for driving traffic and player retention in all markets. Meanwhile, the Payment Expert Summit will tackle issues such as fraud prevention, optimizing payment systems, and balancing compliance with customer experience to reduce costs and boost efficiency. 

Both tracks aim to provide actionable insights into leveraging technology and partnerships to address the unique challenges in these critical areas of the iGaming ecosystem.

If you had to summarize which pressing questions will be answered by sitting through the conference—both North America-focused and LATAM-focused—what would they be?

ET: I would say that there are six pressing questions that the agenda will answer.

For North America: 

• How can operators and regulators navigate the growing regulatory complexity in U.S. markets?
• What are the best practices for integrating emerging technologies like AI into sports betting and iGaming?
• How can tribal and state-level stakeholders collaborate to expand gaming markets sustainably?

For Latin America: 

• How will operators balance Brazil’s booming market with opportunities in smaller LATAM countries?
• What strategies are needed to navigate licensing, cultural nuances, and regulatory developments in Brazil?
• How can lotteries, affiliates, and partnerships unlock growth in diverse LATAM markets? 

While consulting various experts to craft this agenda, was there a key realization or takeaway that struck you, and can you share that with the audience?

ET: Yes there certainly was! This realization was that there is a critical importance for balancing rapid market growth with sustainable practices, particularly in regions like Brazil and emerging LATAM markets. 

For brands entering these markets, they must integrate cultural adaptation, innovative partnerships, and robust regulatory strategies to address challenges across regions. I think that this reflects the evolving dynamics of the industry, where technology, compliance, and localization play pivotal roles in driving long-term success. The aim is for the agenda to equip attendees with the knowledge to thrive in these competitive landscapes.

What are your top three can’t-miss panels, and why are they so important for attendees?

ET: I am never prepared for this question! There are so many good panels that it is hard to put just three down – but since I have to, my three panels to recommend would be:

“Beyond Brazil: Balancing Growth Across LATAM’s Other Markets”
With Brazil’s recent regulation, it seems everyone wants an into the market, but we can not forget about the other major markets in the industry – including many that are on the rise. This panel tackles how operators can capitalize on Brazil’s boom while ensuring smaller LATAM markets remain relevant. It’s essential for understanding regional growth dynamics and investment strategies.

“The Regulation of Social Media x Influencers in Betting: Is Prevention Possible?”
This is an interesting one that I am particularly excited about. In LATAM, many countries are combating underage gambling and figuring out ways to protect the youth from harm. With social media booming, and influencers everywhere, many are looking at the possibility of regulating social media. I think that this will be a deep dive into the challenges of influencer-driven betting promotions, exploring legal frameworks and ethical concerns, making it vital for those navigating marketing compliance. It will be a great panel for Marketing teams who are working with influencers and RG teams.

“AI vs. Sportsbooks: What Are the Odds?”
Everyone is talking about AI and it’s about time that it hit this industry as well. This forward-looking panel examines AI’s potential to revolutionize odds-setting and user personalization while debating its impact on traditional betting models. A must-attend for future-focused operators.

Get Your Ticket to SBC Summit Americas

Early Bird Deal (Full Event Pass): Gain access to all conference sessions, the expo floor, networking events, and evening parties. Get your Full Event Pass with an Early Bird deal at $400 (ends March 17).

Expo+ Pass: Includes access to the expo floor and all conference sessions (does not include access to evening networking events). Get Your Expo+ Pass at $95.

Complimentary Operator & Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates can apply for free passes, subject to approval. Apply for Your Complimentary Operator Pass. Apply for Your Complimentary Affiliate Pass.