SBC Summit: Innovating the Industry Through Technology, Trends and Strategies

Over the last couple of years, society has forgone a number of transformative changes.

We have witnessed the rise and fall of a global pandemic, increasingly divided political opinions, and the monumental success of the pop culture phenomenon known as ‘Barben-heimer’.

Another trend widely discussed both within and outside the industry is the growing emphasis on ‘innovation.’ From politicians to tech companies, the prevailing sentiment is that if your product, strategy, or idea isn’t innovative, it holds little value in today’s world.

But what does innovation truly mean?

Is it a buzzword that brings as many eye rolls as it does innovation? Or is it a word that truly encapsulates a groundbreaking disruption to the status quo?

Here at SBC, we are firm believers in the power of innovation. When we position something as ‘innovative’, we don’t just mean the latest revolutionary bed pillow that promises to ‘redefine the way you sleep’.

We refer to actionable strategies, cutting-edge technology and modernised ways of thinking designed to appeal to a whole new generation.

With this in mind, this blog post will be dedicated to highlighting the session panels featured across SBC Summit’s conference programme that are dedicated to innovation.

DAY ONE

The opening day of the SBC Summit’s agenda will primarily focus on the power of emerging technologies in revolutionising business strategies and traditional industry sectors. Attendees can anticipate sessions on the transformative potential of technologies like AI, strategies for enhancing sportsbook and casino user experiences, and discussions on future trends set to impact the gambling and iGaming industry.

The session ‘Identification Technology: AI and Machine Learning in the Mix’ will explore the realm of cutting-edge technology, with a particular emphasis on AI. Industry experts will convene to discuss the practical applications of these innovative technologies, evaluate the success of existing solutions, and speculate on future advancements and their potential to enhance responsible gambling strategies.

Continuing the focus on AI, the panel titled ‘AI: What Are the Risks and Rewards in 2025?’ will feature industry experts exploring both the potential advantages and consequences of this technology. The discussion will address whether operators should fully embrace this new form of machine learning or adopt a more cautious approach to balance benefits and manage risks effectively.

The session titled ‘Leaders of Tomorrow: The Talent, the Tech, and the Trends of the Next Decade’ will explore the cutting-edge technologies, trends, strategies, and talent poised to shape the industry’s future. Discussions will cover emerging player trends, current innovations that can attract new players, and insights from leading brands on their visions for the future.

The session titled ‘Tech & Regulation: Fostering a Sustainable AML Strategy’ will focus on the role of innovative technology in enhancing AML strategies amidst evolving global regulation. Industry experts will explore how betting and payment firms are proactively integrating technology for anti-fraud and anti-money laundering strategies and will highlight the risks and benefits of using emerging technologies amidst this complex regulatory landscape.

Turning attention to innovations in sportsbooks is the panel ‘Sportsbooks vs Entertainment: In-play Betting, AI and Streaming’. During this insightful panel, discussions will delve into the pivotal role of innovative features such as in-play betting, personalised experiences, and engagement tools. The panel will explore how these modern enhancements ensure sportsbooks evolve, keep up with the latest trends, and appeal to increasingly demanding audiences.

The panel titled “Navigating the Frontier: Crypto Trends, Bonuses, and Innovation in Casinos” will explore groundbreaking strategies to elevate the casino experience, including the adoption of cryptocurrency and advanced technology. Industry experts will discuss regulatory developments and the emergence of new game formats, such as crash games. The panel will also explore how these elements are reshaping player experiences, analyse current trends and future opportunities, and discuss strategies for positioning brands at the forefront of the digital gaming revolution.

DAY TWO

The theme of innovation across day two’s conference agenda will focus on innovation in game design and business strategy. Attendees can look forward to discussions on the latest trends to boost brand loyalty, the role of innovative technology in enhancing live casinos, and the latest developments impacting the world of game design.

The panel titled ‘CRM Strategies: Harnessing Gamification and AI to Drive Loyalty’ will explore the latest trends and strategies to enhance brand loyalty amongst players. Experts panellists will explore emerging trends such as free-to-play games, and AI. Additionally, the panel will share strategies for turning casual players, into high-value, loyal customers and how operators can leverage these trends and strategies to supercharge loyalty.

The session titled ‘Live Casino – Seeing is Believing’ will address the current landscape of live casino gaming. Industry experts will discuss whether live casino has met industry expectations, how blockchain technology can further innovate the sector by enhancing transparency and trust, and whether smart contracts could help verify the authenticity of the game.

The session ‘Slot Trends: Designing for the Future Player’ will explore the latest trends and strategies impacting the world of slot design. Focusing on game design, mechanics, mathematics, and the integration of bonuses and features, the panel is set to explore all of the latest trends in enhancing player engagement. Speakers will share their expertise in crafting innovative slots that will both captivate the player of today and the player of tomorrow. 

DAY THREE

The theme of innovation on the final day of the summit will highlight the transformative impact of cutting-edge technologies across various industry sectors. Sessions will address pressing topics such as AI’s influence on content creation, the latest advancements in slot design, and the potential risks associated with emerging technologies like VR.

The final day will open with the panel titled ‘Generative AI – 2025 Update, and How MarTech Plays Its Role.’ This panel will explore AI’s impact on content creation and its transformation of business and advertising strategies in the industry. Discussions will focus on how personalized campaigns and customer engagement strategies might redefine the marketing landscape.

The panel titled ‘Immersive Evolution: From Successful Games to Revolutionary Slot Experiences’ will explore the recent evolution of traditional slot games. The panel will discuss the latest innovation in slot design, delving into technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and provide insights into how these groundbreaking elements are being integrated into slots.

The session titled ‘VR & Gambling: Can Realism be Too Real?’ will address potential concerns around integrating virtual reality into gambling. Panel discussions will explore whether VR truly enhances user engagement, the implications of VR for responsible gambling practices, and the ethical considerations of pursuing hyper-realism in VR gambling.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The upcoming agenda at SBC Summit will provide delegates with a plethora of educational content, catered to the theme of innovation. Whether deep diving into the latest innovative technologies, the latest marketing strategies or the evolution of traditional betting verticals, there will be ample opportunities for delegates to bolster their operations, innovate their offerings and cement themselves as a forerunner of change and innovation in the industry.

Secure your spot at the upcoming SBC Summit with our limited-time, ‘Summer Football Special‘ pass. This pass grants you access to all three core days of the event, including the exhibition floor, conference content, and evening networking parties for the discount price of just €400!

Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for free passes to the event. If you are an operator, you can apply for a free pass here, if you are an affiliate, you can apply for a free pass here. 

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers & exhibitor additions, and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly SBC Summit LinkedIn Newsletter.