As the gaming industry across the CEE, Balkans, and Central Asia faces a pivotal era of legislative change, SBC and SMH have announced an ambitious expansion for the SBC Regulators Forum 2026.
Taking place on July 15-16 as part of SBC Summit Tbilisi, the event will bring together at least twice as many regulatory bodies as previous editions, creating a stronger, more connected forum for regulatory dialogue.
With 2,500 delegates and over 60 speakers expected, this year’s gathering is designed to move beyond high-level discussion and focus on coordinated regional action against the industry’s most pressing challenges.
An Agenda Built for Action
The 2026 programme shifts the focus toward operational reality. Key sessions will tackle the growing sophistication of the black market, moving beyond standard compliance talk to explore how “Big Tech,” financial institutions, and regulators can collaborate to disrupt illegal digital infrastructure. Attendees will also participate in hands-on workshops to build a “National Disruption Playbook,” a tactical framework designed to detect and dismantle illicit operations through coordinated multi-agency action.
Beyond enforcement, the forum will focus on strengthening market integrity through improved data-sharing models, with sessions dedicated to knowledge sharing between the private sector and law enforcement to better combat fraud. Looking ahead, a dedicated topic will analyse the regulators’ point of view on future developments.
A Critical Regional Gateway
Andrew McCarron, Managing Director at SBC, emphasised the importance of this year’s expanded format: “We aren’t just discussing the rules; we are facilitating the creation of the tools to enforce them fairly. By doubling the regulatory presence, we’re ensuring that the 2,500 delegates in attendance have a direct line to the people shaping the future of the CEE and Central Asian markets.”
Lasha Machavariani, Founder of SMH, added: “Tbilisi is now the diplomatic centre of the regional gaming industry. This summit provides the essential ‘local pulse’ that global operators need to navigate the transition from traditional frameworks to the modern, tech-driven regulations of tomorrow.”
The SBC Regulators Forum remains an exclusive forum for those at the intersection of policy and play. As the region moves toward greater synchronisation with European standards, the 2026 event stands as the definitive meeting point for those looking to secure a foothold in one of the world’s most dynamic gaming frontiers.
