U.S. and LATAM Leaders to Headline Opening Day of SBC Summit Americas in Fort Lauderdale

SBC Summit Americas will open its conference agenda on Wednesday, May 14, at the Broward County Convention Center with a high-impact Leaders Track, setting the tone for a landmark event uniting North and Latin America’s gaming sectors under one roof. 

The day will begin with opening remarks titled “Welcome to Florida”, delivered by Julie Brown, Vice Chairman and Inaugural Chairman of the Florida Gaming Control Commission—one of the state’s most authoritative voices in gaming regulation. Brown played a pivotal role in establishing the Commission and brings a deep understanding of Florida’s regulatory landscape, making her a fitting figure to help open the first edition of this reimagined event.

The opening remarks will be followed by the conversation with Bill Miller, President & CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA) who will offer a timely exploration of how the shifting political landscape—from Capitol Hill to state regulatory conversations—is shaping the future of legal gaming in the U.S, as policymakers and regulators adapt to emerging technologies, evolving consumer behaviors, and increased scrutiny around responsible gaming. 

“It’s More Fun When It’s For Fun: In Conversation with DraftKings’ First Chief Responsible Gaming Officer” will shine a spotlight on one of the industry’s most crucial and timely priorities: player protection. As DraftKings’ first-ever Chief Responsible Gaming Officer, Lori Kalani will bring a fresh perspective on how the company is embedding responsible gaming practices across its platforms and player communities.

SBC’s Managing Editor, Jessica Welman, will interview Ari Borod, who will offer attendees an exclusive look into the bold ambitions and strategy of one of the most closely watched entrants in the U.S. sports betting market—Fanatics Betting and Gaming. As Chief Business Officer, Borod plays a central role in shaping how the powerhouse brand is differentiating itself in a saturated market, navigating regulatory hurdles, and aiming to merge commerce with gaming in innovative ways.

Day One will also feature three dedicated Leaders panels, each tackling key challenges and opportunities across the Americas. 

“LatAm Leaders – Beyond Brazil: Balancing Growth Across LatAm’s Other Markets” will bring together a powerhouse panel of regional experts to address one of the most urgent strategic questions facing the Latin American gaming industry: how to capitalize on Brazil’s explosive growth without neglecting the rest of the region. Featuring key voices from Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and beyond—including Julio César Tamayo Betancur (President, Wplay), Felipe Fraga (CBO, EstrelaBet), Sebastián Vivot (Director of Modernization and Information Technologies, LOTBA), Ramon Glieneke (COO, Alea), and Gonzalo Pérez (CEO, Apuesta Total)—and moderated by Karen Marcela Sierra-Hughes (VP of LatAm, Caribbean & Spain, GLI), this session will explore how to sustain balanced expansion and unlock untapped growth across the wider LATAM region.

The “Sports Betting Leaders: Tech vs Sports Books – What Are the Odds?” panel will dive into one of the most pressing debates in the U.S. sports betting landscape: whether to embrace or resist emerging technologies like AI. Featuring Stuart Simms (Group CEO, FairPlay Sports Media), Behshad Behzadi (Chief Product, Technology & AI Officer, Sportradar), and Endre Nesset (President, Coolbet), this session will unpack the opportunities and challenges that come with integrating cutting-edge tools into legacy systems.

Finally, the “iGaming Leaders: Omnichannel Strategy for Enhanced Customer Experience” panel will delve into how operators can create seamless, unified experiences across both digital and physical touchpoints. Kresimir Spajic (CEO & Chair, Betfred US), Oliver Bartlett (Vice President of Gaming – Product & Content, BetMGM), Lee Terfloth (Chief Interactive Officer, Gaming, Delaware North), Shai Frank (SVP Product & GM Americas, Optimove), and Andy Mace (Head of Casino Personalisation, Sportradar) will examine whether the industry is truly maximizing this potential to meet modern consumer expectations.

Another key sequence of sessions will offer a deep dive into the evolution, crossover, and regulation of fantasy sports in the U.S. It will begin with “The State of Fantasy Sports in America,” a presentation that will explore the history, skill-based game types, and monetization models of the sector. Then, “Crossover Between Fantasy Sports & Sports Betting” will examine how businesses can engage a shared audience of 70 million fans through aligned products and strategies. “Paid Fantasy Sports & Sports Betting – Legislation & Regulation Differences” will follow, unpacking the legal and operational contrasts between the two verticals. The block will conclude with “30 Years of Sports: From the Internet’s Infancy to Today’s Tech,” which will reflect on the industry’s transformation through the lens of innovation.

Capping off the day, “Ask the Regulators” will provide a rare and high-impact opportunity for operators and suppliers to engage directly with the key figures shaping U.S. gaming legislation. In this interactive Q&A session, Ed Martin (CEO) and Tom Sage (VP) of the Sports Betting Regulators Association, alongside Shawn Fluharty, President of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, will offer insight into the priorities, challenges, and future direction of state-level regulation.

Day Two of the event will also feature a dedicated Leaders Track, bringing together even more influential voices from North and Latin America to discuss what lies ahead for the industry.

Get your SBC Summit Americas tickets—group discounts are available!

Source: SBC News