In just a few years, the conversation around Africa has changed dramatically.
In 2025 alone, more than 440 million people bet on sports across the continent, contributing to a gambling market estimated at roughly $17 billion.
With the market projected to grow by 17% between 2022 and 2027 (faster than anywhere else in the world), Africa is evolving from an emerging opportunity into one of the biggest commercial growth markets in global gaming.
But while the opportunity is enormous, success is far from straightforward.
Africa is a jigsaw of distinct jurisdictions, each with their own regulatory frameworks, player behaviours, payment preferences and commercial landscapes.
That’s where SBC Summit comes in. Through dedicated conference sessions, targeted networking opportunities and an expansive show floor, SBC Summit will help stakeholders put the pieces together, building a clearer picture of what it takes to succeed across Africa.
Whether you’re looking to better understand the region, strengthen your presence or enter the market for the first time, this guide will show you how SBC Summit can help you unlock Africa’s potential.
Conference: Understanding Africa’s Gaming Landscape
Success in Africa will no doubt vary from market to market and business to business.
Yet regardless of where you’re operating, understanding regulation, player behaviour, localisation and market dynamics is fundamental to building a successful strategy.
Reflecting this, on Tuesday, 29th September, SBC Summit’s Global & Emerging Markets stage will feature two dedicated sessions that move beyond individual markets to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping Africa as a whole.
Designed to provide strategic guidance relevant across multiple African markets, the track will equip stakeholders with insights into the region’s highest-growth opportunities, the gaming formats attracting the greatest player interest, and the technologies driving the next phase of market e
Understanding Africa’s Growth Story
The Africa Advantage: High Growth, Fast Regulation, Huge Potential
Tuesday 29th September| 12:45 – 13:25 | Emerging Markets
This session explores the forces driving Africa’s rapid expansion and what businesses need to understand before entering or scaling across the continent.
Key takeaways:
- Which African markets offer the strongest commercial opportunities today
- How mobile-first behaviour is impacting betting products and player expectations
- The role of mobile money in customer acquisition and retention
- How younger demographics are influencing product design and engagement
- What operators must do to build long-term loyalty across diverse markets
Panellists:
- Jason Gibson (Chief Commercial Officer, SportPesa)
- Aggrey Sayi (CEO, Maybets)
- Ronnie Whelan (CEO, Kingmakers)
Most valuable for:
- Operators expanding into Africa
- Product and innovation teams
- Business development professionals
- Investors and market-entry strategists
Navigating Africa’s Regulatory Landscape
Africa’s New Rulebook: How Regulators Are Shaping a 45-Market Boom
Tuesday 29th September| 13:30 – 14:10 | Emerging Markets
As licensing frameworks continue to evolve across the continent, this session examines how regulation is shaping Africa’s next phase of growth and what businesses need to know to stay ahead.
Key takeaways:
- How regulation is evolving across Africa’s fastest-growing markets
- The licensing and compliance trends every operator should understand
- How regulators are tackling unlicensed gambling and strengthening enforcement
- Which regulatory approaches could become models for the rest of the continent
Most valuable for:
- Operators
- Legal and compliance teams
- Regulators and policymakers
- Market-entry and corporate strategy professionals
View the full conference agenda here.
Networking: Gain Direct Access to Africa’s Regulatory and Industry Leaders
The conference sessions explain what is happening across Africa’s gaming industry. SBC Summit’s expanded networking programme gives delegates the opportunity to discuss those developments with the operators, regulators, suppliers and affiliates experiencing them first-hand.
Designed around targeted, value-driven networking, these sessions make it easier to ask questions, exchange ideas and build relationships with the people helping shape Africa’s gaming sector.
Africa Regulatory Gaming Cocktail Hour
Taking place on Tuesday, 29th September, from 13:30 – 14:30, the Africa Regulatory Gaming Cocktail Hour gives delegates the opportunity to discuss the latest regulatory developments with regulators and industry leaders from across the continent.
Taking place in the Regulatory Gaming Meet-Up Lounge (F4-17), this relaxed networking session, complete with complimentary drinks, is all about open discussion.
Attendees can ask market-specific questions, share common challenges, compare experiences and build valuable relationships with those actively driving Africa’s gaming revolution.
Hosts include:
- Dr Martin Talian (CEO, Kenya’s National Lottery Board)
- Omer Mohaban (Official Representative, Liberia Online Gaming and Casino Commission)
- Ivo Bosukov (Chief Strategy Officer, SportPesa Group)
SBC Connect Meets
Delegates can also use SBC Connect Meets to arrange one-to-one meetings with Africa-focused operators, suppliers, affiliates, regulators, and investors before arriving in Lisbon.
Through the SBC Connect app, attendees can search by company, filter by vertical, exchange messages, arrange meetings in advance, and schedule meetings in the dedicated SBC Connect Lounge (F741), helping turn regional interest into valuable business connections.
The Show Floor: Meet the Companies Driving Gaming Across Africa
If you’re looking to identify potential partners or speak to those already active in the market, the exhibition floor is the place to be.
Spanning four exhibition halls, it brings together operators, payment providers, platform suppliers, sportsbook specialists and technology companies with proven experience across African markets, making it easier to discover solutions and build new partnerships.
Exhibitors include:
Operators
Sportsbook & Platform Suppliers
- Altenar (C311)
- BETBY (C206)
- BetConstruct (C211)
- BETER (D211)
- Digitain (C218)
- GR8 Tech (C416)
- Playtech (B201)
- SOFTSWISS (B501 & C422)
- Sportingtech (B841)
- Logifuture (C106)
Sports Data & Trading
- Oddin.gg (C321 & C538)
- Sportradar (C431)
- Stats Perform (C335)
Payment Providers
- Akurateco (E323)
- Dpay.Africa (E720)
- Finera (D323)
- PayFuture (E311)
- PGWay (E608)
Casino Content Suppliers
- Amusnet (A411)
- Spribe (A416)
- BGaming (B301)
- CT Interactive (A506)
- EGT Digital (A201, A206 & A301)
- Evolution (B721)
- Games Global (B328)
- Pragmatic Play (C401)
- SmartSoft (A211)
- Wazdan (B401)
View the full floor plan here.
But the opportunities don’t stop with the exhibition stands. Beyond the companies exhibiting, thousands of operators, suppliers, affiliates and investors will also be walking the show floor, creating countless opportunities for spontaneous meetings and new business conversations.
Operators confirmed to have attended SBC Summit 2025 that are active in African markets included 1xBet, 22Bet, bet365, Betway Africa, Hollywoodbets, Betano, BetPawa, Meridianbet, Melbet, Supabets, Sunbet, SportyBet, Stake, World Sports Betting, and Growe and many more. While the SBC Summit 2026 attendee list will be released closer to the event, the 2025 list provides a strong indication of the calibre and breadth of operators that regularly participate, giving prospective attendees a useful overview of the businesses they can expect to meet in Lisbon.
Beyond Africa: Global Learning and Networking Opportunities
While SBC Summit features dedicated content focused on Africa, attendees also gain access to hundreds of sessions, educational programmes and networking formats covering the wider global gaming industry.
Many of the commercial challenges facing African markets, from payments and localisation to product innovation, AI, compliance and player engagement, are shared by operators worldwide.
The wider SBC Summit conference programme gives delegates the opportunity to learn from global leaders, discover proven strategies from more mature markets and build relationships that extend far beyond the continent.
Learn from the Industry’s Biggest Decision-Makers
While SBC Summit features dedicated sessions focused on Africa, delegates should also make time for the Super Stage, where the industry’s most influential leaders discuss the strategic issues shaping the future of global gaming.
One standout session is the Super CEO Panel: The Industry Speaks, which brings together senior executives from some of the world’s largest betting and gaming businesses, including:
- Dan Taylor (CEO, Flutter International)
- Jesper Svensson (CEO, Betsson Group)
- Aris Dimarakis (Deputy CEO, Kaizen Gaming)
- Kresimir Spajic (CEO, Allwyn Digital)
- Albert Simsensohn (CEO, Super)
- Dieter John (Group CEO, FEG)
And moderator Dinos Stranomitis (CEO, Altenar).
Rather than focusing on a single market, the panel tackles the strategic questions facing the industry worldwide. Discussions will explore whether AI represents the next major competitive advantage or simply another technology trend, how operators should balance commercial growth with responsible gambling obligations, and whether regulators should embrace or restrict emerging betting models such as prediction markets and sweepstakes.
For African stakeholders, the session offers valuable insight into how major international operators and suppliers approach expansion, investment, innovation and regulation. Many of the companies represented already operate across African markets or have an established presence in the region, making the discussion particularly relevant for delegates looking to understand the strategies, priorities and decision-making processes shaping some of the industry’s most influential organisations.
Build Practical Skills Through the Tech Academies
For delegates looking for hands-on learning, SBC Summit’s Tech Academies provide practical workshops focused on the technologies transforming gaming businesses worldwide.
Topics include:
– Artificial intelligence
– Marketing
– Gamification
– Web3
With interactive sessions designed to provide actionable knowledge that teams can immediately apply within their organisations.
Master Sportsbook and Casino Operations
Professionals looking to deepen their operational expertise can also upgrade their experience with SBC Summit’s Masterclass programme.
The programme includes:
- Sportsbook Masterclass led by Jonathan Smith, covering modern trading strategies, risk management and sportsbook operations.
- Casino Masterclass led by Lucien Wijsman, exploring game performance, player engagement, commercial strategy and casino optimisation.
Designed for professionals working directly within sportsbook and casino operations, these sessions provide practical knowledge from recognised industry experts.
Tech Academies and Masterclasses are available through the Education+ upgrade.
Discover Suppliers More Efficiently
With hundreds of exhibitors spread across four exhibition halls, knowing where to start can be a challenge.
Show Floor Tours offer a guided way to discover suppliers based on specific business needs, helping delegates identify relevant technology partners, compare solutions and maximise their time on the exhibition floor.
Meet More People in Less Time
SBC Summit 2026 will also introduce other structured networking formats designed to help delegates make meaningful business connections quickly.
Alongside the Africa Regulatory Gaming Meet-Up and the Show Floor Tours, attendees can participate in:
- Speed Networking allows delegates to meet dozens of potential business partners through structured introductions.
- Smart Connect, a networking programme that matches buyers and suppliers through pre-arranged, pre-qualified meetings built around real business relevance.
Whether you’re searching for suppliers, operators, investors or new commercial partners, these formats make networking significantly more targeted and efficient.
Final Thoughts
The commercial opportunities of Africa’s gaming and sports betting markets are abundantly clear. The path to succeeding in the region, however, is anything but.
SBC Summit 2026 is designed to provide this clarity.
Through dedicated conference sessions, targeted networking opportunities and a show floor featuring leading operators and suppliers active across the continent, attendees will not only gain a greater understanding of how to achieve success in the region but also form the crucial partnerships to aid in doing so.
Secure Your Ticket to SBC Summit 2026
SBC Summit offers a variety of ticket options, each catering to specific business needs.
VIP Pass (€999) – Full access to the show floor, conference sessions, all networking events and complimentary food from our Food Festival
Business Pass (€799) – Full access to the show floor, conference sessions, and the INFINITY Party. Food Festival and Opening Party entry not included.
Networking Pass (€599) – Full access to the show floor and daytime networking features. Conference not included.
Conference Pass (€599) – Access to the show floor and conference sessions. Daytime and evening networking features are not included.
