New for SBC Summit 2025, the Global Markets stage will spotlight the world’s most mature and commercially significant regions.
From Tuesday, 16, to Thursday, 18 September, leading operators, regulators, affiliates, and suppliers will explore the key trends, innovations, and challenges shaping Latin America & Brazil, Western Europe and North America.
Each day will zero in on one of these key regions, culminating in a deep dive into the North American online sports betting and iGaming market—valued at $23.44 billion last year. Whilst the region presents significant challenges through entrenched operator competition, fragmented regulations, and high entry costs for new market entrants, it remains a valuable growth market for companies that adapt and innovate.
The Global Markets: North America track will explore how businesses are finding new opportunities and sustaining momentum in this increasingly mature landscape.
These sessions will examine the current boom in alternative betting formats such as sweepstakes, daily fantasy, and peer-to-peer models, and ask whether these models are here to stay, or are quickly due to become a thing of the past thanks to new regulations.
In this blog, we spotlight the key sessions for businesses eyeing entry into the North American market, outlining the core themes, expert speakers, and why these discussions matter for anyone looking to succeed in this landscape.
US Leaders Panel: Sweeping the States – The Rise of Alternative Betting
Time: 11:00-11:40
Date: Thursday, 18th September
Why This Panel is a Must-Attend
With the pace of new states regulating online sports betting and iGaming slowing, alternative formats like sweepstakes casinos have emerged to fill the gap, building a market that’s now worth an estimated $3.1 billion.
With major states like California and New York moving to limit these models, this panel will explore whether sweepstakes still have a viable future and what operators need to know before entering or expanding into this space.
Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:
- Will alternative betting formats such as sweepstakes and prediction markets continue to grow in the US? Assessing whether recent political trends against sweepstakes will continue, and how new brands can still enter the market.
- Will the growth of alternative betting formats lead to new regulated markets? The popularity of alternative betting shows players in the US want access to iGaming and online sports betting. Will states see this as an opportunity to legalise markets and bring in tax revenue?
- How Does the Rise in Alternative Betting Affect Markets Such As Canada? Alberta has followed Toronto in taking steps toward a regulated iGaming market — but does the growing popularity of alternative betting formats suggest there’s wider appetite for regulated markets across Canada?
Speakers:
- Jared Beber, CEO, Bet99
- Paul Burns, CEO, Canadian Gaming Association
- Brett Calapp, Co-Founder, RareMint
- Kresimir Spajic, CEO & Chair, Betfred US
- Alexandre Tomic, CEO, Alea
Sweepstakes Boom – Sustainable Growth or Short-Lived Trend?
Time: 12:00-12:40
Date: Thursday, 18th September
Why This Panel is a Must-Attend
Sweepstakes and live casino formats are gaining momentum, but are they here to stay?
With adoption rising across the U.S. and regulatory scrutiny beginning to build, this panel takes a look at whether these models represent genuine innovation or a short-lived trend.
Industry experts will discuss what kind of regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure the long-term future of sweepstakes, and whether these models can become a stable, recognised part of the wider betting and gaming industry.
Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:
- Are sweepstakes casinos risking imminent regulatory backlash? With states like New York and California already moving to restrict sweepstakes, is a wider pushback across the U.S. inevitable?
- Is the sweepstakes opportunity already closed to newcomers? As enforcement ramps up, do newcomers still have a viable path into the market—or does the risk of regulatory trouble now outweigh the potential rewards of market entry?
- Can sweepstakes models evolve into a credible, regulated alternative to traditional iGaming? The panel will explore whether the sweepstakes format has the potential to mature into a legitimate long-term offering—or if its legal grey area will continue to limit its future.
Speakers:
- Motti Colman, VP Revenue, Optimove
- Anthony Gaud, CEO, GaudHammer Gaming Group
- Robert Goodman, CEO, Golden Matrix Group
- Karolina Moscicka, COO, BugsyEmpire
- Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO, EvenBet
The Social Side of Betting – Peer-to-Peer, Gamification & Community
Time: 13:40-14:20
Date: Thursday, 18th September
Why This Panel is a Must-Attend
Continuing the focus on alternative betting, this panel explores the rise of peer-to-peer betting across the US. Industry experts will unpack what’s driving this momentum and debate whether operators should invest more heavily in the format, particularly as they look for new ways to boost engagement beyond traditional peak periods.
Key Questions This Panel Will Tackle:
- Can peer-to-peer betting create a true iGaming community? There are suggestions that peer-to-peer betting recreates the camaraderie of a traditional betting shop – does this mean that operators need to prioritise peer-to-peer offerings?
- How can peer-to-peer betting continue to grow? What new features can operators introduce to improve the experience for players?
- What are the operational and regulatory challenges of building social-first betting platforms? How can operators remain compliant with their peer-to-peer offerings?
Speakers:
- Marion Ryan, Managing Director, Tombola
- Josh Turk, Chief Strategy Officer, North America, Low6
- SOFTSWISS
Final Thoughts
With the pace of new states legalising iGaming slowing, the North American market is at a crossroads. Will alternative formats like sweepstakes casinos, peer-to-peer betting, and Daily Fantasy Sports continue to expand, or prove to be a temporary trend that will soon be restricted?
Attendees will leave with a clear view of what the future holds for alternative betting formats in the US, including where real opportunities lie, which regulatory challenges to anticipate, and how to build sustainable growth in a rapidly shifting landscape.
