SBC Summit Americas 2026 welcomed industry professionals from across North and Latin America last week, with discussions around prediction markets and a series of new networking initiatives earning strong praise from attendees.
Held at the Broward County Convention Center from June 9-11, the event facilitated discussions between operators, affiliates, suppliers and regulators on the opportunities and challenges shaping gaming markets across the Americas.
Tomer Imber, Senior Director of Sales at player engagement platform Optimove, highlighted the event’s strength in creating opportunities for cross-market collaboration and knowledge sharing: “You can tap into a session about the U.S in the morning, and in the afternoon you speak about Brazil or Colombia.”
Regulator participation was particularly strong, with representatives from jurisdictions across North and Latin America using the event as a platform to discuss shared challenges, exchange insights and explore opportunities for greater cooperation.
Fabio Macorin, Deputy Secretary of Prizes and Betting at SPA Brazil, pointed to the event’s role in fostering cross-border regulatory relationships: “I made a lot of connections with Costa Rica and Panama and other countries from South America, such as Argentina and the regulator from Buenos Aires.”
Kevin Mullally, CEO of the International Association of Gaming Regulators, emphasised the importance of creating spaces where regulators and industry stakeholders can engage directly: “This event allows regulators to be able to talk to stakeholders in forums that are diverse and have representation from every aspect of the industry.”
Juan Carlos Santaella Marchan, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, pointed to the value of learning from the experiences of other markets across the Americas: “It’s really valuable because we have the opportunity to speak with operators and other regulators from around the Americas, share experiences and learn about the paths different markets have taken.”
Networking received a significant boost through the debut of SBC Connections, a dedicated programme of curated networking experiences designed to help attendees build valuable relationships and maximise their time onsite.
The initiative featured SBC Connect Meets for pre-arranged business meetings through the official event app, speed networking sessions, knowledge-sharing meetups for attendees with similar interests, themed roundtable discussions on key industry topics and post-session networking discussions focused on emerging sectors such as sweepstakes and prediction markets.
The new formats were well received by attendees, who praised their ability to facilitate more productive conversations and streamline business interactions.
Dan Morrison, Director of New Business at Fast Track, credited the event’s integrated networking environment with helping drive more effective discussions across the industry ecosystem: “Having everything in one room definitely has its pros because it leads to stronger discussions and quicker decision-making. The networking between affiliates, operators and suppliers all go hand in hand.”
Fernando Ortega, CEO of operator Lottofy, pointed to the practical benefits of the revamped SBC Connect Meets format, highlighting the dedicated space it provided for focused business meetings: “The SBC Connect Lounge has been very useful because it provides a dedicated environment where meetings can take place efficiently without stress or uncertainty.”
Beyond the exhibition floor, Networking and VIP Pass holders gathered at The Wharf for the SBC Summit Americas Opening Party, while INFINITY Florida returned to DAER Nightclub & Dayclub with a headline performance from Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens. The week also featured the SBC Awards Americas, celebrating the achievements of operators, affiliates and suppliers across the region.
The six-stage conference agenda tackled the key issues shaping the Americas gaming landscape, spanning leadership, betting and casino, payments, technology, affiliation, regulation and compliance, and player protection.
More than 250 industry experts took to the stage, including Stephanie De Flora (CMO, bet365), Ian Botts (CTO, Fanatics Betting & Gaming), Jeanine Hightower Sellitto (Senior Vice President & General Manager, DraftKings Predictions), David Edelman (Former CMO, Aetna) and Patrick Kennedy (Former U.S. Representative).
Sheila Morago, CEO of Trilogy Group, praised the quality of the agenda: “Honestly, the content for the educational sessions here is amazing. And that’s because SBC take the time to actually reach out to people in the industry and ask their opinions on different things.”
Ian Botts, CTO at Fanatics Betting & Gaming, echoed this sentiment: “It’s been really enlightening, and it’s a great way for me to be able to baseline how my business is moving, as well as who to potentially partner with.”
Prediction markets emerged as one of the week’s most talked-about topics, with discussions extending well beyond the dedicated Prediction Markets Forum. The Stage One panel examining the sector attracted a standing-room-only audience, reflecting the industry’s growing interest in the space.
The subject also featured prominently across SBC Connections, with attendees continuing the conversation through a dedicated meetup, themed roundtable discussions and post-session networking chats designed to facilitate deeper engagement with the topic.
On the exhibition floor, attendees had direct access to some of the biggest brands across the Americas, each showcasing their latest products and services.
Discussing Optimove’s choice to exhibit at the event, Imber said: “We genuinely think this is one of the best conferences the region has to offer. Because it converges both South America and North America, it really creates a very big opportunity for us to speak with everyone in one place.”
Botts particularly enjoyed the show floor’s dedicated Startup Zone, saying, “It’s great to be able to go in and see their ideas coming to life and for you guys to foster that.”
Beyond the conference and exhibition floor, attendees benefited from a range of hospitality initiatives designed to enhance the event experience, including early badge pick-up, an on-site food festival, and a live screening of the opening FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa.
The attention to detail did not go unnoticed by attendees. Ortega praised the event’s organisation, noting: “The way everything is organized creates an environment where people are more relaxed and open-minded.”
Reflecting on the event’s success, SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark said: “SBC has always enjoyed a strong relationship with the Americas region, and it’s a privilege to bring together so many different markets and voices under one roof. We’d like to thank everyone who attended, exhibited and sponsored SBC Summit Americas 2026.”
