SBC Summit 2025 to spotlight regulation, shifting dynamics in Western Europe's gaming markets

The SBC Summit 2025 will place a renewed focus on Western Europe's tightly regulated gaming landscape, with a dedicated track aimed at equipping operators with tools to navigate escalating compliance demands and shifting player dynamics.

Set to take place on September 17 at Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), the new Global Markets – Western Europe track will spotlight evolving regulatory regimes, licensing frameworks, and consumer protection mandates across key jurisdictions including Italy, the Nordics, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

“Western Europe has long set the standard for gambling regulation, but the landscape continues to evolve,” said Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC. “Today’s leading operators must build strong relationships with regulators, drive responsible innovation, and retain customers in an increasingly complex global environment. This track provides the practical insight and expert guidance delegates need to succeed in Western Europe.”

The track will open with a high-level panel titled European Leaders Panel: Old World, New Way Forward, where top executives, including Pascal Chaffard (FDJ), Axel Hefer (Tipico), Vlad Kaltenieks (BoyleSports), Mattias Wedar (LeoVegas), and moderator Martin Collins (Soft2bet), will discuss how established brands are adapting retention strategies and navigating compliance pressures in mature European markets.

Italy’s regulatory overhaul will be examined in a session titled Italy’s New Online Gambling Regime: A Game-Changer for the Industry. Speakers, including Fabio Bufalini (Stake), Marco Castaldo (Microgame), Will Shuckburgh (eCogra), Nicola Tani (Agipro), Stefano Tino (Betsson), and Marco Tiso (Sisal), will evaluate whether higher licensing fees and stricter player protection rules are fostering sustainability or introducing new market friction.

A separate panel, Portugal: Smooth Sailing or Danger Ahead?, will assess whether declining sports betting revenues alongside growing iCasino activity may trigger further regulatory scrutiny. Panellists include Tiago Bessa (Vieira de Almeida), Tomas Goncalves (Apostas Sociais), Americo Loureiro (Solverde), Rui Magalhães (Estoril Sol Digital), Bernardo Neves (APAJO), and Tiago Pereira (LeBull.pt).

Other sessions will examine Finland’s forthcoming market liberalisation in Over the Finnish Line: Regulation in the Nordics, and the Netherlands’ tightening restrictions in Dutch Courage: Collaboration in the Changing Face of Regulations, amid proposals for stricter deposit limits and raised age thresholds for online slots.

The Western Europe track is part of the summit’s broader Global Markets series, which will also explore developments in Latin America, Brazil, and North America during the three-day event from September 16–18.

SBC Summit 2025 will bring together operators, regulators, suppliers, and investors for strategic discussions aimed at enabling sustainable growth in some of the world’s most complex gambling markets.

More information on how to attend SBC Summit 2025 and ticket options here.