SBC Summit’s Western Europe track to examine regulation, technology and market competition

By jili tutorial · September 5, 2026

SBC Summit’s Western Europe Track: Regulation, Technology, and Market Competition Under the Spotlight

Overview: Navigating Pressures in Mature Gambling Markets

The SBC Summit’s dedicated Western Europe track will help operators tackle the mounting challenges facing the region’s established gambling markets, including tighter regulation, black-market activity, and increasing difficulty in retaining players.

Taking place on Wednesday, 30 September on the Global & Emerging Markets Stage, the track will bring together operators, regulators, and industry leaders to examine how technology, policy reform, and shifting player behavior are reshaping some of Europe’s most mature gaming markets.

Across the program, discussions will cover developments in the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Scandinavia, and Portugal, along with the growing influence of prediction markets and technology’s role in protecting revenue and long-term commercial value.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, said: “Western Europe is home to some of the world’s most established regulated gambling markets, but maturity doesn’t necessarily mean stability. Rising taxes and shifting regulation mean companies now have to navigate a genuinely complicated period.

“This track is about understanding what operators can actually do next. By comparing how mature markets are responding to similar pressures, delegates can see which strategies are working, where regulation may be creating unintended consequences, and what those lessons mean for sustainable growth across the region.”

Key Sessions and Panel Discussions

Opening Session: The Impact of Tech on Operator Revenues and Player Retention in Europe

The track opens with a session examining how technology can help operators unlock growth in an increasingly competitive European landscape. Featuring Andrew Cochrane (Chief Commercial Officer, Soft2Bet), Paddy Desmond (Group Chief Operating Officer, Tote), Eberhard Dürrschmid (CEO, Golden Whale), Elena Rousseva (CEO of Managed Services, Playtech), and Marinos Shiapanis (CEO, Campeon Gaming), the panel will assess which innovations increase player value and retention — and which risk adding complexity without delivering a return on investment.

The Dutch Dilemma: Deposit Caps, Ad Bans, and the Black-Market Boom

Attention then turns to black-market competition in a session devoted to the Netherlands. Featuring Cristiano Blanco (CEO, Spincore Group), Björn Fuchs (Chairman, VNLOK), Eric Olders (Chairman & CEO, JOI Gaming / JVH Gaming), and Frank Op de Woerd (CEO, CasinoNieuws.nl), the discussion will explore the impact of deposit limits, advertising restrictions, and rising operating costs — and what licensed brands can do to compete with offshore operators.

Scandinavia: High Tax, High Standards, High Stakes

Similar questions will be explored in a session on Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Panelists Fredrik Wastenson (Managing Director Nordics, LeoVegas), Pascal Chaffard (Chief Online Betting & Gaming Officer, FDJ United), Anders Dorph (Director, Danish Gambling Authority), Jesper Eliasson (Director, PAF), and Gustaf Hoffstedt (CEO, BOS.NU) will examine how taxes, bonus restrictions, payment controls, and compliance costs are affecting player acquisition and retention.

The UK Squeeze: Can the Regulated Market Keep Winning?

The UK will also come under the microscope during a fireside chat featuring Andy Wright (MD, UK&I, LeoVegas Group) and Josh Hodgson (COO, H2 Gambling Capital). The discussion will examine how financial risk assessments, rising taxes, affordability measures, and tighter advertising rules are influencing operator strategy — and where the balance lies between consumer protection and sustainable growth.

Beyond the Reform: The New Italian Gaming Landscape

Another session will look at the next phase in Italian gaming. Experts Davide Diodato (CEO, HBG Online / Novomatic), Fabio Bufalini (Country Manager, Stake Italy), Marco Castaldo (CEO, Microgame), Marco Tiso (Managing Director, Sisal), Quirino Mancini (Partner & Director, WH Partners Italy), and moderator Mauro De Fabritiis (Founder, MDF Partners) will explore how Italy’s latest regulatory reforms and upcoming land-based tenders could reshape competition, market entry, and operator strategy.

Prediction Markets and Portugal’s Evolution

The program also looks at emerging opportunities. Prediction Markets: The Future’s Not Near, It’s Here will explore what European operators and regulators can learn from the rapid growth of prediction markets in the US. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Gambling Evolution: Growth, Pressure and New Opportunities will assess where future growth can be unlocked as online revenues rise alongside tighter player protection and compliance demands.

Networking and Regulatory Meetups

Beyond the conference program, delegates can continue the conversation through SBC Summit’s Regulatory Gaming Meetups. Dedicated sessions cover markets including Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Nordics. Bringing together operators, regulators, legal experts, and market specialists, the meetups give attendees a chance to explore the regulatory challenges shaping individual jurisdictions and build relationships with the people influencing their future direction.

Event Details

Taking place from 29 September to 1 October 2026 at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and the MEO Arena, SBC Summit will bring together more than 40,000 industry professionals for three days of conference content, exhibition, and networking.

Entrance to SBC Summit’s conference agenda is reserved for attendees with Conference, Business, and VIP Passes. Operators, affiliates, and some partners may be eligible for a complimentary pass. Apply here.