SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024

SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024 was held on June 25-26 at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace, Georgia. This premier iGaming & Sports Betting conference for the promising Eastern Europe & Central Asia regions brought together key industry leaders, innovative software and technology providers, and regional experts.

1,500 delegates, 600 operators, 150 affiliates, 30 exhibitors, and 60+ speakers graced the event to strengthen business ties and explore the ever-changing dynamics of the industry within the rapidly growing markets, such as Georgia, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, and Slovenia among others.

Let’s see what attendees learned from the SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024.

What is SBC Summit Tbilisi?

SBC Summit Tbilisi is a conference designed for professionals looking to learn more about sports betting and iGaming sectors, with a particular interest in the dynamic and diverse markets of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

This event focuses on large markets such as Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, and Romania. These markets boost diverse cultures, political, and regulatory landscapes that make it hard to survive if you don’t have local knowledge. This makes SBC Summit Tbilisi crucial for those looking to explore outsourcing and business relocation opportunities within the region.

SBC Summit Tbilisi is also a networking and learning event. It brings together C-Level and industry leaders and experts to share their valuable insights on a variety of topics such as iGaming, Innovation, and emerging market opportunities.

SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024 Agenda

SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024 had a comprehensive agenda that covered various topics impacting the gambling market in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The first day featured a poker tournament sponsored by betlive & Evenbet, followed by the Official Opening Party sponsored by Setanta Sports at Stamba Hotel.

Here are some of the in-depth discussions and keynote addresses delivered during SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024:

Influencers, Content, and Esports: Unleashing the Power of Dynamic Strategies in the Esports Ecosystem  

Chris Bird (EX Man. City COO & Founder, EQ Esports and Gaming) delivered a keynote address on unleashing the power of dynamic strategies in the Esports ecosystem. Mr Bird leveraged his experience and knowledge in securing major commercial deals at Manchester City Football Club and founding EQ Esports & Gaming to provide insights on how to harness the power of influencers and create engaging content to drive success.

Powering Progress: The Socio-Economic Impact  

Ted Menmuir, Content Director, SBC, moderated a panel discussion on how responsible iGaming can be a force for positive change. The panel, which featured Simon Westbury (CEO of Sports Generate) and Savo Bakmaz (CEO and CFO, Maxbet), explored the multifaceted role of the iGaming industry. They talked about the contributions of the gambling industry to local economies, with a focus on job creation, tax revenue, and potential benefits for sectors like sports and education.

Unlocking Opportunities: A Deep Dive into the Eastern European and Balkan iGaming Market

This panel discussion offered a comprehensive rundown of the distinctive traits of the Eastern European and Balkan sports betting markets. The speakers explored the emerging opportunities within these regions, provided strategies to spur regional growth, and discussed effective marketing approaches, along with potential opportunities for brands to innovate.

The speakers were:

• Giorgi Gvenetadze, CCO, Adjarabet
• Marcin Jablonski, Ex CCO, LVBET
• Michal Glowacki, Chief Operating Officer, SB Software
• Simon Westbury, CEO, Sports Generate

Cross-Market Strategies for iGaming Operators

The panel titled ‘Cross-Market Strategies for iGaming Operators’ explored the intricate art of cross-selling, providing insights into effective iGaming customization, targeted marketing techniques, and effective approaches for iGaming operators seeking or already operating in multiple markets.

The panelists were:

• Vako Kvachakhia, Chief Marketing Officer, FortuneJack
• Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO, EvenBet Gaming
• Lali Odosashvili, Head of Marketing, Hybrid Interaction
• Vlad Dubchak, Business Development Manager, BETEGY
• Lavrenty Gubin, CEO, Plasma 8
• Vakhtang Mdivani, Co-founder / CPO, Promofy.app

Thriving Frontiers: Online Gaming in Emerging Markets

This panel discussion provided delegates with strategies to leverage the burgeoning opportunities of the online gaming sphere. The speakers focused on emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. They uncovered essential data for brands seeking growth in the digital realm, dissecting key trends and opportunities reshaping these regions.

The speakers were:

• Azamat Kasymov, Self Regulatory, Organisation Association of Bookmakers of Kazakhstan
• Galymzhan Duambekov, Partner, Gambling Consulting Authority and Member of the Public Council, The Gambling regulator of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• Ilya Machavariani, CEO & Senior Partner, 4H Agency
• Nika Gigashvili, Managing Director / Partner, SMH Global

Regulatory Exploration

The SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024 featured a panel strictly focused on providing attendees with the latest regulatory updates across key Eastern European and Central Asian markets. The panel titled ‘Navigating the Evolving iGaming Landscape: Regulatory Updates and Compliance Strategies’ featured a host of legal experts and industry leaders.

The panel examined the latest regulatory changes, compliance complexities, and strategies for mitigating risk in key jurisdictions and offered insights into the topics shaping the legal direction of iGaming to ensure seamless operations in attendees’ chosen market.

Gateway Growth: Strategies for Eastern European Countries to Attract Western International Companies

Centered around strategies for successful operational expansion, the panel titled ‘Gateway Growth: Strategies for Eastern European Countries to Attract Western International Companies’ shed light on the wealth of regional partnership opportunities for brands.

During this insightful panel, expert speakers explored the win-win potential of M&A between Western firms and Eastern European entities. Discussions encompassed the allure for Western investors, the impact of M&A on Eastern Europe’s economic growth, and attracting international investments that benefit both sides.

NextGen Affiliate: New Trends & Marketing Evolution   

The panel examined the latest trends and content strategies in affiliate marketing, including case studies, channel analysis, and metrics over the past year. The speakers answered key affiliate marketing questions like “What methods are currently used and effective across regions, and which are outdated? What does the future hold? Will it be led by streamers and influencers?”

The panelists were:

• Eugene Ravdin, Communications & Marketing Manager, MightyTips
• Teimuraz Pataridze, Founder, Slotstat.net
• Viktorija Ratomskė, Co-Founder & CEO, PartnerGap
• Sean Bianco, Co-Founder, Gain Changer
• Lasha Gogiberidze, Partner CEO, Brave Rave

Other topics discussed at SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024 included:

Winning Strategies: Leveraging Influencer Marketing and Ambassadorships for Major Sports Tournaments. This panel explored the power of cutting-edge strategies from influencer marketing to ambassadorships and how these are key drivers for success in major sports tournaments like Euro 2024, Olympics, and Copa America. 

The Rise of Cryptocurrency in Online Betting. Experts delved into the adaptation of cryptocurrencies, analyzing their implications for security, user experience, and regulatory landscape. They also discussed how Eastern Europe and Central Asia were reacting to this change.

Elevating Consumer Experience with Innovative Payment Offerings. Convenient payment methods are crucial for player experience and serve as vital differentiators for operators. The panel debated the preferred payment methods among players, exploring new technologies such as digital wallets and mobile payments and assessing their impact on user experience and transaction security.

Final Thoughts

SBC Summit Tbilisi attracted 1,500 delegates, 600 operators, 150 affiliates, 30 exhibitors, and 60+ speakers to strengthen business ties and explore the ever-changing dynamics of the industry within the rapidly growing markets, such as Georgia, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, and Slovenia among others.

The event had a comprehensive agenda that covered various topics impacting the gambling market in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The first day featured a poker tournament sponsored by betlive & Evenbet, followed by the Official Opening Party sponsored by Setanta Sports at Stamba Hotel.

SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024

• Date: 25 – 26, June, 2024
• Location: Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace, Tbilisi, Georgia

Book your ticket: SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024