SBC Summit 2025 will tap into this momentum with a new Emerging Markets: Eurasia & the Middle East track on Wednesday, 17 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), featuring five powerhouse sessions on market entry, regulation, and long-term growth strategies.
The track will analyze important jurisdictions, including Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and the UAE regions experiencing significant changes due to political shifts, evolving regulations, and rising local demand.
The sessions will provide practical guidance on how to enter and operate in these markets, emphasizing the importance of understanding regulatory frameworks and adapting to local conditions.
Eurasia Leaders Panel: Expansion or Contraction? This opening panel will feature leaders from the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Balkans.
Panelists include Irakli Asanishvili (Head of Central & Eastern Europe, Flutter International), Adam Lamentowicz (CEO, Superbet Group), Max Potomkin (Deputy CEO, Parimatch), and Simon Westbury (Strategic Advisor, 1xBet). They will discuss whether political and regulatory pressures might hinder growth in markets like Georgia and Uzbekistan.
Georgia & Armenia Lead the Way– This session will explore how these markets are adapting to recent tax and regulatory changes. Panelists include Nika Gigashvili (Managing Director/Partner, SMH Global), Giorgi Gvenetadze (CCO, Flutter CEE), Vahagn Tangamyan (Head of Legal Department, Totogaming), and Gega Topuridze (CBDO, Betlive). They will share insights on adapting to new frameworks while leveraging the region’s talent pool and digital infrastructure.
Cryptocasinos & Emerging Markets: The Boom Continues– This panel will examine the rise of crypto-based gaming models in Eurasia and the Middle East with experts like Tiago Almeida (CEO, Oddsgate), Andrew Gellatly (Executive Director, Alderney Gambling Control Commission), Stefan Kovach (Founder & CEO, RARER THINGS), Melissa E. Lamb (Director of Sales – Luxury, Payhound), and Tom Waterhouse (Chief Investment Officer, Waterhouse VC). They will discuss how to maximize crypto adoption while ensuring compliance.
Crossing Borders: Cross-Selling in Balkan Markets– Regional experts will explore thriving in culturally connected markets while navigating diverse regulatory frameworks. Panelists include Dan Alexandru Ghiță (President, Rombet), Ivan Gojic (Chief Sportsbook Officer, Entain CEE), Rossi McKee (Vice President, CT Gaming), Alexander Popov (Director of Supervision, National Revenue Agency, Bulgaria), Marinos Shiapanis (Co-Founder & CEO, Campeon Gaming), and Artem Skrypnyk (CEO, Favbet Tech). They will share insights on maintaining a consistent brand across jurisdictions.
Inside the UAE’s Ambitious Vision– This session will examine the UAE’s efforts to create a regulated gambling market. Panelists include Garret Greene (SVP Global Relationships, SBC), Christina Hu (Chief Strategy Officer, Momentum), Kevin Mullally (CEO, GCGRA), David Patent (EVP, Wynn Al Marjan Island), and Lauralyn Sandoval (Vice President Gaming Strategy, Aristocrat). They will discuss how a regulated framework could reshape perceptions of gaming in the Middle East.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, stated: “Eurasia and the Middle East are core focuses for SBC Summit 2025. The opportunities here are real, but so are the challenges. Long-term success requires understanding the local landscape and building genuine relationships.”
The Emerging Markets: Eurasia & The Middle East track is part of the SBC Summit’s Emerging Markets stage, which also covers iGaming and sports betting growth in Africa (September 16) and Asia (September 18).
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