Hat-Trick in Lisbon: Kaizen Gaming Named Operator of the Year Again

The gambling industry turned its eyes toward Lisbon on October 1, as the highly anticipated SBC Awards 2026 were presented during the SBC Summit. In front of a crowd exceeding 40,000 industry professionals and 800 exhibitors at the MEO Arena, a familiar name emerged victorious. Kaizen Gaming, the powerhouse behind the global brand Betano, dominated the evening, taking home the "Operator of the Year – Large" title once again. Such a feat is a rarity in the fast-paced world of iGaming, where competition for technological innovation and market share is relentless.

The success in Portugal was no accident but rather the result of an aggressive global expansion strategy. Kaizen Gaming has managed to establish its platform successfully across Europe, the Americas, and Africa. The company relies heavily on proprietary technology and an infrastructure capable of serving millions of concurrent users. The evening's hosts, British broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher and football legend John Terry, emphasized the glamour of the event while the industry set its course for the coming years.

Numbers and facts

The consistency with which Kaizen Gaming convinces the expert jury is particularly impressive. For the third consecutive year, the company won the main prize as the best large operator. Furthermore, the Betano brand was named "Sportsbook Operator of the Year" for the second year in a row. This double victory streak reflects massive growth throughout 2026, during which Betano served as an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The sponsorship portfolio reads like a who’s who of world football. In addition to the FIFA partnership, the company maintains close ties with the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League. In club football, names such as FC Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur F.C., and the Argentine national team are part of the marketing machine. Even in Portugal itself, the brand is firmly anchored as a partner of the "Big Three" (Benfica, Porto, and Sporting).

Julio Iglesias Hernando, Chief Commercial Officer of Kaizen Gaming, remained humble despite the winning streak, emphasizing the hard work behind the scenes:

“Being named Operator of the Year for a third consecutive year might start feeling like a habit, but I can guarantee that we don’t take things for granted and we are as proud and honoured as the first time we received this distinction. Our commitment is to keep building upon what we have achieved so far and to become better every day.” - Julio Iglesias Hernando, CCO at Kaizen Gaming

Background

The SBC Awards, now in their 13th year, are considered one of the most important benchmarks for success in the iGaming industry. Categories such as payments, marketing, platform technology, and data protection are used to evaluate the industry's top players. Kaizen Gaming has placed a clear focus on combining technological progress with social responsibility. The company operates a social responsibility framework aimed at creating positive impacts in the communities where it operates. This includes collaboration with Paralympic organizations and NGOs to use sport as a platform for social inclusion.

Technology remains the heart of the operation. Betano's platform was enhanced with numerous features in 2026 to improve the user experience. In an increasingly regulated market environment, the ability to implement complex compliance requirements seamlessly is a decisive competitive advantage. This is especially true for markets with high entry barriers, such as Germany.

Why it matters for German players

For German customers, Kaizen Gaming and Betano's success is a sign of stability and reliability. Betano has long been a staple of the German sports betting landscape, operating under the strict supervision of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). The award as "Sportsbook Operator of the Year" shows that the platform meets the highest standards even in international comparison. For players, this means they can rely on technology that not only runs smoothly but also integrates strict German player protection requirements.

In Germany, providers must adhere to the 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit across all platforms, monitored by the LUGAS system. Betano consistently implements these rules, as well as the panic button for immediate 24-hour self-exclusion. Those who bet with a multiple award-winning industry leader can be sure that winnings are paid out reliably and that data security is a top priority. Since Betano is on the official GGL whitelist, players here enjoy the full legal protection of the State Treaty on Gambling 2021.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Kaizen Gaming's dominance puts pressure on other GGL-licensed operators. To keep up, German providers must invest heavily in their mobile user experience. The SBC Awards have made it clear that purely regional success is no longer enough to be considered a global innovation leader. German operators must balance strict 1 Euro per spin limits on virtual slots with an attractive game offering. Betano demonstrates how to build brand trust through high-profile sponsorships and technical reliability that goes beyond mere bonuses.

The fact that a company with a strong presence in regulated markets is winning is a positive signal for the entire industry. It proves that legally operating companies that pay taxes and take player protection seriously can be more economically successful than offshore providers from places like Curacao or MGA, which often have less stringent requirements but also offer less legal certainty for users.