SBC Summit 2026: Innovation Stage Spotlights the Future of Gaming

The global gaming community is turning its eyes toward Portugal as the SBC Summit prepares to open its doors at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and the MEO Arena from 29 September to 1 October 2026. With an expected attendance of more than 40,000 industry professionals, this summit marks a turning point for technological innovation in the sector. The centerpiece of this year's event is the newly created Product Innovation Showcase Stage, specifically designed to spotlight startups and groundbreaking technologies. This is not just about simple presentations, but a deep exploration of how new ideas are funded, scaled, and ultimately integrated into the global market.

Attendees will have the opportunity to trace the entire lifecycle of an innovation. While the first and third days are reserved for live product demonstrations, the second day is dedicated exclusively to the topic of investments. It is becoming clear that innovation in today's market environment goes far beyond new slot machines. Everything revolves around the infrastructure behind the scenes, from AI-powered customer support to real-time player data analysis. The industry's dynamic is underscored by the gathering of established giants and young startups, all pursuing the same goal: making the gaming experience safer and more efficient.

Numbers and facts

A particular highlight is the First Pitch competition, held in partnership with BettingStartups. Five selected finalists will compete for a prize package valued at €139,400, specifically designed to accelerate their next stage of growth. The finalists include companies such as Gmonitor, an AI-powered platform for market intelligence, and Safefy, which specializes in identifying suspicious transactions. Each startup has exactly three minutes to pitch, followed by a three-minute Q&A session with an expert panel of investors and operators.

On Tuesday, 29 September, companies like Comm100, Top Premier Cloud, and Oddin.gg will present their solutions. The focus here is on AI solutions and live casino technologies. Stellar Bets and Pyramid Gaming will follow on Thursday. A high-profile panel, including Jack Everitt from thndr and Paris Smith, founder of Life Winning, will discuss the hurdles young companies face when scaling in regulated markets on 30 September. According to Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, the goal of the new stage is clearly defined:

„Innovation can be found everywhere in this industry. It can be a product, an idea, a strategy or even a way of thinking. But its scope also means the word is used so often that, in some ways, it has lost some of its power. This stage is about bringing that power back.“ - Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC

Background

The summit takes place across a massive 135,000 square meters of exhibition space, hosting over 800 exhibitors. The need for a dedicated innovation stage arises from the complexity of modern gaming platforms. Today, it is no longer enough to just offer good games. Operators are specifically looking for automation solutions for marketing, compliance, and player protection. The SBC Summit 2026 addresses these trends, offering a platform for knowledge exchange with 18 different content tracks and over 600 speakers. Furthermore, the content is CPD-certified, highlighting the importance of professional development in this sector.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the innovations showcased in Lisbon are of direct relevance to their daily experience in online casinos. Since the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) sets extremely strict requirements for player protection, tools like those from Safefy or Whizgen AI (Whizdom AI) are essential. These systems help operators identify at-risk gambling behavior early, even before a player triggers the OASIS exclusion file or exceeds the monthly deposit limit of €1,000.

Technologies that enable seamless connection to the LUGAS system while keeping the gaming experience smooth despite the €1 stake limit per spin are in high demand. For German customers, innovation in the future will hopefully mean fewer bureaucratic hurdles during verification and, at the same time, better protection against fraud. The AI solutions for customer support presented at the summit could also significantly shorten waiting times for inquiries, increasing service quality in the strictly regulated German market.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For casinos with a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), the SBC Summit is a mandatory event for technical procurement. To compete with illegal MGA or Curacao providers, German operators must upgrade technologically. Innovations in data analysis allow GGL casinos to provide personalized game recommendations that comply with advertising restrictions. Since adhering to strict German rules causes high operating costs, the automation tools shown in Lisbon, such as the AI workforce from InsightPlay.ai, offer a chance for cost reduction. More efficient processes for identity verification and transaction monitoring ensure long-term profitability while maintaining the integrity of the German market.