SBC Summit North America is gearing up for another edition, set to gather 5,000 senior decision-makers for a dynamic event filled with learning, networking and business opportunities.

The leading iGaming and sports betting event in North America will return to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey (May 8-9). Preceding the core event, a pre-day conference (May 7) will unfold in New York City and showcase the well-regarded Player Protection Symposium and Compliance & Leadership conferences as well as the newly-established Earnings+More: Capital Markets Forum, organized in collaboration with +More Media.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC said: “The goal is to leverage the momentum we gained last year when we gathered the key operators, affiliates, suppliers, regulators, and media from the North American region. We anticipate a 66% surge in delegate numbers and are focused on attracting both industry newcomers and those who missed out on the opportunity to attend last year. The early numbers are promising, and the exhibition floor is approaching full capacity, even though we had added 15 extra booths this year to meet the demand.”

The exhibition floor is set to showcase a diverse lineup, with over 75 prominent companies taking the spotlight. Standout exhibitors include leading game providers like White Hat Gaming and Relax Gaming, alongside notable affiliates such as Better Collective, MediaTroopers, Spotlight Sports Group, and KeyAffiliates. Key payment providers like Trustly, PayNearMe, TransUnion, PXP Financial, and PayBrokers, operators like Betsson, risk management platforms like Kinectify, real-time content and data providers such as SportsDataIO and hosting providers like Internet Vikings will further enhance the comprehensive range of offerings, making the exhibition a must-visit for industry enthusiasts seeking the latest innovations.

The conference, spanning five stages and featuring over 300 expert speakers, will showcase a diverse selection of tracks: Leaders, Sports Betting, iGaming, Affiliates & Marketing, Payments & Tech, and Compliance & Regulation.”

In terms of themes, the conference will delve into several crucial topics shaping the multifaceted nature of the industry, highlighting its intersection with technological advancements, regulatory considerations and the critical balance between innovation and responsibility. These include the recent trend of revising existing sports betting bills instead of introducing new ones, the strategic considerations for second movers within the saturated sector, the influential role of social media personalities, and the challenge of interpreting extensive big data to gain insights into customer behavior across diverse channels. Furthermore, discussions will center around the role of artificial intelligence in promoting responsible gaming practices, the ongoing expansion of iGaming in new states, the evolving dynamics of sports integrity, and the ongoing regulatory deliberations in regions such as California and Canada.

Some of the speakers that will grace the stage include Kim Barker Lee (EVP & Chief Legal Officer, Bally’s Corporation), David Denenberg (SVP, Global Media Distribution & Business Affairs, NBA), Matthew Sunderland (SVP of iGaming, Caesars Digital), Dave Rivers (SVP Marketing, PointsBet Canada), Sarah Brennan (Senior Director-Compliance, BetMGM), Justin Barrett (Treasurer, Eastern Shawnee Tribe), Noam Klivitzky (VP US Marketing, 888 Holdings), Jon Steinbrecher (Commissioner, Mid-American Conference), Michael Golub (Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement), Catherine Meade (VP Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, OLG), Jacob Coin (Director of Public Affairs, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians) and more.

Alongside other notable event features, the SBC Awards North America* ceremony will be back on the final day, celebrating outstanding industry talent across various categories and verticals. Additionally, the third annual SBC First Pitch competition will be a key highlight, providing a platform for five industry startups to showcase their innovative ideas to a panel of judges specializing in investment and innovation. Another addition to this year’s roster will be the so-called Tribal Symposium—a series of conference panels dedicated to exploring the intricate landscape of tribal gaming. One session will focus on the regulatory roadblocks in California and another one offering advice on identifying and effectively addressing signs of human trafficking in land-based casinos.

In the evenings, attendees can seize the chance to network before the main event by attending the Pre-Registration & Networking Drinks at Slate NYC on May 7. Furthermore, they can shift discussions away from the exhibition floor to a more laid-back setting at the Official Networking Party and Sports Betting Hall of Fame on May 8, followed by the Official Closing Party on May 9.

The great and the good of the games sector were celebrated at the TIGA Games Industry Awards 2023 last night at the iconic Troxy London.

The TIGA Games Industry Awards were completely sold out, with over 350 industry VIPs attending to cheer the games, studios, universities and vital service support companies that have excelled over the past year.

Dlala Studios, along with publishing partner Disney Games, picked up the prestigious Game of the Year award for Disney Illusion Island. Dlala was also named Best Small Studio and Disney Illusion Island picked up the trophy for Best Social Game 2023.

ustwo games stepped on stage twice, winning the Diversity award, as well as Creativity in Games for Desta: The Memories Between.

Sumo Digital was named Best Large Studio and the Sumo Group was also the debut winner of the Best Talent Development Initiative category.

Also new for 2023 was the Commitment to Workplace Wellbeing award, which was picked up by Playground Games. The studio’s HR Director, Geraldine Cross, meanwhile, was named Outstanding Individual of the Year.

Another new category, Commitment to ESG, was awarded to Rocksteady Studios while the Outstanding Leadership award was presented to John Tearle, Chief Executive Officer for Flix Interactive and Dovetail Games was named Employer of the Year.

The full list of TIGA Games Industry Awards 2023 winners are:

Best Arcade Game
MechHead – Staffordshire University

Best QA and/or Localisation Provider
Testronic

Diversity Award
Desta: The Memories Between – ustwo games

Best Casual Game
PowerWash Simulator – Futurlab

Heritage in Games
878 AD: Winchester Revealed – Sugar Creative

Best Educational, Serious or Simulation Game
Planet Planners – BBC/Mobile Pie

Best Technical Innovation
Speech Graphics

Best Role-Playing Game
Silverpoint: The Game – BBC/Jollywise

Best Audio Design
God of War Ragnarok – Sony Interactive Entertainment/Santa Monica Studio

Best Social Game
Disney Illusion Island – Disney Games/Dlala Studios

Best Action and Adventure Game
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me – Supermassive Games

Best AR/VR Game
Synapse – nDreams

Creativity in Games
Desta: The Memories Between – ustwo games

Best Small Studio
Dlala Studios

Best Puzzle Game
Love and Pies – Trailmix

Best Audio Services Provider
PitStop Productions

Best Strategy Game
Starship Troopers: Terran Command – Slitherine Software UK

Best Legal Services Provider
Lewis Silkin LLP

Outstanding Leadership Award
John Tearle, Chief Executive Officer, Flix Interactive

Best Recruitment Agency
Amiqus

Best Art/Animation Trailer Supplier
TrailerFarm

Best Publisher
Rebellion

Best Services Provider
Airship Interactive

Best Visual Design
Horizon Call of the Mountain – Sony Interactive Entertainment/Guerrilla

Best Education Initiative
Birmingham City University

Best Talent Development Initiative
Sumo Group

Best Educational Institution
Norwich University of the Arts

Best Large Studio
Sumo Digital

Commitment to ESG 
Rocksteady Studios

Commitment to Workplace Wellbeing
Playground Games

Employer of the Year 2023
Dovetail Games

Outstanding Individual of the Year 2023
Geraldine Cross, Human Resources Director, Playground Games

Game of the Year 2023
Disney Illusion Island – Disney Games/Dlala Studios

“Many congratulations to all the winners of the TIGA Games Industry Awards 2023,” the Chief Executive Officer for TIGA, Dr Richard Wilson OBE, said. “As ever, it was wonderful to celebrate the creativity and commitment to excellence of the games studios, universities and associated companies who make the United Kingdom a great place to make games.

“Thank you to our finalists, judges and to all who joined us on the night. Finally, thank you to the TIGA team and to all our generous sponsors for enabling TIGA to promote, recognise and celebrate excellence through our awards.”

SpecialEffect was the Charity Partner for the TIGA Awards. This inspirational organisation transforms the lives of physically disabled people right across the world through the innovative use of technology.

The TIGA Awards were made possible thanks to supporters of TIGA, the not-for-profit organisation. Sponsors included Rothschild & Co (Headline Sponsor), Toikido (After Show Party Sponsor), Sumo Group, Supermassive Games and Ubisoft (Gold Sponsors), Amiqus (Drinks Reception Sponsor), Abertay University, Airship Interactive, Dovetail Games, Hangar 13, Liquid Crimson, Invest Newcastle and Staffordshire University (Silver Sponsors), Birmingham City University, Bournemouth University, Eaton Smith LLP, Game Changers London, Kudos QA, Kwalee, London Games Festival, Outplay Entertainment, PTW, RSM UK, Stevens & Bolton LLP, Tazman Audio and Testronic (Bronze Sponsors).

With a defined date, BiS SiGMA Américas 2024 will remain at the Transamérica Expo Center, in São Paulo, but with a larger salable area, around 25% more compared to the last edition, with a total gross area of ​​16,000m² occupying 3 halls of the pavilion Transamerica Expo Center.

The growth results directly from the success of the 2023 edition, as the fair has become one of the most important in the world for the iGaming, BetTech’s and Sports Betting ecosystem segment at an international level.

The numbers show that even with almost six months to go until the event, there was a significant sale of more than 50% of the spaces.

“We saw the opportunity to increase the salable area and we did so. The event has grown and should expand even further, it is an opportunity to exchange information, do business and for brands to showcase their products to those who are directly interested”, explains Alessandro Valente, co-founder and director of the event.

This year’s edition had more than 6,700 visitors, of which around 40% came from more than 40 countries abroad, approximately 250 exhibiting and sponsoring companies and more than 130 speakers presented, totaling 60 hours of content in two simultaneous auditoriums.

The event format has been enhanced to include a larger exhibition area, content in two simultaneous auditoriums and online live streaming during the event days.

BiS SiGMA Américas takes place from April 23 to 26, 2024, jointly organized by the Brazilian iGaming Summit and SiGMA.