SBC Summit
SBC (SBC Events) is a global events, media, and advisory company exclusively serving the sports betting, gaming, and iGaming industries. Best known for its flagship SBC Summit in Lisbon, which draws over 10,000 professionals annually, the company also organizes regional events in the Americas, Canada, Brazil, and Malta, each featuring large exhibition floors, multiple conference tracks, and extensive networking opportunities. Its portfolio includes the invite-only SBC Leaders Summit for C-level executives, digital media platforms, and advisory services for market entry and regulatory compliance. SBC has grown rapidly alongside the expansion of legalized gaming worldwide, employing several hundred staff across international offices. The company is privately held and led by co-founders David Lomiashvili and Zura Kotaria, who continue to steer its strategy. SBC is recognized as a central hub for deal-making and thought leadership in the regulated gambling ecosystem, attracting CEOs, regulators, and technology providers from across the globe.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
SBC Events was founded by David Lomiashvili and Zura Kotaria, who serve as CEO and COO respectively. While the exact founding year and location are not publicly confirmed, the company has grown from a single European conference into a multi-brand global event organizer. The original SBC Summit launched as a European-focused gathering and has since expanded its footprint to cover key regulated and emerging markets.
Business Model and Events
SBC generates revenue primarily through event ticket sales, exhibition booth fees, sponsorship packages, and media/advisory services. Each event in the portfolio is tailored to its region: SBC Summit Americas covers North, Central, and South American markets; SBC Summit Canada is the country’s longest-running dedicated gaming and betting event; SBC Summit Rio targets the newly regulated Brazilian market; and SBC Summit Malta focuses on European iGaming. The flagship SBC Summit in Lisbon typically features over 800 exhibitors, multiple conference stages, and dedicated tracks on regulation, marketing, technology, and sports betting. The company also operates SBC Leaders Summit, an invite-only event for senior executives, and provides digital news and consulting through SBC Media and SBC Advisory.
Market Position and Competitors
SBC is widely regarded as one of the most important event organizers in the global gambling industry, competing with other conference organizers such as Clarion Gaming (ICE), G2E, and SiGMA. Its focus on a neutral platform for networking and regulatory updates, combined with high-quality matchmaking tools like SBC Connections, has helped it attract a broad audience of operators, suppliers, regulators, and affiliates. Recent SBC Summits have featured keynotes from leaders at Betsson Group, Fanatics, Sportradar, and other major operators. The 2026 SBC Summit in Lisbon is expected to host 15,000+ attendees, and the 2027 SBC Summit Americas targets 10,000+ attendees at the Broward County Convention Center.
Partnerships and Initiatives
SBC partners with charities and industry bodies to promote responsible gaming, and its leadership frequently comments on market trends. The company remains privately held, with its co-founders actively steering strategy. Despite rapid scaling, no public information is available regarding licensing or regulatory oversight beyond the general compliance of its events.
Key Products
SBC Summit (Lisbon)
The premier global gambling industry conference and expo, held annually in Lisbon, Portugal. Features 800+ exhibitors, multiple conference stages, and networking events.
SBC Summit Americas
A conference targeting the North, Central, and South American gaming markets, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Emphasises regulatory updates, operator partnerships, and supplier showcases.
SBC Summit Canada
Canada’s longest-running dedicated gaming and betting event, covering federal and provincial regulations, affiliate marketing, and tribal gaming.
SBC Summit Rio
A Brazil-focused event held at Riocentro, designed to facilitate market entry and partnerships in the newly regulated Brazilian sports betting and iGaming landscape.
SBC Summit Malta
A European iGaming event held in Malta, often featuring content on payments, compliance, and online casino operations.
SBC Leaders Summit
An invite-only, C-level executive summit focused on high-level strategy, M&A, and regulatory affairs.
SBC Media
Digital publication and news platform covering industry developments, supporting the events arm.
SBC Advisory
Consulting services for market entry, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships.
Key Persons
Notable past members
- Merab Dvalishvili — Speaker