Untapped opportunities, growing demand, and evolving regulations are putting Eurasia and the Middle East firmly on the iGaming map.
At SBC Summit 2025, these dynamic regions will take center stage with a brand-new agenda, Emerging Markets: Eurasia & the Middle East, scheduled for Wednesday, September 17 at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL). The track will feature five high-level sessions exploring market entry, regulatory landscapes, and long-term growth strategies.
Delegates will gain in-depth insights into jurisdictions such as Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and the UAE—markets undergoing significant political, regulatory, and cultural shifts that are creating both opportunities and challenges.
The sessions are designed to provide practical guidance on how to successfully enter and operate in these regions, with a strong focus on understanding regulations and adapting to local conditions.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said:
“Eurasia and the Middle East are a core focus 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 on the ground.
With this track, we want delegates to hear directly from those who know these markets best and walk away with strategies they can implement straight away.”
The track will open with the Eurasia Leaders Panel: Expansion or Contraction – Which Way Will the Bridge Between Continents Swing?, where market leaders will debate the future of the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Speakers include Irakli Asanishvili (Flutter International), Adam Lamentowicz (Superbet Group), Max Potomkin (Parimatch), and Simon Westbury (1xBet). The discussion will explore whether political and regulatory challenges could slow momentum in Georgia and Uzbekistan, or if passionate fans and innovative operators will keep expansion on track.
The following session, Georgia & Armenia Lead the Way, will focus on how both markets are responding to new tax and regulatory frameworks. Panelists such as Nika Gigashvili (SMH Global), Giorgi Gvenetadze (Flutter CEE), Vahagn Tangamyan (Totogaming), and Gega Topuridze (Betlive) will share insights on adapting to regulatory shifts while leveraging the region’s strong digital infrastructure and skilled talent pool.
In Cryptocasinos & Emerging Markets – The Boom Continues, experts including Tiago Almeida (Oddsgate), Andrew Gellatly (Alderney Gambling Control Commission), Stefan Kovach (RARER THINGS), Melissa E. Lamb (Payhound), and Tom Waterhouse (Waterhouse VC) will discuss the rapid growth of crypto-based gaming models and how operators can embrace adoption while maintaining compliance and responsibility.
The session Crossing Borders: Cross-Selling in Balkan Markets will bring together regional leaders such as Dan Alexandru Ghiță (Rombet), Ivan Gojic (Entain CEE), Rossi McKee (CT Gaming), Alexander Popov (National Revenue Agency – Bulgaria), Marinos Shiapanis (Campeon Gaming), and Artem Skrypnyk (Favbet Tech), who will highlight how brands can thrive across multiple jurisdictions without losing compliance consistency.
One of the highlights will be Inside the UAE’s Ambitious Vision: Building a World-Class, Regulated, and Responsible Gaming Market from the Ground Up. Industry leaders including Garret Greene (SBC), Christina Hu (Momentum), Kevin Mullally (GCGRA), David Patent (Wynn Al Marjan Island), and Lauralyn Sandoval (Aristocrat) will explore how a potential UAE framework could reshape perceptions of gaming in the Middle East and inspire regulatory change in neighboring markets.
The Eurasia & the Middle East program is part of SBC Summit’s Emerging Markets Stage, which also features sessions on the expansion of iGaming and sports betting in Africa (Tuesday, September 16) and Asia (Thursday, September 18).
