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SBC Summit Powers Onto Lisbon After Record 2023 Performance

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SBC Events has hailed the support of the global iGaming industry as the reason for a record-breaking 2023 edition of the SBC Summit Barcelona.

This year’s exhibition and conference drew an impressive crowd of around 15,000 attendees, a threefold increase from last year’s figures, solidifying its status as the industry’s fastest-growing event.

The post-event survey data revealed a Net Promoter Score of 49 for the event, highlighting SBC’s dedication to upholding high-quality standards, even in the face of substantial growth in attendance compared to the previous year.

The event kicked off with grandeur at the SBC Leaders Summit—an inaugural edition of the exclusive pre-event invite-only gathering that attracted 500 top-tier industry executives.

This full-day affair featured a wealth of conference content, including a keynote from Frank Abagnale, the man who inspired Steven Spielberg’s ‘Catch Me if You Can,’ networking opportunities, and a poker tournament.

A significant highlight of the event was the induction of Gustaf Hagman (CEO and Co-Founder, LeoVegas), Jordan Levin (CEO, OpenBet), Per Widerström (Incoming CEO, 888 Holdings – effective October 16, 2023), and Brigid Simmonds OBE (Chair, Betting and Gaming Council) into SBC’s Hall of Fame.

Taking place at Fira Barcelona Montjuic on 19-21 September, SBC Summit Barcelona boasted a massive 38,000 square metres show floor accommodating 350 exhibitors, marking a 175% increase as compared to the previous year.

Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, VP of Global Gaming at IDnow, provider of identity verification solutions and one of the exhibitors, said: “We are being treated as a partner, not just as a company that pays money to get services. We’re being taken to events and get introduced to people. SBC is a solution-finding partner for us.”

The 2023 show floor was effectively split into five zones denoting key areas of the industry: Sports Betting; Casino & iGaming; Affiliate, Media and Marketing; Payments & Compliance; and Emerging Tech. In addition, there was a designated ‘Festival area,’ which not only showcased exhibitors but also provided the perfect casual networking setting, featuring a sangria & tapas bar, an ice cream bar, a smoothie and juice bar and various other amenities.

The exhibition area was enriched by multiple networking zones, with the SBC Connect+ Lounge serving as a central meeting hub for delegates who had organised their meetings through the official event app. Noteworthy is the fact that the app included a lead assessment feature that saw active use, totalling 2,560 interactions.

When asked what sets SBC Summit Barcelona apart as an industry event, Sab Jhooti, Founder & CEO of investment firm Bonmoja, said: “It’s the community element. Whenever I come, I have the opportunity to meet the who’s who in this industry. Everybody you want to meet comes to this event, so I don’t really have to go anywhere else.”

Spanning seven stages, the comprehensive conference agenda delivered over 80 hours of content and offered insights from over 450 industry leaders. 89.4% of the speakers held C-level positions, while 63.7% represented operators, and 8.9% came from affiliates. The remaining 27.4% of speakers represented suppliers, associations, regulators, media, sports teams, and investors. With a total of 302 questions directed at the speakers on stage, the event adopted a more interactive approach.

Based on insights from SBC Connect+, it’s evident that the following five panels were the most sought-after by app users.

  • “Sports Betting’s Makeover: The Influence of Gamification, Streaming, and Stats”
  • “Affiliate Leaders Panel: Leading Partnerships in Emerging Markets”
  • “Sports & Sponsorship Landscape: Growth Markets and Partnerships”
  • “SBC Leaders: Exploring Global Growth Markets”
  • “Everything, Everywhere, All-of-the-Time: Managing Marketing, Tech & Compliance”

Highlighting the 2023 program were keynotes by Matthew Ball, a renowned metaverse expert and bestselling author, and Daniel Taylor, CEO of Flutter International. In the spirit of increased engagement, each day’s agenda in 2023 concluded with enlightening roundtable sessions — 30 in total — each dedicated to specific markets, verticals, or topics.

A distinctive highlight of SBC’s events, the First Pitch competition, designed to assist startups in bringing their innovative visions to life, announced its latest champion. SnapOdds, the victor of this competition, secured a coveted prize package worth over €60,000, which includes a two-day workshop experience in Tallinn, provided by competition sponsor Yolo Investments, among the list of prizes.

Marking its 10th-anniversary edition, the SBC Awards Ceremony unfolded in style at the iconic Caves Codorníu and recognised industry leaders across 39 featured categories. Hosting the event were the familiar face of SBC Awards, TV personality Kirsty Gallacher, and former professional football player turned manager, Clarence Seedorf, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest midfielders of this generation. The ceremony also featured a special guest appearance by Luis Figo, former World and European Footballer of the Year, who played for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid and is the current brand ambassador of Digitain.

Thomas Carvalhaes, Managing Director of Brazilian operator VaiDeBob, said: “The quality and calibre of people attending is very impressive. I was on a podcast recently and they asked what my favourite event was. I said it’s SBC Summit Barcelona – for its relevance, for the people who are here and for giving us a sense of what’s about to come.”

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC said: “The Barcelona chapter for SBC came to a spectacular close. This event exceeded our wildest dreams as we worked tirelessly to make it the industry’s fastest-growing gathering. With 15,000 attendees filling the exhibition floor, this show will forever be a cherished part of SBC’s history. However, as you all probably know, we’re far from done. The success of this edition paves the way for an even more prosperous next edition. We can’t wait to welcome you all in Lisbon for SBC Summit 2024!”

In a significant development, SBC has announced the next edition of its renowned global flagship event, now rebranded as SBC Summit to underscore its worldwide prominence. The event is set to make its home at Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) on 24-26 September and is anticipated to occupy a vast area exceeding 100,000 square metres. Expecting a gathering of 25,000 attendees, the event will welcome a substantial 600 exhibitors and feature insights from 500 expert speakers.

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GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention

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GR8 Tech has rolled out CRM Bonus Shop—a fully integrated player-facing feature designed to drive engagement, increase retention, and optimize bonus budgets through gamified rewards.

The Bonus Shop enables operators to offer various virtual and real rewards, including free spins, free bets, gamification items, even physical items, spins in Wheel of Fortune, and more, in exchange for custom-branded artificial currency. Players earn coins through behavioral triggers like deposits or email verification, then choose their preferred rewards from a personalized shop interface.

Built directly into GR8 Tech’s CRM, the Bonus Shop offers full back-office control, real-time player wallet tracking, and complete front-end customization to match any brand’s tone, style, and language.

Key Benefits of GR8 Tech’s Bonus Shop for Operators

  • Enhanced Player Choice & Satisfaction: Players select rewards they actually want, increasing perceived value and engagement compared to traditional fixed bonuses.
  • Cost-Effective Bonus Management: Artificial currency provides greater value to players while reducing operator costs compared to traditional cash bonuses.
  • Behavioral Motivation: Automated currency distribution encourages specific player actions, improving key performance indicators.
  • Strategic Flexibility: A/B testing capabilities enable operators to compare traditional bonuses against gamified approaches and optimize strategies across different markets.

“Personalization is at its core. By tailoring offers to custom player segments, we ensure every user sees and can purchase the bonuses they truly want, boosting engagement significantly,”  said Kateryna Schevchenko, CRM Product Manager at GR8 Tech. “Additionally, the platform gives operators full control over the in-game economy by allowing them to set custom ‘prices’ for products using virtual currencies. This flexibility helps optimize retention costs, manage bonus budgets effectively, and maximize ROI.”

With advanced segmentation tools and engagement elements like gamification, GR8 Tech’s CRM transforms player interactions into engaging, value-driven experiences. The company’s approach has led to impressive results, including a 25% uplift in first-time deposits, an average 80% retention rate, and 75% monthly active users interacting with gamified tools. GR8 Tech’s CRM is a strategic asset for operators aiming to deliver highly personalized and performance-oriented player journeys.

 

GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions

GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame,  Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.

With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.

The post GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development

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Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of AI-driven analytics and enterprise solutions for the gaming and hospitality industry, today announced the addition of Chris Barranco as Director of Business Development.

Barranco brings 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams, driving revenue, and building durable client relationships. He is adept at solution-selling methodology and full sales-cycle management, with a proven track record of mentoring top-tier account executives, delivering high-impact presentations, and retaining key accounts. Known for a tenacious approach to new-business development and customer loyalty, Barranco will focus on expanding QCI’s market footprint, strengthening the partner ecosystem, and advancing go-to-market execution across QCI’s product portfolio.

“I’m excited to join the clear market leader and work with the exceptional team at QCI,” said Chris Barranco, Director of Business Development at QCI. “QCI’s commitment to turning data into action aligns perfectly with my approach to helping customers achieve measurable revenue impact. I look forward to working closely with our clients and partners to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional outcomes.”

We’re delighted to welcome an industry veteran of Chris’s caliber to the QCI team,said Andrew Cardno, CTO and Co-Founder of QCI. “His leadership, mastery of solution selling, and passion for customer success will further strengthen our ability to scale, deepen client relationships, and deliver the operational results our customers expect.”

As Director of Business Development, Barranco will lead initiatives to expand QCI’s presence across key markets, refine sales enablement programs, and collaborate with product and customer success teams to ensure a seamless path from discovery to measurable value realization.

The post Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Be Heard Above the Noise: Booming Games’ Dorota Gruszka on Standing Out in the Crowded Slot Studio Market

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With over 600 online slot studios competing for operator attention, cutting through the noise has never been harder. In this exclusive article, Booming Games’ Head of Marketing, Dorota Gruszka, shares her strategy for building a distinctive brand, forging lasting operator relationships, and creating campaigns that resonate in a crowded iGaming marketplace.

There are now more than 600 online slot studios, with each vying for operator attention and a solid position for its titles within casino lobbies. These 600+ studios are making a lot of noise, and this makes it incredibly difficult for individual studios to be heard.

But it is possible, requiring a clear strategy, creativity and consistency. Being loud is important – it’s the only way you’re going to be heard – but you also need to be relevant and authentic. And this requires a strong understanding of self.

Studios absolutely must know who they are and what they bring to the table, and ensure that these values are reflected in everything they do, from the games themselves to how they are launched and the nature of the partnerships forged with operators. It even extends to events and social media.

A sharp brand, meaningful relationships and marketing collateral that not only engages but also connects are critical to success. Of course, this is easier said than done, but when you have a strong team, defined goals and a product you believe in, it can be achieved.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the challenges studios face when it comes to marketing their brand and games.

 

There are plenty of hurdles to clear

The biggest challenge is, of course, standing out in the market, but second to that is navigating the complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape. Providers need to demonstrate compliance and responsible gaming practices, which means marketing must be transparent and aligned with operator expectations.

Another challenge is building and maintaining trust. Operators demand reliable partners that deliver quality products on time while supporting them beyond the initial sale. That means marketing needs to focus on relationship building, not just quick wins.

Then there’s flexibility, which has become a major differentiator. Operators look for partners that can adapt to their needs – the more flexible and collaborative a partner can be, the more value they bring, and this is a message that needs to come across clearly in B2B marketing activity.

 

Take a multi-layered approach

At Booming Games, we have taken a multi-layered approach to marketing our studio and the games we produce. This includes combining creativity, strategic planning and consistency. Brand awareness isn’t gained overnight – it’s an ongoing process across all channels and touchpoints.

Tactically, we have invested in strong PR and media partnerships and maintain a presence at major industry events. We also leverage social media, posting high-quality content across various channels and digital platforms.

We always go big with our game launches and invest in creative campaigns that showcase each title and ensure it gets noticed by casino managers. This is combined with tailored client communications and eye-catching merchandise that reinforces our visual identity.

 

The power of LinkedIn

One of the most effective marketing channels for a slot studio is LinkedIn, and we have focused a lot of our efforts on the platform. Since joining Booming Games in 2023, we have grown our follower base from 5,000 to almost 18000.

This growth has given us a much stronger platform from which to showcase our games, share company updates and connect directly with industry professionals. This, in turn, has driven exposure, engagement and, ultimately, led to additional operator partnerships.

Thinking outside the box is also important, especially in such an overcrowded industry.

A good example of this is our Ronaldinho Mascot campaign, which was a huge hit across the expos and saw thousands of people taking and sharing photos with the mascot across various social media channels.

But just as important is to listen carefully to partners, players and the wider market to ensure your brand, values and campaigns evolve and remain relevant and interesting. It’s about creating a brand people recognise, trust and enjoy interacting with.

 

Brand ambassadors are an important piece of the puzzle

Increasingly, studios are turning to brand ambassadors to help them do this. But it’s important to make sure the ambassador is the right fit – it’s about more than just attaching a famous name to your brand.

At Booming Games, we know first-hand just how effective brand ambassadors can be off the back of our highly successful partnership with footballing legend, Ronaldinho.

We struck a partnership with him just as the Brazilian market was moving toward regulation, and I truly believe it has allowed us to establish a strong foundation and presence in the region.

Ronaldinho is still relevant and popular, and having him associated with Booming Games has given us exposure, recognition and trust. It has also helped us become one of the first game providers to get certified in Brazil, allowing us to leverage the first-mover advantage.

That said, not all brand ambassador deals are as successful as ours with Ronaldinho. Sometimes, they require a lot of effort, coordination and investment and the return might not justify this. That’s why it’s important to evaluate every potential partnership carefully.

Ultimately, the brand ambassador must genuinely resonate with your audience, complement your brand values and support your long-term goals. When done right, it can be a game-changer.

Driving awareness for a studio is harder than ever, but there are plenty of tactics to turn to that can deliver results while having plenty of fun in the process. Being heard is important, but you must be making the right noise in the first place.

The post Be Heard Above the Noise: Booming Games’ Dorota Gruszka on Standing Out in the Crowded Slot Studio Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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