SBC Summit 2025 will shine a light on the industry’s responsibility of safeguarding players, with a dedicated Player Protection stage running throughout the event from 16 to 18 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa.
According to the event’s organizers, the Player Protection stage will offer the expected 30,000 delegates an examination of how industry ethics intersect with regulation, technology and player behaviour, featuring insights from experienced professionals across the sector.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said, “Player protection has rightly evolved from a regulatory checkbox to a core business strategy. As global frameworks tighten and consumer expectations rise, the operators that succeed long term will be those that genuinely embed safety into their model.”
The Player Protection stage will tackle three vital themes across the event. The first day will examine regulation, Day Two will explore emerging trends and Day Three will focus on innovative technologies that can better protect players.
Tuesday 16 September – Regulation: The opening day will explore the relationship between regulation and unintended consequences, asking whether strict compliance measures push players toward unregulated markets. It will also examine who should bear responsibility for player disputes: operators, regulators, or an independent body.
Wednesday 17 September – Research: The second day will focus on practical solutions to player protection. Panels will explore themes such as how AI is changing player engagement and why unlicensed sites continue to attract consumers. Sessions will also compare global approaches to affordability and risk assessment and ask who has the best approach to protecting players.
Thursday 18 September – Tech: The closing day will look at the latest tools and technologies for keeping players safe, including how different platforms can work together to protect players, AI-powered player monitoring, and how player protection functions when gamers play with cryptocurrencies.
The Player Protection Stage will host a number of safer gambling experts, including: MaxBet CEO Savo Bakmaz, LeoVegas Director of Player Sustainability Dr Maris Catania, Entain’s Head of Regulatory Affairs David Foster, IBAS Managing Director Richard Hayler, Grand Casino Baden AG’s Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Dr Alexandra Koerner, GamStop’s Chief Marketing Officer Katie Reynolds-Jones and Gordon Moody CEO Monica Shafaq.
Organizers noted that the Player Protection stage is one of six dedicated conference stages at SBC Summit 2025, alongside Global Markets, Emerging Markets, Technology, Affiliationand the Super Stage.
