SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
SBC Events reached new heights after welcoming a record number of delegates, exhibitors and top-level industry speakers to last week’s Betting on Sports Week in London.
There were 2,500 registrations across the week, a significant increase on the 1,300 for the event’s second running in 2017, with more than 270 of those speaking across the Betting on Sports conference tracks, SBC Sponsorship Forum, AffiliateFEST, ESI London and the inaugural two-day CasinoBeats Summit.
This lineup included five-time snooker World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, Sky Betting & Gaming CEO Richard Flint, Pinnacle CEO Paris Smith, PDC Chief Executive Matthew Porter, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, Parimatch CEO Sergey Portnov, Betsson CEO Jesper Svensson, Stoiximan & Betano CEO George Daskalakis, Hard Rock SVP for Online Gaming Kresimir Spajic and Sean Bratches, Managing Director of Commercial Operations at Formula 1.
Daskalakis commented: “Interesting discussion on the sustainability of the industry at the CEO panel at Betting on Sports in London. Lots of challenges on the horizon, but I remain optimistic about the future.
“It was great to exchange views with Richard Flint, Niels Erik Folmann (CEO of Danske Spil), Jesper Svensson and Per Widerström (CEO of Fortuna Group) on this important topic.”
Jari Vähänen, SVP for International Development at Veikkaus, was a key speaker on the Betting on Racing track. He added: “It was really nice and fun to speak and participate at Betting on Sports Week in London. Based on my 27 years’ experience, I can say that it is the best sports betting event I have attended, and one of the best events in the gambling industry ever!”
The exhibition floor, which was full of lively product displays within a 6,300 sqm exhibition space and five conference rooms, housed more than 100 exhibitors, eight networking areas, bars and a series of break-out meeting rooms.
Wednesday’s exclusive VIP dinners and networking party took place on the 28th and 29th floor of the stunning Millbank Tower, while the week drew to a fittingly extravagant close with the Hall of Fame awards evening and closing party at one of London’s most iconic venues, the Natural History Museum.
Rasmus Sojmark, SBC Founder & CEO, said: “Betting on Sports has become an essential focal point for anyone involved in the betting business. We’ve worked tirelessly this year to build and improve in all areas, so it was extremely gratifying to see it all come together across two floors at the Olympia, as well as multiple top end venues across London.
“This incredible growth – to 100+ exhibitors and 270 speakers across three days, has given us the confidence to take the event to New York in April 2019. A final thank you to each and every one of our sponsors – none of this would be possible without them.”
Sue Schneider, who will act as a Chief Advisor to next year’s Betting on Sports America, was effusive in her praise of the event’s finale. She said: “Team SBC did a fantastic job with the entire event but the wrap up party was wonderful. Onward to the US!”
The final word goes to the team from Onefootball. A spokesman for the global football media platform said: “Thanks again for this fantastic event! Hope you slowly but safely recover from climbing the Mount Everest of the betting world.”
