Taking place June 10-11 at the Broward County Convention Center, the Leaders Stage will gather senior leaders from operators, regulatory bodies, Tribal organisations, and adjacent industries to discuss what it takes to gain a competitive edge in 2026.
The Leaders stage forms part of SBC Summit Americas’ six-stage conference program, covering sports betting and casino, affiliation, leadership, player protection, and regulation, with each stage alternating between North and Latin American market focus across the two days.
“Player expectations have evolved in ways I don’t think anyone in the industry truly expected. A great product is no longer enough. You have to be an entertainment platform, a media brand, even a financial service, all at once,” said Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC.
“The range of conversations happening across the Leaders Stage shows just how broad the industry has become. That gives us the opportunity to bring together voices from both inside and outside gaming, and this year’s lineup includes everyone from executives at some of the region’s biggest operators to an actual Kennedy,” he added.
The session ‘The Current State of Prediction Markets in the US’ will examine how prediction markets are blurring the lines between financial trading and sports betting, and what their rapid rise means for future US regulation. Experts Jeanine Hightower Sellitto (Senior Vice President & General Manager, DraftKings Predictions), Alex Kane (CEO, Sporttrade), and Joshua B. Sterling (Partner, Milbank) will debate whether prediction markets represent a natural evolution in gaming or a direct challenge to existing regulatory frameworks.
The wider implications surrounding emerging gaming models continue with the session ‘From Regulation to Representation: Giving Tribes a Voice in the Future of U.S. Gaming.’ Joe Nayquonabe (CEO, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort), Jacob Coin (VP Advisor, Tribal Council), and Sheila Morago (CEO, Trilogy Group) will discuss how Tribal Nations are working to protect sovereignty and influence future gambling policy as prediction markets and sweepstakes-style platforms continue to expand.
Expanding the regulatory discussion is the session ‘Regulator Rumble: The Future of LatAm,’ which examines the increasing pressure on Latin American markets to balance rapid digital growth with regulatory clarity. Experts Juan Carlos Santaella Marchán (Executive Director, Puerto Rico Gaming Commission (Government of Puerto Rico)), Fabio Macorin (Deputy Secretary, Secretariat of Prizes and Betting, Brazil’s Ministry of Finance), and Jaime Rivera Emmanuelli (Member, Saiber LLC / Ex-Regulator) will explore how regulators and operators can work toward a unified regulatory approach, ensuring sustainable growth across the region.
The conversation then shifts to engaging today’s modern player, with a series of panels exploring how technology and personalized marketing are driving long-term loyalty.
The exclusive fireside chat, ‘Winning Is Everything,’ will see bet365 CMO Stephanie De Flora break down the company’s expansion across North America and how the operator built long-term customer engagement through localized marketing strategies.
The keynote ‘Unlocking AI to Drive Growth’ will further explore the theme of personalization, as David Edelman (former CMO, Aetna) offers guidance on how to engage players effectively, yet responsibly, by integrating AI to personalize and automate customer experiences at scale.
Beyond commercial strategy and regulatory evolution, the Leaders Stage will also address the growing importance of player protection and public health during the keynote ‘Building a Public Health Response to Gambling Harm’. Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy, alongside industry and medical representatives, will explore how prevention, treatment, education, and healthcare systems can better combat gambling addiction, as sports betting and online gaming continue to expand across the United States.
More than just a conference agenda, SBC Summit Americas will serve as a meeting point for the C-levels, regulators, Tribal leaders, and policymakers, defining the next era of gaming across the Americas.
Industry C-level executives set to appear across the agenda’s other conference tracks include Andrew Cochrane (COO, Soft2Bet), Ian Botts (CTO, Fanatics Betting & Gaming), Kip Levin (CEO, Geocomply), Manuel Stan (CEO, Catena Media), Marco Emilio Hincapie (President, Coljuegos), Macario Gallegos (SVP & Chief Information Officer, Seminole Hard Rock), Stuart Simms (Group CEO, FairPlay Sports Media) and many more.
SBC Summit Americas will take place from June 9 to 11, 2026, at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Get your tickets for SBC Summit Americas!
Expo Pass ($0) – Exhibition Floor Access and basic access to SBC Connect
Conference Pass ($399) – Full access to the conference, show floor, and SBC Connect
Networking Pass ($399) – Full access to the show floor, SBC Connect, SBC Connections and evening networking sessions
Business Pass ($549) – Full access to the show floor, conference, SBC Connect, and SBC Connections
VIP Pass – Full access to the show floor, conference, SBC Connect, and SBC Connections, evening networking, and complimentary food and drink from our Food Festival
