Press Releases
Shaping the Future of Betting: SBC Summit North America Announces ‘Sports Betting’ Track
The ‘Sports Betting’ conference track at SBC Summit North America will gather some of the top luminaries in the industry to share their thoughts on the latest sports betting trends, innovative technologies, and the evolving North American sports betting landscape.
The dedicated track will unfold on May 8th-9th, the two core days of the leading iGaming & sports betting event in North America, which is set to host 5,000 attendees at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey
The comprehensive track will provide delegates with the opportunity to bolster their educational prowess on key topics such as forging successful operator-league partnerships, exploring the emerging technology set to innovate the sports betting market, the intricate world of media partnerships, and much more.
Opening the first day of the conference track is the panel titled “The Bright Side of Betting: Product Innovation Incoming,” which will explore the expansion strategies employed by operators through new cutting-edge technology. Expert speakers David Senior (Head of Sportsbook, Betsson), Tomer Imber (Senior Director of Sales, Optimove), Joey Levy (CEO, Betr), Scot McClintic (Chief Product Officer, Fanatics Betting and Gaming) and Tim Whitehead (Head of Sportsbook, Rush Street Interactive), will discuss how player-focused augmented experiences can attract new audiences and will explore methods operators can adopt to maintain relevance in this rapidly evolving industry landscape.
The female-led panel, titled “Women’s World Cup in the Spotlight: How Operators Seized Opportunities From the Rising Popularity of Women’s Sports in 2023”, aims to dissect the notable surge in sports betting on women’s sports over the past year. Experts Nicole Pawlak (Senior Director, Special Projects, Athletes Unlimited), Meghan Chayka (Co-Founder, Stathletes), Nancy Hensley (Founding Member, Mercury13), and Jennifer Matthews (Vice President, Brand Strategy, FanDuel), will delve into the strategies employed by operators to capitalize on the growing interest in women’s sports and will examine the essential factors surrounding audience engagement in betting on women’s sports.
The conference’s track’s second day opens with the panel titled “DFS 2.0 – Skill Game or Just Sports Betting With Another Name? How Regulators are Responding,” which will delve into the ongoing debate over whether daily fantasy sports (DFS) primarily involve skill or luck. Esteemed figures Julie Brown (Vice Chairman and Inaugural Chairman, Florida Gaming Control Commission), Derek Schmidt (Partner, Husch Blackwell), Nick Green (General Counsel at Underdog Fantasy), and panel moderator Daniel Wallach (Partner, Wallach Legal) will examine diverse perspectives on the skill versus luck argument, evaluate the future trajectory of DFS regulation, and analyze its broader implications for the industry.
The panel “What Does Regulated Betting on Video Games Look Like?” will focus on the intricacies of regulating virtual gameplay across North America. Industry experts Brett Abarbanel (Ph.D., Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute), Michelle Sadaf-Pena (Executive Director of PMO and Gaming Operations, Wondr Nation), Barbara Demarco (Vice President, Porzio Governmental Affairs, LLC), Seth Schorr (CEO, Fifth Street Gaming), Michele Fischer (Vice President, SIS Content Services, Inc.) and panel moderator Anthony Gaud (Founder, Esports Illustrated) will explore the potential for increased revenue as new audiences are reached. They will also consider the compliance measures necessary to ensure continued healthy, legal growth for stakeholders.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “Since the regulation of sports betting in 2018, an impressive 38 states now offer sports betting in some form, which is an amazing achievement. Couple that with the emergence of new sports betting technologies, products, and services, the sports betting track provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative strategies, regulatory updates, and market trends shaping the future of sports wagering.
We believe that by hosting the sports betting conference track across both core days of the event, we will be able to provide delegates with comprehensive discussions encompassing every major development within the sports betting landscape, ensuring they are equipped to capitalize on one of the most exciting verticals in the market.”
Alongside the ‘Sports Betting’ track, delegates will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the North American market through the dedicated conference tracks such as the ‘Leaders’, ‘iGaming’, ‘Affiliates & Marketing’, ‘Tribal Symposium’, ‘Payments & Tech’ and the ‘Compliance & Regulation’ conference tracks.
SolutionsHub is pleased to announce the appointment of James O’Kelly as Head of Corporate Development, a newly established role that underscores the company’s commitment to strategic growth, innovation, and excellence in client service.
Since joining SolutionsHub, James has been instrumental in driving key initiatives across the organization. Over the past 18 months, James has headed high-impact growth intiatives, managed treasury and led sucessful licensing for clients. His contributions have also extended to representing SolutionsHub on the international stage, enhancing the company’s global presence.
In his new role, James will take the lead on a range of high-impact strategic initiatives in close collaboration with the Board of Directors. His primary focus will be on identifying and cultivating key partnerships, as well as spearheading the development of innovative product lines that align with the company’s long-term vision. To fully dedicate his efforts to these forward-looking priorities, James will be transitioning responsibility for day-to-day operations and compliance to other senior members of the leadership team. This shift will enable him to concentrate on shaping the company’s future growth trajectory and ensuring its continued success.
“James has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep understanding of our business and industry,” said Lee Hills, CEO of SolutionsHub. “His appointment as Head of Corporate Development is a natural evolution that aligns with our long-term strategic goals and further reinforces the strength of our leadership team.”
James will continue to play a pivotal role in advising and supporting clients through increasingly complex regulatory, licensing, and jurisdictional considerations. Leveraging his extensive experience and strong track record of delivering innovative, compliant, and forward-thinking solutions.
The post James O’Kelly Appointed Head of Corporate Development at SolutionsHub appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The studio is shortlisted for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category
ELA Games, an innovative game development studio, has been shortlisted for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category at the upcoming EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025.
The EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards is an event that celebrates key figures and innovative brands within the iGaming industry. The ceremony recognises companies that demonstrate commercial success through game-changing creativity and contributions to the improvement of the industry. It gathers the brightest and most influential minds to reward those who have helped the online gaming sector grow.
ELA Games’ nomination for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category highlights the company’s efforts in creating a portfolio that balances operator-centric growth with player-friendly gaming experiences. The studio has demonstrated a commitment to helping operators improve player acquisition and retention metrics through data-backed performance, making it a beneficial partner.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the nomination, “The ELA Games team is proud to receive a nomination for a significant category at a prestigious event. We’ve made considerable strides in 2025 to develop our portfolio and create games that both help operators grow and provide fun for players. We look forward to networking with all our peers at the ceremony, and congratulations to all nominees!”
The EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025 will take place on June 19, 2025, at The Mermaid, London. The ELA Games team will attend the ceremony for a night of excitement, networking, and celebration.
The post ELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Giorgia Kasat
Reals Appoints Giorgia Kasat as New Head of HR, Strengthening Organizational Strategy in the Betting Industry
Leading Brazilian Betting Brand Reals Welcomes Former Itaú and Votorantim Executive to Drive Human Capital Development
Reals, one of Brazil’s leading regulated online betting and gaming platforms, has announced the appointment of Giorgia Kasat as its new Head of Human Resources. With over 20 years of experience in strategic people management, organizational transformation, and leadership development, Giorgia brings a wealth of expertise from her roles at major corporations such as Votorantim, Banco Itaú, Duratex, Capgemini, and Munksjö.
Recognized as a finalist in the 2024 “Most Admired CEOs and HR Leaders” awards by Grupo Gestão RH, Giorgia also holds an Executive Business degree from Fundação Dom Cabral, an MBA in Business Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and certification in Group Psychodrama from PUC-SP.
“We believe that a company’s success is directly linked to its ability to foster the best in its people within a healthy, growth-oriented environment. Giorgia’s human-centered leadership style drives engagement and positive results. As a serious and regulated company, professionalism is a core value for us, and her arrival is a strategic step in our organizational growth,” said Hilton Andrade, CFO of Reals.
Giorgia expressed enthusiasm about joining Reals at a pivotal moment for the company and the industry: “I’m excited to take on this new challenge with a major player in the betting and online gaming industry. My passion lies in developing people who go on to inspire and empower others. Together, we’ll build a strong culture of growth, diversity, and performance in a sector that is rapidly consolidating in Brazil and globally.”
Reals Expands Workforce and Strengthens Market Presence
Amid rapid expansion, Reals is in the process of hiring approximately 1500 new employees and preparing to move into a new 6,000 m² headquarters in São Paulo. Already a standout in the market, Reals made headlines earlier this year by becoming the first Brazilian betting operator to sponsor a major European football club, AC Milan, as its Official Regional Betting Partner for Latin America.
Reals also holds a master sponsorship with Coritiba Foot Ball Club in Brazil and boasts an all-star ambassador roster led by TV personality Rodrigo Faro, alongside popular influencers Ítalo Sena, Edu Primitivo, and Gabi Nery.
With a 9.5 rating on Reclame Aqui, Reals is among the top-rated licensed betting operators in Brazil, reinforcing its reputation for reliability and customer trust.
The post Reals Appoints Giorgia Kasat as New Head of HR, Strengthening Organizational Strategy in the Betting Industry appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
partnerships4 weeks agoOctoplay accelerates UK and Irish growth with strategic BoyleSports partnership
-
Latin America4 weeks ago
SOFTSWISS Ignites Brazil with ‘Race Like a Legend’ Experience
-
Asia3 weeks ago
Jetapult Strengthens AI Expertise: Onboards Industry Leaders, Oz Silahtar and Dr. Arjun Jain
-
Balkans4 weeks ago
Playson tightens grip on Croatian market with landmark Hrvatska Lutrija deal
-
Africa4 weeks ago
INCENTIVE GAMES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AFRICA AND UK WITH LIGHT & WONDER
-
Press Releases3 weeks ago
Colour the world your way in Supa Crew by Swintt’s Elysium Studios
-
Compliance Updates2 weeks ago
MGCB Targets 11 Illegal Online Casinos Operating Without Licenses
-
Press Releases2 weeks ago
Swintt stacks up a pyramid of wins in Egypt King Pearl Upgrade
