SBC Summit 2026: Five Big Trends We’re Watching in Lisbon
SBC Summit Lisbon is huge. Beyond all the bright stands and coffee chats, the gambling and media industries are going through some big changes. Rules are getting tougher, costs are rising, and companies are finding new ways to grow.
Our editorial and analytics team at G GATE MEDIA will be on the floor all week. We aren’t just there to collect free merchandise—we’re there to figure out where the industry is heading next.
Here are the five main trends we will be tracking at the event:
1. Big Companies Buying Small Ones (Mergers and Acquisitions)
Finding new players is getting expensive, and taxes are going up. Because of this, smaller companies are selling, and bigger brands are buying up tech and media platforms to save money.
- What we’re asking: Who is looking to sell, who is buying, and how much are companies actually worth right now?
2. Strict Rules in Europe
Countries in Western Europe are making strict new rules. The Netherlands now has deposit limits, advertising restrictions are becoming more common across Europe, and the UK has raised taxes. It is getting harder to make a profit.
- What we’re asking: How are companies surviving these strict rules, and what tools are they using to stay legal?
3. New Markets: Brazil, Canada, and the Nordics
As European markets get crowded, companies are moving to new places. Brazil is opening up, parts of Canada are growing fast, and Finland is changing its system.
- What we’re asking: Which companies are making real money in these new markets, and who is just talking big?
4. What Makes Media Sites Valuable Now?
In the past, investors just wanted high traffic numbers. Today, they want loyal users and clean, honest websites.
- What we’re asking: How are investors rating media and affiliate sites, and what makes a media business worth buying today?
5. AI and Tech Acquisitions
Checking player identities via Know Your Customer (KYC) and stopping problem gambling is now required by law. Instead of building this tech from scratch, big companies are buying up small AI and tech startups.
- What we’re asking: Which AI tools on the floor actually work well, and which ones are just good marketing?
Let’s Grab a Coffee in Lisbon!
To really understand where the market is going, you need to talk to real people.
Our team will be in Lisbon from September 29th to October 1st:
Want to talk about market trends, share ideas, or work together on new projects?
Message us on LinkedIn to book a quick chat before our calendars fill up.
See you in Lisbon!
