Eastern Europe & Central Asia in Focus as SBC Summit Tbilisi 2025 Opens Next Week
With just one week to go, SBC Summit Tbilisi 2025 is gearing up for its most impactful edition yet, set to welcome 2,000 senior executives to the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace on 15–16 October.
Co-hosted with SMH Global, the summit will unite operators, affiliates, suppliers, and regulators for two days of strategic insights, networking, and regional expertise, making it the go-to event for businesses targeting Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
World Cup winner and AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta will make two special appearances at the summit.
- On 15 October, Nesta will deliver a keynote address on leadership, resilience, and the lessons today’s gaming executives can draw from elite sports.
- On 16 October, he will join the panel “The Influence of Sports Icons in Gaming & Entertainment”, alongside Dr Matthias Kirschenhofer (Former Co-CEO, Sport1 Medien GmbH), Zurab Magalashvili (Marketing Director, Adjarabet.com – Flutter Entertainment plc), Simon Westbury (Strategic Advisor, 1xBet), and Lasha Machavariani (Founder, SMH Global), to discuss how athletes can help brands drive credibility, fan engagement, and responsible play.
The two-day agenda will feature more than 60 expert speakers, tackling everything from localised marketing strategies and multi-jurisdictional compliance to AI-driven personalisation, gamification, and esports.
Day One will spotlight compliance, regulation, and innovation, with panels on navigating diverse legal frameworks, adopting AI responsibly, and unlocking growth across the Caucasus and beyond. Day Two will shift focus to sports, talent, and engagement, covering ambassador partnerships, betting sponsorships, broadcasting, esports, and new betting formats.
Among the speakers featured at the event will be Dainis Niedra (COO, Entain), Giorgi Gvenetadze (CCO, Flutter CEE), Giorgi Nadaraia (CMO, betlive.com), Tom Waterhouse (Chief Investment Officer, Waterhouse VC), Nick Laconico (CEO, Megabet Plus), David Japaridze (CCO, Setanta Sports), Elie Honain (Co-Founder & CEO, NES), and Vakhtang Mdivani (Co-Founder & CPO, Promofy.ai).
The summit will feature a strong regulatory presence, with representatives from Malta, Georgia, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Lithuania, alongside Rombet, Romania’s leading industry association promoting responsible and well-regulated gaming in the country.
SBC Founder & CEO Rasmus Sojmark commented: “We built SBC Summit Tbilisi to give the industry a true gateway into Eastern Europe and Central Asia. These are high-potential markets where success comes from local knowledge, strong networks, and innovative thinking, and that’s exactly what this summit delivers.”
“SBC Summit Tbilisi has become the must-attend platform for anyone serious about Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Georgia offers not only a strategic location at the crossroads of Eurasia but also a spirit of openness and hospitality that makes this event truly unique,” said Lasha Machavariani, Founder of SMH Global. “This year, delegates can expect deeper insights, stronger networking, and a real sense of how the region is shaping the future of iGaming.”
Beyond the conference sessions, the event will attract 700 operators and 200 affiliates, while the exhibition floor will showcase leading regional brands. Delegates will also benefit from multiple evening networking events, offering plenty of opportunities to connect with other event attendees.
- SBC Summit Tbilisi Opening Party at Stamba Hotel on October 15 – open to all attendees.
- Poker Tournament (sponsored by Betlive & Evenbet) at ATI Rooftop Restaurant, Sheraton Grand Tbilisi on October 16 – open to all attendees but requires attendees to RSVP as there is limited availability.
- C-Level & Operator VIP Dinner & Party at Republic Restaurant on October 16 – invite only.
- SBC Summit Tbilisi Closing Party at Republic Event Hall (2nd Floor) on October 16 – open to all attendees.
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