SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026 Recap: Key Takeaways From the Fourth Edition

SBC Summit Tbilisi wrapped its fourth edition on July 16, 2026 having drawn more than 2,500 delegates and 70-plus speakers to the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace, with regulatory dialogue between EU, US, Georgian and Central Asian authorities emerging as the dominant theme of the two-day event. Held July 15 to 16 in partnership with Georgia-based consulting firm SMH, the summit positioned itself as the primary meeting point for operators, suppliers and regulators working across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Key facts: SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026

• Dates: July 15 to 16, 2026
• Venue: Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace
• Edition: Fourth annual SBC Summit Tbilisi
• Attendance: More than 2,500 delegates
• Speakers: More than 70 industry experts
• Local partner: SMH, a Georgia-based iGaming and sports consulting firm
• Core themes: regulatory exchange, market entry, artificial intelligence, player engagement, sports sponsorship

What was SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026?

SBC Summit Tbilisi is SBC's regional flagship event for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, now in its fourth year. The 2026 edition ran July 15 to 16 at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace and was organized in partnership with SMH, a Georgia-based consulting firm focused on the region's betting and gaming sector. The event functions as a smaller, more focused counterpart to SBC's larger flagship shows in Lisbon and Barcelona, prioritizing depth of access over sheer scale.

How many people attended SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026?

The event drew more than 2,500 delegates and featured over 70 speakers across its two-day agenda, according to SBC News coverage of the summit. That places Tbilisi well below the scale of SBC's flagship Lisbon summit, which regularly draws tens of thousands, but organizers and attendees framed the smaller footprint as a deliberate advantage rather than a limitation.

What were the main topics covered at the summit?

Sessions spanned market entry strategies for operators looking at Eastern Europe and Central Asia, artificial intelligence applications in gaming operations, player engagement techniques, sports sponsorship strategy, executive leadership, and a dedicated Regulatory Forum covering compliance and licensing developments across the region. The Regulatory Forum in particular brought together officials and industry figures from the EU, the US, Georgia and Central Asian jurisdictions for direct dialogue on regulatory best practice.

Who spoke at SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026?

Confirmed speakers included Giorgi Gvenetadze, COO of Flutter CEE, Kaido Ulejev, CEO of Mindcraft, David Japaridze, CCO of Setanta Holding, Toby Gilbert, CEO and founder of OnRamp, Luka Kobalia, Chief Production Officer at Smartsoft, Sergiu Petre, Head of Brand at Super, Sanja Isakov, General Manager at Rizk.rs and Betsson, and Denis Karpovich, CTO and Technical Director at EGT Georgia. Former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes appeared as a keynote speaker, a nod to the summit's parallel focus on sports sponsorship.

Why does SBC hold a dedicated summit in Tbilisi?

Georgia and the wider Central Asian and Eastern European corridor have become an increasingly active region for iGaming market entry, and SBC Summit Tbilisi is designed to give operators and suppliers direct access to the regulators and executives shaping those markets without the scale and noise of a flagship global event. SMH Global founder Lasha Machavariani captured the rationale for a regionally focused event: "Success is now defined by local knowledge, trusted relationships and direct access to regional decision-makers."

What did attendees say about the value of a smaller, regional event?

Several speakers specifically praised Tbilisi's mid-size format over larger flagship shows. Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of EvenBet, said: "The size is perfect. It gives you exposure while still allowing for quality, in-depth conversations." SBC founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark echoed that view, pointing to "the quality of the conversations taking place," noting that attendees can meet the people actively shaping these markets rather than competing for a few minutes with a headline speaker in a crowded hall.

What did regulators and policy voices focus on?

The Regulatory Forum track drew participation from Ukraine's National Gaming Business Council, among others. Valerii Vyzhak of the Council said it was "really important to get fresh ideas," adding that regional regulators are "sometimes...open to clever solutions" when they come from direct dialogue with industry rather than through formal consultation processes alone. That framing matched the summit's broader positioning as a venue for regulatory exchange rather than pure commercial networking.

How does SBC Summit Tbilisi fit into the wider 2026 events calendar?

Tbilisi's July slot places it ahead of a busy autumn run for the industry, with G2E Las Vegas and SBC Summit Lisbon both set for late September into early October 2026, followed by SiGMA World Rome in November. For operators focused specifically on Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus region, Tbilisi offers a earlier, more targeted checkpoint before the industry's larger global gatherings later in the year.

What made the fourth edition different from previous years?

SBC News coverage of the event highlighted an increased emphasis on artificial intelligence sessions compared to prior editions, reflecting the same AI-in-operations theme that has dominated other 2026 industry gatherings. Organizers also pointed to growing visibility for emerging startups at the event, suggesting Tbilisi is increasingly being used as an entry point for newer suppliers looking to reach regional operators before attempting the larger flagship shows.

Is there a roundup of specific deals or announcements from the summit?

Coverage of the event to date has focused on networking, regulatory dialogue and session content rather than major deal announcements, consistent with Tbilisi's positioning as a relationship-building and regulatory-access event rather than a launchpad for product announcements. Any specific commercial deals struck around the summit had not been publicly disclosed by organizers or attendees as of this report.

"Success is now defined by local knowledge, trusted relationships and direct access to regional decision-makers." - Lasha Machavariani, Founder, SMH Global

Frequently asked questions

When was SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026 held?

SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026 ran July 15 to 16, 2026 at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace.

How many people attended SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026?

The event drew more than 2,500 delegates and featured over 70 speakers.

Who organizes SBC Summit Tbilisi?

SBC organizes the event in partnership with SMH, a Georgia-based iGaming and sports consulting firm, with SMH Global founder Lasha Machavariani serving as the local partner lead.

What was the keynote highlight of the 2026 edition?

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes appeared as a keynote speaker, tying into the summit's sports sponsorship track.

When is the next major SBC event after Tbilisi?

SBC Summit Lisbon is scheduled for September 29 to October 1, 2026, running concurrently with G2E Las Vegas.

Updated July 2026.