The 2026 FIFA World Cup will place unprecedented pressure on sportsbooks. Rising acquisition costs, tighter compliance rules, AI-assisted bettors and extreme in-play volatility make this the industry’s ultimate challenge.
With that in mind, SBC Digital – World Cup 2026 brings together senior leaders from global operators and suppliers to provide a practical view of profitability, risk management, and long-term strategy. The series of panel sessions this Wednesday, Feb. 25, is brought to you in partnership with Headline Partner DATA.BET and Sportsbook Lead Partner Betby.
The digital conference features five live, interactive panels examining acquisition value, AI-driven bettors, marketing under regulation, and matchday volatility:
Improving Live Betting Through Data Science & Statistics
Moderated by iGaming Expert Editor Joe Streeter, experts will discuss using data, analytics, and machine learning to optimize in-play pricing and customer experience.
Speakers:
- Yurii Berest, CEO, DATA.BET
- Ivan Gojic, Entain
- Filip Jakupovs, Entain
All In or Sitting Out? The True Cost of the World Cup Acquisition Game
This panel, moderated by SBC News Editor Ted Orme-Claye, will explore profitability, compliance, and whether the World Cup remains a viable acquisition opportunity.
Speakers:
- Myke Foster, FEG
- Damir Bohm, Tipwin
- Aviv Sher, Codere Online
- Dainis Niedra, Entain
- Marco Marchioro, Superbet
AI Players vs. Sportsbooks: Preparing for the Ultimate Stress Test
Panelists will discuss defensive AI strategies, pricing frameworks and maintaining competitive odds. SBC Media Manager Charlie Horner will moderate.
Speakers:
- Greg Papanastasiou, Playnorth
- Ifran Parvez, LiveScore
- Ivan Gojic, Entain
- Chris Nikolopoulos, CCO, Betby
Winning Marketing Strategies for World Cup 2026
With Streeter in the moderator’s seat again, experts will explore cost-effective ways to reach players using segmentation, creator campaigns and storytelling.
Speakers
- Dawid Pozoga, STS Gaming
- Casey Hurbis, BetMGM North America
- Elena Barba, Novibet
- Tamazi Gambashidze, Flutter CEE/Adjarabet
Navigating the Storm: Managing Risk in the 2026 World Cup
This final session, moderated by SBC Editor-at-Large Ted Menmuir, will cover strategies to manage volatility, protect margins, and maintain control across live markets.
Speakers
- Andre Zammit, LeoVegas
- Chris Nikolopoulos, CCO, Betby
- Hristo Spasov, Codere
- Thomas Donson, DATA.BET
Secure Your Place
SBC Digital World Cup 2026 is free to attend and open to industry professionals. Complete the sign-up form below to receive confirmation and access details ahead of the event.
