SBC Summit player protection symposium to examine safer gambling challenges

This year’s SBC Summit will talk about the challenges of protecting players now that gambling is becoming something more and more complex. The event will have a dedicated symposium that will examine the tools, technologies and policies on the topic of safer gambling.

The summit will take place on 30^th September in Lisbon, Portugal. As a part of this, the Player Protection Symposium will be a space for regulators, operators and responsible gambling specialists to gather with technology providers to discuss how the industry can identify and support more vulnerable customers.

Organisers say the event will focus on three major themes:

• Balancing player protection with efforts to tackle the black market.
• Defining responsibility for safer gambling outcomes.
• Exploring how technology can be used to identify harm earlier.

Industry focus on harm prevention

According to SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark, protecting consumers is a shared challenge for regulated markets worldwide.

"Ultimately, sustainable growth is only possible when player protection sits at the heart of the market."

Sojmark said the symposium would provide an opportunity for stakeholders from different jurisdictions to share insights. It also means they can look at what effective player protection looks like in practice.

Many gambling regulators are introducing stricter safeguards at the moment. Operators are also facing increasing expectations to identify potentially harmful behaviour before it escalates.

Technology and AI under the spotlight

One of the opening sessions in the summit is Innovation in Tech: How Can Technology Keep Players Safe from Harm?. This will look at how artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are changing player protection strategies.

The panel will feature industry figures. These include Scott Burrows, Rupert Ecker, Paula Murphy and Larrie York. Discussions are expected to focus on how operators can use data more effectively to spot early warning signs, intervene sooner and personalise support for at-risk customers.

Regulation and black market concerns

A recurring theme throughout the symposium will be the relationship between stricter regulation and illegal gambling.

The session Regulations Are Getting Stronger: What It Means for the Black Market will explore whether tougher rules strengthen consumer protection or inadvertently push some players towards unregulated operators.

The topic is particularly relevant to the UK right now. Currently, debates continue here around affordability checks, financial risk assessments and the potential impact of regulation on channelisation into the licensed market.

Alongside broader international discussions, attendees will also have access to market-specific sessions. These will cover the UK, UAE, Finland, Italy, Greece and Portugal.

New regulatory networking initiative

The symposium will also introduce Regulatory Meet-ups, a new networking format created in partnership with the International Association of Gaming Regulators and the International Masters of Gaming Law.

The initiative will provide opportunities for delegates to engage directly with regulators, legal experts and industry stakeholders from regions including Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eurasia and the Balkans.

The Player Protection Symposium is a part of the wider SBC Summit. This runs from 29 September to 1 October at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena in Lisbon. Organisers expect around 40,000 industry professionals to attend the event.