The Canadian Gaming Summit set attendance records while preparing for its evolution into SBC Summit Canada in 2026.
Over two days the summit welcomed more than 3,000 professionals, 40% of whom held key decision-making roles, according to organizers. The event also saw representation from operators and affiliates, with 1,000 operator representatives—accounting for one-third of total attendees—and 200 affiliates in attendance.
“We have been at the helm of the Canadian Gaming Summit for three years now, and every year we have worked tirelessly to evolve this event that was already loved by many,” SBC CEO and Founder Rasmus Sojmark said in a statement. “This year has undoubtedly been our most successful yet. The feedback I’ve received has been incredible — conference rooms were full, the show floor was alive with conversation, and our networking parties were by far the most memorable to date. I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended.”
The 28th and final edition under the current name attracted key stakeholders from Canada who reflected on challenges and charting a future course for the country’s gaming industry.
“There are always moves and changes within the industry, so this is the perfect venue for us to collaborate, collaborate with the operators, collaborate with the providers, just to see what’s going on, what’s coming up and really being able to exchange ideas,” said Gigadat Chief Operating Officer Cliff Nywening.
HotTakes Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer James White said he’d give the summit “a 10 out of 10. It took me, like, a minute to get my badge, and it seems like you guys have been on the ball with it.”
Serving as a platform to explore the current challenges and future opportunities in the Canadian market, the event’s three-stage conference program featured 150 industry experts covering key topics such as leadership, sports betting and casino, player protection, affiliation and advertising and payments and compliance. The event also featured a dedicated Cybersecurity Symposium in partnership with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
Notable figures who appeared include OLG President Duncan Hannay, who gave the opening address. Also speaking were Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey and Alberta Minister for Service & Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally.
“What I’ve been very surprised by is the attention on the panels and the quality of the panelists,” said Game Lounge Director of Casino Keith Geary.
“It was my first ever time talking on a stage, so I was quite nervous to start with, but all the preparation in advance really put me at ease,” said Bede Gaming Vice President Product Marketing Jessica Mars.
The show floor served as the heart of the event, hosting local and global brands and giving attendees choices and opportunities to explore the products that can power their presence in Canada.
“I’ve kind of been stuck to my booth, which is really a good, good problem to have, because I really have been meeting with new clients, and it’s been really amazing to talk to them,” said Konami Gaming Development Manager Margie Seitz
“I’ve gained lots more contacts of operators I didn’t even know who worked in the Canadian market,” said Geary.
The show floor also gave new market entrants a chance to introduce themselves to the Canadian market.
“We are new to the Canadian market and trying to make a splash here,” said Lotto.com Head of External Affairs Kweku Separu-Grant. “To have so many people engage with us, come by, be curious, and even interact with some of our goods, it definitely gives us a lot of encouragement about the market as a whole.”
“You’ll really find everybody that you would need to connect with. If you’re going to launch a new site, you could probably start here and collect all the different pieces that you need to put it all together,” said Maverick Games CEO Matt Rathbun.
In addition to networking opportunities on the show floor, the Canadian Gaming Summit also featured two dedicated evening networking events. On June 17, delegates gathered at the RS Sports Bar for the SBC Canadian Gaming Summit Opening Party. The evening featured a live screening of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.
On June 18, delegates were treated to a memorable experience at the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame for the Official Networking Party. Attendees explored the iconic museum celebrating Canada’s national sport, took part in interactive virtual hockey activations, and had the chance to meet NHL and former Toronto Maple Leaf’s player Wendel Clark.
“I was able to meet and connect with people, face to face, where you couldn’t find time on the actual floor,” White said.
“Our Canada event has earned its place among the SBC Summits,” Sojmark said. “We’re rebranding it as SBC Summit Canada to better align with our global event portfolio and deliver the signature SBC experience. We hope to see you next year.”
SBC Summit Canada will take place in Toronto on May 19-21.
