SBC Summit Americas on Thursday said it will open May 14 with a Leaders Track at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Opening remarks, “Welcome to Florida,” will be delivered by Florida Gaming Control Commission Vice Chairman and Inaugural Chairman Julie Brown, who has played a pivotal role in establishing the commission and has a deep understanding of Florida’s regulatory landscape.
The opening remarks will be followed by a conversation with American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller, who will offer a exploration of how the shifting political landscape — from Capitol Hill to state regulatory conversations — is shaping the future of legal gaming in the United States as policymakers and regulators adapt to emerging technologies, evolving consumer behaviors and increased scrutiny around responsible gaming.
“It’s More Fun When It’s for Fun: In Conversation with DraftKings’ First Chief Responsible Gaming Officer” will shine a spotlight on player protection. As DraftKings’ first Chief Responsible Gaming Officer, Lori Kalani will talk about how the company is embedding responsible gaming practices across its platforms and player communities.
SBC Managing Editor Jessica Welman will interview Ari Borod, Fanatics Betting and Gaming Chief Business Officer, for a look at his company’s entry into the U.S. sports betting market. Borod plays a central role in shaping how the brand is differentiating itself in a saturated market, navigating regulatory hurdles and trying o merge commerce with gaming.
Day One also will feature three dedicated Leaders panels, each tackling key challenges and opportunities across the Americas:
“LatAm Leaders – Beyond Brazil: Balancing Growth Across LatAm’s Other Markets” will feature Julio César Tamayo Betancur, President, Wplay; Felipe Fraga, CBO, EstrelaBet; Sebastián Vivot, Director of Modernization and Information Technologies, LOTBA; Ramon Glieneke, Chief Operating Officer, Alea;, and Gonzalo Pérez, CEO, Apuesta Total. Moderated by GLI Vice President of LatAm, Caribbean & Spain Karen Marcela Sierra-Hughes, the panel will address how to capitalize on Brazil’s explosive growth without neglecting the rest of the region.
The “Sports Betting Leaders: Tech vs Sports Books – What Are the Odds?” panel will examine whether U.S. sports betting operators should embrace or resist emerging technologies such as AI. The panel will feature Stuart Simms, FairPlay Sports Media Group CEO; Behshad Behzadi, Sportradar Chief Product, Technology & AI Officer; and Coolbet President Endre Nesset.
The “iGaming Leaders: Omnichannel Strategy for Enhanced Customer Experience” panel will explore how operators can create seamless, unified experiences across digital and physical touchpoints. Betfred US CEO and Chair Kresimir Spajic; BetMGM Vice President of Gaming – Product & Content Oliver Bartlett; Lee Terfloth, Delaware North Chief Interactive Officer, Gaming; Shai Frank, Senior Vice President Product & GM Americas, Optimove; and Sportradar Head of Casino Personalisation Andy Mace will examine whether the industry is maximizing its potential to meet modern consumer expectations.
Other sessions will offer deep dives into the evolution, crossover and regulation of fantasy sports in the United States:
- “The State of Fantasy Sports in America” will explore the history, skill-based game types and monetization models of the sector.
- “Crossover Between Fantasy Sports & Sports Betting” will look at how businesses can engage a shared audience of 70 million fans through aligned products and strategies.
- “Paid Fantasy Sports & Sports Betting – Legislation & Regulation Differences” will unpack the legal and operational contrasts between the two verticals.
- “30 Years of Sports: From the Internet’s Infancy to Today’s Tech,” will reflect on the industry’s transformation through the lens of innovation.
Capping off the day, “Ask the Regulators” will provide a rare opportunity for operators and suppliers to engage directly with the key figures shaping U.S. gaming legislation. Sports Betting Regulators CEO Ed Martin and Vice President Tom Sage will participate, as will National Council of Legislators from Gaming States President Shawn Fluharty, to offer insights into the priorities, challenges and future direction of state-level regulation.
