SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026 to explore the strategies driving sustainable growth across emerging markets

SBC has announced that its 2026 summit in Tbilisi will dedicate significant conference programming to the operational and strategic challenges facing operators seeking to establish or expand presence in emerging markets across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The two-day event, scheduled for mid-July at a prominent Tbilisi venue and organized in partnership with SMH Global, reflects the growing importance of these regions to the global iGaming ecosystem.

The inaugural day's agenda will prioritize practical guidance on market entry mechanics, regulatory navigation, and sustainable expansion pathways—topics of acute relevance as operators increasingly look beyond saturated Western markets. The region encompasses diverse regulatory environments, from nascent licensing frameworks to more established jurisdictions, making centralized knowledge-sharing valuable for both established operators and new entrants.

Emerging markets in Eastern Europe and Central Asia have attracted heightened operator interest in recent years due to population size, rising digital adoption, and relatively untapped revenue potential. However, fragmented regulatory approaches and varying compliance standards create barriers to efficient expansion. An industry conference addressing these pain points directly can accelerate market development and reduce operational friction.

The partnership with SMH Global signals SBC's commitment to regional expertise, likely bringing local market knowledge and stakeholder networks to the summit. This model—pairing international conference infrastructure with regional partners—has become standard practice for industry events seeking credibility and relevance in specific geographies.

For operators, the summit represents a networking and intelligence-gathering opportunity during a period of strategic repositioning across the sector. Regulators and policymakers attending may also use the platform to signal regulatory intent and engage with industry participants on compliance frameworks, potentially shaping market development trajectories across the region.