SOFTSWISS, a global technology provider for the iGaming industry, proudly announces that its Founder, Ivan Montik, has been named a CEO of the Year in the iGaming Industry at the European CEO Awards 2025.

The Awards bring together innovative companies and their visionary leaders to celebrate their achievements in business across various sectors. Each year, the award organisers open nominations for executives who set new standards for excellence in their industries. 

Ivan Montik’s victory testifies to his contribution to shaping the iGaming industry. Since SOFTSWISS’ foundation in 2009, Ivan has maintained a forward-looking perspective on iGaming, aiming to build an ecosystem of software products that enrich player experiences and drive clients’ growth. 

The decision was made in the acknowledgement of  SOFTSWISS’ key milestones in 2024, including the appointment of Rubens Barrichello as the company’s Non-Executive Director in Latin America and the Game Aggregator’s achievement of becoming the industry’s largest content hub with over 27,800 games available. 

It was also the year when SOFTSWISS enriched its portfolio with three new solutions: the Lotto Software, the Retail Betting Solution, and a Horse Racing module integrated into the Sportsbook.

One of the pillars of Ivan’s success is his vision of SOFTSWISS as a company offering an exceptional level of customer service. According to the 2024 research by the Kantar marketing agency, SOFTSWISS has achieved an overall satisfaction score of 8.1 out of 10 for its Game Aggregator and 7.4 out of 10 for the Casino Platform. 

Commenting on receiving the award, Ivan particularly emphasised the importance of teamwork in achieving the company’s success. He believes that nurturing the team’s talent, alongside improving the product and refining the strategy, is key for any business seeking external recognition.

Ivan Montik expresses his appreciation for the award: “I’m grateful to the Awards organisers for accolading me personally and SOFTSWISS as a whole. Their decision shows that iGaming companies are gaining recognition within the business community. I strongly believe that the iGaming future is just beginning to unfold, and we will gradually get more awards outside the industry. But I would like to particularly acknowledge the role of the entire SOFTSWISS team that stands behind this award. Their creativity, innovative thinking and tireless dedication to constant improvements of our products and services lie at the core of the company’s success.” 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS complies with a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

SBC Summit will make a powerful return to Lisbon this September, bringing together 30,000 industry professionals for its biggest edition yet.

The 2025 edition will focus on fine-tuning every aspect of the attendee journey and strategically balancing buyers and sellers, aiming to deliver the industry’s most results-driven event.

The flagship event, which drew attendees from 134 countries in 2024, will once again transform the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and MEO Arena into the global epicentre of the betting and gaming industry from 16-18 September 2025, spanning three full days.

At 135,000+ square meters, the 2025 SBC Summit show floor will be its largest ever, featuring 700+ exhibitors. Enhanced signage will streamline navigation, while the zone format will return alongside an expanded Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit, ensuring attendees can still count on a more targeted approach and efficient lead generation.

Last year’s Lisbon show cemented the event’s reputation as the industry’s fastest-growing business gathering. With soaring momentum and a significant economic contribution to Lisbon, estimated at €100 million in indirect benefits in 2024 alone, the event has earned the backing of Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, Minister of Economy Pedro Reis, and Secretary of State for Tourism Pedro Machado.

With SBC Summit scaling fast, SBC CEO & Founder Rasmus Sojmark has made operational excellence the key focus for 2025. “Last year was our first experience at FIL, and we learned a great deal. We made sure to gather and act on attendee feedback, fine-tuning everything from venue conditions to transport logistics while working closely with Lisbon officials to enhance the overall experience. As we grow, every operational detail becomes even more crucial,” he commented.

With 8,000+ operator representatives set to attend, SBC Summit 2025 will also double down on delivering a premium, 360-degree experience for the industry’s most in-demand audience. Last year’s survey showed high satisfaction, with operators awarding the event a 60 NPS score. This year, SBC will raise the bar even further, ensuring it remains a must-attend event for every operator team member.

To elevate the operator experience, SBC is introducing the Operator Academy—an exclusive training initiative led by top industry experts and global trainers. With six specialised academies, it delivers practical, hands-on learning in odds-making, gamification, AI, marketing, compliance, and crypto, ensuring attendees gain immediately actionable skills to enhance performance.

The Operator Academy will elevate an already dynamic agenda, making SBC Summit 2025 the most comprehensive edition yet. With five vertical-specific stages and the Super Stage at MEO Arena featuring its strongest speaker lineup to date, attendees can expect game-changing content delivered by industry icons and global pioneers alike.

Sojmark said: “I was going to keep this under wraps a little longer, but we’re all too excited. Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia, is confirmed as one of the keynotes for SBC Summit! If you’ve ever seen a viral marketing video that made you rethink everything, chances are, he was behind it. 

“Gary Vee is one of the most influential voices in digital strategy today. His viral content has taken over the internet, and now we’re bringing him—and his infectious personality—to our Super Stage. This is huge!” the CEO added.

The industry’s biggest party,  The INFINITY Lisbon, will also return to MEO Arena on Thursday night, closing SBC Summit with a spectacular DJ set—headlined by none other than Alok.

SBC’s Event Director Paul Mills commented: “Alok was originally set to headline SBC Summit Rio in his native Brazil, but scheduling conflicts meant we had to shift plans to Lisbon. We’re thrilled he’ll still get to meet the SBC crowd that was so eager to see him. Also, one of the biggest DJs on the planet—currently in the top 10 worldwide—will be part of this. We’ll be announcing his name soon.”

The INFINITY Lisbon won’t be the only SBC evening event featuring superstar DJs. This year’s opening party, held in partnership with Pin-Up on Tuesday, September 16, will bring Joel Corry and Imanbek to the stage, delivering high-energy for an unforgettable night of music and networking.

Among this year’s exciting upgrades, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will return even stronger after a standout 2024 debut. Now running for three full days, the side event will feature an expanded show floor, dedicated content, and a major new highlight—the Affiliate Leaders Awards—set to complement the prestigious SBC Awards 2025 by celebrating excellence in the affiliate space.

Sojmark added: “It’s impossible to highlight everything that goes into this event, so I’ll just say this: this year, we’re building an event that’s not just bigger, but smarter. Yes, once again, we’re growing the event—and that’s great, a testament to the success it witnessed last year. 

“But when organising events of this scale, you have to take a step back and focus on the fundamentals. Are we creating an event that is both productive and hassle-free for attendees? Because that’s the only way forward for the Greatest Show in Gaming.”