Untapped potential, surging demand, and shifting regulations are putting Eurasia and the Middle East firmly on the iGaming radar.

SBC Summit 2025 will tap into this momentum with a new Emerging Markets: Eurasia & the Middle East track on Wednesday, 17 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), featuring five powerhouse sessions on market entry, regulation, and long-term growth strategies.

The track will provide in-depth analysis of key jurisdictions, including Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and the UAE; markets undergoing significant change due to political shifts, evolving regulations, and growing local demand.

Sessions will offer practical guidance on entering and operating in these regions, with a focus on understanding regulatory frameworks and adapting to local market conditions.

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Eurasia and the Middle East are a core focus for SBC Summit 2025. The opportunities here are real, but so are the challenges. Long-term success means understanding the local landscape and building genuine relationships on the ground.

“With this track, we want delegates to hear directly from the people who know these markets best, and to walk away with strategies they can put to work straight away.”

The track will open with the Eurasia Leaders Panel: Expansion or Contraction – Which Way Will the Bridge Between Continents Swing?, offering delegates the chance to hear directly from the leaders shaping the market across the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Irakli Asanishvili (Head of Central & Eastern Europe, Flutter International), Adam Lamentowicz (CEO, Superbet Group), Max Potomkin (Deputy CEO, Parimatch), and Simon Westbury (Strategic Advisor, 1xBet) will examine whether political and regulatory pressures could stall momentum in markets like Georgia and Uzbekistan or if the region’s passionate fanbase and tech-savvy operators will continue to fuel expansion.

Following this, Georgia & Armenia Lead the Way will explore how these markets are adapting to recent tax and regulatory changes. Nika Gigashvili (Managing Director / Partner, SMH Global), Giorgi Gvenetadze (CCO, Flutter CEE),  Vahagn Tangamyan (Head of Legal Department, Totogaming), and Gega Topuridze (CBDO, Betlive) will discuss how operators can adapt to new frameworks while capitalising on the region’s abundant talent pool and digital infrastructure.

The session Cryptocasinos & Emerging Markets – The Boom Continues will examine the rise of crypto-based gaming models in Eurasia and the Middle East. The panel will bring together Tiago Almeida (CEO, Oddsgate), Andrew Gellatly (Executive Director, Alderney Gambling Control Commission), Stefan Kovach (Founder & CEO, RARER THINGS), Melissa E. Lamb (Director of Sales – Luxury, Payhound), and Tom Waterhouse (Chief Investment Officer, Waterhouse VC) to examine how operators can maximise increasing crypto-adoption while maintaining compliance and responsible frameworks.

Crossing Borders: Cross-Selling in Balkan Markets will bring together regional experts to explore how businesses can thrive in culturally connected markets while navigating diverse regulatory frameworks. Dan Alexandru Ghiță (President, Rombet), Ivan Gojic (Chief Sportsbook Officer, Entain CEE), Rossi McKee (Vice President, CT Gaming), Alexander Popov (Director of Supervision, Gambling & Gambling Activities Directorate, National Revenue Agency (Bulgaria)), Marinos Shiapanis (Co-Founder & CEO, Campeon Gaming), and Artem Skrypnyk (CEO, Favbet Tech) will share their insights on building a consistent brand across multiple jurisdictions without compromising compliance.

Inside the UAE’s Ambitious Vision: Building a World-Class, Regulated, and Responsible Gaming Market from the Ground Up will examine the UAE’s move towards adopting a regulated gambling framework. Garret Greene (SVP Global Relationships, SBC), Christina Hu (Chief Strategy Officer, Momentum), Kevin Mullally (CEO, GCGRA), David Patent (EVP, Wynn Al Marjan Island), Lauralyn Sandoval (Vice President Gaming Strategy and Business Development, Aristocrat), will explore what a regulated betting framework in the region could look like and how the UAE’s approach could influence neighbouring jurisdictions and reshape global perceptions of gaming in the Middle East.

The Emerging Markets: Eurasia & The Middle East track forms part of SBC Summit’s Emerging Markets stage, alongside sessions analysing iGaming and sports betting growth in Africa (Tuesday, 16 September) and Asia (Thursday, 18 September).

Secure your ticket to SBC Summit 2025 today.

Choose from three pass types: VIP Event Pass, Expo+ Pass, or Expo Only Pass. Please note that an Expo Only Pass does not include access to conference panels.

Our Group VIP Event Pass offers three tickets at €400 each (down from €600)—ideal for attending with your team.

Operators and affiliates are eligible for a complimentary passes, simply apply here.

There’s a brand new online casino igniting players’ imaginations: Flamez is a fully-equipped platform with plenty to discover, released by Ganadu, the operator seeking to light up players’ screens in selected markets worldwide.

Flamez claims to be the hottest online casino around. This fiery new gaming brand offers top-notch technology, over 4,000 of the world’s leading slots, table games, and live casino games, all with seamless play experiences and slick UX.

Incredible game library 

The extensive Casino Game Lobby is simmering, packed with some of the best slots around, and favourite table games like blackjack and roulette, or live dealer tables tailored to player preferences. From nostalgic classics to the latest innovative mechanics, Flamez Casino offers games from top providers, including Pragmatic Play, Nolimit City, Play’n GO and Evolution. 

Flamez offers the challenge and strategy of traditional casino games. The top table games section features classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, all of which deliver smooth gameplay and realistic odds.

The easy-to-navigate platform makes switching between games seamless. 

Live casino

For the ultimate authentic casino experience, the Flamez live casino delivers real-time action powered by Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play Live. Players can try their luck alongside professional dealers in high-quality streams on various live games available 24/7.

Please note: Selected games are only available in certain regions due to regulatory requirements. Contact Affiliatez.com for more information.

Secure, convenient, and accessible

Flamez Casino is operated by Ganadu, under a strict license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), ensuring fair play and regulatory compliance. The platform employs state-of-the-art encryption to safeguard personal and financial data. Flames is equipped with the prestigious ISO 27001 certification, underscoring the company’s commitment to information security.

A variety of trusted payment methods are supported to make deposits and withdrawals smooth and hassle-free and a secure payment system supports selected credit cards, e-wallets, or online banking to suit player preferences. Flamez is a Pay’n Play casino in Finland, where players can use BankID for registration and verification, so they can start playing and withdrawing right away.

Flamez Casino is designed for modern players who demand flexibility allowing for seamless enjoyment on desktop or mobile devices. The gaming experience will always be fast, reliable, and fun, whether at home or on the go.

Responsible, confident play

Adam Kamiar, Commercial Director, Ganadu: “We’re exceptionally proud of this online casino brand. The stand-out design, blazing bonuses, and daily cashback, coupled with an expansive game portfolio and top-level security, make Flamez Casino the go-to destination for thrilling online gaming. Players can play responsibly and with confidence. We invite everyone to take a look and see for themselves.”.

Don’t wait, join the fiery adventure with Flamez Casino today!

Lemon Sky Studios has announced the release of the song “Barrel of a Gun” with renowned Malaysian artist Priscilla Abby, who has 1.29M subscribers on YouTube. “Barrel of a Gun” serves as the theme song for the studio’s original mech IP universe Metal Genesis. The official music video for the song, produced by Lemon Sky and featuring a mocap 3D-animated depiction of Priscilla Abby as a cyborg superstar, is set to be released this Sep 5, 8pm. 

The release of “Barrel of a Gun” is highly anticipated by Metal Genesis fans, due to a teaser version of the song being used as the soundtrack for Metal Genesis’s most recent cinematic trailer titled “All Hail the Harmonic”. This trailer introduces the Harmonic Heroes, one of the unique mech factions in the Metal Genesis universe, and has surpassed 100k views in just a few months due to the highly creative designs of the mechs which are controlled through the power of music. Numerous comments on the trailer show fans’ deep appreciation for the music and their excitement for a full version of the song 

To immerse fans in the universe of Metal Genesis, Lemon Sky Studios has worked with Priscilla Abby and her team to create the original song “Barrel of a Gun” which reflects the themes of Metal Genesis. For the music video, Lemon Sky Studios’ in-house team used cutting-edge motion capture technology to manifest Priscilla Abby in the world of Metal Genesis, depicting her as a cyborg vocalist while the Harmonic Heroes play as her live band in a vibrant techno world.

Metal Genesis is the first fully original gaming IP universe by Lemon Sky Studios, a world class art and animation studio known for their contributions in iconic games such as the Final Fantasy VII Remake, Armored Core VI, and Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered. This ambitious project aims to leverage the team’s AAA expertise to create an expansive sci-fi saga told through games, animated films, comics, and more. To kick off the franchise, Lemon Sky has announced an upcoming Kickstarter campaign to develop a fast-paced boss rush game for PC called “Metal Genesis: Rogue Regime”, to be released on Steam. 

Players of Metal Genesis: Rogue Regime will get to enjoy the thrill of rebellion while rising up against an oppressive regime using the power of “Gattai” – combining mechs to fuse into one unstoppable machine. To add a psychological layer to the experience, the game’s roguelike aspect irrevocably changes the main character with each mech upgrade, touching upon themes of existentialism and identity. In addition to the main singleplayer story campaign, the game will feature a leaderboard system which challenges players to sharpen their skills in battle, competing with other players to climb the ranks and claim the title of best mech pilot.

For those who are interested in getting updates and the chance to back the project for rewards when the Metal Genesis Kickstarter begins, a pre-launch page is currently live on Kickstarter with the option to follow the campaign by selecting “Notify me on launch”.