Five Industry Leaders Recognized for Shaping Global Betting and Gaming as the Prestigious Institution Marks Its Tenth Anniversary
SBC has officially announced the five industry figures selected for induction into the Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The induction ceremony will take place on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Palácio Estoril Hotel in Lisbon, serving as a premier highlight of the invite-only SBC Leaders Summit held on the eve of SBC Summit 2026.
Marking its tenth anniversary since launching in 2016 as the Sports Betting Hall of Fame, this year’s milestone class honors individuals whose careers have fundamentally shaped the modern global betting and gaming landscape.
The Class of 2026 Inductees
The distinguished group of honorees spans various crucial sectors of the industry, including technology, regulation, integrity, and operator leadership:
- Khalid Ali: CEO of the International Betting Integrity Association
- David Natroshvili: Founder of Spribe
- Jason Robins: Co-Founder and CEO of DraftKings
- Karen Marcela Sierra-Hughes: Vice President of Latin America, Caribbean & Spain at Gaming Laboratories International
- Mor Weizer: CEO of Playtech
Reflecting on this year’s selection, Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder at SBC, noted:
“When I look at this year’s five inductees, what strikes me is how much ground they cover between them. Entrepreneurship, technology, integrity, regulation, operator leadership. You don’t often get that in one room. Celebrating them in Lisbon isn’t just about five great careers. It’s a chance to recognise how far our industry has come, and the people who got us here.”
A Legacy of Industry Icons
The new inductees join an elite group of past honorees who have left an indelible mark on the sector. Previous classes include 2025 inductees such as Esmeralda Britton, Chad Millman, Scotty Schettler, and Shelley White, alongside pioneer figures like Denise Coates, Carsten Koerl, Victor Chandler, and Fred Done.
The induction ceremony anchors the exclusive SBC Leaders Summit, which gathers over 500 C-level executives for high-level networking, regulatory roundtables, and strategic discussions. The evening festivities will transition to Casino Estoril, the historic Portuguese venue that inspired Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, for a gala dinner, cocktail reception, poker tournament, and after-party.
Attendees of the leadership gathering will also receive full access to the broader SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit running from September 29 to October 1 at FIL and MEO Arena.
