The floor is officially open at the InterContinental Malta for day 1 of the SBC Summit Malta 2026. Following yesterday’s elite networking events, the summit has transitioned into a high-density hub of strategic discourse.
With 6,000 delegates, including 2,000 operators and 1,000 affiliates, the atmosphere is charged with the collective goal of navigating a rapidly shifting global landscape.
A Specialized Agenda for a Complex Era
This year introduces a refined concept: Day 1 of SBC Summit Malta 2026 is dedicated entirely to high-level panels and “big picture” strategic thinking. The agenda better reflects industry needs by separating the theory of Day 1 from the practical, workshop-based application of Day 2. Attendees are currently exploring innovations from over 100 exhibitors, showcasing the latest in casino titles, payment solutions, and compliance tools.
In a day packed with executive insights, these are the speaking panels to watch and the experts leading the discussions:
1. Casino vs Sports: Can Gamification Truly Cross Over?
(10:45 – 11:30 | Conference Room 2) A head-to-head clash of product visionaries. While gamification is a staple in slots, the sports betting vertical has been slower to adopt. Alexandre Tomic (Alea), Brian Christner (Grand Casino Baden), Alexis Wicen (Unibo), and Mykhailo Kachanov (SlotCatalog) debate whether sports bettors actually want these mechanics or if vertical-hopping is just industry hype.
- Moderated by: Shahar Attias, CEO of Hybrid Interaction.
2. The CEO Chat Show: Leadership in the Hot Seat
(11:00 – 11:20 | Conference Room 1) A series of rapid-fire fireside chats featuring Francesco Postiglione (Casumo) and Johan Styren (Dilanti Media). This unfiltered format forces leaders to share their deepest challenges and reasons for optimism, ending with each CEO leaving a “legacy question” for the next executive in the chair.
- Moderated by: Trudy Kerr, Presenter and Founder of The SHE Word.
3. The CMO Review: Campaigns Under the Spotlight
(11:20 – 12:00 | Conference Room 1) Leading marketing chiefs Nikola Jellacic (Casumo), Marco Trucco (Immense Group), and Sam Behar (Sky Gaming) live-evaluate real-world acquisition and brand campaigns. Expect brutal honesty on creative risks and compliance missteps.
- Moderated by: Martyn Elliott, Media Director at SBC Media.
4. Tax Hikes 2026: Market Shocks & Margin Impact
(12:30 – 13:00 | Conference Room 3) An urgent session on financial sustainability. With the Netherlands raising duty to 37.8% of GGR and the UK weighing a jump to 50% Remote Gaming Duty, tax experts Stephen Hodgson (Midnite) and Liz Rand (Entain) dissect whether consolidation is now inevitable.
- Moderated by: Russell Mifsud, Director & Head of Gaming at KPMG – Malta.
5. The COO Horizon: Challenges & Opportunities in 2026/27
(15:00 – 15:45 | Conference Room 3) COOs from Flutter UKI (Tom McGovern), Casumo (Tim De Borle), Scatters (Chris McGowan), and Alea (Ramon Glieneke) discuss rewiring operations under pressure. The focus is on turning “operational shocks” into platforms for growth.
- Moderated by: Joe Streeter, Editor at iGaming Expert.
