ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

Europe is increasingly a patchwork of diverging regulations, with Germany facing legal uncertainty around player claims, France and the Netherlands tightening enforcement, and grey markets expanding under stricter regimes. Assess the reality behind “one Europe,” exploring the cost of compliance vs speed to market, how operators structure tech, payments, and KYC across jurisdictions, and whether a pan-European licensing model is still viable.

Despite tighter regulation across Europe, offshore operators still capture up to 30-50% of market share in highly restricted jurisdictions, driven by faster onboarding, fewer limits, and better odds. Unpack the economic and product-driven forces behind black market growth and what must change to improve channelisation.

With tax rates ranging from 5% to nearly 40% across Europe, and vertical-specific carve-outs (e.g., racing vs casino), regulatory inconsistency is reshaping competitive dynamics and channelisation outcomes. Gain strategic understanding of how differentiated taxation impacts margins, player migration, and long-term market sustainability.

Brazil’s regulated market saw betting site access surge by 237% in 2025, driven by legalization and mobile adoption, but rapid growth is now, in 2026, colliding with stricter supervision, taxation (18% GGR), and enforcement frameworks. Discover where operators are already failing, licensing gaps, payment blocking, and compliance blind spots, and how to survive Brazil’s shift from expansion to enforcement.

Unlike Europe’s clearly written frameworks, many Asian markets oscillate between partial tolerance, ambiguous enforcement, and sudden crackdowns, making long‑term investment treacherous. Reveal risk signals that precede enforcement and how to pre‑empt shifts rather than react.

Europe’s iGaming market, projected to exceed €27 billion, is now defined by stricter enforcement, advertising bans, and increased compliance obligations across jurisdictions. Grasp how aggressive regulation is impacting channelisation, pushing players offshore, and forcing operators to rethink market strategies.

Each US state enforces its own licensing, taxation, and compliance framework, requiring operators to duplicate infrastructure across jurisdictions such as New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Understand how this structure inflates operational cost, slows deployment timelines, and forces selective market entry rather than national scale.

Some African markets hold up to 60-70% of activity in unlicensed operations, undermining legitimate operators. Demystify how to navigate enforcement gaps while protecting brand integrity.

In Mexico, regulators are issuing binding opinions and guidance rather than formal statutes, leading to legal ambiguity that operators are already losing in court. Hear how brands are being penalized under soft law interpretations and why this ambiguity could trigger unexpected compliance risk.

One year after Italy’s new licensing framework reduced concessionaires from about 350 to 50, operators assess the real impact on competition, compliance burden, and market dynamics.

Italy’s new €7M license fees and 9-year concession model have dramatically raised entry barriers, shrinking the field from about 90 applicants to a handful of serious contenders. Examine consolidation trends, M&A dynamics, the squeeze on affiliates and white-labels, and whether Italy is becoming a closed “club” or remains open to innovation.

Italy’s betting market is shaped by retail legacy, football culture, and cash-heavy payment habits that still define how many players engage. Compared with Spain and Greece, the differences show up in deposit behavior, retail-to-online switching, and promo response. Unveil what that means in practice for product design, payments, retention, and compliance on the ground.

Discover how Italy’s long-standing gambling advertising restrictions continue to reshape visibility, with regulated brands losing mass-reach channels while unlicensed operators exploit offshore acquisition funnels. The discussion will connect this to broader EU trends where ad bans have not proportionally reduced demand, but redirected it.

Learn how Italy’s shift from a fragmented operator base to a restricted licensing structure mirrors broader EU consolidation patterns seen in Sweden and the Netherlands, where operator counts dropped by 30-60% post-regulation. The session will explain how scale, not brand proliferation, has become the dominant survival factor.

Live dealer streams, game-show formats, and experiential products are reshaping online casinos, blending streaming, social features, and data-driven personalisation. Engage in how operators are using these tools to boost engagement, tailor offers and lobbies, and create fun, social sessions – all while embedding responsible gambling measures.

With fewer licences and tighter compliance, retail is shifting toward controlled distribution. Operators, concessionaires, and payment intermediaries debate who owns the player relationship in a market where physical presence still drives acquisition.

Regulation is raising costs while shrinking margins. A look at whether independent venues can survive or whether Italy is heading toward a franchise-dominated retail model.

Retail venues and online platforms still run under different rules, but players don’t separate them. This session explores how operators align responsible gaming tools and communication across land-based sites, betting shops, and digital channels. Learn how consistent messaging and shared data improve compliance, strengthen player protection, and create a unified experience across every touchpoint.

Discover how amusement and non-wagering entertainment formats are expanding as operators diversify away from pure gambling revenue streams. The session will examine how hybrid entertainment venues are becoming part of broader leisure ecosystems.

A discussion on how regulators and enforcement bodies are approaching compliance failures, market abuse, and illicit finance within the digital asset sector. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, how must exchanges, custodians, and service providers adapt their compliance strategies to remain operational in a rapidly tightening global framework?

As Europe rolls out the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, the global digital asset industry is watching closely. Is MiCA creating the most robust regulatory blueprint for crypto markets — or pushing innovation to friendlier jurisdictions? This panel compares Europe’s approach with evolving frameworks in the U.S., the UK, and Asia, exploring whether MiCA will shape the global rulebook or fragment the crypto landscape.

One year into full implementation, MiCA has reshaped Europe’s crypto landscape. This session examines which business models thrived under regulatory clarity, which exited the market, and whether compliance became a competitive advantage. Expect real operator data — not theory.

Global payments are being re-engineered in real time, as stablecoins and CBDCs introduce new models for liquidity, settlement, and cross-border flows. This session explores whether traditional correspondent banking is being phased out — or fundamentally rebuilt — as financial institutions experiment with faster, cheaper, and more programmable alternatives.

Stablecoins are rapidly becoming a core layer of global payments, but regulatory uncertainty continues to shape their adoption. This session explores whether compliance frameworks can enable scalable, cross-border use — or if regulation risks slowing innovation at a critical stage of growth.

Exchanges are no longer just order books. They are becoming custodians, infrastructure providers, launchpads, and financial service ecosystems. What does this strategic expansion mean for competition and consolidation?

Real-world asset tokenization promises trillions — but where is actual traction emerging? From treasuries to private credit, we break down where liquidity is forming and who is driving adoption. Data, not headlines.

Dubai has positioned itself as a fast-moving regulatory and capital hub. What makes it attractive for founders, exchanges, and funds — and can it sustain that momentum long term?

With strong remittance flows and rapid fintech adoption, the Philippines is becoming a strategic Web3 market. This session explores regulatory posture, startup momentum, and why Manila matters in the global digital asset map.

A head-to-head debate on the ultimate safe haven, comparing Bitcoin and gold in terms of volatility, adoption, and long-term reliability. Experts will discuss which asset can truly serve as a store of value in today’s economic climate.

How are consumer expectations changing payments? This panel explores how evolving user expectations, driven by technology and convenience, are reshaping payment experiences, accelerating innovation, and redefining the future of products, services, and infrastructure.

The payments world is being reshaped as stablecoins and PSPs transform how fast, low-cost, borderless transactions are delivered. This panel explores their convergence, enabling more efficient cross-border payments, new settlement models, and the evolving role of digital assets in global finance, while debating whether this shift is a threat or a major opportunity.

This keynote explores how AI agents are transforming fintech. AI agents are evolving from support tools into autonomous drivers of financial services. This keynote explores how they transform fintech through real-time decision-making, powering personalised advice, trading, fraud detection, and automated compliance, reshaping how institutions operate and serve customers.

An expert discussion on the rise of AI-powered fraud in payments and trading, from deepfakes to synthetic identities. The panel will examine evolving threat patterns and how firms can use advanced analytics, real-time monitoring, and regulatory frameworks to safeguard onboarding, transactions, and customer trust.

Discover how AI-powered workflows are transforming financial operations, automating reconciliation and enhancing AML with intelligent, data-driven detection beyond rules. This keynote explores efficiency, cost savings, accuracy gains, and how organisations can deploy AI responsibly while strengthening compliance and scaling operations.

As financial data flows across multiple providers, expectations under frameworks like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) are rising. This panel explores how firms can strengthen cybersecurity, resilience, and compliance in an increasingly interconnected ecosystem.

The workshop will deliver a strategic breakdown of cross-border enforcement trends, AML exposure for directors, and the real legal consequences of regulatory arbitrage versus regulatory risk. Gain practical guidance on licensing stacking strategies (EU, offshore, and local frameworks) to protect market access while minimizing liability in an increasingly aggressive global compliance climate.

IBIA flagged 300+ suspicious matches annually in recent years, yet enforcement outcomes remain inconsistent – this workshop shows where integrity systems fail under pressure and what operators can do to avoid exposure.

Join this workshop for a sharp, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction breakdown of U.S. and Canadian licensing models heading into 2027, including tribal partnerships, sweepstakes versus regulated frameworks, and intensifying marketing enforcement. You will leave with concrete strategies to reduce payment and banking friction while positioning their operations compliantly across North America’s fragmented regulatory map.

In an industry where perception often drives policy, media coverage of fines, compliance failures, and innovation plays a critical role in shaping regulatory outcomes and public trust. Attendees will learn how to strategically manage narratives, leverage media exposure, and turn regulatory developments into reputational advantage.

Despite strict regulation ensuring fairness, player mistrust remains high due to opaque UX and misunderstood mechanics, with many users underestimating RTP and overestimating risk. Unlock how transparency in product design, RNG visibility, odds clarity, and decision-making, can increase trust, retention, and long-term player value.

Global ad platforms like X have tightened gambling content policies, now requiring prior authorisation and licensing verification, cutting off organic partnership channels and significantly disrupting affiliate performance marketing. Gain tactical workarounds and platform‑specific risk controls essential for 2027 customer acquisition.

As governments across Europe and CEECA increase GGR taxes, markets like the Netherlands, Romania, and Bulgaria are compressing operator margins while risking increased black-market leakage, with some jurisdictions already seeing channelisation drop below 70%. Dive into data-driven framework to evaluate optimal tax thresholds and how operators can adapt through pricing, compliance efficiency, and market selection.

From blanket credit bans to bank-level transaction blocking, control over gambling payments is shifting away from operators, fundamentally changing acquisition, retention, and compliance strategies. Test who will own the player relationship in 2027, and how to regain control without breaching regulation.

Entering a new regulated market can take 6-18 months and millions in compliance costs, making early strategic decisions critical to success. Join this LIVE interactive clinic to gain direct access to legal, compliance, and operational experts to solve real market-entry challenges in real time.

Measures like ad bans or payment blocks often redirect players to unlicensed platforms instead of boosting licensed operators. Explore why enforcement alone doesn’t protect market share.

Step inside the decision-making environment of an iGaming operation under pressure. This immersive session demonstrates how compliance, fraud, payments, and product teams interact when risk events unfold outside standard business hours. Gain practical insight into crisis management frameworks, escalation protocols, communication strategy, and how to align commercial priorities with regulatory survival.

Unveil how Italy’s move to single-domain licensing eliminated multi-skin ecosystems and forced operators into unified brand architectures, and how this impacts acquisition funnels, affiliate dependency, and brand consolidation strategies in a post-skin environment.

Learn how payment systems now function as both transaction infrastructure and compliance enforcement tools across retail and online environments, and learn how cashless adoption changes traceability, fraud prevention, and customer journey mapping.

Italy’s mobile experience is shaped by retail habits, regulatory constraints, UX restrictions, and payment friction that don’t exist in more open markets. A look at what mobile-first actually means in practice how operators adapt onboarding, navigation, payments, and engagement flows for thumb-driven usage while still driving conversion and retention within Italian limits.

Gifting mechanics and mystery boxes have moved from novelty to retention infrastructure, with startups leading the charge on models that go well beyond the traditional bonus. Examine what’s working, where regulators are drawing lines, and whether gamification is building genuine loyalty or just masking churn.

Which sustainability models actually work in gaming and which are just PR? Hear proven case studies from Italy and international markets, backed by research and measurable outcomes. Learn how leading operators are balancing profitability, compliance, player trust, and long-term resilience.

Explore how the communication of public gambling is changing, balancing the need for transparency and social responsibility with the dynamics of digital engagement. A discussion bringing together media professionals, industry experts and key stakeholders to examine challenges, opportunities and future perspectives of an increasingly hybrid and strategic narrative.

In a sector often shaped by polarised narratives and public scrutiny, delivering accurate, balanced and responsible reporting on public gambling is both a challenge and a duty. Media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping public perception, influencing policy debate and defining the social legitimacy of the industry.

Regulation is moving from policy to enforcement. This session breaks down how companies are operationalizing AI compliance — from risk audits to documentation frameworks — under the EU AI Act.

AI agents are entering treasury management, liquidity optimization, and risk modeling. What are the real-world results — and what guardrails are required?

Prediction markets are emerging as powerful tools for forecasting real-world outcomes — from elections and economic indicators to geopolitical events. As participation grows and liquidity deepens, these markets are challenging traditional forecasting models. Are “truth markets” becoming the most reliable signal of future events, and how might they reshape decision-making across politics, finance, and global policy?

Prediction markets claim to aggregate real incentives, not opinions — turning speculation into a form of collective intelligence. Supporters argue they reveal truths faster and more accurately than polls, analysts, or media narratives. Critics say they blur the line between information and gambling. Can markets that let people bet on outcomes become the most honest source of data about the future?

AI is enabling founders to build scalable companies with minimal headcount. Is this a structural shift in entrepreneurship or an early anomaly?

Join us for a remarkable showcase of the latest AI apps and tools that can be instantly used to scale business infrastructure, or simply improve your daily routines.

Private equity firms are increasingly targeting AI infrastructure, data centers, and enterprise platforms. What does this mean for consolidation and long-term market structure?

AIBC is throwing its weight behind up-and-coming startups. Showcase your projects on the expo floor or take part in the popular Pitch competition held live on stage.

Emerging markets remain one of the most compelling growth frontiers for FX brokers and fintechs, especially in the GCC region. This panel brings together senior industry leaders to explore how firms can build commercial strategies, partnerships and locally relevant operating models.

This panel explores how forex brokers and partners can boost conversion across the full user journey especially in high regulated markets, where retention replaces aquisition. We explore AI-driven targeting and data insights to seamless UX, onboarding, and payments. It highlights trust, product quality, and support, offering practical strategies to build scalable, automations and high-performing acquisition systems in a competitive, regulated market.

In 2026’s volatile markets, shaped by geopolitics, shifting rates, and fragmented liquidity, execution is under pressure. This panel explores how liquidity providers adapt to risk, whether liquidity is fragmenting, and how brokers can ensure consistent execution using technology, smart routing, and deeper liquidity access.

Liquidity is central to efficient trade execution and effective risk management for PSPs and forex brokers. This keynote explores why speed remains a critical competitive advantage in today’s fast-moving, highly competitive financial markets.

Are Prop Firms the Next Regulatory Target? The proprietary trading industry has grown rapidly, driven by retail demand, online platforms, and challenge-based models. As global expansion continues, regulatory scrutiny and risk are emerging as key factors shaping the future of prop firms and the wider industry.

Regulation is shifting from fragmented, rules-based supervision to a more real-time, data-driven, and globally coordinated framework. As financial flows become faster and more digital, regulators are focusing less on static compliance and more on continuous monitoring, accountability, and consumer protection outcomes.

A practical deep-dive into Brazil’s licensing pathway, corporate structuring, tax exposure, payments setup, and local compliance obligations, equipping operators with a clear blueprint to move from regulatory approval to fully operational, risk-resilient market entry.

In several LatAm markets, 40-60% of GGR still flows through unlicensed operators, despite tightening regulation; this session gives a rare, practical view into how authorities are adjusting tactics, where they’re failing, and what operators should expect next.

This workshop equips operators and suppliers with a clear-eyed assessment of Philippine regulatory shifts, offshore vs. onshore exposure, and intensifying AML scrutiny across key Asian hubs. Get a hands-on compliance readiness framework, which covers internal controls, employee training, and regional licensing structuring, to operate confidently and sustainably in Asia’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Dive into the whirlwind of Mexico’s gaming regulations, federal vs. state clashes, permit renewals in limbo, and political twists, and uncover how to turn uncertainty into strategic advantage in this fast-evolving market.

Fraud in iGaming has surged 64% YoY, with AI-driven scams like deepfakes increasing 10x, as organised syndicates use automation and real-time data to outpace traditional detection. Learn where current risk models break and how operators are restructuring for real-time decisioning.

Operators across Europe are reporting compliance costs consuming up to 15-20% of revenue, driven by fragmented licensing, password resets, dedicated KYC stacks, and local AML reporting. Grasp granular insights into actual cost drivers, not abstract concepts.

With 82.9% of operators reporting increased fraud and ~42% of attacks targeting the deposit stage, this live simulation pits fraud tactics against AML teams in real time, exposing exactly where detection fails and how fast responses need to be.

Access how the removal of multi-brand and “skin” strategies forces operators back into single-brand acquisition models, eliminating arbitrage tactics that previously reduced CPA volatility. The discussion will show how operators are compensating through CRM, SEO, and owned media channels.

Unpack how acquisition constraints shift investment toward lifecycle management, with operators increasing CRM and player retention budgets by up to 25-35% in regulated markets. The discussion will show how lifetime value optimisation is replacing aggressive acquisition as the primary growth lever.

Unveil how behavioural tracking systems now process thousands of player signals per second to detect risk patterns, with operators increasingly required to intervene before regulatory thresholds are breached. The session will break down how predictive models are being used to balance compliance with retention pressure.

Discover how affiliate-driven acquisition channels have been structurally reduced following regulatory tightening and domain restrictions, forcing operators to rebuild controlled partner ecosystems. The session will explore how first-party data ownership is replacing traditional affiliate dependency.

Consultants and representatives from regulatory and certification bodies explain when the term “traceability” is misused, and what risks may arise both for providers offering non-compliant services and for companies that use them.

Every day, new payment solutions are launched claiming major advantages over competitors but what are those advantages in practice? How do these systems actually work? What are the real differences, benefits, and hidden risks?

As crypto assets, tokenised markets, and prediction platforms grow, the lines between investing, speculation, and gambling are becoming harder to define. Industry leaders and regulatory experts examine where these models fit legally, how risk is assessed, and whether they represent competition, convergence, or a new category entirely.

We´re championing up-and-coming startups with the exciting Pitch competition. Held live on stage, it’s your chance to connect with investors and VCs—don’t miss this golden opportunity!

Gaming is no longer just about play — it’s becoming a financial ecosystem where players are investors and in-game assets carry real-world value. This session explores how games are reshaping the line between entertainment and investment, and what this means for the industry’s future.

Gaming is no longer just about play — it’s becoming a financial ecosystem where players are investors and in-game assets carry real-world value. This session explores how games are reshaping the line between entertainment and investment, and what this means for the industry’s future.

The blockchain landscape is crowded, and only a handful of platforms are likely to survive and thrive. This panel dives into which projects have the architecture, adoption, and vision to endure in the next generation of decentralized networks.

Web3 is more than just Layer 1 blockchains — it’s a complex stack including oracles, interoperability layers, and infrastructure protocols. Explore how these layers are building the foundation for a truly decentralized and scalable digital economy.

Influencers don’t just shape trends — they move markets. This panel examines how key voices in crypto influence sentiment, trading behaviors, and even project valuations, with implications for investors and companies alike.

Market makers provide the backbone of crypto trading, but their role remains largely unseen. Join us to uncover how liquidity is orchestrated, prices are stabilized, and markets are engineered behind the scenes.

Explore the convergence of AI, Web3, and the Metaverse, and how these technologies are redefining digital interaction, governance, and business models. Dr. Thomason will share insights into the transformative potential and risks of these emerging technologies.

From product development to customer acquisition, AI is reshaping every stage of company growth. What new playbooks are emerging for founders and operators?

Southern Europe represents untapped potential in digital finance and AI. Can Italy leverage policy, talent, and capital to become a regional innovation anchor? A strategic look at Rome’s role in Europe’s next tech chapter.

As institutional oversight grows, the tension between true decentralization and regulatory compliance intensifies. This debate explores whether crypto can retain its founding principles while scaling globally.

This workshop offers an in‑depth look at Africa’s evolving gaming landscape, from rapid tax model shifts and licensing restructures to heightened scrutiny of foreign operators and political risk exposure. Participants will gain practical strategies to navigate regulatory changes, optimize market entry, and safeguard operations across diverse African jurisdictions.