Sports Betting Community or “SBC” have expanded their events portfolio and will be launching the Betting on Sports Conference on September 15 & 16, 2016. The conference will take place in London at the Grange Tower Hotel and promises to provide something new to this sector of the industry. CalvinAyre.com spoke with SBC’s Andy McCarron to find out what his team has in store for delegates.
Becky Liggero: Thank you for joining me today, Andy. Why did SBC decide to organize this two day, networking-rich event? How did the feedback you received after Betting on Football influence your agenda?
Andy McCarron: It’s been almost a decade since the betting industry had a dedicated multi-day event and, to be honest, we don’t really know why the sector has kind of been left to fend for itself during that time. Compared to most of the other gambling sectors, betting is more complex, more important to get right, and, as far as we are concerned, more entertaining. The two day format lets us visit more of the vital aspects of the business.
We’re trying something a little different with Betting on Sports, based on the feedback we’ve received from our successful Betting on Football conferences. What we’ve been hearing back is that people really value networking opportunities, so we’re trying to put the chance to meet and interact with industry peers at the heart of this new event. We still have high level sessions covering lots of important topics, but there is almost equal weight on the networking opportunities, further boosted by the introduction of our new conference app.
I would also like to add that we are a team of very passionate sports betting people at SBC, and we have always felt that a time will come when we would use our experience and knowledge to push forward with a big event like Betting on Sports. That time is now, and we are very proud to introduce an event with 50+ top industry speakers, an expected 700 delegates, and a total of 6 events over two days at a 5-star location like the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel.
BL: Can you share with us some of the key topics and trends that will be covered during the sessions?
AMcC: Betting on Sports is attempting to cover a lot of key ground. We’ve got sessions on the future of sports betting by some of the sector’s leading CEOs, the best way to reach customers through sport, a look at whether the current bonus-heavy acquisition model needs to be revamped, why there has been an influx of new betting brands this year and what they are hoping to achieve, horseracing, US sports, virtual sports, and integrity matters.
There is a strong regulatory element to the agenda as well, with a regulator’s panel and an in-depth look at what the upcoming money-laundering and data protection laws will mean to bookmakers – I think some operators will be in for a bit of a shock when they discover what’s expected of them.
We’ve also got a dedicated digital sports track, in which we cover many of the subjects surrounding eSports, not just integrity but where the business opportunities are for bookmakers.
BL: Sounds great, Andy. Can you also elaborate on what activities have been organized specifically for C-level execs?
AMcC: With the C-Level Exec event we aim to create the only strategic and networking event for leading sportsbook operators and suppliers in the gaming industry. It is a high grade networking opportunity with exclusive dinners, where some of the industry’s leaders can informally chat over a good meal and engaging company. It is invite-only though.
BL: What can we expect from the affiliate sports betting event?
AMcC: Again events for sports betting specific affiliates are few and far between, so we want them to come and get involved with the rest of the betting industry as they are an important part of the lifeblood.
We have teamed up with TAG Media to invite along the top 30 sports betting affiliates to Betting on Sports. The affiliates are treated to accommodation, exclusive dinners and tailored sessions thanks to sponsors such as 138.com, BetOnBrazil.com, Betway, EnergyCasino, LeoVegas, Marathonbet, and VIKS.com.
BL: Lets move our focus to official evening activities. Can you reveal any details of the official Betting on Sports parties?
AMcC: Well, we do like to be sociable to everyone. The first evening kicks in at the end of the sessions on the first day and we have a free bar and food in our networking area at Betting on Sports.
Later on in the evening, the party will move to the venue’s cool Atrium Bar where people will be able to enjoy some hardcore networking at the end of a full day.
The second evening is when we’ve partnered with the BiG Foundation to co-host the BiG Sports Dinner, the annual charity ball created by Richard Hogg. So people who have bought tickets to Betting in Sports will also be able to buy tickets to Big Sports Dinner.
This is the sophisticated answer to the Gaming industry’s corporate responsibility. A glamorous way to have a great time in style with your peers and give back to well needed charities like Oliver’s Wish and The Bobby Moore Fund.
BL: I’m looking forward to the BiG Sports Dinner, its always a fun evening and for a good cause too. Is there anything else you want to add, Andy?
AMcC: We are super excited about this event and would like to thank our sponsors for the support we have received so far. Besides the operators sponsoring the affiliate event, we are proud to work with BetConstruct, Digitain, Genius Sports, Golden Race, Inpay, Kambi, Lysis Operations, Metric Gaming, Sportradar,TX ODDS, SIS, and SBTech. Without their support it would be hard to push on with Betting on Sports, as we really are putting a massive event and show together for the betting industry.
We would also like to remind people that the early bird discount on tickets is still available until end of July via www.sbcevents.co.uk
BL: Wonderful, thank you so much for sharing the details of the Betting on Sports event with us Andy, we are looking forward to it.
