On Wednesday, December 7th, the sports betting industry gathered for one final party of the year, the SBC Awards 2016. This year over 400 industry professionals gathered at “Under the Bridge”, a venue attached to the Chelsea Football Stadium, for the delivery of thirteen awards and three inductions into the SBC Sports Betting Hall of Fame.
Guests were surprised by a “snowy” entrance and greeted by beautiful ladies handing out mulled wine and mince pies upon entry into the venue. Before, during and after the awards delivery, drinks were flowing at the open bar and a selfie competition sponsored by 138.com kept everyone entertained.
The awards were split into two categories, overall and innovation. The overall award winners were determined by votes coming from SBC newsletter subscribers and delegates of SBC organized events and and the innovation awards were chosen by a panel of 30 C-level judges.
The beautiful Sky Sports News presenter Hayley McQueen hosted the awards delivery ceremony and the winners were as follows:
Bookmaker of the year: Bet365
Affiliate of the Year: Oddschecker
Rising Star in Sportsbetting: Energy Bet
Football Bookmaker of the Year: Skybet
Football Affiliate of the Year: Betbrain
eSports Bookmaker of the Year: Pinnacle
Marketing Campaign of the Year: LeoVegas- LeoVegas Sports Launch
Innovation in Football Betting- Best Football Betting Product: BetBright
Innovation in Sports Betting- Best Sports Betting Product: BetConstruct
Innovation in Live Betting- Best Live Betting Product: Bet365
Innovation in Virtual Sports- Best New Virtual Sports Product: Golden Race
Innovation in Retail Betting – Best Retail Betting Product: Optima
Innovation in Fantasy Sports- Best Fantasy Sports Product: Oulala Games
Innovation in Affiliation- Best New Affiliate Product: Bettor Collective
Once the trophies were handed out, the three Hall of Fame members were recognized on stage:
SBC Sports Betting Hall of Fame inaugural members:
Howard Chisholm of Chisholm Bookmakers
Carsten Koerl of Sportradar
Mark Blandford FSB Technology Chairman
To close out the night, DJ Kelly Acreman, voted one of the world’s sexiest DJs, took the stage and filled the venue with proper party music.
As quoted in SBC’s official press release on the night, SBC managing director Andrew McCarron said: “Congratulations to Bet365 on winning Best Bookmaker again and all our winners. Thanks to everyone who made it to our Awards ceremony with a difference. And particular thanks to our sponsors OPTIMA, LeoVegas, Ganapati plc, Oddslife, InPlay Sports Data, BetBrain, Digital Fuel, SlotsMillion, Sportito, BetonBrazil, BetConstruct, Vermantia, 138.com, SBTech, Sportradar, Energybet, Mr Green and Golden Race”.
