Toronto, Canada: SBC has officially announced SBC Summit Canada as the new identity of its flagship Canadian conference and exhibition, replacing the long-standing Canadian Gaming Summit. The rebranded event will take place from 19–21 May 2026, marking a significant new chapter in the evolution of Canada’s premier gaming industry gathering.
The strategic rebrand aligns the Canadian event more closely with SBC’s global portfolio of conferences, reinforcing its position as a leading platform for stakeholders navigating regulation, market maturity, and commercial growth across Canada’s gaming sector.
Strategic Rebrand Strengthens Global Alignment
By adopting the SBC Summit Canada identity, the event now sits seamlessly alongside major international gatherings such as SBC Summit Malta, SBC Summit Rio, SBC Summit Americas, and the flagship SBC Summit Lisbon. This repositioning enhances global visibility while maintaining a sharp focus on the unique dynamics of the Canadian gaming market.
In addition to the rebrand, the summit has moved from its traditional June schedule to May, avoiding clashes with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and allowing industry stakeholders to engage without operational or resource pressures.
Building on a 28-Year Legacy
Formerly known as the Canadian Gaming Summit, the event brings with it a 28-year legacy of in-depth market insight, regulatory analysis, and industry best practices. As SBC Summit Canada, the conference now combines international scale and expertise with a continued commitment to addressing Canada-specific challenges and opportunities.
The 2026 edition is expected to welcome 3,000 senior executives from retail and online casino, sports betting, and iGaming sectors. The three-day summit will feature 120+ speakers, a 50,000+ square-foot exhibition floor, and premium hospitality experiences designed to foster high-value networking and deal-making.
Leadership Perspective on Canada’s Defining Year
“Through SBC Summit Canada, we are reaffirming our long-term commitment to the Canadian market with a refreshed event designed to better serve the needs of our stakeholders,” said Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC.
“2026 promises to be a defining year for Canada’s gaming industry, with Alberta’s regulation approaching, iGaming continuing to grow, and the FIFA World Cup being hosted in Canada. This makes it the ideal moment to bring the industry together under a platform that reflects both the scale of opportunity and the maturity of the market.”
Exhibition and Conference Highlights
The exhibition floor will host 75+ exhibitors and sponsors, including leading suppliers, operators, and service providers. Confirmed exhibitors include Altenar, Gigadat, MNP, MOBINC, Optimove, Paramount Commerce, among others.
The conference agenda will run across three dedicated stages over two days, covering key themes such as:
- Sports betting and casino leadership strategy
- Alberta’s upcoming regulated gaming market
- Affiliate and advertising models
- Cybersecurity and compliance
- Payments, player protection, and responsible gaming
- Land-based casino and lottery operations
Industry Leaders Take the Stage
The speaker line-up features some of Canada’s most influential gaming executives, including:
- Tolek Strukoff, CEO, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment
- Joseph Hillier, CEO, iGaming Ontario
- Paul Burns, President & CEO, Canadian Gaming Association
- Scott Vanderwel, CEO, PointsBet Canada
- Tom Metzger, CEO, Lotto.com
- Mark Harper, Head of Canada, Rhino Entertainment
Key discussions will explore how operators can capitalise on World Cup-driven betting interest, evolving advertising regulations, the role of affiliates and social media, and the regulatory outlook for emerging products such as sweepstakes and prediction markets.
World-Class Networking and Hospitality
Continuing SBC’s reputation for premium networking experiences, the summit will feature two evening events. The SBC Summit Canada Opening Party will be held at RS Sports Bar, Toronto, offering an informal setting for badge collection and early networking. This will be followed by the Official Networking Party, designed exclusively for senior-level engagement beyond the show floor.
Part of SBC’s Global Event Portfolio
SBC Summit Canada forms a key part of SBC’s 2026 global calendar, which includes:
- SBC Summit Rio (3–5 March 2026)
- SBC Summit Malta (28–30 April 2026)
- SBC Summit Americas (9–11 June 2026)
- SBC Summit Lisbon (29 September–1 October 2026)
