In the regulated landscape of North America's gaming market, operators are navigating a range of demands, including the desire for faster payments, AI-enhanced personalization, and advancements in cryptocurrency, while also facing increasing scrutiny regarding compliance, security, and player protection.
The North America Payments & Tech track at the SBC Summit Americas will delve into how operators address these challenges, focusing on improving customer experiences with new payment methods and utilizing AI and stablecoins for operational modernization.
The session will commence with a discussion titled 'Tech Leaders: How Tech Leaders are using AI to Engage Customers, Transform Operations, and Shape the Industry,' featuring senior tech leaders who will explore the application of AI, real-time risk assessment, and scalable infrastructure in enhancing performance while ensuring compliance. Key topics will include cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and engaging players through data-driven strategies.
Speakers include Macario Gallegos, SVP & Chief Information Officer at Seminole Hard Rock; Emily Haruko Leeb, Co-Founder & CEO of Saroca; Owen Monagan, CEO of LayUp; and Dan Pinto, CEO & Co-Founder of Fingerprint, who will share insights on their technology investments and the competitive advantages they yield.
Payments will be a focal point in the session titled 'Emerging Payment Methods: Biometrics, BNPL, Open Banking & More,' where experts will discuss how emerging technologies such as biometrics, open banking, and digital wallets are transforming the player experience while presenting new compliance and regulatory challenges.
This session will feature contributions from Matt Brezinski, Director of Gaming at Trustly; Tony Fontaine, Executive Consultant; Alex Ursa, Head of Gaming at Betr; and Leighton Webb, VP and General Manager of iGaming and Sports Betting at PayNearMe, who will examine the complexity of implementing these solutions amid U.S. regulations.
The discussion of 'Crypto compliance and regulated stablecoins?' will investigate the potential for stablecoins like USDC to facilitate broader cryptocurrency adoption in sports betting and iGaming, emphasizing faster transactions, reduced fees, and improved price stability. Speakers Nick Imperillo, Senior Fraud & Risk Expert at GeoComply, and Michelle Martin, Chairman & CEO of the Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Institute, will analyze the regulatory challenges in the U.S. and Canada, along with the importance of KYC/AML protocols and reliable payment systems in establishing stablecoins in regulated markets.
Another session entitled 'The Future of Payment Personalization: Should Players Choose How They Pay?' will focus on how operators are customizing payment experiences through data-driven approaches, including preferred methods, instant payouts, and affordability checks, while weighing concerns about player protection and regulatory oversight.
Speakers Sue Page, CEO, North America, at Neosurf, and Liron Warhaftig, Vice President of Player Journey at Rush Street Interactive, will address the extent to which personalization can be beneficial without impinging on player safety.
The North America Payments & Tech track is part of a series of focused discussions on important areas of the region's gaming market, alongside tracks on Sports Betting & Casino, Regulation & Compliance, Leadership, and Player Protection. There will also be a dedicated breakout stage focused on Player Protection and Prediction Markets.
Scheduled for June 9–11 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, the SBC Summit Americas expects to draw around 10,000 delegates from various sectors of the U.S. and Latin American betting and gaming markets.
