Europe enters its key iGaming networking and business cycle with two strategic events set to shape the regulatory and financial agenda of the sector in 2026. The calendar begins with SBC Summit Malta, from April 28 to 30, 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel in Malta, and continues with the Gaming in Holland Conference on June 4, 2026, at the KIT Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam.
Malta positions itself as Europe’s large-scale hub. The event will gather 6,000 attendees, including around 2,000 operators, 1,000 affiliates, 100 exhibitors and 250 speakers, in an environment designed for business decision-making. Access includes a VIP pass priced at €600 and an Expo+ ticket at €150, while operators and affiliates can apply for free entry.
KIT Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam
The agenda is concentrated on April 29 and 30 within the “Operations and Compliance” tracks, covering fraud, cybersecurity, black market activity, tax pressure, artificial intelligence and SEO. Key speakers include Stephen Hodgson (Midnite), Sara Haddow (Entain), Russell Mifsud (KPMG), along with executives from Flutter, Casumo and Alea. The backdrop is critical, as Malta will implement changes to gambling VAT from October 2026, directly impacting margins and market structure.
The calendar then moves to the Netherlands with the Gaming in Holland Conference, a more institutional and regulatory-focused event, with tickets priced at €950 and a clear focus on the national market. Under the theme “Let’s reclaim the market”, the conference will address the growth of the illegal market, tax pressure and relicensing processes. Confirmed speakers include Ella Seijsener from the Kansspelautoriteit, Arjan Blok from Nederlandse Loterij, and Petra de Ruiter from Holland Casino. The agenda includes discussions on AMLR/AMLA, player protection, artificial intelligence, marketing and M&A activity.
Both events converge on a single signal while also opening a clear window of opportunity. Europe is entering a phase where gaming growth is no longer driven solely by aggressive acquisition, but by the ability to operate under increasingly demanding regulatory frameworks. This dynamic favors operators with financial strength, compliance infrastructure and technological capability, while putting pressure on smaller players or those reliant on traditional marketing models. The combination of tax increases, stricter AML enforcement and the fight against the illegal market is accelerating industry consolidation, creating space for mergers, acquisitions and strategic repositioning.
The focus on artificial intelligence, fraud control and operational optimization is unlocking new efficiencies in cost and margin. In this context, events in Malta and Amsterdam are not only reflecting the industry, but they are also actively reshaping it. They act as alignment points where regulators, operators and suppliers recalibrate the balance between growth, risk and sustainability, setting the pace for a European market that continues to expand, but under increasingly strict and sophisticated rules.
