SBC Awards Americas reveals 2026 shortlist

(AsiaGameHub) –   The competition for industry accolades has commenced with the release of the 2026 SBC Awards Americas shortlist, which spotlights the leading companies in the gaming sector across the Americas.

Scheduled for June 10 at the Broward County Convention Center as a key event of the SBC Summit Americas 2026, the awards ceremony will gather 600 professionals to honor excellence in the North and Latin American gaming markets. This year’s program includes 34 categories that acknowledge exceptional accomplishments by operators, affiliates, industry leaders, and a diverse array of suppliers, including platform providers, payment experts, and game studios.

Rush Street Interactive tops this year’s list with eight nominations, while Betting Hero follows with six. Optimove, Wazdan, and Betsson Group are also front-runners, each securing five nominations.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, stated: “The prestige of the SBC Awards Americas is increasing as the regional competition intensifies. The companies on this year’s shortlist are not only achieving high performance but are also advancing standards in operations, technology, marketing, payments, compliance, and player engagement. Earning a place on the shortlist is a significant accomplishment, and all finalists deserve to be proud of this recognition.”

Within the North American operator segments, FanDuel will attempt to protect its 2025 Sportsbook Operator of the Year award against rivals such as BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, and Hard Rock Bet. For the casino award, BetMGM will strive to keep its title in a field featuring Caesars Entertainment, Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet Casino, and Rush Street Interactive.

In the Latin American operator categories, prominent firms like Betsson Group, Kaizen Gaming, Megapari, and Rush Street Interactive have been named as finalists, demonstrating their expanding presence and impact in the region.

For the affiliate awards, Flashscore Network will try to defend its Sports Affiliate of the Year – LATAM award against competitors including Better Collective, Betting Hero, and MediaTroopers, all of whom are also finalists in the Sports Affiliate of the Year – North America category.

In the supplier sections, firms like Optimove and Wazdan are at the forefront with five nominations apiece. Sportradar, SoftConstruct, and OpticOdds are also strongly represented, emphasizing the rising significance of data, platforms, and content for operators throughout the Americas.

Alea will seek to repeat its previous Employer of the Year victory. The company is up against Betsson Group, Rush Street Interactive, and BetMGM in a category expected to be fiercely contested.

In the payments and compliance sections, OKTO will aim to keep its Payment Solution of the Year – Latin America award, and Trustly will try to defend its North American counterpart. Other contenders for Compliance Solution of the Year include GeoComply, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), and OpenBet.

The awards will also highlight new brands gaining traction in the industry, with companies like Octoplay, BETER, OpticOdds, and WagerWire appearing in the Rising Star in Casino and Rising Star in Sports Betting categories.

The full roster of shortlisted companies can be viewed on the SBC Awards Americas website.

Please be aware that a distinct ticket is necessary for ceremony attendance. Options for tables and tickets are available here.

Secure your ticket for the SBC Summit Americas:

• Expo Pass (Free): Entry to the exhibition floor, showcasing hundreds of brands from North and Latin America, plus basic SBC Connect access.
• Conference Pass ($399): Includes expo entry and the complete two-day conference agenda, with over 250 speakers on six stages, and admission to ‘Inner Circle’ sessions.
• Networking Pass ($399): Provides expo access and the full SBC Connections schedule, encompassing ‘The Hive,’ ‘The Exchange,’ ‘The Briefings,’ ‘The Walk Around,’ and ‘The Inner Circle,’ as well as official evening networking events.
• Business Pass ($549): A comprehensive package with full expo access, the conference program, networking events, and improved SBC Connect access.
• VIP Event Pass ($799): The ultimate all-access pass, including the conference, networking, and exhibition, along with premium perks such as entry to the Operator Platinum Lounge and free admission to the Food Festival.