Sportradar’s Eduardo Lobato about SBC Summit Americas: "this year's edition was particularly special"

Strengthening relationships and understanding market priorities

“Our main objective was to strengthen relationships with partners and clients across the region while gaining a deeper understanding of the priorities shaping the market. Events like SBC provide an excellent opportunity to exchange perspectives, listen to operators' needs and discuss how trends such as AI, personalization and user engagement are evolving in practice” said  Eduardo Lobato, Enterprise Client Partner Lead at Sportradar.

And added “This year's edition was particularly special, taking place in the host country during the opening week of the FIFA World Cup. That created a different atmosphere from previous editions, with a real sense of excitement across the event and a strong reminder of how major sporting events bring the industry together”.

“I also had the opportunity to join the panel The LatAm Betting Boom: Technology and the User Experience, alongside a highly experienced group of industry leaders. It was an excellent opportunity to exchange views on how AI, machine learning and real-time data are shaping the betting experience across Latin America and discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the region”.

Collaboration emerges as a key industry driver

"One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the opportunity to bring together different stakeholders from across the sports betting ecosystem.

We had productive conversations with operators, technology partners, and representatives from leagues and sports organizations, exchanging perspectives on the region's challenges and opportunities.

These interactions reinforced that operators are increasingly looking for integrated solutions that connect data, content, engagement and integrity while improving operational efficiency. More importantly, they highlighted the value of collaboration as the industry continues to evolve."

From AI hype to practical implementation

"Artificial intelligence was undoubtedly one of the dominant themes throughout the event, but the discussion has evolved significantly. Rather than talking about AI as a future concept, operators are now focused on practical applications that deliver measurable results through personalization, behavioral insights, operational efficiency and real-time decision-making.

This closely reflects the findings of our recent World Cup 2026 report, which shows that success during the tournament will depend not only on handling higher betting volumes but also on using AI and real-time data to deliver personalized experiences that turn first-time bettors into long-term customers.

Customer engagement and retention were also high on the agenda. As products, odds and promotions become increasingly similar, user experience is emerging as one of the industry's key competitive differentiators".

A more mature market focused on sustainable growth

Based on your experience at SBC Summit Americas, what are your key takeaways from the event, and how do you expect them to influence your business or professional activities in the coming months?

"My main takeaway is that the industry is entering a more mature phase. Growth remains a priority, but it is increasingly driven by efficiency, personalization and integrity.

Operators are looking for integrated solutions that combine AI, real-time data and analytics to create more relevant user experiences while simplifying operations.

As our World Cup 2026 report highlights, the tournament represents one of the biggest customer acquisition opportunities the industry has ever seen, making personalization, engagement and integrity even more important for long-term success.

The conversations at SBC Summit Americas reinforced trends we had already been observing and confirmed that these priorities will continue to shape the market in the months ahead".