Kaizen Gaming named Operator of the Year for third consecutive time at SBC Awards 2026
Win in Lisbon and Betano recognised as Sportsbook Operator, reinforcing international expansion
Key Takeaways
- Kaizen Gaming won Operator of the Year – Large for a third consecutive year at the SBC Awards 2026 in Lisbon on 1 October.
- The group that owns Betano also secured Sportsbook Operator of the Year for a second consecutive year.
- The ceremony took place at the MEO Arena during the SBC Summit, which attracted over 40,000 professionals and 800 exhibitors.
- Betano was an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and announced agreements with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the Argentine National Football Team.
Kaizen Gaming was proclaimed Operator of the Year – Large for a third consecutive time at the SBC Awards 2026, held in Lisbon on Thursday 1 October 2026. The company that owns Betano also picked up Sportsbook Operator of the Year for a second consecutive year, a recognition announced during the ceremony at the MEO Arena.
## H2 Recognitions at the SBC Awards 2026 and details of the presentation
The Operator of the Year – Large award is the highest honour at the SBC Awards and recognises operators with outstanding reach and execution. The 2026 edition took place on 1 October at the MEO Arena, on the final day of the SBC Summit, and brought together more than 40 industry professionals and 800 exhibitors.
The awards ceremony was hosted by former England footballer John Terry and presenter Kirsty Gallacher. The concurrent award in the sportsbook category underlines Betano’s weight within the group as a premium sports-betting brand.
## H2 Why Kaizen Gaming received Operator of the Year – Large
The jury valued Kaizen Gaming’s go-to-market strategy and operational expansion across Europe, the Americas and Africa. The group has invested in technology, innovation and human capital to sustain and scale products that reach millions of customers in its various markets, while maintaining responsible gambling standards and corporate social responsibility frameworks.
The three-year run as Operator of the Year – Large reflects Kaizen Gaming’s operational and commercial continuity, according to the award organisation itself.
## H2 Betano and the Sportsbook Operator of the Year award
The Sportsbook Operator of the Year award recognised Betano for its sports-betting platform and for its global visibility through sponsorships. In 2026 Betano was an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and announced significant deals with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the Argentine National Football Team.
The sponsorship portfolio cited during the presentation includes the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Conference League, FC Bayern München, Club Atlético River Plate, Aston Villa F.C. and Portugal’s “Big Three.”
Kaizen Gaming and Betano also leverage those partnerships with clubs, federations, paralympic organisations and NGOs to drive social inclusion initiatives linked to sport.
## H2 Corporate statement emphasising team and customers
"Being named Operator of the Year for a third consecutive year might start feeling like a habit, but I can guarantee that we don’t take things for granted," said Julio Iglesias Hernando, Chief Commercial Officer of Kaizen Gaming. "Our commitment is to keep building upon what we have achieved so far and to become better every day."
Iglesias Hernando directed thanks to the company’s team, to customers for their trust and to partners for their support, and reminded attendees that the group’s commercial growth is combined with a social-responsibility framework focused on positive impact in the communities where it operates.
## H2 Context of the event and reach of the SBC Summit
The SBC Awards reached their thirteenth edition in 2026 and reward operators, affiliates and suppliers across key disciplines such as payments, marketing, platforms and data. The Lisbon presentation closed the SBC Summit, which in its 2026 edition concentrated the massive attendance mentioned and the commercial ecosystem represented by 800 stands.
For operators, suppliers and sponsors the event serves both as an innovation showcase and a commercial barometer for sports and brand deals, two vectors Kaizen Gaming has exploited to broaden its international visibility; see more coverage in [news](/news) and analysis for rights holders in [b2b](/b2b).
## H2 Market implications and next steps
The hat-trick of Operator of the Year – Large wins consolidates the narrative of Kaizen Gaming as one of the major global iGaming players. The company continues to expand its portfolio of sports sponsorships and its presence in strategic markets, relying on Betano as the flagship brand for sports betting.
For operators and suppliers seeking partners or benchmarking, Kaizen’s strategy of combining sports marketing with technological operations and social responsibility is a replicable model that will remain on the sector agenda in coming quarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did Kaizen Gaming receive Operator of the Year – Large?
Kaizen Gaming received Operator of the Year – Large on 1 October 2026 in Lisbon during the SBC Awards ceremony held at the MEO Arena on the final day of the SBC Summit.
What other awards did Kaizen Gaming or its brands win at the SBC Awards 2026?
In addition to Operator of the Year – Large, the group that owns Betano won Sportsbook Operator of the Year for a second consecutive year; this was announced at the same Lisbon ceremony.
What was the scale and reach of the SBC Summit and the SBC Awards in 2026?
The SBC Summit 2026 drew more than 40,000 industry professionals and 800 exhibitors, and the SBC Awards marked their thirteenth edition, with the ceremony closing the event at the MEO Arena.
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About the author
Gonzalo Marín
Industry Deals Correspondent
Gonzalo Marín covers the corporate deal flow of gambling — operator strategy, M&A, regulated-market entries, and product launches. The reports open with the transaction, cite companies, valuations, and jurisdictions exactly as released, and keep the announcement apart from its actual effect. When a Latin American operator raises capital or a European brand lands in the region, Gonzalo Marín reports who signs, for how much, and on what terms.
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