Kaizen Gaming Wins Operator of the Year Again

Kaizen Gaming has secured the Operator of the Year – Large award for the third consecutive year at the SBC Awards 2026, held at Lisbon’s MEO Arena on Thursday, October 1.

The GameTech company, which operates the Betano sports betting and gaming brand, also retained the Sportsbook Operator of the Year title for a second successive year.

Operator of the Year – Large is regarded as the highest distinction presented at the awards. Kaizen Gaming’s continued success in the category comes as its operations have expanded across Europe, the Americas and Africa.

The company employs approximately 3,000 people and operates across a range of regulated and emerging markets worldwide.

Betano Retains Sportsbook Award

The Sportsbook Operator of the Year award recognises Betano’s platform as well as its growing presence through sports partnerships.

During 2026, Betano served as an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and announced new partnerships with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the Argentine National Football Team.

These agreements add to Betano’s existing sports partnership portfolio, which includes the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, FC Bayern München, Club Atlético River Plate, Aston Villa F.C. and Portugal’s “Big Three” clubs.

Kaizen Gaming and Betano also work with clubs, federations, Paralympic organisations and NGOs through partnerships supporting social inclusion initiatives.

The latest awards further reflect the scale Kaizen Gaming has achieved across the iGaming sector, with the company competing across multiple continents.

Kaizen Gaming was previously recognised as Operator of the Year at the EGR Operator Awards 2025.

Kaizen Gaming Praises Its People and Partners

Julio Iglesias Hernando, Chief Commercial Officer at Kaizen Gaming, said the company remained proud of receiving the Operator of the Year award for a third consecutive year.

“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 and we are as proud and honoured as the first time we received this distinction. Our commitment is to keep building upon what we have achieved so far and to become better every day. The path is not an easy one, there are obstacles along the way, but we have navigated them in the past and we will keep emerging stronger. Congratulations must always go to our people, who are the backbone of all our achievements, along with a big thank you to our customers for their trust and our partners for their invaluable support.”

SBC Awards Mark 13th Edition

The 2026 SBC Awards marked the event’s thirteenth edition, recognising companies and individuals across areas including operators, affiliates, payments, marketing, platform providers and data.

The ceremony was held on the final day of SBC Summit in Lisbon. The event attracted more than 40,000 industry professionals and featured 800 exhibitors.

Former footballer John Terry and broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher hosted the 2026 awards ceremony.