Kaizen Gaming wins top SBC award for third straight year
The company also claimed the Sportsbook Operator of the Year title for a second consecutive year at the Lisbon ceremony.
LISBON — Kaizen Gaming has been named Operator of the Year, Large for a third consecutive year at the SBC Awards 2026, held at Lisbon’s MEO Arena on Oct. 1.
The GameTech company, which owns the Betano online sports betting and gaming brand, also claimed the Sportsbook Operator of the Year award for a second year in a row.
The Operator of the Year, Large category is positioned as the awards’ highest distinction.
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Julio Iglesias Hernando, chief commercial officer at Kaizen Gaming, said the company does not take the recognition for granted.
“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,” Hernando said.
He added, “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 handled them in the past and we will keep emerging stronger.”
The three-year run in the category reflects Kaizen Gaming’s expanding operational footprint across Europe, the Americas and Africa, placing it among the world’s biggest companies in iGaming.
The company employs approximately 3,000 people and operates in numerous regulated and emerging markets worldwide, creating a product that entertains millions of customers.
Kaizen Gaming places technology, innovation and its people at the forefront of its operations while upholding the highest standards of responsible gaming.
Business growth for Kaizen Gaming is combined with a strong social responsibility framework focused on creating positive impact within the communities where the company operates.
The Sportsbook Operator of the Year award recognises Betano not only as a superior sportsbook platform, continuously enhanced with new features, but also as one of the most recognisable brands in world sport.
In 2026, Betano was an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and announced new landmark partnerships with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the Argentine National Football Team.
Those additions join a wider portfolio of sports sponsorships that 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” clubs.
Kaizen Gaming and Betano also use partnerships with athletic clubs, federations, Paralympic organisations and NGOs to leverage sport as a platform for social inclusion.
The results underline the scale Kaizen Gaming has reached in the iGaming sector. Kaizen Gaming has previously been recognised with the Operator of the Year title at the EGR Operator Awards 2025.
Now in their thirteenth year, the SBC Awards recognise operators, affiliates and suppliers across disciplines including payments, marketing, platform providers and data.
The 2026 ceremony took place on the final day of SBC Summit, which drew over 40,000 industry professionals and 800 exhibitors to showcase the latest innovations in gaming and betting.
The awards were hosted by former English football legend John Terry and broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher.
Hernando concluded his remarks by stating, “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.”