Michael Jordan, Carsten Koerl, and Jason Robins to Open SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon

The SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon is eagerly anticipated by the online gambling industry. A particular highlight will be the opening keynote session. It has been announced that basketball icon Michael Jordan, Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl, and DraftKings head Jason Robins will collectively take the stage. This promises exciting insights into the intersection of sports and global iGaming.

The event, commencing on July 6, 2026, in Lisbon, will thus draw personalities who significantly shape the sports and betting industry. The participation of such prominent figures underscores the conference's importance and highlights the growing interest of celebrities in this sector.

Numbers and facts

The SBC Summit 2026 will take place in Lisbon. According to reports, the three personalities Michael Jordan, Carsten Koerl, and Jason Robins will deliver the opening keynote. This was announced on July 6, 2026, by several industry media, including iGamingExpert and SBC News. Michael Jordan is not only a sports legend but also actively involved as an advisor in the gambling sector. DraftKings recently hired Jordan as a special advisor to the board in exchange for the NBA star taking an equity stake in the company. Jason Robins emphasized that Jordan's advice would be used for strategy, innovation, and diversity policies.

“Very excited to have Michael Jordan as a special advisor to our board. So we’re very excited to be working with him on business strategy and product innovation, as well as diversity.” - Jason Robins, CEO of DraftKings, during the SBC Barcelona Summit

Carsten Koerl, the CEO of Sportradar, also highlighted Jordan's involvement. Jordan has also previously invested in Sportradar. Koerl praised Jordan's dedication to young talents, both in sports and gaming.

“He’s a legend. But for me he’s a very special person because he’s down to earth; very humble and, on our side, he’s very interested in young players – how can you help young players? He wants to protect young players and he’s a legend. If he appears in a room, people listen to him and I think it’s a great choice, Jason. You can learn a lot from the big names in sport. They can give their knowledge to us; it’s the right way to engage with people from sport.” - Carsten Koerl, CEO of Sportradar

The presence of these three industry leaders signals the ongoing convergence of professional sports and the gambling industry, particularly in the sports betting sector.

Background

The gathering of Michael Jordan, Carsten Koerl, and Jason Robins at the SBC Summit 2026 symbolizes the increasing integration of sports and gambling. Michael Jordan, a global sports icon, brings not only his name but also his business acumen. His involvement with DraftKings as a special advisor and equity partner underscores the growing importance of celebrities in sponsoring and strategic decisions within the gambling industry.

Carsten Koerl leads Sportradar, a prominent company for sports data and digital content that works closely with betting providers. His expertise is crucial for integrity and innovation in the sports betting domain. Jason Robins heads DraftKings, one of the largest providers of Daily Fantasy Sports and sports betting in the USA. The alliance of these three personalities reflects the dynamism of a sector that is constantly evolving and seeking new ways to engage customers and dominate the market. The significance of such conferences lies not only in the exchange of ideas but also in shaping future industry standards and partnerships.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, developments in the international gambling market are of interest, even if the direct impact of the SBC Summit keynote is not immediately felt. Germany has introduced strict regulations for online gambling since the entry into force of the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). This means that German players are only permitted to engage with providers that hold a license from the Joint Gaming Authority of the Federal States (GGL). The GGL maintains a so-called whitelist of all legal providers.

These providers are subject to strict rules, such as a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros and a stake limit of 1 euro per spin on online slot machines. The central self-exclusion system LUGAS is also an important tool for player protection. While prominent collaborations like Michael Jordan's with DraftKings create international buzz, German players must ensure they only play at GGL-licensed casinos to be on the safe side. Internationally operating companies that do not meet these German standards are not permitted to offer their services in Germany.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

GGL-licensed casinos operate under a strict framework aimed at player protection and addiction prevention. Collaborations between global giants like DraftKings and sports icons like Michael Jordan highlight the enormous marketing power of gambling internationally. However, in Germany, these opportunities face severe restrictions. Advertising is highly regulated and must not entice gambling. A 1-euro stake limit per spin and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, monitored by the LUGAS system, significantly restrict game design in GGL-licensed casinos. These measures clearly differentiate the German market from less regulated international markets. For GGL-licensed casinos, it is crucial to adhere precisely to the rules while finding innovative ways to remain attractive in a competitive environment without violating player protection requirements. The messages from a keynote with Jordan, Koerl, and Robins are likely to serve as inspiration for global trends rather than a directly executable roadmap for the German market.