SBC Summit Rio 2026 marks another successful edition for the betting and gaming industry in Brazil.
The SBC Summit Rio 2026 represented another important growth milestone for the event, bringing together the betting and gaming industry at a crucial moment for the Brazilian market, as stakeholders reflected on the first year of operations under the new regulatory framework implemented in the country.
The third edition of the event, held from March 3rd to 5th, 2026 at Riocentro, received 15% more participants compared to the previous year, reinforcing the position of SBC Summit Rio as the main meeting point for the sector at the beginning of the year in Brazil.
For many participants, the event was an opportunity to understand where the market is heading. Santiago Indart, Head of Affiliates at BetMGM Brazil, stated: “Here we can gauge the market's temperature. SBC sets trends at the Rio event, and the know-how gained from this event will certainly help BetMGM.”
Growth was particularly strong among strategic industry audiences, with operator attendance increasing by 16% and affiliate attendance by 26,7%, including the increasingly influential segment driven by content creators. Audience quality also showed significant improvement, with senior executives representing 38,7% of participants, up from one in four last year.
Carla Dualib Sonnewend, LATAM Business Development Manager at SOFTSWISS, highlighted that this translated into high-level conversations throughout the exhibition area: “The discussions and meetings we had were exceptional. I was genuinely impressed.”
The event also demonstrated strong international reach. While 60,78% of participants were based in Brazil, the remainder traveled from over 100 countries, highlighting the growing role of SBC Summit Rio as a global meeting point for stakeholders interested in the Brazilian market. Andreas Ditsche, CEO of iGaming.com, emphasized the value of attending the event in person: “It’s important to be there and feel the market atmosphere. People do business with people, and it’s important to meet face-to-face.”
The conference agenda reflected the industry's transition from a scenario of regulatory uncertainty to operating within a formal framework, with discussions focused on sustainable growth and long-term development.
Presented by over 250 experts across three stages, the program covered topics such as leadership, technology, payments, marketing, and affiliate marketing, offering a comprehensive overview of the future of the market.
Representatives from the government and regulatory bodies also played a key role, with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Sport, and the National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (CONAR), among others, sharing guidance on best practices and insights into the regulatory thinking that is shaping the market.
Plínio Jorge, president of ANJL, stated that the event demonstrated strong collaboration between regulators and the industry: “The conferences bring together regulators and industry stakeholders, showing the regulator's commitment to sharing information with the market.”
Industry operators also played an important role in the discussions. Representatives from BetMGM Brazil, Betano, Stellar Gaming, Flutter Brazil, EstrelaBet, Caixa Loterias, and Keno Loteria were among those who took the stage to share their perspectives on operating in Brazil. The program also featured a keynote address by Chris Kypriotis, former CEO of Nike Brazil, who shared leadership insights from his experience leading the brand in the country.
The exhibition area remained busy until the final hours of the event, with exhibitors benefiting from a high volume of visitors.
Fellipe Fraga, CBO of Stellar Gaming, highlighted the layout of the exhibition area: “The booths are easy to locate and the flow of circulation between them works very well, which gives great visibility to the brands.”
Ricardo Peixoto, Country Manager Brazil for Sofascore, also reinforced the value of exhibiting at the event: “SBC events always deliver the best results. It’s always our first choice when deciding where to be present.”
The SBC Summit Rio also offered a strong hospitality experience, from early credential pickup and an on-site food festival to shuttle services from partner hotels and evening networking events. The event also hosted Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who participated in partnership with the OTG Group, OTG Partners, and R10 Score. The Opening Party at Rio Beach Club featured jet skis, Brazilian barbecue, and beach sports, while Infinity Rio closed out the week with Marc Vedo and Brazilian DJ Öwnboss at the turntables.
Participants also praised the organization and overall experience of the event. Eduarda Lopes, CEO of Keno Loteria, stated that the event was “very well organized in all aspects… when you arrive, you feel welcomed and well taken care of.”
For Fabio Tiberia, VP Brazil of VBET, the reliability of the event was one of the main highlights: "If I had to describe SBC in two words, they would be consistency and credibility."
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and founder of SBC, thanked the industry for its support and highlighted the positive moment in the market: “A huge thank you to everyone who exhibited, sponsored, and participated in the SBC Summit Rio. The feedback makes it clear that the Brazilian market is just getting started, and we are proud to offer a platform that supports its growth.”
The SBC Summit Rio will return from March 2nd to 4th, 2027, bringing the industry together again in Brazil to discuss the future of the market. To participate as an exhibitor or sponsor, please contact the SBC sales team at [email protected ]
