Each year, sports betting and gaming professionals travel to some of the world’s top hotspots to network, expand their knowledge, and test new products.
With events in destinations like Malta, Lisbon, Toronto, Tbilisi and Ft. Lauderdale—and that’s just the SBC lineup—the calendar is full of opportunities.
As we look ahead to what 2025 has in store for the industry, it’s clear that SBC Summit Rio, happening 25-27 February at Riocentro (Rio De Janeiro), is an event you won’t want to miss if you’re eyeing Brazil.
With the event set to take place two months after the Brazilian market officially launches (on January 1, 2025), the opportunities for brands seeking to establish a presence in the market are endless.
As 2025 nears, here are eight (8) reasons why its second edition is a must-attend.
Bigger & Better: An Ever-Growing Audience
- A Local Event with a Global Audience: Last year attendees hailed from 64 countries, highlighting the market’s GLOBAL appeal. With attendance in 2025 set to reach 15,000—almost quadruple the number of attendees from last year—you will have ample opportunities to engage with leading brands that are setting their sights on Brazil.
- The Event is Moving to a New Venue: The exhibitor and sponsor base is also expanding. Building on this year’s success, next year’s event is set to surpass expectations in both size and scope, featuring 400 exhibitors and sponsors—prompting a move to Riocentro and a larger 70,000-square-meter show floor.
- Interesting Fact: The number of gambling companies operating in Brazil (in the absence of regulation) surged from 51 in 2020 to 308 by 2023, indicating a keen desire (internationally) to capitalize on this burgeoning market. The event’s growth directly reflects this rising appetite.
An Impressive Start: Exceptional Success Rates for the First Show
- High Satisfaction Rates From Those Who Decided to Showcase: Feedback from the last show reveals a very high satisfaction rate among exhibitors and sponsors. 89% of post-event survey respondents said the event met or even exceeded their expectations for building overall brand perception—demonstrating its positive impact on brand exposure and growth in the Brazilian market.
- Overwhelming Loyalty—95.3% Plan to Return: An impressive 95.3% of survey respondents expressed strong interest in returning for 2025, underscoring the summit’s undeniable value.
- Operators & Affiliates Rated the Event 60 NPS—A Testament to Its Value: With a remarkable NPS of 60, the event demonstrated its value to operators and affiliates—two key pillars of the industry ecosystem. Operators, as potential buyers, benefit from opportunities to connect with high-quality traffic sources and suppliers, while affiliates gain access to strategic partnerships. Their strong satisfaction underscores the event’s success in addressing their unique needs and delivering meaningful impact for these critical audience segments year after year.
The 2025 Edition Comes with New Opportunities for Local and International Players
- The Market is (Finally) Ready: Brazil’s regulatory framework, set to launch on January 1, 2025, will bring new opportunities across the industry. With the regulatory groundwork in place, domestic and global players will gain streamlined access to Brazil, leading to an influx of licensed platforms and create opportunities for those who want to lead in the market.
- Insight: Brazil’s gambling revenue is projected to grow significantly, with online gambling expected to hit $1.97B in 2024 (projected market volume of $4.03B by 2029). Also, Brazil is expected to become one of the largest markets with full regulation. The number of users is expected to amount to 2.7M by 2029.
- Now’s the Time to Secure Deals: With more brands entering the market, SBC Summit Rio will be the ultimate hub for those seeking partnerships to score those deals. From the bustling show floor to evening networking events, the event will connect you with the right people (43% of the 2024 attendees were SENIOR DECISION MAKERS).
- Explore Innovations & Localized Solutions—Essential for Market Entry: As international operators enter, competition will fuel demand for innovative products and localized solutions (such as culturally tailored promotions, region-specific payment solutions, and unique gaming content tailored to the Brazilian market). You will get access to these innovations on our exhibition floor.
- Added Bonus—A Place Where Global Expertise Will Meet Local Insights: Make sure to learn from each other. International brands can provide local brands with insights on building trust and adopting best practices, while regional brands can share valuable knowledge of Brazilian consumer behavior with their global counterparts.
The Market Comes with Some Intricacies. SBC Summit Rio 2025 Will Help You Understand Them
- Insights on Staying Compliant: The Brazilian government has been blocking thousands of illegal sites and enforcing strong consumer protection measures. SBC Summit Rio will help attendees understand these requirements (that have even led some prominent brands to exit the market) and align with local regulations and ethical standards through multiple panels dedicated to compliance and responsible gambling.
- Learn from Operators that got the “Preliminary” License: The Brazilian government recently published a list of operators authorized to legally operate in Brazil until the end of the year. Among them are 1xBet, Blaze, Casa de Apostas, Rivalo, and Superbet—all set to attend SBC Summit Rio. Connect with these leading brands to learn how they secured their licenses, the challenges they encountered, and the strategies they used to overcome them.
- Meet Regulators & Regulatory Experts & Brazilian Public Sector Representatives: Engage directly with regulatory experts and seize the opportunity to gain clarity on your most pressing questions. Notable profiles set to appear include the Director of Investigation and Organized Crime Prevention from Brazil’s Department of Federal Police, the General Coordinator of Tax Affairs at the Office of the Attorney General of the National Treasury, auditors from the Federal Revenue Service, and Irajá Abreu, Senator for the Province of Tocantins, among others.
- Conference Companion: The panel ‘Betting 101: Regulation and Compliance – Ask the Experts!’ will give you the chance to ask your most pressing questions to the industry’s leading regulatory and compliance experts. If you’re uncertain about the licensing process, current laws or the regulatory landscape, our experts will clarify the line between what’s permissible and what’s off-limits.
A Stronger Emphasis on Market Entry and Traffic Growth with the Launch of the Affiliate Leaders Summit
- The Goal: A new feature of SBC Summit Rio 2025, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will act as a key platform for local and global affiliates to connect with operator affiliate programs in Brazil.
- More Affiliates Than Ever in Attendance: Nearly 450 affiliate professionals participated in SBC Summit Rio 2024. The 2025 edition aims to significantly increase affiliate attendance, expecting 1,500 affiliates—a projected growth of 233%.
- Enhanced Opportunities for Affiliates and Operators Alike: With a regulated market, affiliates have the chance to collaborate with newly licensed operators, while operators can connect with affiliates to secure a significant share of the Brazilian player base. Reminder: 6,000 operator representatives will be joining us in Rio this February, so plenty of leads for our affiliate attendees to explore.
- A Dedicated Space for a More Focused Experience: The Affiliate Leaders Summit will offer a dedicated exhibition combined with a specialized conference program, allowing you to learn from affiliate leaders who have mastered Brazil’s unique market and regulatory landscape
- Brazil’s Unique Traffic Opportunities: Brazil offers more than traditional traffic acquisition methods—its strong emphasis on influencers sets the market apart. Dedicated panels and influencer participation at the event will delve into this unique dynamic, providing valuable insights for international operators looking to expand their reach and amplify their impact. Moreover, a wide variety of digital marketing agencies with diverse traffic sources will be present.
- Conference Companion: The panel titled ‘New Market, Old Tricks: How Affiliates Still Have the Winning Formula,’ ‘Your Traffic’s Journey – Beyond Traditional Models,’ ‘Your Winning Guide: SEO After Regulation’ will serve as a fantastic deep-dive into everything you need to know.
Master Brazil’s Payment Landscape at the New Payment Expert Summit
- Understanding Brazil’s Payment Rules: In April 2024, Brazil’s Ministry of Finance issued Normative Ordinance No. 615, banning payment methods such as credit cards, cryptocurrencies, cash, boletos, and cheques for gambling transactions. The event will address the key question: “How can newcomers adapt to thrive under these new circumstances, and where do we go from here?”
- Understanding Pix—Brazil’s Dominant Payment Force: Pix, an instant payment system controlled by the Central Bank, has become a cornerstone of Brazil’s gambling industry. Its government backing and widespread adoption have led most Brazilian payment providers, fintech companies, banks, and digital wallets to integrate Pix into their platforms, making it a key player in the country’s payment ecosystem. The event will be the RIGHT PLACE to meet those companies and talk business.
- Fraud Prevention, KYC, and AML—Getting It Right: At the dedicated expo and conference, experts will discuss proactive strategies, from implementing KYC protocols to advanced identity verification, ensuring user trust and protecting operator profits. Attendees will also explore cutting-edge AI solutions for compliance, balancing regulatory demands with an improved customer experience.
- Conference Companions: Panels like ‘Payment Landscape: Key Provisions and Opportunities,’ ‘A Collaborative Approach to Fraud Prevention,’ and ‘Stronger Safeguards, Smarter AI’ will serve as great companions if you need more clarity on that front.
Getting Ready for the M&A Wave in Brazil
- It’s the Right Time to Talk About M&As: As the seventh most populous country in the world, Brazil presents immense opportunities with the formalization of its gambling industry. The regulation is set to significantly boost investor interest in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), providing the legal certainty needed for investors to commit confidently and unlocking substantial prospects for both local and international stakeholders.
- Both “Sides of the Coin” in Attendance: Regulatory compliance, including high licensing fees and taxes, may pose challenges for smaller operators. This dynamic is expected to drive market consolidation, with larger entities acquiring or merging with smaller ones to strengthen their market presence.
- Strategic Acquisitions Are Already happening: Leading international companies are actively seeking acquisitions to secure a foothold in Brazil. A notable example is Flutter Entertainment’s acquisition of a 56% stake in Brazil’s NSX Group, operator of Betnacional, for approximately $350 million, highlighting the market’s strategic importance.
- Conference Companion: The panel ‘M&A Surge: The Fate of Local Champions’ will explore how high regulatory costs, including hefty authorisation fees, are challenging smaller operators and driving Brazil’s M&A surge, as international players are drawn to the country’s vast market potential
Discover Rio: Culture, Cuisine, and Connections Beyond the Summit
- Experience Rio’s Carnival: Extend your stay to enjoy the world-famous Carnival, taking place the following week, for a vibrant cultural experience.
- Stunning Beaches: Relax on Rio’s beautiful beaches, perfect for unwinding between conference sessions or networking in a laid-back setting.
- Iconic Landmarks: Visit renowned sites like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, making your trip memorable beyond business.
- Perfect Weather for Networking: Enjoy Rio’s ideal climate, providing the perfect backdrop for outdoor networking events and gatherings.
- Delicious Food and Drink: Savor Brazil’s rich culinary offerings, from refreshing caipirinhas to traditional Brazilian dishes like Feijoada and Pastéis, adding flavour to your summit experience.
- We’re Bringing INFINITY to Rio: Those who experienced INFINITY Lisbon know why this is a big deal. While SBC is about business connections, we also know how to throw a party that creates lasting memories. That’s why INFINITY Rio is part of the program, with a Tomorrowland-style closing party featuring world-famous DJs (lineup coming soon). Add to that a carnival-themed opening party and the Official Networking Party at Botafogo’s iconic venue—you’re in for an unforgettable experience!
Secure your spot at SBC Summit Rio with our exclusive ‘Early Bird’ ticket offer! For just R$2000, you’ll gain access to three days of networking, conference, and exhibition.
Want an Expo-Only Pass? It’s yours for R$500.
If you are an operator or affiliate, you can apply for a free pass! Operators can apply for a complimentary pass here. Affiliates can apply for complimentary passes here.
For exhibition/sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected].
Want to speak at the event? Contact our conference gurus Aidan Brain ([email protected]) and Sofia Pinto ([email protected]).