This year, in its second edition, SBC Summit Rio is putting affiliates in the spotlight with the launch of the dedicated Affiliate Leaders Summit.

With its own expo floor and conference program, the summit creates a clear space for operators seeking new traffic sources and affiliates targeting brands eager to enter Brazil, spurred by the country’s recent regulatory advancements.

As Brazil’s new regulatory framework rolls out in January, this will be the first major meeting point for the industry under the new rules. 

The summit has two main goals:

• Facilitate business connections between affiliates and operators.
• Provide insights into Brazil’s regulatory requirements and restrictions.

The program will also dive into the unique nature of affiliation in Brazil, a market where influencer-driven traffic dominates over traditional review-based affiliate models.

With this being the first event post-regulation, the timing is critical. Early movers have the chance to strike deals and secure a first-mover advantage in what promises to be one of the most exciting markets for affiliates and operators alike.

Why the Affiliate Leaders Summit?

First things first – the summit takes its name from the Affiliate Leaders community that SBC has been building over the past couple of years. This initiative aims to give affiliates greater visibility through speaker slots and interviews, foster connections and knowledge exchange among affiliates, and support their business goals. You can read more about it here.

Why is this visibility and focus on affiliates so important? 

Because affiliates are integral to the gambling ecosystem.

• It’s a cost-effective marketing tool based on performance, as operators only pay for actual results, making it a low-risk alternative to traditional ads.
• Working with affiliates is like “borrowing their audience”—an audience they’ve built a relationship with through efforts like SEO, educational content, or influencer campaigns. This means it’s already an audience interested in your product and far more likely to convert.
• For new operators, affiliates can act as your trusted voice. They’ve already built rapport with players, so being featured on their site adds instant credibility to your brand.
• Affiliates have the local market expertise you might not. If you’re an operator targeting hundreds of markets globally, working with a local ally in a new market is a smart way to navigate and expand.

Why the Affiliate Leaders Summit Matters More Than Ever in Brazil Today

With Brazil’s new regulatory landscape and solid revenue projections, operators are eager to enter.

Affiliates can be key allies in market entry efforts—whether you’re new to Brazil or adapting to the shift from unregulated operations.

Even if you’ve been active in Brazil, are you fully prepared for the regulated market? Do you know what’s now off-limits or how to stay compliant with the new rules?

By partnering with affiliates, you tap into a ready-made audience. Affiliates in Brazil understand the market—what players want, how they engage, and how to reach them. They bring local expertise and strategies tailored to the unique habits and cultural preferences of Brazilian players, saving operators time and effort while ensuring targeted growth.

Also, as the market opens up, being quick to form partnerships and establish a presence is key. Affiliates can help operators secure this first-mover advantage by facilitating early player acquisition and building brand loyalty before competitors fully enter the scene.

The old ways might not work here. Ad formats you may overlook in other countries could yield great results, while strategies that succeeded elsewhere might fail miserably. So, with the performance-based model which affiliates work with, operators can minimise risk while testing and optimizing their approach in Brazil until it finds its footing. 

This is why the introduction of the Affiliate Leaders Summit at SBC Summit Rio 2025 was a major and necessary step, designed to help affiliates and operators navigate Brazil’s dynamic market together.

Key Features of the Affiliate Leaders Summit at SBC Summit Rio 2025

As mentioned above, the Affiliate Leaders Summit at SBC Summit Rio comes with its own expo floor and dedicated conference agenda.

If you check out the floor plan on the website, you’ll find the summit located in the purple zone. And keep in mind, during the event, badges will be colour-coded, making it easy to tell operators and affiliates apart from the rest of the audience.

On the show floor, you’ll see names like Better Collective, Bet365, Blaze, Bwise Media, Casa de Apostas, Clever Advertising, Esportes da Sorte, KeyAffiliates, Oddscanner, Rivalo, and Superbet Brazil. The presence of these household brands speaks volumes about the incredible trust they’re placing in this event—especially since it’s only its second edition.

By the way, if you want to know more about why this event is a lead-generation goldmine, be sure to check out our blog post.

Affiliate Leaders Summit’s Conference Agenda

With the conference taking place over both core days (26-27 February) and featuring a stage dedicated to the Affiliate Leaders Summit, there’s plenty to dive into. We could bore you with descriptions of the most exciting upcoming panels, but honestly, who has time for that? Instead, we’ll give you an overview of the key topics and the questions that will be answered by the panellists.

Panel: New Market, Old Tricks: How Affiliates Still Have the Winning Formula
Question Answered: Is the traditional affiliate model being overshadowed by a generation that prioritizes social content?

Panel: Your Traffic’s Journey – Beyond Traditional Models
Question Answered: Do operators care about where their traffic comes from?

Panel: Master Localized Marketing and CRM for a Winning Entry
Question Answered: How can operators and affiliates create successful, localized marketing and CRM strategies to attract and retain users in Brazil?

Panel: Glitz, Glam, and Game Plans: Picking the Right Face for Your Brand
Question Answered: How do you select the best ambassadors for your brand?

Panel: From Insta-Fame to Insta-Compliance: Influencers Adapt to New Regulations
Question Answered: How can influencers adapt to ensure responsible engagement with their audiences while thriving in this evolving landscape?

Panel: Your Winning Guide: SEO After Regulation
Question Answered: How can operators and affiliates build effective SEO strategies to succeed in a newly regulated market like Brazil?

Panel: Marketing Makeover: Fresh Approach to Marketing and Ethics
Question Answered: How can operators and affiliates adapt their marketing strategies to align with Brazil’s new regulations while balancing commercial success and ethical responsibility?

Curious to dive deeper? Check out the SBC Summit Rio 2025 conference agenda page for detailed panel descriptions. (Speakers will be confirmed and added soon!)

So, why should YOU, as an affiliate or an operator, attend?

If you need a quick recap on why this show (and the Affiliate Leaders Summit) is a must-attend, here it is:

For Affiliates:

• Visibility and Networking: Gain exposure through a dedicated expo floor and conference agenda, with opportunities to connect with operators eager to expand in Brazil.
• Showcase Your Expertise: Position yourself as a key player in the market by offering local insights and proven strategies to operators.
• Stay Ahead of Trends: Learn about the latest performance marketing techniques, influencer-driven traffic, and the unique nature of affiliation in Brazil.
• Understand Regulatory Changes: Get insights into the new laws and advertising restrictions to better align your business practices with Brazil’s regulatory framework.
• Explore New Partnerships: Engage directly with operators looking for reliable affiliates to drive growth in a market with immense potential.

For Operators:

• Access to a Targeted Audience: Connect with affiliates who already have established relationships with engaged and relevant player bases, making it easier to acquire high-quality traffic.
• First-Mover Advantage: Secure partnerships early in Brazil’s newly regulated market, gaining an edge over competitors.
• Local Market Expertise: Work with affiliates who understand Brazil’s cultural nuances, player preferences, and regulatory requirements.
• Compliance Support: Learn how to navigate Brazil’s regulatory landscape and adapt your advertising strategies to remain compliant.
• Innovative Strategies: Discover new and effective ad formats tailored to Brazil, as traditional methods may not perform as expected in this market.
• Build Brand Credibility: Leverage affiliate partnerships to establish trust with Brazilian players through credible endorsements.

For Both Operators and Affiliates:

• Exclusive Panels and Insights: Attend sessions tailored to the challenges and opportunities in Brazil, such as localized marketing, SEO strategies, and influencer marketing under new regulations.
• Major Industry Brands on Show Floor: Network with big names like Better Collective, Bet365, Blaze, and Superbet Brazil to build connections and explore opportunities.
• Lead-Generation Goldmine: Leverage the event’s unique setup to find and form partnerships that drive growth and profitability.
• Be Part of a Key Moment: This is the first major event post-regulation, making it a pivotal opportunity to shape your position in Brazil’s booming gambling industry.

I’m Convinced. So How do I Get Involved?

Well, it really depends on your goals.

If you’re an affiliate (or an operator) with something important to share with our audience, you might want to consider the opportunity to speak at the event—it’s an incredible way to get yourself and your brand out there. How? You can either contact our conference producer, Sofia Pinto, at [email protected], or submit the speaker form on the website.

Want to showcase your brand on the show floor or sponsor the event? The sales team will be more than happy to hear from you (you bet!). The benefits of exhibiting and sponsoring are countless, and here’s why. You can contact the sales team at [email protected], or again, submit a form on the website.

Just looking to attend for now and get a feel for what it’s all about? Totally valid. The great news is that operators and affiliates get complimentary passes to the event. However, we’ll need to verify that you’re an affiliate or an operator first.

To get your operator pass, contact Lucia Mouriño at [email protected], or submit this form.

To get your affiliate pass, reach out to Isadora Marcante at [email protected], or submit this form.

Good to Know

SBC Summit Rio is set to host 15,000 delegates at Riocentro on February 25-27, 2025. In only its second edition, the event has moved to a massive venue and will cover 70,000 square meters—quite an impressive jump from last year. The conference agenda will feature over 250 speakers, and the sponsor and exhibitor count will exceed 400.

In terms of operators, the event will host 6,000 operator representatives, and the affiliate count will amount to 1,500 affiliates—a projected growth of 233% compared to last year.

Especially relevant for you: Operators and affiliates gave us an NPS score of 60 in the post-event survey.

Bonus points: The event ends as Carnival begins (talk about bonus points). Plus, we’re bringing the INFINITY party series to Rio, so the event will conclude with a massive celebration (and one of the biggest parties the industry has ever seen).