SBC Summit Rio successfully wrapped up last week, welcoming 12,000 attendees and recording an outstanding 200% growth compared to its first edition.
As the first major gathering since Brazil’s gaming market opened, SBC Summit Rio played a pivotal role in connecting businesses by setting the stage for operators, suppliers, and affiliates to align on strategies and explore business opportunities.
“Since January 1st, we have had a fully regulated market, making this the first major event in Brazil under the new framework. This is a key reason to be here, combined with the great quality of events at SBC,” commented Galera Bet CEO Marcos Sabia.
“Building relationships among all participants is why we’re here, and SBC fosters this kind of energy and opportunities—not just at the booths but throughout all the events we experience during our time here,” he added.
The 2025 event set a new benchmark, making a bold move to Riocentro, Latin America’s largest convention center. With an expo floor spanning 30,000 sqm, 400 exhibitors and sponsors, and a diverse mix of attendees, including C-level executives and senior decision-makers comprising 42% of the audience, the expo was transformed into the ultimate deal-making hub. Notably, all operators already licensed in Brazil were present at the event.
Sean Telford, Head of Operations at KTO, had this to say about the quality of attendees: “We are a one-market operator—we focus solely on Brazil. All the suppliers we work with, including payment providers, CRM companies, and everyone we interact with on a daily basis, are here. Bringing the entire industry or all the suppliers together is quite challenging, so for us, having everyone we need to talk to in one place allows us to strengthen relationships in person, which is obviously extremely important to us.”
Beyond the bustling expo floor, four themed conference stages and a workshop room ran in parallel, delivering high-level insights. The conference featured iconic moments, including a keynote from Brazilian football legend Bebeto, who officially opened the event. Meanwhile, Brazilian government officials, including Senator Irajá Abreu and Ministry of Finance representatives Carolina Yumi and Daniela Olimpio, provided crucial insights into the country’s regulatory landscape, giving attendees a first-hand perspective on market developments.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC said: “This edition cemented SBC Summit Rio as the defining event for Brazil’s gaming industry. The caliber of decision-makers in attendance, and the quality of conversations taking place proved that this event is no longer just about opportunity. We’ve created a platform where business gets done, connections are made, and the industry moves forward together.”
The expansion of SBC Summit Rio was highlighted by several new and exciting features, including the Affiliate Leaders Summit. This addition proved invaluable in a newly-regulated market, where both compliance and competition are at the forefront and was essential in helping operators adjust to new promotional rules while leveraging affiliate expertise to maximise player acquisition and engagement.
Recognising the power of digital influence in brand promotion, SBC Summit Rio also introduced another initiative—the Influencer Academy, in partnership with local marketing agency Propane. With influencers playing an increasingly vital role in Brazil’s gaming space, this educational workshop was designed to help influencers, operators, and affiliates navigate the complexities of gambling promotion. Beyond delivering key insights, the workshop ensured a strong presence of influencers at the event, giving operators a direct channel to connect with local personalities and expand their market reach.
With Brazil’s payment ecosystem presenting unique challenges, SBC Summit Rio also introduced the Payment Expert Summit as a key addition to this year’s event. The summit provided crucial insights for operators looking to adapt their payment strategies to local preferences. Closely tied to topics like KYC, fraud prevention, and compliance, it featured a dedicated conference agenda and show floor space, ensuring that payments took center stage alongside other key industry verticals.
Last but not least, SBC Summit Rio elevated the attendee experience with the launch of the Food Festival Zone, offering complimentary food and drinks to Full Access Pass holders, operators, and affiliates. Featuring nearly 30 food trucks spread across the venue, attendees could enjoy a variety of culinary options using pre-loaded wristbands, making networking breaks more convenient and enjoyable.
Serving as the perfect finale to a record-breaking summit and blending business and entertainment in spectacular fashion, THE INFINITY Rio wrapped up the summit just in time for the carnival, delivering one of the biggest parties the betting and gaming world has ever seen. The night was headlined by DJ Afrojack and the Brazilian duo Dubdogz, who brought electrifying energy to INFINITY Rio—a brand that debuted at SBC Summit 2024 in Lisbon and has since become an integral part of the SBC experience.
Carolina Yumi de Souza from the Ministry of Finance, who spoke at the event, highlighted its importance for the entire ecosystem. “The occurrence of this event, with the number of people and companies present, is very important in demonstrating the trust that regulation has brought to the market and the confidence in the functioning of institutions in Brazil.”
Next year, SBC Summit Rio will return to Riocentro, Latin America’s largest convention center, from March 3-5, 2026.
