SBC Summit Rio 2026 marked another growth milestone for the event, bringing together the betting and gaming industry at a pivotal moment for Brazil’s market as stakeholders reflected on the first year of operations under the country’s newly implemented regulatory framework.
The third edition of the event, held on 3–5 March 2026 at Riocentro, welcomed 15% more attendees year-on-year, reinforcing SBC Summit Rio’s position as the industry’s leading early-year meeting point in Brazil.
For many attendees, the event served as an opportunity to understand where the market is heading. Santiago Indart, Head of Affiliates at BetMGM Brasil, said: “Here we can measure the temperature of the market. SBC sets the trends at the Rio event, and the know-how that comes out of this event will certainly help BetMGM.”
Growth was particularly strong among key industry audiences, with operator attendance up 16% and affiliates up 26.7%, including the increasingly influential creator-driven segment. Audience quality also improved significantly, with senior-level decision makers accounting for 38.7% of attendees, up from one in four last year.
Carla Dualib Sonnewend, LATAM Business Development Manager at SOFTSWISS, said this translated into high-quality conversations across the show floor: “The discussions and meetings we’ve had have been exceptional. I was genuinely impressed.”
The event also demonstrated a strong international reach. While 60.78% of attendees were based in Brazil, the remaining participants travelled from over 100 countries, highlighting SBC Summit Rio’s growing role as a global meeting point for stakeholders interested in the country’s market. Andreas Ditsche, CEO of iGaming.com, highlighted the value of travelling to the event: “It’s important to be on the ground and sense the mood of the market. People do business with people, and it’s important to meet face-to-face.”
The conference agenda reflected the industry’s shift from regulatory uncertainty to operating within a formal framework, with discussions focused on sustainable growth and long-term development.
Delivered by 250+ experts across three stages, the programme covered leadership, technology, payments, marketing and affiliation, offering a comprehensive view of the market’s future.
Government and regulatory voices also played a key role, with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Sports, and the National Advertising Self-Regulation Council (CONAR), among others, sharing guidance on best practices and insight into the regulatory thinking shaping the market.
Plínio Jorge, President of ANJL, said the event demonstrated strong collaboration between regulators and industry: “The conferences bring together regulators and industry stakeholders, showing the regulator’s commitment to sharing information with the market.”
Industry operators also played a key role in the discussions, with representatives from BetMGM Brazil, Betano, Stellar Gaming, Flutter Brazil, EstrelaBet, Caixa Loterias and Keno Loteria among those taking the stage to share their perspectives on operating in Brazil. The programme also featured a keynote from Chris Kypriotis, former CEO of Nike Brazil, sharing leadership insights from his time leading the brand in Brazil.
The exhibition floor remained busy until the final hours of the event, with exhibitors benefiting from strong foot traffic.
Fellipe Fraga, CBO at Stellar Gaming, credited the show floor layout: “The stands are easy to locate and the traffic flow between booths works very well, which gives brands great visibility.”
Ricardo Peixoto, Country Manager Brazil at Sofascore, echoed the value of exhibiting: “SBC events always deliver the best results. It’s always our first choice when deciding where to be present.”
SBC Summit Rio delivered a strong hospitality experience, from early badge pick-up and an on-site food festival to shuttle services from partner hotels and evening networking events. It also welcomed Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who attended in partnership with Grupo OTG, OTG Partners and R10 Score. The Opening Party at Rio Beach Club featured jet skis, Brazilian barbecue and beach sports, while Infinity Rio closed the week with Marc Vedo and Brazil’s Öwnboss behind the decks.
Attendees also praised the organisation and overall experience. Eduarda Lopes, CEO of Keno Loteria, said the event was “very well organised in every aspect… when you arrive, you feel welcomed and well treated.”
For Fabio Tiberia, VP of Brazil at VBET, the event’s reliability stood out: “If I had to describe SBC in two words, it would be consistency and credibility.”
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, thanked the industry for its support and highlighted the market’s momentum: “A huge thank you to everyone who exhibited, sponsored and attended SBC Summit Rio. The feedback makes it clear that Brazil’s market is only just getting started, and we’re proud to provide a platform that supports its growth.”
SBC Summit Rio will return on 2–4 March 2027, once again gathering the industry in Brazil to discuss the future of the market. To get involved as an exhibitor or sponsor, contact the SBC sales team at [email protected].
