Latin America
SBC Exceeds Forecasts, Drawing 4,000 Attendees to Debut Event in Rio
In an dynamic entrance into Rio, SBC’s inaugural Brazil-focused event exceeded all forecasts, drawing in a staggering turnout of 4,000 attendees — surpassing the anticipated 3,000 — and signaling a promising start to the future expansion plans disclosed during the event.
Held from March 5th to 7th, SBC Summit Rio served as a deep dive into the Brazilian market during a pivotal moment of opportunity, spurred by Brazil’s recent approval of online gambling regulation. The Summit played a protagonistic role in creating a platform for senior executives to unite and discuss the future trajectory of the industry in the country, blending local insights with global perspectives.
Featuring over 70 exhibitors, the show floor at the Windsor Convention & Expo Center was abuzz with activity throughout the event, which sold out well ahead of its scheduled dates. This strong demand underscored the imperative to transition SBC Summit Rio to its new venue, Riocentro, for next year’s edition, allowing for the accommodation of over 10,000 delegates and 400 exhibitors and sponsors.
Exhibitor contentment was evident, as indicated by an initial Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 54, with the overwhelming majority of 2024 exhibitors already confirming their participation for the 2025 edition. The show floor featured prominent international suppliers including Amusnet, BetConstruct, Digitain, IDnow, Oddin.gg, Pragmatic Play, and others.
Victor Arias, Vice President LatAm at Pragmatic Play detailed his experience exhibiting at the event: “For me, it is always a joy to participate in an event organized by SBC, and this one in Rio was no exception. I left very satisfied because I was able to meet with friends and colleagues and analyze the possibilities offered by a market as relevant as Brazil. Without a doubt, this opportunity was fundamental for Pragmatic Play, which is experiencing continuous growth in the country. These days were extremely intense, with important commercial agreements and a stand that was filled with visitors who enjoyed the environment and the experience that Pragmatic Play provided.”
The operator sector witnessed notable participation, comprising 30% of the total attendee numbers, from key players such as Aposta Ganha, Betano, Betsson, Esportes da Sorte, EstrelaBet, Galera.Bet, Rei do Pitaco, Superbet and Vai De Bob, among others. Feedback gathered from the post-event survey revealed a commendable NPS of 62 among operators, reflecting the positive reception of the event from the segment. Additionally, a diverse range of operators participated as exhibitors, indicating their proactive approach to market penetration.
“Timing couldn’t be more impeccable; our recent entry into Brazil in December aligned perfectly with this event. SBC Summit Rio offered an exceptional opportunity for us to leverage the existing momentum and establish vital connections. With a notable turnout and invaluable networking sessions with prominent figures in the Brazilian sector, the event delivered on all fronts. For a European company venturing into this new territory, the knowledge acquired and relationships forged with affiliates and suppliers will be pivotal in shaping our strategy,” said Alex Fonseca, CEO Brazil, Superbet.
The projected affiliate count of 300 was also surpassed, with 447 affiliates in attendance, marking a significant 49% increase over the initial target. This sets a promising precedent for the launch of the dedicated Affiliate Leaders Summit in Rio in 2025, providing a platform for affiliation and marketing professionals to deliberate on traffic acquisition strategies in the burgeoning market.
Clever Advertising COO Marcos Oliveira commented: “SBC truly outdid themselves with this event — the diverse representation of operators, both local and international, was fantastic to see, and the connections we made will help us set a strong foothold in Brazil, marking a crucial step forward for our business. SBC Summit Rio was about learning, taking action, and making things happen. For the 2025 edition, I am very pleased to support and sponsor the Affiliate Leaders Summit — adding a dedicated summit is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Zé Roberto, the celebrated Brazilian former footballer, kicked off the event with a keynote that drew a full house, initiating a highly productive conference segment featuring 100 influential voices in line with SBC’s renowned standards. Furthermore, the event witnessed the official launch of the Associação de Mulheres da Indústria Gaming (AMIG), underscoring SBC’s commitment to empowering women within the gaming sector.
One of the networking highlights beyond the exhibition floor throughout the event’s three-day duration was an evening gathering at the Museu do Amanhã. This event welcomed Rio de Janeiro governor Cláudio Castro, who engaged in discussions with organizers, exploring the profound impact that events of this magnitude have on the industry and Brazil’s economy.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC said: “I wouldn’t exactly label the turnout as surprising; it was evident from the outset that this event held great promise for several reasons: the timing, the choice of Rio as the host city, and the quality associated with SBC.
“Nevertheless, I’m genuinely delighted to have had the opportunity to host both the Brazilian and international industry at our debut event in Rio. The conference provided much-needed insights from top experts, and the expo floor was teeming with activity. I’d dare say that the entire Brazilian industry was in attendance. Thank you all for your support. Let’s all work on making great things happen in 2025.”
BigCash, India’s leading online skill-based real money gaming company, has set its sights on global expansion and aims to offer an unparalleled gaming experience to users worldwide. The global skill-based gaming market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of 13.50% and will be valued at USD 106.78 billion, by 2032. Building on its success in India, BigCash is poised to introduce its entertaining games to global audiences, uniquely blending local flavors with its hallmark innovative gameplay.
BigCash started its journey in 2017 and has quickly become players’ preferred choice, by strategically focusing on launching new games and features regularly and due to its superfast and user-friendly interface. Being a multi-gaming app, it offers a wide range of games tailored for all age groups. With popular Indian card games, like poker, rummy, and call break with regional variations; casual games like ludo, ice blaster, fruit chop, along with fantasy cricket, the platform resonates deeply with the players of Bharat.
Continuing on the mission to take Indian technology global and to reach a wider global gaming audience, BigCash, after months of an in-depth market study, had set its views on expanding its global presence with in-house developed and tailored gaming technology and experience. BigCash presently operates in Brazil, besides India.
One of the key reasons behind BigCash’s entry into the Latin American market is the region’s immense potential for growth in the gaming sector. Brazil, in particular, has emerged as a hotspot for gaming companies due to its large population, favorable demographics, and a growing middle class with disposable income.
BigCash’s global expansion plans include multiple launches in Latin America, Asia, and Africa over the next 12 months. BigCash plans to offer local and international flavors, customized specifically for each country, with a focus on Responsible Gaming and other trust measures, to ensure a deeper bonding with the players.
Ankur Singh, CEO of BigCash, said: “Going global has been part of our strategic planning always; with our launch in Brazil, we have just taken the first step. We are aspiring to be present in 8 countries in the next 12 months. The competitive landscape in Latin America’s gaming industry presents both opportunities and challenges. BigCash is a perfect fit for the Latin American gaming landscape due to our stronghold on tech, which allows product customizations, easy-to-play online games, a supersafe and fast experience; we are already gaining a lot of organic traction.”
QTech Games, the leading games distributor for all emerging markets, has appointed David Camacho to the new role of Account Manager for LatAm Markets.
Camacho arrives at QTech Games after a successful and long-serving spell at Tabella, a global powerhouse across varied igaming verticals, where he proved himself across a range of senior roles focusing on the LatAm markets. At QTech Games, David will drive sales and its existing presence across Central and South America, growing its global footprint in more Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories.
QTech Games commented: “We’re delighted that David is now part of the QTech team. His extensive experience and network in the industry are second to none, after over two decades in the sector. So, he will prove a true asset to both QTech Games and all our clients, as we will deepen our existing influence across Hispanic markets in Central and South America.
“Recruiting the best localised talent and expertise has always been a central pillar of our strategy. Therefore, we’re naturally thrilled to have David on board.
David Camacho added: “I’m excited to be joining QTech Games, a company with the most remarkable content suite across varied igaming verticals, all delivered via a stellar platform built on bleeding-edge technology. I can’t wait to get started by deploying my business connections and contacts across a region I know so well at such a crucial point in its maturation.
“Of course, when it comes to LatAm, everyone’s talking about the unfolding scene in Brazil, but I’ll also be concentrating our efforts in more mature countries such as Colombia and Mexico, alongside some other opportunities in Peru, another promising territory with one of the most operator-friendly regulations in recent times. Argentina and Chile will also be interesting in due course. Apart from the strong growth in this region, I believe we will be able to fuel it further with our new QTech Hybrid product that fits perfectly in all these markets!”
QTech Hybrid – get in touch to find out more!
QTech Hybrid will next be showcased at the upcoming SBWA+ show in Ghana in August, where QTech Games delegates will be on site to unpack its breakout technology and salient applications for joining up the retail and digital-mobile experience. QTech Hybrid offers a retail solution that can be transferred seamlessly to mobile in any emerging market, enabling the customer to continue playing after leaving the retail environment. QTech Hybrid allows players to access the full game library of QTech Games, while the retail solution also contains a state-of-the-art Agent Management System. It’s also an instant win for efficient payments.
BETBY strengthens its Latin American position with agreement to power leading Brazilian brand Pixbet
BETBY, the premium sports betting supplier, has signed a long-term sports betting agreement with Pixbet. The partnership will see Pixbet leverage Betby’s award-winning sports betting solution and services to upgrade its current sportsbook, offering Brazilians a best-in-class online betting experience.
Pixbet a leading Brazilian bookmaker present throughout the national territory, is well known for its bold marketing strategy, having earlier this year been announced as the new shirt sponsor for Brazilian soccer club Flamengo under a lucrative two-year deal.
Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at Betby, said: “It is a pleasure to have put pen to paper on this agreement with Pixbet, an operator whose management team boasts clear expertise and a passion for sports betting that mirrors our own.
“This agreement further bolsters Betby’s impressive range of partners throughout Brazil and Latin America, and we are excited to capitalise on the rich promise this partnership holds.”
Ernildo Junior, owner of Pixbet, said: “We are very pleased to have signed with Betby as we look to further deliver on our sports betting ambitions to become the leading betting brand in Brazil.
“Betby has a proven track record in Latin America and its suite of high-performance sportsbook technology will provide our players with a superior sports betting experience whilst providing us with cutting-edge risk management tools.”
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