Table of Contents
Introduction – BiS SiGMA South America 2026
Introduction – Brazil’s Gambling Market
Introduction – Gambling Regulation in Brazil
Introduction – Economic Impact
Economic Impact Assessment – Main Assumptions
Summary of Economic Impacts
Delegate Attendance
Economic Impact Assessment – Main Assumptions
Hotel Nights
Hotel Spend
Food And Beverage Spend
Ancillary Spend
Total Delegate Spend
Total Spend
Summary
01\ Introduction – BiS SiGMA South America 2026
• BiS SiGMA South America 2026 is the flagship event for Latin America and one of the largest gatherings of the global gaming and gaming-related technology industries in the region.
• The summit serves as a strategic meeting point for the entire iGaming, sports betting, payments, technology and digital entertainment ecosystem, bringing together operators, suppliers, regulators, investors, affiliates and media under one roof.
• The event is expected to attract in excess of 18,000 delegates, more than 400 exhibitors and sponsors and over 250 expert speakers.
• Participants include C-level executives and decision-makers from global companies providing a platform for investment discussions, partnerships and cross-border business development across the Americas and beyond.
• Since its launch in Brazil, the event has experienced rapid year-on-year growth, with attendance rising from approximately 7,000 delegates in 2023 to around 17,500 in 2025, underscoring the region’s expanding market potential.
• As part of SiGMA Group’s global portfolio of summits, the event contributes to a wider international ecosystem that promotes responsible gaming, technological innovation and investment in digital industries.
• It attracts international participants from across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, positioning Brazil as a gateway to regional markets and a centre for innovation-led growth.
02\ Introduction – Brazil’s Gambling Market
• Brazil – and São Paulo in particular - has become a focal point for the industry due to its large consumer market, evolving regulatory framework and role as a financial and business hub of Latin America.
• São Paulo plays a central role as the country’s financial, corporate and technology hub, making it the natural location for industry headquarters, service providers and major events.
• Many international operators entering the newly regulated market establish offices or partnerships in São Paulo due to its concentration of legal, financial, marketing and digital talent.
• As Brazil’s largest metropolitan economy, São Paulo serves as the principal gateway for foreign investment into the country’s emerging gaming and betting sectors.
03\ Introduction – Gambling Regulation in B razil
• Brazil historically maintained a strict prohibition on most forms of gambling, including land-based casinos, which remains in place for physical casino operations today.
• In response to the rapid growth of online betting and international operators targeting Brazilian consumers, the federal government established a comprehensive regulatory framework for fixed-odds sports betting and certain online gaming activities.
• The framework aims to formalise a market that had been operating largely without detailed regulation, prioritising consumer protection, tax collection and integrity of sporting competitions.
• Brazil’s fully regulated federal online betting market formally commenced on 1 January 2025.
• BiS SiGMA 2026 takes place at a pivotal moment as Brazil transitions from prohibition to a regulated market, positioning the country as one of the most significant new jurisdictions in the global gaming industry.
04\ Introduction – Economic Impact
• The summit is expected to generate substantial short-term economic impact through visitor expenditure on accommodation, transport, food and beverage, retail and event services – while also producing indirect and induced effects across the wider economy.
• Beyond immediate spending, the event serves as a platform for foreign direct investment, corporate expansion and technology transfer thereby supporting long-term economic development objectives.
• Hosting the summit enhances the country’s international visibility as a regulated, business-friendly jurisdiction for digital industries, innovation and advanced services.
• The event aligns with government priorities related to tourism diversification, high-value business travel, knowledge-based industries and export-oriented growth, further positioning São Paulo as a regional hub.
05\ Economic Impact Assessment – Main Assumptions
• The global gambling market growth rate is expected to be around 6–7% p.a. between 2025 and 2035 according to one source, while another source expects such market to grow at a 11–12% p.a. from 2024 to 2029.
• In our analysis we have taken these two growth rates (6% and 12%) as our ‘base’ low and high scenarios for growth in attendees at future BiS SiGMA events held in Brazil.
• It has been assumed that 32% of delegates will be from outside Brazil, with the remaining 68% being split between São Paulo residents and non-São Paulo residents; these figures have implications on projected spending patterns.
• Inflation rates of 4% p.a. in 2026, 3.3% in 2027 and 2.9% p.a. for the years 2028 to 2030 have been assumed.
• The impact is assessed through direct expenditure in Brazil enabled as a result of the BiS SiGMA event.
• In addition to the base scenarios (low and high) described above, another 2 scenarios were derived, in which it was assumed that by 2030 the number of attendees would reach two and four times respectively the level of 2016 attendees.
*Data courtesy of Market Research Future.