BIS SiGMA South America 2026: Conferences and Highlights in Photos
Brazil.- April 15, 2026 www.zonadeazar.com BIS SiGMA South America 2026: politics, innovation and new audiences at the heart of the debate.
The 2026 edition of BIS SiGMA South America 2026 cemented its position as one of the most influential gatherings in the Latin American gaming industry, combining a strong institutional agenda with debates on innovation, regulation and user behaviour.
One of the highlights was the event’s political and B2G dimension, with extensive participation from public authorities, representatives of state lotteries, judicial bodies, government entities and diplomatic delegations. This presence reaffirmed the event’s role as a strategic platform for dialogue between the private sector and governments in the region.
During the opening ceremony, various guest speakers were introduced, including hosts Alessandro Valente and Carlos Cardama, alongside Eman Pulis. Prominent figures also took part, such as former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello, currently an ambassador for Softswiss; Malta’s ambassador to Brazil, John Aquilina; and the president of the Superior Court of Sports Justice, Luiz Otavio Veríssimo Teixeira.
Below, we present exclusive photos capturing the highlights and the atmosphere of the conferences throughout the three-day event.
Another key theme of the opening address concerned the economic impact that an event of this magnitude generates in the host city. In this regard, Eman Pulis emphasised that a summit such as SiGMA not only boosts the gaming industry but also stimulates sectors such as hospitality, gastronomy, retail, logistics and services.
As he explained, the organisation and running of the event mobilise thousands of local workers — from technical suppliers and riggers to bars, restaurants and hotels — generating economic activity that extends far beyond the exhibition centre. Based on assessments carried out at previous editions of the event, the impact can exceed €100 million on local economies.
He also highlighted that this growth is taking place at a crucial juncture for Brazil, which is undergoing a transition from a fragmented market to a regulated environment, with greater capacity to attract international operators, investment and new development opportunities.
Within this institutional framework, leading figures such as Fabíola Esteves and Onésimo Diniz shared their perspectives on regulation, autonomy and coordination among the various stakeholders in the ecosystem.
The event’s agenda also addressed key topics such as responsible advertising in the digital age, sports integrity, artificial intelligence applied to gaming, and mergers and acquisitions in Latin America, alongside an analysis of the profile of the new bettor.
In this vein, Maurício Santos highlighted the shift in consumer habits towards more interactive experiences, whilst Felipe Fraga emphasised the role of sport as the main gateway to iGaming.
The event also featured networking opportunities and experiential activities, with the participation of sports figures such as Luizão, Vampeta and Müller, reflecting the strong connection between entertainment and betting in the Brazilian market.
Held at the Transamerica Expo Centre, the gathering confirmed Brazil’s position as one of the most significant markets globally and Latin America as a strategic region undergoing expansion.
Edited by @pererarte www.zonadeazar.com
