BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 welcomes 17,500 Delegates; Anticipating 18,000 for 2026
From 8th to 10th April 2025, the Transamerica Expo Centre served as the epicentre of the iGaming world, welcoming over 17,500 global delegates, 300 speakers and 600 exhibitors to the highly anticipated BiS SiGMA Americas Summit 2025, along with an extended floorplan of 1,506,947 sq. ft. This annual gathering brought together a high-calibre mix of regulators, operators, affiliates, and investors for three days of strategic discussions, business acceleration, and cross-market collaboration. Expectations are already high for 2026, with projected attendance set to exceed 18,000.
Inaugural ceremony: Global connections in iGaming
The summit commenced with a ceremonious opening, underscoring both the maturity and momentum of Brazil’s burgeoning gaming sector. Alessandro Valente, Co-Founder and President of the Brazilian iGaming Summit, opened the event by spotlighting the exceptional growth trajectory of Brazil’s iGaming market, one increasingly recognised as a gateway to the wider Latin American region.
Joining the stage for the inauguration was none other than Rubens Barrichello, legendary Formula 1 driver and Brazilian sports icon, who is also the Non-Executive Director in Latin America for SOFTSWISS, whose presence added a layer of prestige to the proceedings. Barrichello not only took part in the opening ceremony but also contributed to select panel discussions throughout the summit, offering insights on performance, branding, and the convergence between sports, entertainment, and gaming.
Following Valente’s remarks, Eman Pulis, Founder of SiGMA Group, highlighted the global footprint of the gaming industry and its power to unite geographically and culturally diverse stakeholders under one forward-thinking ecosystem. In a nod to international collaboration, His Excellency John Aquilina, Malta’s Ambassador to Brazil, expressed his commitment to reinforcing bilateral ties between Brazil and Malta, two regions with deepening mutual interests in regulated digital gaming and fintech innovation.
Celebrating excellence at the SiGMA Americas awards
The official curtain-raiser came in the form of the glittering SiGMA Americas Awards Ceremony, held at the upscale Tokio Marine Hall in Vila Cruzeiro. Now in its fourth year, the awards gala honoured outstanding contributors across 26 categories, spanning media, software, game development, affiliate innovation, and operational leadership.
Among the evening’s most memorable moments was Ronald Lopes taking the stage to accept the Best Affiliate 2025 award, a moment met with rousing applause. The awards programme, curated through public votes and industry peer review, was adjudicated by an esteemed panel of international experts, including Itai Hadas (VELI Group), Michelle Dvorak (MetroNY), Olga Resiga (SOFTSWISS), and Mario Fiorini (IGA Group), among others. Their collective expertise ensured that recognition was both merit-based and reflective of industry advancement.
SiGMA Charity Auction raises €23,000
Later that evening, the industry came together not just in celebration but in solidarity. The SiGMA Americas Charity Auction, also hosted at the Tokio Marine Hall, was presented by the charismatic Rick Goddard, a familiar presence at SiGMA gatherings. With humour and heart, Goddard steered the audience through a compelling auction featuring a series of curated artworks donated by international artists.
The night’s pinnacle came when a signed Pelé jersey, a symbol of Brazilian pride, fetched a remarkable €9,000, contributing to a total fundraising amount of €23,000. The initiative not only reflected the industry’s generosity but also reinforced its commitment to social impact across the region.
Betpass triumphs in SiGMA Pitch
Innovation remained a core pillar throughout the summit, particularly during the SiGMA Americas Pitch Competition, a platform designed to champion the next wave of gaming entrepreneurs. This year’s top honour went to Betpass, whose white-label solution, Affiliatech, impressed both judges and investors for its market readiness, adaptability, and scalability in affiliate tech.
Now in its third edition, the pitch event has evolved into a key feature of the summit, positioning start-ups as central to the sector’s continuous evolution. Betpass’s success story will undoubtedly serve as a blueprint for other up-and-coming ventures navigating the iGaming ecosystem.
MMA Thrills: Centurion FC Fight Night
Adding a thrilling, physical dimension to the week’s activities was a special MMA showcase hosted by Centurion FC, held in collaboration with SiGMA. This unique event blended the discipline of combat sports with the dynamism of entertainment, capturing the attention of both gaming and sporting audiences alike. The headline bout saw Willian Lima emerge victorious, a performance that embodied both resilience and precision, qualities equally admired in the high-stakes world of iGaming and beyond.
Further strengthening their social impact efforts, Centurion FC, together with the SiGMA Foundation, also marked the week with the inauguration of a new sports school in Brazil, aimed at empowering youth through access to structured training and mentorship. The crossover appeal of Fight Night and this philanthropic initiative reinforced SiGMA’s commitment to offering immersive experiences that resonate with both the industry and the community.
SiGMA Poker Tour Launches in Brazil
Adding an exhilarating entertainment layer to the summit was the launch of the SiGMA Poker Tour, which kicked off in São Paulo on 9th April, running through 14th April. Blending competition and community, the tournament attracted a broad spectrum of players, seasoned professionals, influencers, and enthusiasts united by a shared love of the game.
The Poker Tour will continue on the international circuit, heading next to Malta from 3rd to 7th September 2025, promising an even more competitive atmosphere and an expanded participant roster.
A Vibrant Celebration of Brazilian Culture: The Closing Ceremony
As the curtains drew on the São Paulo summit, delegates were treated to a spectacular finale that mirrored the cultural richness and energy of Brazil itself. The official BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 closing celebration, held on the evening of April 10th at the renowned Tokio Marine Hall, offered attendees a multi-sensory journey through Brazilian music and performance art. Commencing at 21:00 and proudly supported by Cactus Gaming, the event transformed the venue into a lively celebration of national identity, rhythm, and artistic expression. Open to all ticket holders, the evening brought together industry professionals in an atmosphere of unity, reflection, and celebration, underscoring the human dimension of an industry driven by innovation and international cooperation.
SiGMA’s Next Chapter in the Philippines
As BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 drew to a close, attention swiftly pivoted to the next global destination on the calendar: SiGMA Asia 2025, scheduled to take place from 1st to 4th June 2025 at the SMX Convention Centre, nestled in the heart of Manila’s Mall of Asia complex. Endorsed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the summit is poised to become one of the region’s most influential gatherings, with projections indicating attendance by over 20,000 delegates, 3,800 operators, and more than 350 speakers. The four-day programme will include a prestigious awards gala, exclusive networking dinners, high-level panel sessions, and a robust exhibition floor hosting B2B, B2C, and land-based exhibitors.
The agenda also features the SiGMA Asia Pitch competition and a vibrant calendar of social engagements, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to cultivating meaningful business connections across the Asia-Pacific landscape. With its strategic focus on regulatory dialogue, AI integration, fintech innovation, and gaming convergence, the Manila Summit is primed to further SiGMA’s global vision while spotlighting the immense commercial potential of the Asian market.
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