The iGaming market in Brazil has ceased to be a “promise” and has become an operational, regulatory, and economic reality on a global scale.

As the first quarter of 2026 closes, the country is not only preparing for the world’s largest international football tournament, but also consolidating an institutional framework aimed at balancing the industry’s explosive growth with the integrity of the financial and democratic systems.

This weekly summary compiles and analyzes the most critical developments of the week, connecting the business infrastructure in São Paulo with constitutional debates in Brasília and the technological innovations reshaping the user experience.

São Paulo as a Regional Epicenter: The Infrastructure and Business Phenomenon of BiS SiGMA South America

To understand the scale of the Brazilian market, it is essential to look at São Paulo.

The metropolis has established itself as the undisputed capital of executive events in Latin America, a title supported by operational scale, robust infrastructure, and a unique ability to attract highly qualified business audiences.

According to São Paulo’s MICE calendar data, the city closed 2025 with more than 8,700 registered events, ranging from technical congresses to major industrial trade shows.

At the same time, the city has strengthened its position as Brazil’s main gateway for international tourism, recording 2.5 million international visitors in 2025, according to figures cited by the São Paulo City Hall based on Embratur data.

This favorable environment—combining air connectivity, a strong hotel network, cutting-edge convention centers, and a hyperactive business ecosystem—creates ideal conditions for high-level events to thrive.

It is within this context of operational maturity that the city hosts, from April 6 to 9, 2026, at the Transamerica Expo Center, the sixth edition of BiS SiGMA South America.

Considered the largest and most traditional gathering in the iGaming universe in Latin America, BiS SiGMA South America is part of the global SiGMA Group portfolio.

For the 2026 edition, expectations include 18,500 attendees, more than 400 exhibitors and sponsors, and a content program featuring over 250 speakers.

Alessandro Valente, one of the event’s founders and a key figure in structuring a qualified discussion space for the sector in Brazil, commented on the city’s strategic importance:

“São Paulo has a unique DNA for executive events: it is where decisions are made, where networking happens with purpose, and where Brazil meets the world.”

“Hosting the sixth edition of BiS SiGMA South America in this city reinforces its leadership and confirms the sector’s maturity, which now demands technical dialogue, international connections, and a business environment that matches its growth.”

Impact on Market Professionalization

Beyond the trade show, the event offers a robust program of panels, workshops, and awards, addressing critical topics such as innovation, operations, market trends, and best practices.

This structure actively contributes to the evolution and professionalization of the ecosystem, consolidating São Paulo as the natural stage for meetings that drive the country’s economy and executive agenda.

The scale of the 2026 event is a direct testament to how the “technical dialogue” mentioned by Valente has become a priority for operators, regulators, and investors.

The Political-Constitutional Front: Shielding or Revenue? The Debate Around the Security PEC

While São Paulo handles business operations, Brasília is the stage for a crucial battle over legal certainty and the sector’s long-term legitimacy.

Online betting companies assess that the inclusion of bets in the Security PEC (Proposed Constitutional Amendment), approved in early March by the Chamber of Deputies, represents an ambiguous yet fundamental step: it legitimizes and protects the sector, but at a high transactional cost.

The Perspective of Associations and the Regulated Sector

The PEC text does not directly increase taxes paid by the sector but establishes a constitutional allocation: 30% of betting revenue must be directed to the National Public Security Fund (FNSP).

It also includes provisions that recovered, seized, or confiscated assets from illegal betting operations will contribute to this fund.

For industry representatives, mentioning betting in the Constitution makes future attempts to render it illegal more difficult.

The ANJL (National Association of Games and Lotteries) considers the constitutional inclusion “a very important fact to be observed in the PEC,” stating that it makes the legitimacy of the regulated sector clearer and reinforces the need to combat the illegal market.

Similarly, the IBJR (Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming) stated that “the presence of the sector in the constitutional text certainly strengthens the legitimacy of formal operators,” considering the new text positive if supported by Parliament and the legal community.

Even the ABFS (Brazilian Association of Bets and Fantasy Sports), while not addressing the constitutional inclusion directly, expressed support for the PEC, viewing it as a relevant measure in combating organized crime.

Dissenting Voices: The Question of Effective Legal Certainty

However, there is no consensus that this constitutional mention guarantees absolute legal certainty. Congressman Mendonça Filho (União-PE) argues that there is nothing to celebrate, stating that the mention does not guarantee legal certainty per se:

“The formalization of the betting sector in Brazil occurred through an ordinary law, which recognizes the allocation of resources. If an ordinary law were to prohibit betting operations in Brazil, even with a constitutional allocation, that allocation would become ineffective, because revenue only exists if legality exists.”

This technical view highlights the fragility of a model dependent on both constitutional amendments and ordinary legislation, as well as ministerial ordinances (SPA).

The PEC rapporteur rejected both government proposals to increase tax revenue and industry requests to include a clause preventing future tax increases, arguing that tax rates do not belong in the Constitution.

The Risk of Future Taxation

The absence of a cap on potential future tax increases was seen as a setback for the sector, according to lawyer Pietro Lorenzoni from ANJL’s legal team.

From an academic perspective, constitutional law professor Marina Faraco of PUC-SP stated that the inclusion “may provide an additional argument for the sector, but not eternal protection.”

She noted that making the activity illegal would require constitutional amendment, which increases legal difficulty but does not eliminate risk.

As a constitutional amendment, the proposal cannot be vetoed by the President.

Judicial Context: The Challenge from Paulo Gonet

While the proposal advances in Congress, the very existence of betting remains under judicial scrutiny. At the end of last year, Attorney General Paulo Gonet reiterated before the Supreme Federal Court (STF) a request to suspend the laws authorizing betting operations.

The IBJR dismissed the challenge, citing the regulatory framework built over the past two years as sufficient to validate the sector’s legality.

This regulatory framework has been the sector’s main defense. The federal government supported regulation to increase tax revenue.

In December, Congress approved a gradual increase in the tax rate on gross gaming revenue (GGR), rising from 12% to 13% in 2026, 14% in 2027, and 15% in 2028.

A Tactical Lobby Victory: The Anti-Faction Bill

The industry secured a significant victory during the vote on the Anti-Faction Bill in the Chamber at the end of February. The original proposal included an additional 15% tax on transfers from individuals to betting platforms.

However, the largest parliamentary bloc requested a separate vote on this provision, which was ultimately removed.

This demonstrates the sector’s political influence in blocking burdensome fiscal measures in the short term.

Operational Integrity and Enforcement: The Battle Against Piracy and the Illegal Market

The success of Brazil’s regulated market depends directly on the State’s ability to suppress illegal supply. This issue was central to discussions at the Chamber’s External Commission on Piracy and the “Legal Brazil” agenda.

Anatel’s Role in Site Blocking

Gianluca Rangearo Fiorentini, enforcement manager at Anatel, explained the agency’s role in blocking illegal betting websites, emphasizing the need to remove unauthorized operators for the regulatory framework to function effectively.

He outlined technical cooperation agreements with the Ministry of Finance but clarified that Anatel cannot independently remove content. Instead, it forwards blocking requests to telecom providers, which control the networks.

The “Legal Brazil” Approach

Anatel’s anti-piracy efforts, led by councilor Edson Holanda, focus on rapid response mechanisms.

Through technical cooperation agreements, the agency aims to “suffocate” illegal supply, ensuring that licensed operators—who paid R$30 million for licenses and contribute to the FNSP—can operate in a fair market.

Democratic Integrity: TSE and the Ethical Limits of Electoral Betting

While the sector seeks legal protection, electoral authorities impose strict limits to safeguard democratic integrity.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) reaffirmed the prohibition of betting on election outcomes, based on Article 334 of the Electoral Code.

The rule aims to prevent financial incentives from influencing voter behavior and to ensure transparent elections.

This decision impacts prediction market platforms globally. Brazilian operators such as Prévias, Palpitada, and Futuriza are prohibited from offering electoral betting.

Even international partnerships, such as Kalshi with XP, restrict offerings to economic indicators, excluding electoral and sports events.

Marketing and Audience: The New Era of Creators and Football Passion

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, marketing strategies are undergoing structural change. Betnacional, part of Flutter Brazil, announced its creator squad for the tournament, featuring prominent digital personalities.

This reflects a shift in consumer behavior. According to a 2026 study by Monks Brasil, 77% of Brazilians consider football central to national identity, and 55% find fan-generated content more engaging than traditional advertising.

Executives at Flutter Brazil emphasized that integrating creators enables more authentic engagement and deeper participation in existing fan conversations.

In 2026, iGaming marketing in Brazil is no longer about banner volume, but about organic conversion and cultural authority within digital communities.

Regional Technological Outlook: U.S. Innovation as a Blueprint for Brazil

While Brazil refines its operational and marketing strategies, global markets point to the next technological phase.

In North America, Sportradar expanded its partnership with Hard Rock BetHard Rock, integrating official data from the PGA TOUR and UFC.

This enables highly dynamic in-play betting markets, enhanced by advanced visualizations such as 3D shot tracking and real-time performance analytics.

Executives from both companies highlighted how these integrations enhance user engagement and create more personalized betting experiences.

As Brazil’s market matures in 2026, high-fidelity data integration, 3D tracking, and ultra-specific micro-markets are expected to become key competitive differentiators for licensed operators—topics likely to dominate discussions at BiS SiGMA 2026.