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.”
Latest News
“‘The Wall’ is just a mental hurdle”: FGN founder Fernando Saffores shares his core business values
Fernando Saffores, founder of Focus Gaming News, shares the core values that have guided him through over 20 years of success in the iGaming industry in a new interview with Slotegrator. He also highlights what business leaders can learn from running marathons and flying private planes, as well as the biggest challenges new operators face and the markets and trends that will shape the future of iGaming.
Fernando Saffores, founder of Focus Gaming News, has seen some massive changes in the iGaming industry in his 20+ years of experience: the shift from an unregulated “Wild West” to a sophisticated, multi-billion dollar industry, the overturning of PASPA, and the introduction of AI tools, which his company quickly adopted. He shares the core values that have guided him to success throughout it all in a new interview with Slotegrator.
The wisdom you need to rise to the top of an industry like iGaming can come from anywhere: In addition to running one of the industry’s most prominent media brands, Fernando finds time to run marathons. In his view, the planning, discipline, and mental fortitude it takes to run 42 km mirror what it takes to run a business. One key is consistency: “You don’t run a marathon on the day of the race; you run it during the months of training at 5:30 AM.”
Another parallel is Fernando’s experience as a private pilot. Flying requires extreme focus and an ability to make split-second decisions under pressure, skills that belong in the boardroom as well as in the cockpit — he shares other concrete takeaways in the interview.
Fernando also breaks down the biggest challenges facing new operators today: “meaningful differentiation in a saturated market.” New iGaming businesses have to contend with soaring CAC, complex compliance requirements, and the struggle of finding the right unique niche — whether that’s through hyper-localized content, superior UX, innovative gamification, or something else. In the interview, Fernando shares the one approach he sees making the biggest difference for emerging operators.
Every business makes scaling a priority, but navigating varying laws, tax structures, and cultural nuances across global jurisdictions is no small task; in the interview, Fernando highlights the one strategic misstep he sees operators make again and again that stops them from becoming a global player.
Fernando also covers the markets and trends that will shape the near future of the iGaming industry, the brands he first turned to for support when founding FGN, the extent of FGN’s reach, his thoughts on the global AI boom, and more — read the full interview here to learn more about Fernando’s lessons in resilience, inspiration, and commitment.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
The post “‘The Wall’ is just a mental hurdle”: FGN founder Fernando Saffores shares his core business values appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
“‘The Wall’ is just a mental hurdle”: FGN founder Fernando Saffores shares his core business values
Fernando Saffores, founder of Focus Gaming News, shares the core values that have guided him through over 20 years of success in the iGaming industry in a new interview with Slotegrator. He also highlights what business leaders can learn from running marathons and flying private planes, as well as the biggest challenges new operators face and the markets and trends that will shape the future of iGaming.
Fernando Saffores, founder of Focus Gaming News, has seen some massive changes in the iGaming industry in his 20+ years of experience: the shift from an unregulated “Wild West” to a sophisticated, multi-billion dollar industry, the overturning of PASPA, and the introduction of AI tools, which his company quickly adopted. He shares the core values that have guided him to success throughout it all in a new interview with Slotegrator.
The wisdom you need to rise to the top of an industry like iGaming can come from anywhere: In addition to running one of the industry’s most prominent media brands, Fernando finds time to run marathons. In his view, the planning, discipline, and mental fortitude it takes to run 42 km mirror what it takes to run a business. One key is consistency: “You don’t run a marathon on the day of the race; you run it during the months of training at 5:30 AM.”
Another parallel is Fernando’s experience as a private pilot. Flying requires extreme focus and an ability to make split-second decisions under pressure, skills that belong in the boardroom as well as in the cockpit — he shares other concrete takeaways in the interview.
Fernando also breaks down the biggest challenges facing new operators today: “meaningful differentiation in a saturated market.” New iGaming businesses have to contend with soaring CAC, complex compliance requirements, and the struggle of finding the right unique niche — whether that’s through hyper-localized content, superior UX, innovative gamification, or something else. In the interview, Fernando shares the one approach he sees making the biggest difference for emerging operators.
Every business makes scaling a priority, but navigating varying laws, tax structures, and cultural nuances across global jurisdictions is no small task; in the interview, Fernando highlights the one strategic misstep he sees operators make again and again that stops them from becoming a global player.
Fernando also covers the markets and trends that will shape the near future of the iGaming industry, the brands he first turned to for support when founding FGN, the extent of FGN’s reach, his thoughts on the global AI boom, and more — read the full interview here to learn more about Fernando’s lessons in resilience, inspiration, and commitment.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
The post “‘The Wall’ is just a mental hurdle”: FGN founder Fernando Saffores shares his core business values appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Latest News
“‘The Wall’ is just a mental hurdle”: FGN founder Fernando Saffores shares his core business values
Fernando Saffores, founder of Focus Gaming News, shares the core values that have guided him through over 20 years of success in the iGaming industry in a new interview with Slotegrator. He also highlights what business leaders can learn from running marathons and flying private planes, as well as the biggest challenges new operators face and the markets and trends that will shape the future of iGaming.
Fernando Saffores, founder of Focus Gaming News, has seen some massive changes in the iGaming industry in his 20+ years of experience: the shift from an unregulated “Wild West” to a sophisticated, multi-billion dollar industry, the overturning of PASPA, and the introduction of AI tools, which his company quickly adopted. He shares the core values that have guided him to success throughout it all in a new interview with Slotegrator.
The wisdom you need to rise to the top of an industry like iGaming can come from anywhere: In addition to running one of the industry’s most prominent media brands, Fernando finds time to run marathons. In his view, the planning, discipline, and mental fortitude it takes to run 42 km mirror what it takes to run a business. One key is consistency: “You don’t run a marathon on the day of the race; you run it during the months of training at 5:30 AM.”
Another parallel is Fernando’s experience as a private pilot. Flying requires extreme focus and an ability to make split-second decisions under pressure, skills that belong in the boardroom as well as in the cockpit — he shares other concrete takeaways in the interview.
Fernando also breaks down the biggest challenges facing new operators today: “meaningful differentiation in a saturated market.” New iGaming businesses have to contend with soaring CAC, complex compliance requirements, and the struggle of finding the right unique niche — whether that’s through hyper-localized content, superior UX, innovative gamification, or something else. In the interview, Fernando shares the one approach he sees making the biggest difference for emerging operators.
Every business makes scaling a priority, but navigating varying laws, tax structures, and cultural nuances across global jurisdictions is no small task; in the interview, Fernando highlights the one strategic misstep he sees operators make again and again that stops them from becoming a global player.
Fernando also covers the markets and trends that will shape the near future of the iGaming industry, the brands he first turned to for support when founding FGN, the extent of FGN’s reach, his thoughts on the global AI boom, and more — read the full interview here to learn more about Fernando’s lessons in resilience, inspiration, and commitment.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
-
betting platforms7 days agoUS Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium
-
8bit Binks7 days ago
S8UL Esports Triumphs in VCSA 2026 Split 1: A Grand Final Masterclass
-
betting innovation6 days ago
DATA.BET Expands at SiGMA South America 2026
-
BiS Awards 20267 days ago
Brazil’s Gaming Evolution: EGT and EGT Digital Claim Top Honors at BiS Awards 2026
-
BiS Awards 20267 days ago
EGT and EGT Digital have been honored with the Best VLT Solution prize at the BiS Awards 2026
-
Brazil4 days ago
Fernando Carvalho outlines new era for prediction markets in Brazil with VoxFi white label technology
-
Brasil4 days ago
Fernando Carvalho define una nueva era para los mercados de predicción en Brasil con VoxFi
-
Boston7 days ago
Global Experts to Gather in Boston for First US Symposium on Online Gambling and Public Health
