BiS SiGMA South America 2026: Land-Based Casinos in Brazil Take Center Stage Amid Legal Revolution

The upcoming BiS SiGMA South America conference in São Paulo (April 6-9) is poised to become a pivotal moment for Brazil’s gaming industry, particularly regarding the future of land-based casinos. With an expected attendance of over 18,500 delegates, 400 exhibitors, and 250+ speakers, the event will serve as a critical platform for discussing the potential legalization of casinos—a topic gaining unprecedented momentum.

The conference will feature four dedicated panels on April 8 exploring Brazil’s land-based casino landscape, coinciding with a landmark legal case (Extraordinary Appeal RE 966177) scheduled for April 23. This case challenges the constitutionality of Brazil’s 1941 Criminal Misdemeanors Law, which has long prohibited gambling. The outcome could reshape Brazil’s gaming regulations entirely.

The first panel, “Land-based casinos in Brazil: From Proposal to Practice”, will examine how to create a regulatory framework that ensures both safety and economic viability. This discussion gains urgency as Bill No. 2,234/2022, which aims to legalize casinos, nears a Senate vote after decades of debate. Another session, “International Overview of Indigenous Partnerships in the Casino Industry”, will analyze global models of cooperation between indigenous communities and operators, addressing governance, revenue-sharing, and cultural protection.

The final panel, “Physical or Digital? Between Boundaries and Convergences in the Casino Industry”, will explore the evolving relationship between land-based and digital casinos. Topics include hybrid operational models, regulatory challenges, customer protection, and data analytics—issues that will define Brazil’s future gaming ecosystem.

With legislative and judicial processes converging, this year marks a turning point for Brazil’s land-based casino sector. The conference will not only highlight international best practices but also position Brazil to adapt these models to its unique cultural and legal landscape.