SBC just locked in a powerful new partnership with the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) that will shape the future of betting in Latin America’s biggest market. The deal makes IBJR the official responsible gaming partner for SBC Summit Rio 2026, the region’s largest gambling industry event.
This alliance arrives at a critical moment. Brazil fully opened its online sports betting and casino market on January 1, 2025, after years of delays. Over 100 companies now hold licenses, and billions of dollars are flowing through legal channels for the first time.
Why This Partnership Matters Right Now
The new partnership goes far beyond a simple logo on banners. SBC founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark called it “a landmark moment” for the industry in Brazil. Both groups want to show the world that growth and player safety can move forward together.
IBJR president Andre Gelfi said the deal gives his organization a direct voice at the biggest industry gathering in the country. “We want every conversation about the future of betting in Brazil to include strong responsible gaming standards from day one,” Gelfi told reporters.
The partnership creates new education tracks, special workshops, and dedicated exhibit space focused entirely on safer gambling tools and practices at the 2026 summit.
What Visitors Will Actually See at SBC Summit Rio 2026
The event runs March 3 to 5 at Riocentro Convention Center in Rio de Janeiro. Organizers expect more than 10,000 attendees from across Latin America and beyond.
Key features tied to the new partnership include:
- A full Responsible Gaming Zone on the exhibition floor
- Daily panels with regulators, operators, and treatment experts
- Live demonstrations of the latest player protection technology
- Special certification programs for companies that meet high standards
Brazil already requires every licensed operator to offer self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and reality checks. The IBJR partnership will showcase companies going well beyond these basic rules.
Who Runs IBJR and Why Operators Joined So Fast
The institute launched in 2023 when Brazil finally passed its long-awaited betting law. Nine major companies signed up within months.
Current members include bet365, Betano, Betsson Group, BetMGM, Entain, Flutter Entertainment, and several others. Together they control the vast majority of the legal Brazilian market.
These companies pay taxes now and face heavy fines if they break rules. They created IBJR to fight illegal offshore sites that still take Brazilian money while offering zero player protections.
The Numbers Behind Brazil’s Betting Boom
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensed operators | 103+ as of February 2025 |
| Expected market size by 2028 | $3 billion+ in annual revenue |
| Tax rate on turnover | 12% for online gaming |
| License fee | R$30 million (about $5.3 million) |
| Fine for illegal sites | Up to R$2 billion per company |
The government blocked over 2,000 illegal gambling sites in the first month of regulation alone. Legal companies welcome these crackdowns because they finally compete on fair ground.
How This Changes Things for Brazilian Players
Regular bettors will feel the impact long before the 2026 summit opens its doors. The partnership pushes operators to roll out better tools right now.
Many companies already added pop-up warnings after heavy losses. Others started using artificial intelligence to spot problem gambling patterns earlier. The new SBC-IBJR alliance promises to spread these best practices across the entire market.
Players gain more power to control their spending. They also get clearer information about risks written in simple Portuguese instead of fine print.
The partnership sends a strong message to the thousands of companies still operating illegally: clean up your act or get left behind.
This deal between SBC and IBJR proves the Brazilian market has truly grown up. Major global players and local regulators now work from the same playbook with player protection at its heart. When SBC Summit Rio opens in 2026, visitors will see a market that grew fast without losing its soul.
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