Ribbon cut ceremony and statements

The opening ceremony welcomed a distinguished lineup of guests, including Eman Pulis, Founder of SiGMA Group; Alessandro Valente and Carlos Cardama, Co-Founders of BiS; Luis Otavio Verissimo Teixeira, President of the Superior Court of Sports Justice; and John Aquilina, Ambassador of Malta to Brazil.

Eman Pulis set the tone with a heartfelt welcome: “Welcome to São Paulo, welcome to BiS SiGMA South America. We have a record attendance.” He thanked partners, sponsors, regulators, and industry leaders, emphasizing collaboration as the cornerstone of progress. “Regulation is the only way to go,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of working hand-in-hand with ministers, regulators, and entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on SiGMA’s global journey, Pulis noted: “Ten years ago we began organizing B2B events worldwide. Three years ago we moved to Brazil because we knew regulation was coming.” He also stressed the broader economic impact of the summit, from local businesses in São Paulo to Malta’s own gaming economy, which contributes over $100 million annually.

Beyond business, Pulis spotlighted the SiGMA Foundation, which aims to lift one million people out of poverty. “We installed the first sports school in a São Paulo favela, where a thousand students take lessons in math and languages. We will open more schools in Rio and Brasilia, and expand to Peru, Colombia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines,” he said.

Then, Ambassador John Aquilina praised SiGMA’s role in fostering economic ties between Malta and Brazil, while stressing the importance of regulation: “Legislation must protect the player. Supporting initiatives like the SiGMA Foundation is vital to ensuring that gaming contributes positively to society.”

Luis Otavio Verissimo Teixeira emphasized integrity in sports and the need for a regulated betting market: “The growth of football must be accompanied by a regulated betting market that preserves transparency—the main value of sport.”

Adding star power to the day, former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello highlighted the integration of sports and digital platforms. “In motorsport, sometimes the car performs perfectly, but the driver’s body cannot keep up. In those cases, power is reduced to ensure safety. The same principle should apply to iGaming,” he said. Attendees even joined Barrichello in a virtual simulation of the Interlagos circuit, illustrating the fusion of live sport and digital engagement.

BIS SIGMA hallways buzzing with activity

The expo floor was buzzing, with leading companies such as Belatra, EGT, EGT Digital, Amusnet Latam, Habanero, IGT, FastTrack and Air Dice, showcasing regulated products for the Brazilian market. Softswiss, the event’s main sponsor, drew attention with a racing car presented by Barrichello himself.

The corridors were filled with visitors, networking and exploring innovations that will shape the future of iGaming in Latin America. Day one of BiS SiGMA São Paulo 2026 confirmed the summit’s reputation as a landmark event—combining business, regulation, technology, and social impact under one roof.