Industry experts recently analyzed the current landscape and future prospects for the legalization of land-based casinos in Brazil. The inaugural GAT Brazil event took place on July 30, bringing together professionals from the gaming and betting sectors to discuss the industry's present and future.
At the conference, there was unanimous agreement among participants that effective governance, compliance, legal certainty, and a focus on responsible gaming practices are essential for the sustainable growth of the sector. The event opened with the introduction of the GAT Brazil Ambassadors, a group of influential industry leaders committed to promoting dialogue and knowledge sharing between the public and private sectors.
José Aníbal Aguirre, Founder and CEO of GAT Events, emphasized Brazil’s significance as the largest gaming market in Latin America, announcing the 1st Latin American Responsible Gaming Congress scheduled for October 20–21, 2027, in São Paulo. Liliana Costa, LATAM Director of World Gaming Business, reaffirmed Brazil's potential, highlighting the company's commitment to enhancing its international profile during the official launch.
The keynote presentation by Alex W. Pariente, Chair of GAT Official Launch Brazil 2026 and Founder of Pariente Advisory, underscored the sharp focus on the gaming market, which generated R$37 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in its first year. He explained that while this volume is impressive, a parallel illegal market of a similar size still undermines the industry's credibility. Pariente complimented the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) for its efforts to foster a sustainable market but stressed that the channelization process requires further action.
In a panel discussion, Neil Montgomery, Founder of Montgomery and GAT Ambassador, asked panelists how to incentivize illegal operators to transition to the regulated market. Caio de Souza Loureiro from TozziniFreire Advogados stated that coordinated efforts among government agencies are vital, as the SPA lacks the necessary structure to tackle these challenges effectively.
The panelists agreed on the importance of implementing robust regulatory measures and promoting responsible advertising to empower consumers to identify licensed operators. The FIFA World Cup was discussed as a crucial opportunity to boost the visibility of the regulated market, though it did not significantly increase betting volume. The focus remained on developing educational campaigns to foster a culture of responsible gaming within society.
The conversation then shifted to the emerging B2B licensing framework, with Hugo Leite from Gaming Laboratories International advocating for comprehensive supplier licensing to enhance regulatory sustainability. Panelists agreed on the critical role certification plays in creating barriers against illegal gaming.
The future of integrated resorts was addressed, focusing on Bill PL 2234 currently in the Federal Senate. Plínio Lemos Jorge, President of ANJL, regarded legalization as a "historic opportunity" to boost public revenue and expand entertainment options. Waldir Marques, former government official, emphasized that investors seek legal certainty, and Daniel Fernandes added that the legislative process would ultimately shape the sector's future.
Bruno Omori from IDT-CEMA projected that legalization could generate a substantial economic impact of up to R$70 billion across various sectors including tourism and construction. Panelists affirmed that developing land-based casinos must follow the principles of legal certainty and responsible gaming.
The integration of online gaming with land-based casinos was discussed as essential for the regulated market. With expectations of the Federal Supreme Court addressing the prohibition of games of chance, experts noted a potential for accelerated regulation. Max Bauer of Novomatic expressed optimism that balanced legislation would attract top gaming operators to Brazil.
In closing, José Aníbal Aguirre and Alex W. Pariente acknowledged the contributions of the GAT Brazil Ambassadors and speakers from various sectors, expressing their commitment to supporting Brazil’s gaming market growth under responsible gaming principles. They announced plans for the next GAT Brazil edition on October 20–21, 2027, in São Paulo, reinforcing a commitment to transparent and sustainable industry development.
