Episode 17·57:35·12 Mar 2026

Alessandro Valente: Brazil iGaming Market Reality 2026 - Licensing, Blocked Sites & BiS SiGMA 2026

with Alessandro Valente, Chairman of BiS SiGMA South America

Surya Palli

Founder of iGaming Real Talk.·12 Mar 2026

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In this raw and honest episode of iGaming Real Talk, Alessandro Valente, Chairman of BiS SiGMA South America, shares his journey in the Brazilian market from pre-regulation days to the current regulated landscape.

He discusses the extremely high licensing and compliance costs pushing players toward illegal sites (with over 25,000 blocked in just one year), massive changes in market volumes since 2006, the impact of heavy marketing spends and sponsorships, player protection efforts, addiction comparisons to tobacco/alcohol, and why the industry deserves more freedom now.

Alessandro opens up about real failures including the collapse of his affiliate company Influx Media after a major client exit and commission cuts, his mindset on handling failure ("I'm not afraid of failure, I'm afraid of not being able to cope"), and how BiS SiGMA South America became the go-to event for serious business in Sao Paulo (with the fun and parties in Rio).

Key takeaways

Brazilian Market Regulation Challenges. High licensing and compliance costs are creating unintended consequences by pushing users toward illegal platforms.
The War on Unregulated Sites. Authorities have taken aggressive action in the Brazilian market, resulting in the blocking of over 25,000 illegal gambling websites within a single year.
Evolution of Market Dynamics. The Brazilian iGaming landscape has experienced massive growth in volume since 2006, significantly reshaped by heavy marketing investment and sports sponsorships.
Resilience in Entrepreneurship. Alessandro highlights the importance of mindset, stating he does not fear failure itself but rather the inability to adapt and cope with it.
Industry Responsibility. The episode covers critical discussions on player protection and the necessity of comparing gambling addiction to other industries like tobacco and alcohol.
Establishing BiS SiGMA South America. BiS SiGMA has successfully become the premier networking hub for professional iGaming business in Sao Paulo.

Notable quotes

I'm not afraid of failure, I'm afraid of not being able to cope.

The industry deserves more freedom now that the regulatory framework is taking shape.

About the guest

Alessandro Valente

Chairman of BiS SiGMA South America

Alessandro Valente is the Chairman of BiS SiGMA South America and a prominent figure in the Brazilian iGaming sector. With decades of experience, he is a seasoned entrepreneur who has navigated the industry's shift from unregulated markets to the current complex landscape of licensing and compliance.

Transcript excerpt

A short passage published by the podcast, not the whole conversation.

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Surya Palli
Alessandro, it is a pleasure to have you here on iGaming Real Talk. As we look toward 2026, how would you assess the current state of the Brazilian iGaming sector?
Alessandro Valente
It’s a complex landscape. I have been involved in this market for a long time, and I have seen it evolve significantly from the pre-regulation era to the intricate legislative environment we navigate today.
Surya Palli
You have been quite vocal about the challenges these regulations present. What is the biggest issue you see right now?
Alessandro Valente
The strain placed on operators by excessive licensing and compliance costs is the primary concern. My argument is that these high costs inadvertently drive traffic toward the unregulated black market, which remains a massive problem. To put that in perspective, we saw over 25,000 illicit sites blocked in a single year. The battle against these shadow operators is constant.
Surya Palli
Beyond the regulation, the industry has changed in other ways, hasn't it?
Alessandro Valente
Absolutely. We’ve seen staggering growth in market volumes since 2006, alongside very aggressive marketing and sponsorship strategies. Because of this, there is a critical need for robust player protection frameworks. I often draw parallels between gaming addiction and public health issues like tobacco and alcohol consumption. The industry should be granted more regulatory freedom to mature rather than being stifled by punitive measures.
Surya Palli
I want to pivot to your personal journey, Alessandro. You’ve shown great resilience, particularly regarding the collapse of your former company, Influx Media. How did you handle that?
Alessandro Valente
It was a difficult time, especially following the catastrophic loss of a major client. However, my philosophy has always been that I don't fear failure itself; what I fear is losing the ability to adapt. That mindset helped me move forward.
Surya Palli
That adaptability seems to have paid off with your current success. How has BiS SiGMA South America become such a central player in the industry?
Alessandro Valente
We focused on positioning the event as the essential hub for high-level industry networking in Sao Paulo. At the same time, we worked hard to maintain that vibrant, social atmosphere that truly defines the culture of our sector, much like what you find in cities like Rio.