The fourth annual SiGMA Americas Awards launched this year’s expo and conference with a grand celebration at the Tokio Marine Hall in São Paulo, setting the stage for Latin America’s growing prominence in the global iGaming sector. Held on the eve of the SiGMA Americas Conference, the awards gala recognized 26 key contributors across the industry, from game developers and affiliates to platform providers and media outlets.
Among the most notable moments of the evening was Ronald Lopes receiving the award for Best Affiliate 2025, underscoring Brazil’s growing influence in affiliate-driven gaming marketing. Winners were chosen through a hybrid voting model combining public participation with a panel of judges that included prominent industry figures such as Itai Hadas (VELI Group), Olga Resiga (SOFTSWISS), and Eugene Ravdin (SEOBROTHERS).
Guests were treated to an evening filled with local flair—complete with traditional Brazilian dancers, live music, and acrobatics—while hosts Maxine Formosa and Mark Borg guided the audience through a night of celebration. The event was sponsored by BetConstruct, which also earned the award for Best Innovative Sportsbook Feature 2025.
Industry Leaders Recognized, Brazil Dominates Market Momentum
Winners included Affstore for Best Affiliate Program, Smartsoft for Best Game Studio, and Focus Gaming News for Best iGaming Media. Other key highlights were:
Most Played Game 2025: Breaking Bad™: Collect ‘Em & Link by Playtech
Best Sports Affiliate 2025: Better Collective
Best Casino Operator 2025: ZK.bet.br
Best International Market Debut in Brazil 2025: Vbet
These accolades come as Brazil asserts itself as a leading force in the Latin American gambling sector. According to SiGMA’s March 2025 LatAm Market Report, Bet365 dominates Brazil’s affiliate visibility—appearing on 92% of top-ranked betting affiliate sites. In the casino affiliate space, Blaze and Superbet trail behind Bet365, but still maintain a notable presence.
The report also revealed NetBet as the top performer in Brazil for casino-related SEO rankings, followed closely by Betsson and Betway. For betting terms, Bet365 led significantly, reinforcing its dominance in both paid and organic visibility.
LatAm Growth Accelerates: Flutter, Betsson, and Local Operators Expand Reach
The gala also reflected broader industry dynamics outlined in the March 2025 market report. Major operators are rapidly scaling in Latin America, with Betsson reporting that the region now accounts for 26% of its total revenue. In Q4 2024, Betsson generated €78.2 million from LatAm, driven largely by its casino segment and strong gains in Argentina.
Meanwhile, Flutter Entertainment expanded its footprint in Brazil through the acquisition of a 56% stake in NSX Group, the parent company of Betnacional, in a deal valued at $350 million. This merger positions Flutter to capitalize on its proprietary tech and market presence, despite forecasting a short-term EBITDA loss of up to $100 million in 2025.
Further demonstrating the regional growth, Vibra Group acquired TSA, a Brazilian tech firm, to strengthen its platform offerings, especially for lotteries and retail VLT solutions.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives Set New Event Standards
The SiGMA Americas Awards also led the charge in sustainable event planning with the rollout of the Sou Resíduo Zero Program, developed by sustainability firm Eccaplan. The initiative introduced daily waste separation, composting, and recycling throughout the venue to reduce the event’s environmental impact.
With its combination of cultural celebration, environmental responsibility, and industry recognition, the 2025 SiGMA Americas Awards marked more than just the start of a conference—it reflected a region in the midst of rapid digital and regulatory transformation. From affiliate success stories like Ronald Lopes to market-shaping deals and SEO power rankings, Latin America—and especially Brazil—continues to be the heartbeat of iGaming innovation.
Source:
SiGMA Americas Awards: São Paulo sets the stage for LatAm’s top innovators, SiGMA World, April 2025.
