Americas NEWS

Following its well received inaugural debut in 2023, the BIS SiGMA Americas event returned to Sao Paulo this April for its second event in the region. The Brazil expo saw a high turnout from delegates, with 14,000 filling the Transamerica’s expo floor and auditorium. 

A number of were also in attendance, including the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) new President, Mr Plinio Lemos Jorges, several prominent members from the União Brasil Party, Malta’s Ambassador to Brazil and Chile, the Hon. John Aquilina, and such as social media star Negrete, and MMA champion Gabi Garcia - amongst others.

In his keynote, the ambassador remarked that he believed that, “Brazil is very much the heart of Latin America, the voice of Latin America. What happens in Brazil has enormous consequences for the rest of this continent.”

Highlight moments also included several ancillary events, such as the . The black tie event was studded with luminaries from across the gaming and tech sectors, bringing an impressive lineup of change makers together for an evening of networking, celebration, and entertainment. Towards the end of the evening an art auction was held, for the SiGMA Foundation’s 2024 global charity projects.

A well attended panel discussion led by several prominent women held at the Hilton Morumbi the day prior to the conference saw things off to a good start, while an MMA brought excitement to the ring with a four-man tournament.

Things drew to a close with a spectacular party at the Tokio Marine Hall, featuring sultry burlesque performances, entertainment from DJs Savage and SHe and lounge areas buzzing with play-for-fun game tables.

Following its success in the LatAm markets, the SiGMA World Tour 2024 is heading to . Join us in Manila this June, from the 2nd to 5th for a convergence of top notch networking opportunities, quality conferences, and two floors featuring top tier B2B, B2C, and land based exhibitors. Visit the online agenda for the full picture.

's Minister of Justice, Javier Silvania, has addressed concerns voiced by the Curaçao Bar Association regarding the National Ordinance on Gambling (LOK). Following objections to certain provisions within the draft legislation, particularly concerning accreditation requirements for lawyers, Silvania announced amendments to the law. 

In a social media post, Silvania acknowledged the Bar Association's concerns and revealed plans to revise the accreditation requirements outlined in the LOK. Notably, the jurisdiction will shift from a mandatory accreditation process to a non-mandatory certificate system, significantly reducing regulatory burdens for legal practitioners. 

Under the amended law, the Curaçao Gaming Authority will issue certificates to lawyers providing gambling-related services or goods to Curaçao licence holders. These certificates, valid for up to three years, will replace the initial accreditation requirements outlined in the draft legislation. Silvania emphasized that participation in the certification process would be optional, granting flexibility to lawyers engaged in gambling-related activities. 

Silvania also highlighted another significant amendment aimed at ensuring the financial independence of the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Addressing concerns regarding the regulator's autonomy, revisions have been made to guarantee its fiscal independence, enhancing transparency and accountability within the regulatory framework. 

In addition to addressing the Bar Association's concerns, Silvania responded to criticisms from members of Parliament regarding the LOK. He emphasized that despite some MPs' limited review of the legislation, the amended law represents a significant milestone in the region's efforts to reform its offshore gambling industry. 

Silvania underscored that the legislative revisions align with 's commitment to collaborate with the Dutch government's Temporary Work Organisation (TWO). The changes signal a willingness among lawmakers to consider stakeholder input and ensure effective regulation in the gambling sector, essential for preserving Curaçao's status as an international gambling hub. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

the tribal casino giant, and Royal Caribbean Group, a leading cruise operator, have unveiled a comprehensive agreement last week. The agreement is set to revolutionize the travel and leisure loyalty programmes of both companies.

The partnership will allow members of Unity by Hard Rock, Celebrity Cruises’ Blue Chip Club, and Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale platforms to earn points not only by betting but also through dining, shopping, and traveling at any or while traveling on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships.

The collaboration is expected to bring a host of benefits to Unity by Hard Rock loyalty members. They will now be eligible for discounts on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity vacations and can qualify for exclusive, invite-only cruise giveaways. Moreover, top-tier loyalty members will be gifted an annual complimentary cruise on select ships and itineraries.

Both Hard Rock and Royal Caribbean are based in Florida and are among the largest private sector employers in South Florida. Hard Rock is the gaming unit of Florida’s Seminole Tribe, while Royal Caribbean is one of the world’s largest cruise operators.

The partnership is seen as a strategic move by Royal Caribbean to expand its gaming reach. The company, which operates under five brands, has long featured casinos on many of its ships and has been progressively enhancing this amenity. In February, the Sun Princess, a $1 billion ship operated by Royal Caribbean’s Princess unit, set sail with the largest casino ever seen on a cruise ship.

However, Royal Caribbean has faced criticism from some customers who complained about the company running multiple gaming loyalty programs across its various brands. This meant that points earned on a Celebrity ship were not combined with what travellers earned on Princess or Royal Caribbean boats. The new arrangement with Hard Rock is expected to address these concerns by providing customers with another avenue for accruing points.

Club Royale and Blue Chip Club members can now look forward to making their Hard Rock visits even more memorable with exclusive discounts and perks at participating Hard Rock locations. Premium tier Club Royale and Blue Chip members will also be entitled to annual complimentary trips at select Hard Rock hotels and casinos worldwide.

Unity by Hard Rock, which debuted earlier this year, replaced the gaming company’s previously used rewards program known as Wild Card. The new program features four tiers — Star, Legend, Icon, and X – and links all of the operator’s North American gaming venues, including the Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Points and tier credits can also be accrued via online wagering on Hard Rock platforms.

Seminole Gaming operates six gaming venues for the Tribe of the same name, but the Hard Rock brand is applied to significantly more casino hotels, including regional properties in Canada, the US Midwest, and the South as well as the Atlantic City Boardwalk in New Jersey. Several Tribal casinos in California sport the Hard Rock name and are managed by Seminole. The Tribe also operates the Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip and is vying for a casino license in Queens, NY.

Boyd Gaming Corporation’s Q1 2024 report reveals a slight dip in overall revenue, with a 0.4 percent decrease from Q1 2023, amounting to $960.5 nillion. This decline is attributed to a 4.5 However, the company’s online segment showed a promising 19 percent growth, bringing in $146.2 nillion and partially offsetting the land-based losses.

The company cites severe weather conditions in the South and Midwest, coupled with heightened competition in the Las Vegas locals market, as contributing factors to the land-based revenue decline. EBITDAR (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, and Restructuring or Rent Costs) also saw a 10 percent year-on-year decrease, falling to $330.5 million in Q1 2024. Furthermore, net income experienced a significant 31.7 percent drop, settling at $136.4 million.

He credits the company’s disciplined operating and marketing strategies for maintaining strong operating margins. Smith also highlights the company’s robust cash flows and balance sheet, which enable ongoing capital returns to shareholders through share repurchases and quarterly dividend programs.

Boyd Gaming has established a significant presence in the US online gaming market through a strategic partnership with FanDuel, the leading US sportsbook by market share. The company holds a 5 percent equity stake in the platform and expects the online segment to generate $60-65 million in EBITDAR for the year.

Boyd’s Interactive business, a subsidiary offering both B2B and B2C iGaming services, strengthened its capabilities in 2022 following the $170 million acquisition of Pala Interactive from the Pala Band of Mission Indians.

Analysts at JMP Securities noted negative trends across several areas of the Las Vegas market in Q2, including a decline in downtown visitation and spending in the locals market. While they anticipate that tough comparables will ease in mid-2024, they also acknowledge that competitive pressure is impacting results.

Despite these challenges, the company remains committed to investment, with CFO Josh Hirsberg emphasizing a disciplined approach to M&A. Hirsberg also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to business investment as a prudent use of capital.

JMP highlighted that Boyd’s growth budget doubled to $200 million in 2024, which could potentially spur growth in 2025. This follows three consecutive years of EBITDAR declines. Despite these challenges, JMP reiterated its Market Perform rating for the stock following the Q1 2024 results.

As of the report, Boyd Gaming Corporation (BYD) is trading at $53.18, marking a 15.44 percent decrease.

Aristocrat Leisure Limited, early on Friday morning, announced the successful completion of its acquisition of NeoGames S.A., a gaming platform provider based in Luxembourg. This was made possible after all closing conditions and requirements were met.

The acquisition, which was “overwhelmingly supported” by NeoGames shareholders during a meeting, has allowed Aristocrat to broaden its Real Money Gaming (RMG) offerings.materially advances Aristocrat’s ‘build and buy’ strategy,” enabling the group to compete in attractive online RMG verticals globally.

Furthermore, the acquisition will allow , customer relationships, and expanding capabilities across an even broader range of channels and geographies. This will add to the group’s resilience and accelerate future growth.

Aristocrat also announced that it would merge its existing Anaxi segment with NeoGames to form a new integrated global business, which will operate under the name Aristocrat Interactive.

Moti Malul, the CEO of NeoGames, has been appointed as the CEO of Aristocrat Interactive and will join Aristocrat’s executive leadership team, reporting to Aristocrat CEO Trevor Croker.

Croker expressed his excitement about welcoming NeoGames to Aristocrat, stating, “The acquisition of NeoGames and its leading global online RMG platform adds to our increasing organic capabilities and will ensure that we deliver on our strategy by providing a portfolio of end-to-end solutions for iGaming, iLottery, and OSB operators globally.”

He further added, “With our ambition to be the leading gaming platform for the regulated online RMG industry, the addition of NeoGames to our team advances our strategy to build global scale and capability.”

Aristocrat Leisure Limited’s acquisition of NeoGames marks a significant shift in the gaming industry. This strategic move expands Aristocrat’s online Real Money Gaming (RMG) reach, diversifies its revenue streams away from traditional land-based operations, and offers enhanced gaming experiences. The addition of NeoGames bolsters Aristocrat’s global scale and capability in the regulated online RMG industry. The integration of Anaxi and NeoGames under the new Aristocrat Interactive banner signifies a unified global business, ready to make waves in the industry.

As the IOC invests in technology to maintain the integrity of competitions and prevent manipulation, we explore the sports betting landscape during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Speaking on a at the second day of the BIS SiGMA Americas conference were Mr. Felipe Marchetti, representing Sportradar, Tiago Horta Barbosa from Genius Sports, Luiz Gustavo Zonca from Rei do Pitaco, and Mr. Roberto Armelin, Executive Director of ESG Risk Compliance at São Paulo Football Club.

The conversation explored the multifaceted challenges and potential solutions in ensuring the integrity of sports competitions.

Mr. Felipe Marchetti emphasised the paramount importance of transparency and responsibility in their integrity efforts. He affirmed that their comprehensive 4 pillar methodology had uncovered no indications of match manipulation during the Brazilian Championship 2023, citing robust fraud detection systems and collaborative partnerships with sports federations and media outlets.

“When we work with integrity, we have to focus on two main points. The first one is transparency, and the second one is responsibility. responsibility both with the professionals, athletes, coaches, managers, as well as with the industry.”

As the discussion unfolded, the focus shifted to the critical role of education in fostering integrity awareness among athletes and stakeholders. Tiago, representing Genius Sports, underscored the necessity of a holistic approach, highlighting initiatives such as São Paulo Football Club's integrity and the Tricolor program as examples of proactive education and awareness campaigns within sports organisations.

The conversation expanded to encompass the broader sports landscape, acknowledging the prevalence of integrity issues beyond football. Tennis emerged as a notable example of proactive integrity measures, with the establishment of the International Tennis Integrity Agency setting a standard for other sports to emulate. However, challenges persist, particularly in resource-constrained sports like table tennis, where effective integrity frameworks are still being developed.

The discussion also broached the topic of punishment for integrity breaches, acknowledging the complexities inherent in imposing sanctions. While recognizing the need for deterrent measures, panellists stressed the importance of fair and proportionate enforcement mechanisms, underlining the vital role of education, monitoring, and collaboration in upholding the integrity of Brazilian sports.

“I think that education is the most important element of the treatment of this whole system that we are talking about here. Match fixing is the disease, the irregularity, the infraction of the law, the principles, of the treatment of this whole system that we are talking about here,” commented Mr. Roberto Armelin.

In conclusion, the panellists emphasised the imperative of collective action and ongoing investment in integrity initiatives to safeguard the values of fair play and sportsmanship. Through education, vigilant monitoring, and appropriate sanctions, the sports community can mitigate the risks posed by integrity threats and cultivate a culture of integrity and transparency in Brazilian sports. As the conversation concluded, it became evident that the journey toward integrity in sports is a collaborative endeavour, requiring sustained commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders involved.

SiGMA Group Founder Eman Pulis met yesterday with Mr Plinio Lemos Jorge, President of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), as well as members of the União Brasil Party - National President, Antonio Eduardo Gonçalves de Rueda, Advisor, Mariana Monteiro Fernandes de Carvalho, and Manuel Arruda, President of the Party. They were also joined by Vinícius Moraes De Carvalho, Investment Partner at Ikigai Ventures.  

In the words of SiGMA Group Founder, Eman Pulis, "It was a great opportunity to meet with some of Brazil’s most influential figures in the gaming and regulatory landscape and to share our plans at SiGMA with them. 18 months ago we launched a dream to set foot in the Americas and be one of the most significant conferences for the region - and not just for the sake of doing a conference but to lead the charge and raise awareness that regulated online gambling is the way to go."

“I see a very bright future - not only for the Americas, not only for Brazil, but especially for São Paulo.”

Speaking to SiGMA News, Mr Jorge commented that, "As president of ANJL, I can only thank, on behalf of the members, the receptivity of the SiGMA Group, through its president, Eman Pulis, during BIS SiGMA Americas."

"We spoke about the national scenario of the sports betting and online gaming market at a very important moment, in which Brazil structures the sector's regulations. My guests and I were impressed by the magnitude of the event, which confirms our country as a promising market."

"Mr. Pulis invited us to be present at other editions of SiGMA, including in other countries. There will certainly be new opportunities for us to keep on taking our vision of Brazil to the main global players"

Having assumed his role just a few weeks ago following the conclusion of outgoing President Wesley Cardia’s on-year term in office, Lemos Jorge, a prominent lawyer and former judge, brings a diverse skill set to his new role. His emphasis on active listening, collaboration, and transparency underscores his commitment to representing and defending the interests of ANJL members effectively.

Mr Jorge is a lawyer and partner at Lemos Jorge Advogados Associados, holds a Master’s degree in Tax Law from PUC-SP, is a doctoral candidate in Business Law, and a former judge at the Tax and Fees Court of the State of São Paulo. Read his interview with SiGMA News .

The União Brasil Party is a liberal-conservative political party in Brazil. The party was founded on 6 October 2021 through the merger of the Democrats (DEM) and the Social Liberal Party (PSL). The merger resulted in the biggest party in Brazil, and was approved by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on 8 February 2022.

The BIS Awards, held as part of the BIS SiGMA Americas , began with a welcome reception in the lobby of the Um Rooftop. Live pop and rock serenaded guests, creating a perfect environment for executives to network before the start of the ceremony.

Hosted by Elia Junior, the gala evening acknowledged winners across competitive categories such as Best Marketing Campaign and Best Games Producer. The event also held a charitable auction, with items including a Brazilian team shirt autographed by the legendary player Cafu, a guitar autographed by Zezé de Camargo, and a Brazilian team shirt autographed by the late Pelé. Unsurprisingly, the latter received a huge amount of interest, resulting in a fierce bidding war. It closed the auction with the highest bid of the night - bringing in $16,000.

And the winners are:

Sponsor of the Year - Superbet

Superbet, a prominent name in the Igaming scenario, leads as the sponsor of the year, investing in initiatives that drive the industry.

Best Marketing Agency - iGaming Media

iGaming Media, recognised for its creativity and effectiveness, is awarded the best marketing agency.

Best Marketing Campaign - Lucky Sports

The "Sports of Luck" campaign stood out as the best of the year, with an innovative and engaging approach.

Best Media in the Sector - Betinfo

Betinfo won the best media prize in the industry for his commitment to quality and accuracy.

Best Game Producer - Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play dominates as the best game producer, impressing with their constant quality and innovation.

Best iGaming Platform - Cactus Gaming

Cactus Gaming rises as the best igaming platform, offering an exceptional experience to players and operators.

Best Casino Online - Bet7K

Bet7K is recognized as the best online casino, providing high quality entertainment and a safe environment for players.

The best sports betting operator - Estrela Bet

Estrela Bet was recognized as the best sports betting operator.

Best affiliate of the year - Pedrão Bet

Pedrão Bet stands out as the best affiliate of the year, demonstrating expertise in their work.

Influencer of the year - Pedro Feitosa

Pedro Feitosa is recognized as the influencer of the year, using his platform to promote awareness and engagement in the iGaming community.

Best affiliation company - Super Affiliates

Super affiliates receive the best affiliation company award, leading with innovative programs and exceptional support for affiliates.

Rising Star of the Year - Legitimuz

Legitimuz shines as the rising star of the year, impressing with their vision and execution within the industry.

Best Crash Game - Aviator (Spribe)

Spribe Aviator is recognised as the best Crash game, offering an exciting and captivating experience to players.

Best Slot Game - Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)

Pragmaatic Play Gates of Olympus takes the best Slot game prize with its impressive graphics.

Best Bingo Game - Don Bingote (Neko Games)

Don Bingote of Neko Games is celebrated as the best bingo game, offering fun and excitement to fans of this classic.

Best Payment Medium - Pixtopay

Pixtopay is recognised as the best means of payment, facilitating safe and efficient transactions in the igaming industry.

Best law firm - Mylaw - Maia and Yoshiyasu Lawyers

Mylaw - Maia and Yoshiyasu Lawyers are awarded as the best law firm, with specialized legal advice and solutions to the industry's legal challenges.

C-Level of the Year - Daniel Romanowski (Lottopar)

Lottopar Daniel Romanowski is recognised as the C-Level of the year, leading with exceptional vision and skill.

Executive Woman of the Year - Talita Lacerda (Bet7K)

Talita Lacerda of Bet7K is honored as the executive woman of the year, showing leadership and excellence in her position.

Featured Professional - Alex Fonsceca (Superbet)

Alex Fonsceca, from Superbet, is highlighted as the highlighted professional, contributing significantly to the success and growth of the company.

Honour Award - SBT

SBT receives an honour award, recognising its contribution to the promotion and development of the iGaming industry.

Honour Award - Paulo Saad

Paulo Saad received the Honor Award, in recognition of his dedication and positive impact on the sector.

Honour Award - Deputy Newton

Deputy Newton received a prize of honour for his commitment to promote policies that boost the industry's responsible growth.

Honour Award - Brazil Fernandes

Brasil Fernandes is also honoured, celebrating his contribution to the Igaming sector.

Honour Award - Eman Pulis

Eman Pulis, CEO of SiGMA Group, is recognised with a prize of honour, in gratitude for his efforts to promote and strengthen industry through events and various other initiatives.

And with that the event wrapped up a memorable evening with a round of champagne and live music in the lobby.

David Einhorn, co-founder of Greenlight Capital and a seasoned hedge fund investor, has strategically invested in Penn Entertainment amidst market volatility. This significant investment, made in the first quarter of this year, is a part of Einhorn’s ongoing efforts to diversify his portfolio.

Einhorn’s investment in Penn Entertainment has sparked curiosity about the future governance of such gambling giants. The trend of activist hedge funds influencing casino operators is reshaping the industry, and Einhorn’s recent move aligns with this shift. Given his style of investment history, insiders say it’s plausible that Einhorn may take an active role in Penn’s governance. As these developments unfold, the casino sector is keenly observing the potential implications. The question that lingers is whether the future of the gambling industry will be dictated by the strategic moves of hedge funds.

In a similar vein, led by former Goldman Sachs banker Parag Vora, also took a proactive stance in Penn Entertainment. With an 18.5 percent stake in the company, HG Vora also requested the appointment of directors to Penn’s board, signalling its intent to influence the company’s decision-making. This move came following concerns over Penn Entertainment’s undervalued stock, which experienced a 16 percent decline throughout 2023. Vora expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s board structure and strategic direction, calling for immediate changes.. The intervention led to a nearly immediate 4.8 percent surge in the share price. This move ignited discussions about the

Over the first quarter of this year, Einhorn has been building a significant stake in Penn Entertainment. Despite the stock’s value declining from $22.69 to $17.44 per share, largely due to investor skepticism following Penn’s challenging acquisition of Barstool Sports, Einhorn remains optimistic. He sees potential in sports betting and believes that if Penn executes it correctly, it could significantly boost the company’s shares.

In the fourth quarter, geopolitical risks led Einhorn to pause his new stock acquisitions, a move he referred to as a “buyer’s strike”. Despite this, his hedge fund managed to yield a 4.9 percent return in the first quarter of 2024, contrasting with the S&P 500’s 10.6 percent gain during the same period.

Einhorn’s investment prowess extends beyond Penn Entertainment. He revealed a first-quarter stake in HP, anticipating an AI-driven personal computer adoption cycle. He also ventured into the biotech sector, taking new stakes in Roivant Sciences and the Class A shares of Liberty Global (LBTYA).

Einhorn’s strategies reflect his adaptability and foresight in a volatile market. His faith in Penn Entertainment’s potential in sports betting, coupled with his investments in tech and biotech sectors, underscores his vision for future market trends. As the gambling market, particularly sports betting, continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how Einhorn’s investments unfold. Will the future of the gambling industry be dictated by the strategic moves of hedge funds like Greenlight Capital? The answer remains to be seen.

The sports betting compliance industry has experienced some M&A activity, with US Integrity and Odds On Compliance merging to form a new entity known as Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360). The merger was announced by sports tech venture capital fund, SeventySix Capital, earlier this week. By combining its resources and expertise, IC360 will enhance its offer with a comprehensive suite of services.

IC360 will offer a combination of integrity monitoring services, compliance advising, and products to serve clients from both companies. This includes t and international clients in Europe and Brazil. One of the services offered by IC360 recently flagged illicit betting activity With its broader client base IC360 is on its way to becoming a leading player in the industry.

Despite the merger, it will be business as usual for clients of US Integrity and Odds On Compliance. The original products of each firm will continue without interruption, now unified under the IC360 brand. This includes the Integrity Monitoring dashboard, PlayBook AI, and ProhiBet.

How are things going to change with this merger? For example, the collaboration on ProhiBet, a tool that monitors sports betting compliance for athletes and team personnel, is most definitely a sign of more innovative solutions to come that will shape the industry standards, particularly around transparency, accountability and ethical standards.

The merger of US Integrity and Odds On Compliance was initially announced last October, following the collaboration on ProhiBet, a tool that monitors sports betting compliance for athletes and other team personnel.

IC360 aims to be a one-stop shop of regulatory technology solutions and compliance expertise for the rapidly evolving sports betting and gaming industry. Wayne Kimmel, the managing partner of SeventySix Capital, stated that the merger is a significant event in the evolution of the sports, media, and entertainment asset class. He explained that IC360’s commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical practices across the global sports betting and gaming industry, which is worth hundreds of billions of dollars,

The leadership of IC360 will comprise former executives from US Integrity and Odds On Compliance. Matt Holt, (photo above on left), the former CEO of US Integrity, will lead IC360 as CEO, while Eric Frank, (photo above on right) the former CEO of Odds On Compliance, will serve as President. Scott Sadin, (photo above centre), who previously served as COO of US Integrity, will take over as COO of IC360. Kimmel, the original investor in both companies, will serve on IC360’s board of directors.