Carlos Cardama of BiS/SiGMA recognised with ICE Landmark Award 2026
Carlos Cardama, Co-Founder of the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BiS), has been honoured with the ICE Landmark Award 2026, recognising 50 years of sustained impact on the gambling and iGaming industry across Latin America. The awards took place on the 19th January at Gran Via, Fira Barcelona, endorsed by Clarion Gaming and celebrates individuals whose work has meaningfully shaped the global gaming landscape. Among Cardama’s most defining achievements is the creation and growth of BiS, which entered a new global chapter with the inaugural BiS SiGMA Americas event in June 2023 in Sao Paulo, marking a pivotal partnership that positioned Brazil firmly on the international iGaming map.
Throughout his career, Cardama has played a central role in elevating Latin America from an emerging jurisdiction to a key pillar of the international gaming ecosystem. His contribution spans media, events, market education and stakeholder alignment, consistently bridging local expertise with global opportunity at moments of critical industry transformation. Since its inception, BiS SiGMA Americas has brought together an expanding mix of local and international operators, suppliers, regulators and thought leaders, establishing itself as a reference point for the region. This expansion was highlighted at the successful 2025 edition at the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo, which attracted a significant global audience and reflected both the scale of the event and Brazil’s transition into a newly regulated iGaming market.
Speaking with SiGMA about what the recognition means to him, Carlos emphasised, “This award means a great deal to me because I know who it comes from, people in this industry are extremely strict. That makes it a real honour. It’s not something given to just anyone; they selected only ten businessmen and I am one of them. For me, it’s a source of great joy because it recognises a lifetime of work and everything I’ve contributed to the gaming industry.”
A regional powerhouse
Cardama’s influence is perhaps most visible through the creation and growth of the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BiS), which he co-founded alongside Alessandro Valente. What began as a regional initiative has evolved into one of the most important industry gatherings in the Americas, now firmly positioned as a global meeting point for operators, suppliers, regulators and investors.
BiS has played a pivotal role in preparing the Brazilian market for regulation, fostering dialogue long before formal frameworks were introduced. By convening regulators, legal experts and commercial leaders under one roof, Cardama helped create the conditions for informed debate, responsible growth and long-term credibility.
Under Cardama’s leadership, BiS has expanded rapidly in scale and ambition, attracting hundreds of companies and tens of thousands of attendees from across Latin America, North America, Europe and across the globe. This growth mirrors his broader vision for the region which is rooted in transparency, international best practice and sustainable development rather than short-term opportunity. When asked about the partnership between SiGMA and BiS, Carlos expressed, “Being a partner with SiGMA is something truly fantastic. I’m learning a lot from everyone in the company. Eman is bringing in highly skilled professionals, and even though I’m an industry veteran, I’m still learning every day. I’m extremely happy to be part of such an amazing team. Together there’s only one direction we can go, which is more growth.”
SiGMA’s presence in the Americas
The partnership between BiS and SiGMA marked a decisive moment in the SiGMA’s global expansion, anchoring its operations in the world’s largest Latin American market. By combining deep local knowledge with SiGMA’s international platform, Cardama helped transform the Sao Paulo summit into a truly global event. The result has been a seamless integration of regional insight and international standards, enabling SiGMA to build long-term credibility and momentum across the Americas.
This collaboration has elevated the profile of the Brazilian market and created a blueprint for how global organisations can successfully engage with complex, fast-evolving jurisdictions. Carlos emphasised the impact of the event, “BiS SiGMA Brazil is the most innovative event in the industry. It’s where you’ll find the latest developments, the biggest news, and where we dedicate all our passion and love for the industry. That’s why people need to be there.”
A legacy of leadership
Across media, events and advocacy, Cardama’s career has been defined by consistency of purpose. As a long-standing industry voice, he has championed informed discussion, professionalisation and collaboration at every stage of the market’s evolution.
The ICE Landmark Award 2026 acknowledges leadership at pivotal moments and a lasting contribution to the industry’s direction. Carlos Cardama’s work has helped shape how Latin America is viewed globally, as a mature, influential and indispensable part of the international gaming industry. His recognition stands as a testament to the power of vision, persistence and regional leadership on a global stage.
BiS SiGMA South America
With demand for the Brazilian market high, BiS SiGMA South America is the place to be, with 18,500 delegates expected, 250 plus speakers, exclusive networking dinners and prestigious gala awards and auction, you won’t want to miss this carefully curated summit.
Get ready for the 2026 edition of BiS SiGMA South America in Brazil from 06-09 April. Taking place once again at the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo, the summit will bring together top experts, operators and investors aiming to foster essential discussions across LatAm’s tech and gaming ecosystem.
