One of the legends of the global gaming and betting industry, Stephen Crystal, founder and CEO of SCCG Management, attended ICE Barcelona 2026 and shared his expectations regarding the legalization of land-based casinos in Brazil. Currently, the bill addressing the issue is under review in the Brazilian Senate.
Speaking about ICE, Crystal noted that he has been attending the event for more than two decades. He said the event has been exceptional, calling it the largest ICE ever held and the biggest gaming event in the world. This year marked his 21st year attending ICE, which he described as a major milestone.
He reflected on how much the industry has evolved, recalling that when he first attended, the event was held at Earls Court in London and focused on amusement games and slot machines. Today, he noted, the conversation is about highly sophisticated technology that can be deployed anywhere in the world for gaming—technology that has now reached Brazil.
Expectations for the Legalization of Land-Based Casinos in Brazil
As one of the most recognized figures in the land-based casino sector, Crystal shared his view on Brazil’s outlook. He explained that his perspective mirrors how he once felt about iGaming, noting that while the timing was uncertain, progress eventually came together. He believes Brazil may be roughly a year away from resolving the issue in a positive way.
Crystal also revealed that he is already involved in several projects focused on developing integrated resort casinos in Brazil. He expressed strong optimism about the country’s potential, mentioning a recent visit to João Pessoa, in the state of Paraíba, where he evaluated possible locations for a future casino development. He emphasized his personal interest in being involved in projects in Brazil.
He added that, like many others, he is waiting to see how the process unfolds, but firmly believes Brazil has the potential to become a truly world-class destination. Already one of the most attractive countries for vacations and tourism, Brazil could see tremendous success by introducing one or two destination resort casinos within a state.
Finally, Crystal highlighted his long-term approach to the Brazilian market, noting that he has been building relationships in the country for over 15 years. He stressed that meaningful progress does not happen overnight, explaining that SCCG has closely followed developments, engaged with other interested stakeholders, and worked alongside some of the largest players in the industry. According to Crystal, these efforts are aimed at ensuring that if Brazil moves forward, it does so with a strong foundation capable of supporting a successful and sustainable gaming industry.
