On Wednesday, a panel focused on analyzing the convergence between land-based gaming and online betting brought together leading industry executives and drew significant audience attention at BiS SiGMA 2026.
Bryan Ortiz, CEO of Zitro Digital, took part in the roundtable titled “Land-based or Digital? Borders, Convergence, and the Future of the Casino Industry” alongside renowned lawyer Luiz Felipe Maia, partner at Maia Yoshiyasu Law Firm; Marco Pequeno, Country Manager at Amusnet; Fernando Mora, Business Development Manager at Sportradar in Brazil; and Jordi Sendra, CEO of ALEA. The session was moderated by Leonardo Benites, CEO of Propane.
When asked about the transition from online gaming—now legalized in Brazil—to land-based gaming, which is still seeking regulation in the country, Bryan Ortiz stated: “I don’t believe land-based gaming should compete with digital; quite the opposite.”
Ortiz also addressed aspects of Bill 2.234, currently under review in the Senate, highlighting government controls that would improve tax collection and help prevent money laundering, as well as efforts to combat illegal gambling.
He also emphasized the implementation of a self-exclusion registry for players, noting its role in tackling problem gambling. “This law would provide security, control, and transparency in a much more sustainable market,” he summarized during his remarks.
Later, when analyzing the relationship between land-based and digital betting markets, Ortiz added: “Digital gaming does not replace land-based. After the pandemic, people want to go out, socialize, and enjoy shared experiences, so the growth of online gaming helps attract a new audience that can migrate to land-based venues. Digital gaming does not replace in-person experiences; it complements them. I don’t believe in competition, but in the convergence of both markets.”
The panel aimed to provide an in-depth analysis of one of the industry’s main challenges: how to effectively integrate and connect land-based operations with digital platforms, both in emerging and regulated markets, in a context defined by increasing convergence between the two environments.
“Today we have the technology to unify both experiences, so the main challenge right now is regulation. Regulators must understand that omnichannel is not a risk—on the contrary, it means more control and less fraud. The sectors linked to land-based and digital betting must align their interests and, with one voice, advocate for a safer, more transparent market with a better player experience,” the Zitro executive noted.
“Zitro continues to invest in constant innovation to adapt to the evolution of the sector and deliver real value in both land-based and digital environments, reinforcing its commitment to the development of the gaming industry,” the company stated following the conference.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/04/09/118484-bryan-ortiz-digital-gaming-does-not-replace-landbased-i-believe-in-convergence-not-competition
