TDA + WPF Summit Brazil Unites Over 200 Industry Leaders in Sao Paulo
The TDA + WPF Summit Brazil has officially concluded after an action-packed day of collaboration, innovation, and critical discussion among the region’s leading tournament professionals. More than 200 tournament directors, organizers, federation representatives, and poker industry figures came together on December 1, 2025, at the Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC Hotel, immediately following the BSOP Millions, for what is now recognized as one of Latin America’s most significant gatherings dedicated to the structure and future of competitive poker.
Institutional Collaboration at the Forefront
The TDA + WPF Summit Brazil was a joint initiative between the World Poker Federation (WPF), the Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA), the Brazilian Association of Poker Tournament Directors (ADTP), and the Brazilian Poker Confederation (CBTH). The unified effort showcased how cross-organizational cooperation can strengthen poker’s long-term foundation and professional standards across the continent.
Adding to the summit’s global inclusivity, the WPF Women’s Committee played an active role throughout the program, working with regional leaders to encourage broader participation, greater representation, and the creation of more welcoming competitive environments for women in poker.
Defining the Modern Game
The agenda was dominated by two central topics that captured the attention of attendees. The first was player behavior, a discussion reignited by recent controversies during the BSOP Millions. Tournament leaders explored the fine line between personality and disruption at the table, emphasizing the need for firmer, standardized guidelines that preserve both the spirit and integrity of competition.
The second was technology and device use, particularly concerning real-time assistance (RTA) and coaching tools. Experts agreed that global regulations must continue evolving to protect the fairness of play and ensure that poker remains a discipline defined by skill, intellect, and strategic decision-making.
Other discussions addressed pacing mechanisms such as shot clocks, late registration policies, speech play, and other elements that shape player experience and tournament clarity. The conversations reflected the summit’s mission to align best practices and operational consistency across all major Latin American circuits.
The Experts Behind the Conversations
The TDA + WPF Summit Brazil was led by a lineup of respected voices within the industry.
Devanir “DC” Campos, TDA Board Member, ADTP representative, and CEO of Stack Eventos, brought deep insight into how large-scale circuits like the BSOP and LAPT have set regional benchmarks.
Alberoni “Bill” Castro, President of the CBTH and Sports Director at the WPF, provided an institutional perspective on unifying governance and building lasting structures.
Roberto Soares “Bob”, Head Tournament Director of the BSOP, and Marcus Júnior, Tournament Director at the BSOP, added their operational expertise, offering practical views from managing some of the hemisphere’s largest poker festivals.
Together, they guided discussions that combined theory, regulation, and real-world application, an exchange of knowledge that will shape tournament operations in the years ahead.
Industry Insights and Global Outlook
One of the day’s most anticipated segments came from Gabriel Castro of PokerWeb, whose presentation offered a strategic overview of Latin America’s poker market within the global landscape. His data-driven analysis highlighted growth trends, player behavior, and the ongoing fusion between live and online ecosystems. The session underscored why Latin America now stands as one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving poker regions worldwide.
A Milestone for Global Poker Governance
Closing remarks from Roberto Lifschitz, Marketing Director of the WPF, perfectly summarized the event’s legacy:
“This Summit highlights the strength of a community dedicated to the development of poker. It strengthens tournament operations and reaffirms poker as a mind sport grounded in technique, structure, and professionalism.”
With the success of both the Asia and Latin America editions, the WPF and TDA have confirmed their intent to expand this global model further, creating a continuous cycle of education, collaboration, and governance improvement for all who build and lead the game.
As the curtains close on Sao Paulo, the TDA + WPF Summit Brazil stands as a landmark moment for poker regulation in the region. It is proof that when the brightest minds in the game come together, the future of poker becomes stronger, fairer, and more united than ever.
