CBTH Elects New Board
On March 13, 2025, the Brazilian Confederation of Texas Hold’em (CBTH), official authority of poker in Brazil and a founding member of the World Poker Federation (WPF), held elections for its new board. Ueltom Lima, after two consecutive terms as president, handed over the role to Alberoni “Bill” Castro. The transition marks the beginning of a new chapter, with high expectations for the future of poker in the country.
Expansion and Recognition of Poker in Brazil
For the past eight years, CBTH was led by Ueltom Lima Gomes, current CEO of Grupo H2 and Public Relations Director of the WPF. Under his leadership, the World Poker Federation was created with Brazilian leadership, and the sport gained recognition on a global level.
Poker in Brazil saw exponential growth during this period, with estimates pointing to more than 12 million active players. Tournaments increased in size and frequency, and the sport made significant progress toward official recognition in the country.
“It’s gratifying to see poker embraced by the Brazilian people. Years of hard work helped move the game from the tables to people’s daily lives,” said Ueltom.
The previous board left a solid foundation for the sport’s development and visibility in Brazil. “I thank the entire board and everyone who fought with us to promote poker. I wish Bill and the new leadership success in continuing this legacy.”
Cultural Integration
Poker’s popularity has gone far beyond professional circles and become part of popular culture. A clear example was the 2025 São Paulo Carnival, where the samba school Rosas de Ouro chose poker as its theme and won the title—showing the game’s reach in Brazilian society.
Celebrities and public figures also openly express their passion for poker. Brazil continues to rank among the top-performing countries in international series, confirming its status as a global force.
A New Era of Leadership
Alberoni “Bill” Castro is a pioneer of the poker movement in Brazil, with over 20 years dedicated to the game. As Executive Director of CBTH from 2010 to 2025 and founder of both the Pan-American Confederation of Sports Poker and the WPF, Bill helped build the competitive structure of the sport. He was also part of the founding team of the ADTP and directed the BSOP between 2007 and 2023.
Now, as president, he brings a new vision to strengthen poker as a mind sport in Brazil. His plans include new projects, expanding the tournament calendar, and building strong partnerships to take the sport even further.
“Our goal is to grow poker’s presence by investing in education, new events, and strategic alliances. We want to show that poker combines competition, fun, and inclusion,” said Bill.
He also highlighted the role of poker in developing key cognitive skills: “We believe in poker’s transformative power. It builds focus, strategy, and resilience. We will take this sport to every corner of Brazil.”
New Board
- President: Alberoni Castro
- Vice President: Marcos André
- Legal Director: Priscila Cortez
- Administrative and Financial Director: João Marcelo
- Sports Director: Devanir Campos
- Public Relations Director: Arthur Vasconcelos
- Communications Director: Bruno Politano
- National Integration Director: Julio Costa
- Strategic Affairs Director: Igor Trafane
- Athletic Director: Alexandre Rivero
- Digital Affairs Director: Eduardo Pletes
- International Relations Director: Leonardo Martins
