Before
talking about this year’s event, how do you evaluate BgC held on November 2016?
Which were the higlights of that edition?
Last year was the
first edition of BgC and the results were very encouraging in terms of the
demand for an event catering for the emerging market of Brazil. Our first
insight into a successful show is from visitor feedback, and with more than 450
attendees across the two days the response we received was overwhelmingly
positive. A definite highlight was the diverse list of speakers we assembled,
all of whom offered real insight into how to develop operations in the country,
something our attendees really valued. In addition, the event provided critical
information on commercial and product requirements across different games
modalities which culminated in an overview of the country’s bills by Federal
Deputies Elmar Nascimento and Nelson Marquezelli from the Special Commission
for the Gaming Regulatory framework in Brazil, Chamber of Deputies.
How do
you compare Brazil’s situation in terms of a possible approval of the gaming
law to when the BgC took place last November 2016?
Look, we are very
proud of BgC and the steps it is taking to strengthening the industry in that
region but we need to respect that Brazil has a complex regulatory process and
things don’t change overnight. Discussion is the key to any change and that’s
what our event provides, but in terms of possible approval of gaming law, a lot
has been dismissed so delays have to be expected. Although we haven’t seen
advances in the bills since November a lot of work has been done in the Chamber
of Deputies and Senate towards approval. In light of this, BgC will host a
discussion with representatives of the house to explain the ins and outs of the
latest bills.Aside from the gaming law, other projects are advancing such
as the privatization of lotteries and the introduction of online sports betting
regulation.
Did you
think that for this year’s BgC edition Brazilian gaming law would be approved?
Did this situation modify in some way when organizing the event?
The liberalization
should be made from a robust regulatory model, taking advantage of existing
international experience, with an effective monitoring of the costs and
benefits. At BgC, we have been working with everyone from Brazilian and
international companies and stakeholders from investment companies to gaming
operators and suppliers to understand their needs and our role is to offer a platform
to support the process by bringing the expertise from around the world to
educate and inform. Regardless of what you are regulating, if you need time to
do it, so be it.
In relation to organizing this year’s event, we will be focusing on Sportsbetting regulation following a new bill to regulate sportsbetting which includes the new sportsbetting lottery LOTEX as well as online sports betting. The government believes it can double the revenue of the federal lotteries, when both LOTEX and Sportsbetting are ‘up-and-running’ (from 6 to R$12bill) so all of these situations inform our agenda.
What are
your expectations for this year’s BgC that will be held on June 26-27?
A key topic for
this year’s BgC will be the involvement of market verticals related to construction,
entertainment, tourism/real estate and our aim is to bring the industry closer
than ever to these sectors in June. Meanwhile, the proposed regulation of
online sports betting, whichif opened under effective laws and
regulations to attract well run and respected businesses/investors, will result
in international operators seeking to work with local partners to ensure they
have the highest chance of success by understanding the culture, economy,
society and business practices. This is the time to get those partners in
preparation to enter what is a gigantic market. BgC is the best opportunity to
get that information to prepare and to make the contacts necessary to be
successful.
What can
you tell us about the topics and speakers of the BgC 2017?
New, emerging
markets are hungry for knowledge, the opportunity to learn and gain insight
from the experience of operators, regulators and thought leaders in more mature
markets and in these terms BgC 2017 will not disappoint.
Our agenda features a political talk show hosted by a journalist specialized in politics and economics, Ana Maria Tahan, which will cover essential aspects related to Legal, Taxation, Financing & Investments, Corruption, Lack of transparency & Compliance, and the Impact on non-gaming sectors.
A special focus will be given to sports betting: lotteries and online gaming courtesy of our impressive line-up of speakers featuring political organisations, gaming industry leaders and trade associations – including Herculano Passos, Federal Deputy & Tourism parliament front, Chamber of Deputies; Vinicius Lummertz, presidente, Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Instituto), Ministry of Tourism; Diana Blanco, VP Business Development, COLJUEGOS-Colombian Gaming Authority, Ministry of Finance; Herbie Pallotta, Director of Social Media & Digital Content, Downtown Grand Las Vegas; Luigi Rotunno, President, ABR - Brazilian Association of Resorts; and many more.
What
progress do you think will be made regarding the approval of the gaming law in
the upcoming months?
Well that’s the
million dollar question isn’t it? It’s very difficult to speculate on the
future, but what we can say is that with a number of key members of the
government and prominent figures in the future of gaming law in Brazil,
questions such as these will no doubt be clarified at BgC.
What
would you say to the businessmen, industry manufacturers and potential
operators about the prospects of the Brazilian market in the future?
The entire
continent is a gaming ‘hot spot’ with the established markets such as Colombia,
Peru and Argentina sitting alongside the huge potential of Mexico and of
course, Brazil. Dynamic markets such as these need robust and professional
business events to set up a dialogue between the legislators and industry
regulators, manufacturers and operators. I believe that if a business project
is to be successful, it is important to ensure the industry is prepared. Locals
will need the know-how of market experts, the legislative boundaries and future
prospects, which is what BgC is there to provide.
How
important will be, once regulated, the Brazilian gaming market for Clarion?
A well-regulated
market is for the benefit of everyone, it provides great entertainment, it is
safe and secure for player and investors, socially responsible and offers much
to economy, from jobs and taxes to tourism and entertainment. Clarion, as the
world leader and organiser of the best show on earth, ICE Totally Gaming, is in
the best position to introduce the world to Brazil!
