Next December 3-4, at the Pacaembu Stadium in São Paulo, OGS Brazil will bring together operators, product and service providers, regulators and authorities to discuss the current scenario and future regulation of the Online Gameing and Sports Betting sector in Brazil. With the renovation in the benches both in the Senate and in the Chamber of Deputies, it is expected that the regulation of the sector topic will return to the agenda.
With what expectations do you get to the Online Gaming Summit Brasil, an unprecedented event for our market? What products or services will you exhibit at your stand?
With the news that the Congress finally approved the Law, we arrived with the greatest possible expectation, hoping to finally begin our operation in the Brazilian market. Our origin as operators that use our own platform and risk analysis, allow us to have a unique solution in this business, hence our goal is to find a local partner with which to operate jointly.
Last week the Brazilian Congress legalized sports betting. What do you think of this progress? Were you expecting it?
It really took us by surprise but it is welcome that it happened so fast. We have been preparing for this moment for many years and we believe that it is a fundamental advance to regulate such an important market.
How do you think the regulation of the sports betting business should be in the country? Do you expect it to be with multi-licenses?
There are models especially in Europe that already regulate this business perfectly. It is important not to get confused and try to replicate casino regulations. This business has specific tax issues that if a certain limit is exceeded makes it unfeasible. It is a reality that there is competition, it is healthy and fair for the players, from there I see reasonable that there are several licenses.
If you should suggest to the Finance Ministry some model of a country with successful regulation to take as an example, what would it be?
The British or Cyprus model are success stories of this business. Their collection numbers to the state as the control and protection of players are clear examples to consider. Their taxes are fair so that all the players have a fair return and what is required towards the operation platform is the basic thing, avoiding the operators cost overruns in developments that in practice are inert.
Is this kind of knowledge-sharing meeting something that the country needs to prevent the population from being misinformed about the false "dangers" of the gaming sector?
It is always important to be transparent and be able to tell third parties the details of what we do. We are within a controversial industry but at the same time one of the most controlled in the world, hence we will always be observed. It is our obligation to demonstrate all available means to counteract those "dangers".
Online gaming seems today to be the fastest growing modality in the world. Why do you think this is happening?
I think there is a generational theme connected to new technologies of which gaming is not exempt. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Uber or Airbnb are cases of how technology happens to dominate our day to day and business, and gaming is part of this change. In the same way it is not enough with online games, the commercial strategies and the offer to the players are still a fundamental part and whoever does not get on that train is going to be very complicated.
In terms of size, what kind of market do you imagine the Brazilian one will be? Which product do you think will be most successful?
Brazil is a continent inside another, so it has a very great potential with a market that still remains to be discovered, considering that this will be the first regulation of the gaming sector after many years. The passion for football will surely make sportsbooks have a specific potential but no less than other entertainment products like bingo games that are very popular here.
How do you think the new government led by Jair Bolsonaro will address the rest of the gaming market in the country?
I honestly do not think I have solid tools to answer this question, but I do believe that after this regulation, a controlled and transparent operation can be put in place where the regulatory entities can observe that it is feasible to develop the business by increasing the revenues for the State.
Source: GMB
