GMB - Now that the legalization of sports betting has been officialized in Brazil and we are waiting for the start of the regulation work, what are your plans to act in the modality? Will RCT be part of the market or do you intend to partner with other companies?
Hugo Baungartner - Today, RCT basically works with land based machines and there is no product in which we can fit into this sports betting mode. However, I work with Patagonia, a company that has a very interesting platform, robust and flexible, produced and with expertise in Latin America. It does have very interesting products that fit perfectly into the sport betting modality and we are searching and ready for that market.
In your opinion, what would be the best regulation model for the operation of sports betting in Brazil? Would it work better with a monopoly or an open market with multiple licenses to operators?
I think it should be a more open thing. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore this new market. If it is only something for two, three or four operators is a limiting thing. And the market is too big, it has room for everyone.
And in this scenario of debates about the regulation of sports betting, what is the importance of an event such as OGS Brazil that was held at the beginning of the month and n which you participated ?
I believe it was very productive, interesting and with the approval of the PM shortly before the event, gave everyone the chance to discuss the new proposals and ideas. I guess, no one knows exactly how it's going to be, but, the debate is always important, it's always interesting. The event was of fundamental importance so we could debate and construct ideas for this new sports betting law in Brazil.
Assessing the moment of political transition in Brazil, what are your expectations for the new government of Jair Bolsonaro, especially regarding the regulation of other gaming modalities?
We lived a period of 16 years of power from a party that had an idea. So I believe that with a renewal, with a new person, a different party, the hope is that there really is a change in that direction. New ideas are always welcome and I believe that the change of thought must happen with this new government. And I also believe that there should be some regulation of the gaming market in the Jair Bolsonaro government.
Apart from sports betting projects, can you tell us a bit more about RCT's plans, including the next steps in this partnership with Patagonia?
RCT today is based and has operations throughout Latin America, we are now entering Asia as well, working on new projects there. And the partnership with Patagonia it was started in November. They already has an office in Uruguay, we have just opened an office in Brazil and in January we will open an office in Mexico City, where I will be working on a daily basis and everyone will be very welcome to visit our office in that city.
Source: Exclusive GMB
