Tiago Almeida started his career in the online gaming industry in 2006. With a professional experience in leading companies like Bwin and Dragonfish, he was involved in different senior operational and marketing roles focused on the Latin American market. In 2016 he founded Egamingservices, a company with offices in Brazil, Uruguay, Malta and Portugal, that provides marketing and operational services to online gaming operators willing to monetize opportunities in Latin America.
GMB - First of all, we would like you to introduce EgamingServices to our readers...
Tiago Almeida - EgamingServices emerged in 2016 after we realized that there was an increasing interest from startups or already established companies that wanted to invest in new markets and increase their turnover. Since there was already more than 10 years' experience of the team of partners who founded Egamingservices, it was natural to make our knowledge available to the market.
Immediately we understand that just by offering a 360 degree solution, we could satisfy the requirement of our customers. That is why we immediately set up a branch in Malta, which specializes in international licensing projects. We understand that this service, would be the foundation of the site, which could later start what is our core service, the management of the operation. To do so, we decided to invest and hire some of the best experts in online gaming in the area of Marketing, Affiliation, Operations and Finance.
Today, we have a team with more than 35 people, present in 4 countries. In just over 60 days, we achieve to start an online gaming operation across Latin America, Europe or Africa.
Today, we are a digital business accelerator, focused 100% on iGaming. Our solution offers licensing, branding, marketing, operational management, CRM, PR and more. We offer more than 18 services to our partners and intend to continue investing in increased cooperation with our customers. The nomination for the EGR B2B awards, just in our first year of existence, was a great distinction that not only honored this investment that was made, but also defined a level of demand that we intend to continue to honor in the coming years.
What is your BGC assessment and what are your expectations for the event?
At eGamingServices every event is a new opportunity for networking and developing business relationships. We face these events not only for business opportunities, but as spaces where we can find new partners that add value to the service we provide to our customers, which are the betting sites. Here, Brasilian Gaming Congress plays an essential role, since the Brazilian market represents almost 70% of our global invoicing. We embrace and applaud the theme of the fair, which this year is "Strengthening Roots". Our experience in the Portuguese regulated market may be very important here, since we believe that there will potentially be similarities in the scope of a future law. In all the contacts we make with online betting operators, the regulation theme in Brazil is present. We find it essential to discuss this theme at the event and to share our vision. Only with an eco-tax system fair and accessible to open investment will gaming thrive in Brazil.
How to show Brazil the immense possibilities and strategies to be adopted to sow the culture of gaming in a country that has been without casinos for more than 70 years?
Although the law has removed the existence of physical casinos in Brazil, there is a very solid culture of play and fun that should be used. In all forms of gambling, not only the casino, but also the sports betting or jogo do bicho, we understand that there is an upward demand. Here the safety and credibility of operators plays an essential role. Our intervention in the BGC, will demonstrate precisely that with a positive message, adequate means of payment and an excellent marketing plan, it is possible to achieve success in the Brazilian market. The gaming culture is present in Brazil and we believe that the World Cup that is so close, will demonstrate these good indicators.
What successful examples of your company and countries with recent regulations do you intend to show on the panel in which you will participate?
Although the confidentiality agreements that regulate our relationship with our customers do not allow us to identify brands, we intend to demonstrate in Brazil a case of successful brand activation in the Portuguese regulated market. We will share with the audience of the event, the pre and post legalization gaming market numbers, thus demonstrating the positive effects legalization has had on users, the labor market, society and sport in general.
Brazil discusses the approval of only casinos at integrated resorts. Is it the best way or should all sports options also be considered?
We believe that all forms of gambling should be considered. In addition to physical casinos, there are other forms of online and offline gambling that require this clarification. Not only would it create highly specialized jobs, but the Brazilian state itself would raise millions of reais in direct and indirect taxes. Brazil needs to get out of informality and only a totally open legalization, will bring this path of progress.
What message would you give to the authorities not to scare away potential investors from the Brazilian market?
It is essential, above all, that any regulatory agency that can be created in Brazil, has total independence and autonomy. The process of legalization does not end at the moment the law is released, being instead the beginning of a path where new actors will appear. Most importantly, this regulatory agency will have the power to issue unlimited licenses at a reasonable price and a tax burden that makes sense. In the country where we have our head office (Portugal) there is a totally unadjusted tax burden today, with an incidence on billing or turnover. This tributary model even further alienates potential investors today, perpetuating perhaps even more the existence of some operators who continue to operate illegally. More than ever it is necessary to create conditions for the legalization of a new business climate in Brazil. Involve everyone, to do more and better. That offers fair conditions of business development and social responsibility.
And what message would you give to investors interested in the Brazilian gaming market?
As specialists we are in the Brazilian market, we help our clients daily to understand the cultural specificities of Brazil. The market is alive, vibrant and ready to receive good projects that add value to an audience that increasingly seeks to have fun in a safe and secure environment. Our team can offer solutions that in a little more than three months, can create an efficient operation in Brazil and other countries in South America.
Source: Exclusive GMB
