GMB - You have been a speaker on sports betting at SIGMA. What is the importance of events like this for the regulation of this sector in Brazil?
Eduardo Carlezzo - In the regulation and compliance section of the event, Brazil was highlighted because there is a lot of curiosity and expectation about the regulation that is coming in the country. Operators look forward to the final decree with clear and enforceable rules of execution. We hope that the legal barriers that exist today can be overcome as soon as possible so that the foundations for the licensing process are set.
How was your talk in the event? Did it exceed your expectations in relation with the present audience and the featured products?
The traffic of people inside the conference is great, since the event became the main of Europe in the area. The audience is highly specialized and the debates in all sections indicate what lies ahead in terms of trends in different areas of the gaming industry.
During SIGMA, did you see the position and vision of foreign operators in relation to Brazil? How do they see the opening of the market?
The vision is positive. Everyone sees the obvious: by the size of the country's population and the involvement of Brazilians with football, the expectations of establishing a giant market for sports betting is high. However, even with a large market, there is obviously no room for everyone. Not all companies will succeed, as it tends to be strong competition to attract the gambler.
Brazil has a large population and certain political problems. Do these things worry you in any way?
I don't think so. Who comes to Brazil has been looking for the long term and knowing that the crisis is already behind. Therefore, the trend is for the economy to grow, which of course will positively impact the betting market.
How do you see the future of sports betting in the country with the regulatory process going?
At this point, I see the issue with some apprehension because of the changes that must be made in Law 13.756. We have seen on tireless occasions that our National Congress is a box of surprises. I am afraid that this modification will take too long and will introduce some modification in the law, distorting its context.
How do you see Secap's minute about fixed odds betting?
I see with good eyes. It is always possible to improve, of course, but I see that the government is aware of this and open to listening to the opinions of the market, which is fundamental for good regulation.
How do you and the business people you meet at SIGMA see the corporate-club issue?
The corporate-club can become a watershed in Brazilian football. And I say that 'it could be' because this turn will depend solely on the political powers of the clubs and they don't always think in a modern and transparent way. We are archaic when it comes to the transformation of clubs, which are mostly associations, into companies. I hope we can break paradigms, demystify the fact that clubs have owners and see national clubs in line with the largest in Europe.
Do you believe that with the regulation of betting, we will have an even bigger boom than we had this year in relation to sponsorship of Brazilian teams? Nnot only in football but covering various popular sports in the country…
As it turns out, the trend is for all Serie A clubs by 2020 to have some kind of deal with bookmakers. In national sport, most marketing resources focus on football and its elite competitions. Next, I think Serie B clubs will benefit as well, and from then on opportunities for other sports will appear.
Source: Exclusive Games Magazine Brasil
