GMB - What technological advancement trends do you think we will see this year in your industry?
Fernando Garita - Regarding trends, I think something that will continue to be very strong will be the growth of more online casino products and other games, like eSports and everything that is 'Play to win'. Also, there will be growth throughout 2022, where more companies will focus on developing content and products for Metaverse, like Decentraland, where we already see that there are some casinos, and there is user acceptance. So we'll soon see sporting events that we can bet on.
To what extent do you see player customs and demands to be met in 2022?
Well, right now, we must always find a way to keep our customers with top-of-the-line products and up-to-date content. Player demands are often related to current trends and the challenge is to stay there because of changing consumption patterns as customers look to stay up to date with the latest technologies and services. This 2022 will definitely see how more traditionally retail gaming companies will seek digital transformation to stay in that line and will have to gradually adapt retail to become more experience and payment hubs.
How do you think the pandemic will affect business results in 2022?
I think the sector is already recovering, at least in Latin America, which was very good, although I think we will have some ups and downs during the year, but I believe there is an upward trend in terms of revenue for companies.
Which markets and/or countries do you consider with the greatest possibilities for progress and growth opportunities?
In general, I think whoever manages the biggest digital transformation will definitely have that advantage in Latin America. Connectivity and digital banking or alternative processing services will dictate which market can grow exponentially without depending on a retail point for its activity. Brazil, Mexico and Chile are very strong in this line due to their facilities and current digitalization, which can be mentioned.
Do you think gaming advertising restrictions will deepen globally?
We hope not. We have already seen the Spanish case in which it not only directly affected a sector but also had an impact on the revenue of sports clubs and consequently on many commercial activities linked to the sector. I agree with a control, but never with an absolute ban. There must be a balance. In Latin America it would be very difficult to say that the entire region would be potentially affected, as each country has its own media and marketing policy.
What do you envision for the Brazilian market in terms of legislation and regulation of gambling?
Well, I think it's closer to happening and, like most companies in the sector, we hope so. Brazil is a very large market where all parties involved will benefit greatly and we trust that it will happen soon and always with the best possible conditions to operate.
What are your company's main goals for the year? Are you planning more releases than in 2021?
We will continue with the expansion. We have some new Latin American markets in our sights and we hope that in 2022 the conditions will be met to be able to advance even further. We continue to add a great human team to our ranks in different countries that will surely add all their local experience to always give the best for our customers.
To reach your goals this year, do you intend to make more investments and hires than last year?
We will definitely continue to add more teams to this great Betcris project and in a few days we will be pleased to announce two new sports team sponsorships for Peru and Mexico.
What kind of sponsorships or marketing actions to promote your company's products and services do you think will be more relevant this year within your roadmap?
As always, a sponsorship must be accompanied by many aspects that accompany it, such as campaigns and events, combining different aspects of association between brands and, of course, always including our customers. Betcris has always been and we will continue to do so, integrating our customers into all kinds of events where they can live the experience of sharing an event or even the sports stars of their favorite clubs.
In your view of the global market, do you consider that in 2022 we’ll see be more mergers or acquisitions of companies than the previous one?
This year we will definitely see some big moves in the sector and a very interesting aspect will be to see how some companies from the traditional retail activity will arrive to interact or partially or totally acquire some digital companies.
Could you name three events within your industry that will be pivotal in 2022? Why did you choose them?
Some that we have on the way to 2022 are: the EGR in Argentina in February; SAGSE in March, one of the events of great tradition and reference in LATAM; and in April, ICE will definitely be a great event outside LATAM, but with many opportunities for business. We will also be at the new affiliate product IGB in London, CGS Chile in April, and GAT Colombia.
In 2021, we participated in the first edition of BiS, in Brazil, which demonstrated a very successful local and foreign presence and first-class content at the conferences. Therefore, this year we will be present again. SBC Latam and North America will also be some of the events we will be attending, as well as Esport Reunion. We will try to expand the agenda as much as possible and make the most of all these events and if there is an opportunity we will try to participate in a few more or those in virtual format.
Source: Exclusive GMB
