GMB – What is Naipe’s proposal for the Brazilian market?
Daniel Álvares – Weebet, already a reference in Brazil when it comes to platforms, is once again bringing major innovations. The solution is now focused on Naipe, aimed at municipal lotteries. We identified a significant gap in the market, a strong segment where we could enter with a practical and affordable software solution to provide full support for those who wish to operate in the municipal market.
One of the main concerns of players in the local market is precisely this: a robust platform like Weebet’s can be too costly for smaller-scale operations. How does this product address that?
Naipe comes with exactly this focus: a tropicalized solution, tailored in terms of functionality to the municipal market and regional characteristics, and also in terms of pricing. So, we are offering a ready-to-use, robust product with all the technology a municipal operator needs, but at a more accessible price. We are making entry into the market more feasible for new operators.
Does it include all the features and tools of a national-level platform, such as sports betting and online gaming? How was Naipe structured?
Yes. We will provide a highly comprehensive platform covering both sportsbook and casino, featuring all the top industry providers and suppliers. We’ve combined practicality and robustness into a ready-made, reliable system that is also accessible—our way of democratizing the market.
How has the market received this new proposal from Weebet with Naipe?
In fact, this spinoff we are launching from Weebet was presented at the 3rd Analome Municipal Lotteries Congress, and the reception has been extremely positive. We’ve positioned Weebet for state and federal markets—those holding licenses at those levels—and Naipe for operators holding municipal licenses. The feedback has been fantastic.
Could this offer, for instance, allow operators from the black market to move into legality?
Exactly. That is one of the key goals behind Naipe’s introduction to the market. Today we see two sides: the unregulated and the regulated. We are providing a robust, ready-made solution with all the GLI-33 and GLI-19 certifications, in a practical, user-friendly, accessible, and more affordable system. This allows those operators who had been working in the black market to reposition themselves. There is now a pathway for them to become regulated, to operate seriously and robustly, paying all required taxes.
That was our main goal: democratizing the market and helping to push the black market further away. This has been a priority for Weebet and now Naipe since the beginning of the regulatory process. Without a doubt, this is a milestone we are working on to increasingly eliminate irregularity and illegality, bringing greater benefits to society.
How does Weebet view this transition moment, especially with talk of tax increases? What is your assessment?
Regarding the federal license, we see legal uncertainty when it comes to the tax rate increase from 12% to 18%, as well as hearing the Finance Minister [Fernando Haddad] mention possible retroactive taxation. This creates stagnation in the market due to legal uncertainty. At the same time, it pushes operators to transition into the municipal lottery market, which is growing, gaining momentum, and fostering a critical mass that helps reduce illegality.
When it comes to federal regulation, the costs are high, and the legal uncertainty discourages investment. Municipal lotteries, on the other hand, provide diversification. Operators can work within a regulated framework, but at a lower cost, offering them greater security.
We view regulation positively. We were among the pioneers in certification and compliance, both as a platform provider and for our operators. But we also believe there needs to be greater dialogue between federal, state, and municipal authorities, operators, and the industry, so that we can bring more education to these stakeholders. They need to understand what the market is, what it requires, where the deficits are, and what is needed for a healthy operation.
I believe this dialogue will be the key for federal, state, and now also municipal licenses to succeed.
Source: Exclusive to GMB
