Finally, the sports betting and iGaming industry can once again meet in person in an appropriate place in Brazil. Held in the city of São Paulo, the first edition of the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BIS) – The iGaming Intelligence Made in Brazil began this Wednesday morning, December 1st.
The only and most relevant event in the Brazilian market is taking place at Espaço Boulevard JK, Edifício International Plaza, receiving companies of enormous prestige from all over the planet. The objective of BiS 2021 is to provide this gathering of consolidated players abroad, new industry leaders and influential figures in the political context.
In an official statement on this first morning of the event, the organization thanked all the participants for their presence and confirmed the second edition for June of next year. But, it is worth remembering that the official BiS 2021 schedule follows this Thursday, 2.
See below the main points covered in the first panels and lectures promoted on the opening day of BiS 2021.
Wednesday, December 1st morning schedule
Opening of BiS 2021
Alessandro Valente (Super Afiliados) officially opened the event with a thank you to all the personalities present, sponsors, brands and media partners. In addition, Valente highlighted the participation of Flávio Figueiredo, CEO of the iGaming Brazil portal, as one of the main creators of BiS 2021.
Lecture: the Positive Impact of the Gaming Sector on the Brazilian Economy
Gustavo José de Guimarães e Souza (Secretary of Evaluation, Planning, Energy and Lottery at the Ministry of Economy) was responsible for presenting the first BiS 2021 lecture and focused on the positive aspects that the games market can provide to the national economy. “Brazil has a lot of room for growth, but there are several points to be improved”, he pointed out.
The secretary cited a ‘window of opportunity’ for the whole of Brazil: “Today, we have a great window of opportunity if we consider the following points: An economic recovery after the pandemic with revenue creation and new aspects; incentive to improve fiscal and social destinations; adequacy of taxation of Fixed Quota Bets (AQF); year of the World Cup; discussion of the National Congress on the new regulatory framework and the legal deadline for the 2022 AQF”.
He also stressed that “the positive impacts of federal lotteries are fundamental: social transfers, for example, exceed approximately R$ 4.64 billion”. And, he added: “The games of skill are also important for the Brazilian betting scenario, generating a positive impact with revenue of R$ 2.3 billion in 2021, according to Newzoo”.
In addition, the secretary stated that leveraging entertainment tourism is a viable alternative and “can guarantee a strong positive economic impact for the sector”, but warned: “For this sector to grow in Brazil, we will need a robust regulatory structure, with resources and extremely competent”.
Panel: Ambassadors – Roles and Responsibilities
The second seminar of the day was attended by former basketball player Oscar Schmidt and comedian and youtuber Rafinha Bastos. One of the main names in the history of Brazilian sport, Oscar pointed out that “preparation is the main thing when we talk about games and betting”.
Regarding the importance of ambassadors for brands in the iGaming and sports betting segment, Rafinha Bastos highlighted: “One of the main characteristics of the ambassador is to demonstrate how opportunities are there for those who are prepared”.
Lecture: Brazilian intelligence to succeed in business
Following the conference, Leonardo Baptista and Fabrício Murakami, both from Pay4Fun, presented an interesting debate on the mechanisms needed to leverage brands and consolidate in the national market.
Leonardo Baptista highlighted the importance of knowing the particularities of the local customer in order to be successful in Brazil. “It is essential to know your customer, to know the Brazilian customer, to create a specialized and valuable product aimed at that customer”, adding: “It is worth remembering that Brazil is not just about Samba and Football. It is necessary for operators to establish new paths and objectives within the Brazilian market”.
Fabrício Murakami mentioned fundamental aspects to become a reference in the market. “Attention to the public and to the customer, as well as an adequate product, is essential when the regulation is finalized and running in a completely legal manner”.
Murakami reinforced that customer service has a different weight in this market. “One of our mottos is ‘take the customer by the hand’, as we believe that customer service is paramount when it comes to a quality product.”
Also according to Murakami, the holding of meetings within the scope of the Brazilian iGaming Summit also contribute significantly to the strengthening of this new industry. “Events like BiS 2021 are very important to establish partners, network and understand the value of connection within the iGaming market”, he concluded.
Lecture: The impact of casinos on resorts in the world and the perspective for Brazil
Next, Alex W. Pariente (Senior Vice President, Hard Rock Hotels Casinos), Gustavo José de Guimarães e Souza (Secretary of Evaluation, Planning, Energy and Lottery at the Ministry of Economy) and Paulo Saad (Vice President of Pay Channels Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação) discussed the business opportunities related to integrated casinos and how this segment can be explored in the national territory.
Alex W. Pariente described how the casino industry was affected by the social restrictions imposed by the pandemic. “The pandemic has affected casinos around the world, decreasing revenues, establishing barriers and even disrupting important regulatory moments in some regions.”
He added: “The entertainment industry in the US has had a major recovery and is one of the regions that promises to have one of the highest returns of the decade, as shown by Las Vegas, recording billions in recent months”.
Regarding the possibilities for Brazil, Pariente stressed that “nowadays, we have in Brazil several technologies and elements that attract operators and customers from all over the world.”
According to Paulo Saad, the objective is to achieve complete regulation to generate new opportunities in the country. “We continue to fight for the regulation to be complete. Currently, there are many illegal casinos, betting and gaming that do not have adequate supervision, tax collection and even without protection for customers and gamblers. The release of casinos and betting would generate jobs, income and new opportunities for the Brazilian market”.
The Secretary of Evaluation, Planning, Energy and Lottery at the Ministry of Economy, Gustavo José de Guimarães e Souza spoke about the prospects for regulation. “In general terms, we think it’s important to have the rules of the game and casinos very clear, and with time, adjust them to our market.”
According to the secretary, the gaming and betting industry can make all the difference for the country’s development in the coming years. “Brazil has great room for growth, especially when we consider other segments such as: eSports, poker and other skill games. This is a huge industry that could be one of the main factors to move Brazil in the coming years.”
Panel: Regulation of Lotteries in Brazil: Expectations and Perspectives
Moderated by Roberto Brasil Fernandes (Brasil Fernandes Advogados), the conversation about the regulation of lottery services in the country included Marcello M. Corrêa (Loterj), Antônio de Jesus Leitão Nunes (Maranhão Partnerships) and Valter Delfraro (GLI).
Opening the panel, Antônio de Jesus Leitão Nunes focused on the Maranhão state lottery, detailing the plans and all the potential to be explored. “The expectation is that there will be a social transfer of the lotteries of 30 million reais in the coming years to Maranhão, but the number could reach up to R$ 60 million”.
Marcello M. Corrêa addressed skills involving lotteries and betting. “The material competence of lotteries and betting is still something under construction and should be discussed in detail”, adding: “a public notice was recently launched that includes sports betting, electronic games and other betting games, explaining when certifications are necessary .”
For Corrêa, the absence of certification these days becomes a danger for all parties involved in this segment. “The lack of certification is currently a risk for both the state and customers. It is necessary to make room for the private sector to flourish and grow in the Brazilian scenario”.
Valter Delfraro also highlighted the importance of proper certification. “Certification is necessary when we have a large market like Brazil. It is necessary for us to have a complete regulator, with criteria, supervision and a clean process for obtaining certification, respecting fair, responsible gaming and the prevention of money laundering “.
Delfraro detailed the work of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). “GLI is focused on helping to draft laws and projects aimed at the betting market. It is essential that we offer our production, technology and research so that the most refined and safe product reaches the final consumer. With our experience, we are sure that we will succeed supporting operators, betting and creating a responsible and safe environment for the customer”.
However, the GLI representative made a point of mentioning that the standards must be compatible with the market and regional demands. “Each regulation must be made according to the market and its local needs”, he concluded.
Panel: Corporate Vision of Sports Betting and Lotteries in Brazil
At the end of the first morning of BiS, moderator Roberto Brasil Fernandes received Alexandre Tauszig (SkilRock Technologies) and Sergio Alvarenga (Intralot Brasil) to offer a differentiated and corporate vision of the betting and lottery segments.
Alexandre Tauszig highlighted the Brazilian potential in the Latin American market. “Brazil is today the great player in Latin America. We want to bring our experience in working in markets as large as this one”.
He continued: “Lotteries that are intending to enter Brazil must pay attention to the credentials of the WLA, CIBELAE and other certifications. It is important that major players understand and value the flexibility of emerging markets to be successful in their business.”
Sergio Alvarenga, in turn, assured that Intralot already has a deep knowledge of the Brazilian scenario. “During this period of discussion about the regulation, Intralot has already acquired vast experience in the Brazilian market, in addition to important certifications and credentials for each operator”.
Alvarenga advised operators to observe all business possibilities in the states. “Operators must be aware of opportunities in the states, whether in sports betting or gambling in general. This is the moment after the insecurity we are experiencing due to the pandemic”, continuing “Intralot is totally focused on directing its lottery investments in the States and in the Union”.
The SkilRock Technologies executive also highlighted that this is a very opportune period for players interested in entering the Brazilian market. “We live in a unique moment in Brazil, it is ideal that all companies look for partnerships and competent names for the evolution of this scenario in Brazil”.
Tauszig concluded: “Competition is good for any type of business. This is what guarantees the evolution of a competent and profitable product for the operator and for the end customer.”
