Emilie Zamponi
Regional Director Southern Europe & LatAm
Play’n Go
Zamponi is the Regional Director of Southern Europe & LatAm at Play’n Go. She has more than a decade’s experience in the gaming industry, with a focus on B2B sales and account management.
Jose Martí Garcia del Valle
Head of Global Sales
PayRetailers
With over six years of experience in the Latin American payments space, PayRetailers Head of Global Sales Garcia del Valle is an expert in helping international merchants enter this booming market. He brings a deep understanding of the region and its diverse payment options, including the 250+ payment options offered by PayRetailers. His dedication to delivering exceptional service and tailored solutions has earned him a reputation as a leader in the industry.
Vladimir Malakchi
CCO
Evoplay
Malakchi, CCO at Evoplay, is a regular keynote speaker, panellist, interviewee and an active participant in podcasts and roundtables, as well as offline and online iGaming conferences. Malakchi is frequently invited to serve on juries for the most prestigious awards.
Bobby Longhurst
Managing Director
Sportingtech
Longhurst is Sportingtech’s Managing Director. He has played a pivotal role in strengthening the company’s growing presence globally with its operator-focused sports betting, casino and retail solutions. Before joining Sportingtech, he held leading commercial roles at Pronet Gaming, SBTech and Sporting Solutions.
The introduction of instant payment methods like PIX in Brazil has fueled the market’s growth, allowing players to deposit and withdraw funds from their gaming accounts instantly. With these advancements, the gaming industry in Latin America is at an all-time high.
Jose Martí Garcia del Valle
How has gaming in Latin America evolved in recent years?
Emilie Zamponi:
Ever since Colombia introduced a regulatory framework for online gaming back in 2016, the trend across the region has been to move in a similar direction. Some markets are already live (the city and province of Buenos Aires, for example), while others are making encouraging progress towards this goal (we’re hopeful that Peru and Brazil will finalise their respective processes soon). This evolution is creating the conditions for safe, sustainable gaming in Latin America, which is great news for both players and stakeholders.
Jose Martí Garcia del Valle:
In the past few years, the gaming industry in Latin America has seen significant growth, thanks to the region’s large population and emerging market. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards online gaming, and players are now more comfortable with virtual gaming environments than ever before. Furthermore, the introduction of instant payment methods like PIX in Brazil has fueled the market’s growth, allowing players to deposit and withdraw funds from their gaming accounts instantly. With these advancements, the gaming industry in Latin America is at an all-time high and is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
Vladimir Malakchi:
In recent years, Latin America has demonstrated an impressively dynamic growth trend, making it an appealing region for iGaming providers. The passing of landmark legislation in countries such as Peru and Colombia cannot be overlooked. The legalisation of online gambling there provided the impetus for the sector’s rapid expansion. The flashy growth of Brazil’s market is further evidence that the country, like much of Latin America, is benefiting from the environment’s thriving climate. With the estimated market size currently sat at $2.1bn, it has every chance to increase to $2.6bn by 2026.
Bobby Longhurst:
As popular as sports and sports betting are, iGaming is increasing in popularity among bettors at a rapid rate, with the incredible growth there for all to see. The stage is set for companies with a considerable knowledge set, experience and product offering to take advantage, but this can only be achieved when approached in the right way. The region has also embraced the advances in technology, with more than half of the Brazilian population having a mobile phone; and 72% of Colombians owning a smartphone, providing the ease to place bets on sporting events or to consume iGaming content.
Which Latin American markets are particularly growing?
Vladimir Malakchi:
Almost every country in the region has significant potential, but the one I’d single out is the already-mentioned Brazil. In terms of evolution, it continues to be the forerunner in the LatAm iGaming arena. I believe its sweeping digitalisation is a major accelerator of market growth. In 2022, Brazil had 167.7 million internet users and this number is constantly increasing. It is also worth noting that the regulatory attitude towards gambling in Brazil has recently shifted – and I have no doubt this trend will continue.
Emilie Zamponi:
There’s really promising growth across much of the region right now. At Play’n Go, we’re focused on regulated markets, and we’re already licensed in Colombia and Buenos Aires. For us, growth is about understanding local conditions, adapting our offering and delivering the very best entertainment to players. Above all, this needs to be done sustainably, which is why we’re so encouraged to see more markets follow Colombia’s example. We’re in Latin America for the long haul and that means creating a safe environment for players, and then exceeding their expectations on a daily basis.
Bobby Longhurst:
Brazil is growing and at a rapid rate. Statistics show 200% growth in the last two years, which is expected to significantly increase courtesy of sports betting revenue in 2023 and as legislation is passed to allow further betting opportunities. Argentina has also seen a surge in iGaming popularity, which shows no signs of slowing down with various licences being approved and more than 100 platforms registered; with brands ready for further approvals of betting activity across various provinces.
Jose Martí Garcia del Valle:
The iGaming market in Latin America has seen substantial growth in recent years, with Brazil and Mexico leading the way due to their large population sizes. However, Peru and Chile are also emerging as attractive markets for operators, with Peru beginning to regulate the space and seeing a significant increase in the number of operators entering the market. Argentina is another country to watch, with its passion for football making it an attractive market for sports betting operators despite being regulated and licensed by the province. Overall, the iGaming industry in Latin America is continuing to grow, presenting exciting opportunities for operators in the region.
How difficult is it to attain licences in the various markets?
Vladimir Malakchi:
The majority of LatAm regulatory systems have simplified conditions for iGaming suppliers, with no licence required. At the same time, the legal framework is heavily influenced by the country’s approach to online gaming. Regulatory diversity indeed reflects the market size, scope and multifaceted nature. Each country has chosen its own legislative and development path, and it will be fascinating to closely monitor how they all pan out.
Emilie Zamponi:
Obviously, these things take time. It’s important to remember that Latin America doesn’t really exist as a single market; it comprises multiple jurisdictions where everything from regulation to payments and player preferences can significantly differ. When a new territory in the region regulates, we’ll likely be first in the queue for a licence because no other games studio has our experience when it comes to regulated gaming. The question operators hoping to expand in Latin America need to ask themselves is whether they have access to the range of content that can meet the demands of distinct player bases, whether that be in Colombia, Argentina or elsewhere.
Bobby Longhurst:
The Latin American market is a vast assortment of countries. Each has a plethora of different markets with their own regulations and technological infrastructure. Understanding these differences intimately is imperative when trying to obtain licences. The legislative process is never too far from anyone’s mind, and it is only right that the correct steps are taken to ensure player protection and content is appropriate. Now that licences are beginning to be green-lit, the procedures should be in place for operators to enjoy more success going forward. With legal sports betting in Brazil under consideration of being legally approved in the National Congress, this will be huge for our industry.
Jose Martí Garcia del Valle:
Attaining licences in the iGaming industry differs by market due to the different legislation in each country. For instance, in Argentina, licensing is done by province, which means that if you want to operate in a particular region, you need to get licensed for that region and be able to only accept players from that area. However, in Colombia, a local licence allows operation throughout the entire country. LatAm is considered attractive because there is no significant legislation in most countries, and you can operate with an Malta or Curaçao licence. Understanding the regulations and licensing requirements in each market is crucial for operators looking to expand their business in the iGaming space.
The question operators hoping to expand in Latin America need to ask themselves is whether they have access to the range of content that can meet the demands of distinct player bases, whether that be in Colombia, Argentina or elsewhere.
Emilie Zamponi
What does the future look like for gaming in Latin America?
Emilie Zamponi:
We’re really excited. There’s a lot of buzz around the huge potential of Latin America right now, but Play’n Go has been active in the region for a long time. We’re not jumping on the bandwagon – we’ve been investing in Latin America for many years now. In terms of other markets, Brazil is of course an interesting one that we’re closely monitoring. It can be tough to predict, but we’re hopeful for a breakthrough in 2023. When it finally happens, it will be a gamechanger not just in Latin America, but for the entire global online gaming sector.
Vladimir Malakchi:
To give it the bigger picture, Latin America is on its way to becoming one of the most prosperous and revenue-generating markets in the world. It has all the makings of a booming, money-making market. The region shows impressive growth dynamics, and it comes as no surprise that online GGR is expected to reach $4.4bn by 2026. While sports betting dominates the market, our data shows that LatAm gamblers are also interested in slots as a form of online entertainment.
Bobby Longhurst:
We have enjoyed great success in Latin America, with various launches in Brazil that we are keen to build on. It is no secret the region is seeking diverse betting opportunities, as proven by the number of platforms registered and licences that are being applied for. With so much content readily available, their needs will be more than catered for. And what is just as exciting is how content will develop once operators gain a better understanding of player preferences and how this will impact the industry, across the globe.
Jose Martí Garcia del Valle:
The future of gaming in Latin America looks very promising as the region is experiencing significant growth in the iGaming industry. With the regulation of industries like sports betting, casino and poker in several countries, international operators have the opportunity to acquire local licences and tap into a rapidly growing market. The growth rate in most Latin American countries has hit double digits and is projected to double in size by 2027. Early entry into this market presents a huge opportunity for operators to establish themselves in the region and take advantage of continued growth. Overall, the future of gaming in Latin America looks bright and lucrative.
