Brazil
Inside Brazil’s race to the finish line
The buzz around a fully-regulated Brazilian sports betting market has been amplified since the passing of legislation in late December 2023. As operators await the publication of a regulatory framework later this year, many industry stakeholders are trying to prepare themselves for meeting licensing requirements.
Marc Crean, OpenBet’s VP for Latin America and Canada, shares predictions for the months ahead.
After a two-decade wait for a legalised gambling market, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio da Silva, has now sanctioned law 14790 to approve gambling regulation in the booming LatAm market. The government has been engaging key stakeholders and giving regular and transparent updates over recent months and the path to regulation looks optimistic with a thriving market is in sight.
There are strong opinions from all sides about Brazilian regulation and how it should look, yet there is great potential to create new revenue streams and jobs for the country, which is generally viewed as the jewel in the crown of LatAm’s sports betting market. However, before the market can operate smoothly, sustainably, and safely, the serious issues of match-fixing, money laundering and responsible gaming must be ironed out. A highly publicised investigation concerning allegations of widespread match-fixing is still ongoing, with seven professional football players charged for alleged crimes in the scandal.
The government wants to establish a market that provides sports betting entertainment to Brazilians, generates revenue for the country and protects local players and institutions as quickly as possible, but the specifics of the regulations will change over time as technology develops. The framework must be flexible enough to cope with changing demands and stay one step ahead of illegal operations when it is finalised.
One introduction is a 12% GGR tax on operators, which is a sustainable rate and in line with other successful regions, as well as a 15% tax on bettors’ net gains. This is expected to generate R$3 billion in revenue for the Brazilian government each year. However, while the government will struggle to satisfy all stakeholders, taxes are not unique to Brazil nor to sports betting. Most market estimates have Brazil as third or fourth in the world in terms of size, and the proposed cost of a license is in line with UK and US costs.
What is clear is that Brazilian regulators must exercise caution on a proposed tax on player winnings. There is room to do this successfully based on how the tax imposition is implemented. It is in the law, so it is going to be in place, but the devil is in the details. It has been seen again and again how this type of tax, whilst well-intentioned, can reduce channelisation and end up pushing people to black market sites.
Shaping the industry of the future
Brazil has its own unique cultural, social and economic dynamics that will have a major influence on product, operations and marketing activities. Regulation will create a massive amount of local opportunity both on the supply and the operator side of our industry. However, people tend to overestimate the need for local product and underestimate the need for local marketing and operations. This invariably creates opportunities for local companies and I think this is healthy for our industry.
Early-adoption, innovation and an unparalleled consumption of social media are three local dynamics that will have a massive impact on the shape of the industry. As always, companies with boots on the ground will be better placed to understand and tap into these areas.
When you add in the size of the market and the passion for sports, we can expect to see a lot of new ideas and innovations coming out of Brazil once the market fully opens up and starts to flourish.
BandBet
Brazil’s BandBet partners with OpenBet to Launch Sports Betting & iGaming platform
OpenBet to deliver fully compliant end-to-end betting and gaming ecosystem, including Player Account Management, BetBuilder, Responsible Gaming Technology, Geolocation Product OpenBet Locator, and Managed Trading Services
OpenBet, a leading global provider of betting content, platforms, and services, has been selected by Bell Ventures Digital Ltd (“Company”) in Brazil to power the Company’s online betting and gaming brand. The partnership marks OpenBet’s first move to launch a betting and gaming brand in the country. In addition to providing the platform’s core technology, the Company enters the market with the BandBet brand, licensed from Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação (“Band”).
This landmark agreement, which has the financial advice of the Investment Banking team at BTG Pactual, the largest investment bank in Latin America, brings together two major entertainment forces to introduce BandBet, a new and innovative offering for Brazil’s regulated betting and gaming market. BandBet is currently under a soft launch period, operating on the domain www.bandbet.com, with Bell Ventures being among the authorized entities from the Ministry of Finance to operate during the transition period following the terms of ordinance 1475/24.
Band is one of the largest and most traditional and influential media conglomerates in Brazil, with a legacy spanning over 87 years. Known for its extensive network of Free to Air Television, PayTV, Radio and digital platforms (social networks, mobile app, website), Band delivers a diverse range of content, including sports, news and entertainment, reaching millions of users on a daily basis across the nation. In addition to Bell Ventures licensing the BandBet brand from Band, the Company has entered into an agreement to acquire media space from the media conglomerate.
Leveraging the licensed BandBet brand reputation linked to one of the biggest TV networks in Brazil, and OpenBet’s unparalleled expertise in betting technology and regulatory compliance, this collaboration is poised to deliver a superior betting and gaming experience for players in the region. As part of the agreement, OpenBet will supply its complete end-to-end sports betting and iGaming ecosystem inclusive of player account management, providing BandBet with the technology, content, and compliance infrastructure required to succeed in Brazil’s newly regulated market.
In addition to sports betting, OpenBet is also empowering BandBet to deliver a comprehensive iGaming experience to players. This includes a seamlessly integrated online casino, featuring a cutting-edge user interface, access to a wide variety of content from leading gaming studios, and a unified platform for managing promotions across both sports and iGaming verticals.
At the heart of the ecosystem is OpenBet’s Player Account Management platform, enabling the sports betting and iGaming verticals while supporting safe gaming practices. Central to the platform is the responsible gaming and anti-money laundering (AML) technology, powered by Neccton, ensuring BandBet upholds the highest standards of player protection. Additionally, BandBet will benefit from OpenBet Locator, an advanced geolocation solution powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), ensuring full compliance with Brazil’s strict regulatory requirements.
This agreement highlights OpenBet’s role as the partner of choice for operators looking to succeed in Brazil’s regulated market. With more than 25 years of experience, OpenBet will deliver a scalable, localized, and modular product offering tailored to meet the specific needs of the region.
Claudio Giordani, CEO of Band, said: “For decades, Band has been synonymous with high-quality entertainment in Brazil, and our sports coverage has been a key driver of our success. We are excited that Bell Ventures decided to enter the market with a brand licensed from our media group, as Band consistently contributes to international and local companies entering Brazil’s economy.”
Ricardo Bianco Rosada, Board Member of Bell Ventures, said: “Partnering with OpenBet was a natural choice. Their unrivalled expertise in the global betting industry will ensure BandBet is built on a state-of-the-art platform. Their ‘open’ system, integrating sports and iGaming, equips us with the flexibility and tools to thrive in a regulated, competitive market while ensuring responsible growth.”
Jordan Levin, CEO of OpenBet, said: “At OpenBet, we pride ourselves on supporting leading brands with the highest standards in the industry. By leveraging our comprehensive betting ecosystem, BandBet will offer an outstanding player experience, positioning itself as a leader in Brazil’s emerging gaming space. We look forward to supporting BandBet’s growth and furthering our mission to help operators thrive in this rapidly evolving market.”
Bell Ventures applied for a federal license with the Ministry of Finance in August, with the expectation that the Company will be among the entities that will be granted a license by December 31st 2024.
Brazil
Meridianbet Passes Another Round in Brazil’s Exclusive Licensing Process
Aposta Ganha
Grupo Aposta Ganha secures GLI 19, GLI 33 and Brazilian certification for its platform from BMM Testlabs
Aposta Ganha, the fastest-growing Brazilian sports betting and casino site, has successfully completed its GLI 19, GLI 33 and Brazilian certifications from BMM Testlabs for its Player Account Management (PAM) system and Sportsbook
These three important certifications mark a significant milestone in Grupo Aposta Ganha’s complete commitment to regulatory compliance and operational excellence in Brazil’s iGaming market. Meeting BMM Testlabs’ rigorous testing processes highlights the company’s dedication to best practices and upholding the highest levels of security, transparency, and user experience.
BMM Testlabs implemented a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation of vital operational elements, including user account management, platform interaction, and security. Grupo Aposta Ganha’s systems officially meet the standards for operating within a regulated market, reflecting both international best practices and the specific requirements of Brazil’s regulatory environment.
Grupo Aposta Ganha CTO, Rony Silva, added: “Securing these three certifications showcases our relentless commitment to meeting all the requirements stipulated by the regulator. As a company, we’re passionate about offering our customers the highest levels of compliance and safety. Our certification is part of our greater mission of embracing the evolution of good practices that have been built collaboratively to meet the Brazilian market’s unique position.”
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