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Exclusive Q&A with Tim Grice, CEO of Connective3

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We are going through one of the most difficult times in human history. The Corona virus pandemic has affected all spheres of human lives. The gaming industry is no exception.

How do the best minds of the industry analyze this rapidly evolving situation?

That’s what we want to find out with this exclusive interview with Tim Grice, the chief executive officer of Connective3, a top-notch digital marketing agency in the gaming industry based in the UK.

Here he talks about himself, his company, quick impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak in the industry and, best of all, some insightful advice on how to proceed during these tough times.

Here we go!

Q. First up, an introductory question. Tell us about yourself. Our readers love to hear top entrepreneurs talking about themselves.

A. I’ve been working in digital marketing for 13 years. I started out as a consultant in 2007, mainly working across SEO and PPC. In 2010 I joined Branded3 as Head of Search; there were no more than three people in the digital marketing team when I joined, but in 3 years we managed to grow the business to over £4m in revenue and 60 people.
Branded3 was acquired in 2013 and I took over the role of CEO in 2015, generating revenues of £7.2m and nearly 100 people in the business.
In 2019 I decided to collaborate with the founders of Branded3 and introduce a new agency brand to the mix, connective3. We have gathered together the most talented people I have worked with over a decade and have created a £1m / 20 person business in 6 months. We have huge ambitions and want to grow the business in the UK and internationally over the next 5 years.

Q. How is your business going at this time of Corona-induced turmoil?

A. Like everybody else things have slowed down. No businesses are willing to commit at such an uncertain time. However, we are working remotely very well and are even seeing some growth from our igaming and other online-only clients.

Q. What about affiliate marketing industry performance as a whole in these times? Some sectors in the affiliate world of gaming and gambling industry must be hit hard, right?

A. Any affiliates linked to travel, retail and hospitality are going to struggle immensely as no one is buying. However, we have seen an increased amount of traffic and conversions across igaming (casino/poker/bingo) as well as certain financial products and services. So very mixed, but there is no doubt some serious pain across multiple sectors.

Q. What do you think affiliate marketers in the struggling sectors should do at this stage? Any advice based on your experience?

A. It’s very hard to react as this is such a freak even; however, if possible I would recommend reviewing all content on your site, ensuring it caters to those using ‘online’ in their search queries. We have seen huge growth in ‘online + keyword’ searches across the board, and are reacting with our clients.
I think the whole crisis really spells out the need for businesses to invest in content aimed at the awareness stage of the customer journey, aspirational content to cater to customers who are browsing and wanting information before they make a purchase. Everyone is at home, no one is buying, but people are still looking in preparation for the end of this crisis. Investing in this area will put you in a stronger position when conversions dry up.

Q. Was the affiliate industry prepared to face such a crisis? What kind of course correction do the affiliate companies in the gaming and gambling sector require both in operation and strategies for tackling such a potentially long emergency period?

A. As above, I don’t think there is much that can be done to avoid the declines, only ease the pain. Investing in information-rich content, diversifying products and having international websites is probably going to be the best way to minimise the impact of a pandemic like this.

Q. What are your quick insights into the situation as we go through an ongoing crisis caused by the Corona outbreak? What are the lessons that you learned from this episode? This could be important as many warn us about similar outbreaks in the future.

A. The best piece of advice I can give is to keep your business cash rich. Have enough in the bank to see your business through six months of no revenue. It will still hurt when something like this happens, but it will allow you to navigate through it and give you the funds to invest when the world wakes up. We’re anticipating a huge wave of growth when normality returns and as a business, we want to be in position to take full advantage. Our strategy is very simple, give world class service and support to our clients and use this time to invest in our inbound marketing output.

Q. Which of the sectors in the gambling industry gained as a result of the recent crisis? It would be great if you can provide figures and stats to support your answers.

A. I can’t go into specific details about clients or numbers; however, on a whole we’re seeing quite stable numbers across the businesses we work with. Across casino, poker and bingo we’re seeing on an average a 20% increase in traffic in the UK, and even though sports betting has collapsed, we’ve seen a sharp rise in e-sports. People still want to be able to gamble even though certain products are unavailable.

Q. There is of course a reported surge in customer interest on the igaming betting front. Do you think it is sustainable during the post-crisis stage as well, when the traditional sports will be back in action?

A. I think the current surge is temporary and will stabilise when things settle down and events are allowed to continue. However, this may not be for a while looking at the current situation, so this could be a truly unprecedented summer for online casino/online poker/online bingo products. My advice would be to invest hard now in content marketing and make the most of what looks to be double digit growth in this area. We work with igaming brands getting quality links and coverage which are having a huge impact on rankings. This is where I would invest to take advantage.

Q. What would be your advices and suggestions regarding content marketing strategy for the gaming and gambling industry during this outbreak and after it? Should the old practices hold up or new ones should surface?

A. I have no doubt that buying links, link networks and other manipulative techniques still work to deliver rankings. However, we don’t advocate or practice this; our content marketing and digital PR team are one of the best in the industry and are actively working with multiple igaming businesses delivering hundreds of top tier links every month.

I would invest in informational content on your website, answering all the questions your customers could possibly have about your products and services. However, the main part of my strategy would go into digital PR and delivering high quality trusted links that deliver trust and authority in the long term, as opposed to quick fix strategies that last 3- 6 months. Decent link building can be done at scale now and deliver quantity as well as quality.

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Fernando Carvalho define una nueva era para los mercados de predicción en Brasil con VoxFi

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La expansión global de los mercados de predicción está comenzando a redefinir la forma en que los usuarios interactúan con la información, la probabilidad y el engagement digital.

Ubicadas en la intersección entre finanzas, tecnología y datos de comportamiento, estas plataformas están ganando tracción como una forma estructurada de transformar la inteligencia colectiva en pronósticos medibles sobre eventos futuros.

En Brasil, este segmento emergente aún se encuentra en una etapa inicial, pero la combinación de una audiencia digital altamente comprometida, la reciente evolución regulatoria en sectores adyacentes como fintech y cripto, y la búsqueda constante de nuevos modelos de engagement dentro del iGaming, crea un entorno fértil para el crecimiento.

Es en este contexto que VoxFi se posiciona como uno de los primeros actores estructurados dentro del ecosistema local.

La semana pasada, durante BiS SiGMA South America 2026 en São Paulo, la empresa presentó oficialmente su solución white label, diseñada para permitir que terceros integren mercados de predicción directamente en sus propios sitios web y aplicaciones.

VoxFi también participó en el panel “Forecasting or Gambling? The Fine Line Between Prediction Markets and Bets”, donde el CEO y cofundador Fernando Carvalho analizó los límites entre los modelos de predicción emergentes y las estructuras tradicionales de apuestas.

Además, la compañía fue seleccionada como una de las seis finalistas del Startup Pitch Competition del evento, reforzando su posicionamiento como un actor innovador en el sector.

La empresa, una plataforma brasileña enfocada en contratos de predicción basados en eventos, ha desarrollado una solución white label que permite a otras compañías integrar mercados de predicción directamente en sus propios entornos digitales.

A través de conectividad vía API, empresas de distintos sectores, desde medios y entretenimiento hasta telecomunicaciones, pueden ofrecer experiencias de predicción personalizadas bajo su propia marca, aprovechando la infraestructura, el marco de compliance y los mecanismos de liquidez de VoxFi.

A diferencia de los modelos tradicionales de apuestas, VoxFi opera bajo una lógica peer to peer, donde los usuarios negocian contratos binarios, sí o no, basados en resultados futuros.

El precio de estos contratos refleja probabilidades percibidas, creando un entorno dinámico que se asemeja más a los mercados financieros que a las estructuras de juego convencionales.

Todos los mercados pasan por un proceso interno de curaduría y validación, con criterios de resolución claramente definidos, estándares de compliance y sistemas de monitoreo.

La plataforma también incorpora prácticas del mercado financiero como KYC obligatorio, monitoreo de transacciones y segregación de cuentas por evento, reforzando su posicionamiento como un ecosistema estructurado y responsable.

Fundada por Fernando Carvalho, conocido por su rol en el desarrollo del mercado de criptoactivos en Brasil a través de QR Capital, y Luis Felipe Carvalho, emprendedor fintech detrás de NG.CASH, VoxFi combina experiencia en innovación financiera con un producto diseñado para escalar y alinearse con la regulación.

En esta entrevista exclusiva, el CEO Fernando Carvalho explica las razones detrás de su entrada en un segmento aún poco comprendido, el posicionamiento estratégico de VoxFi y lo que viene para los mercados de predicción en Brasil.

El mercado de predicción aún no es ampliamente comprendido en Brasil. ¿Qué los llevó a apostar por este sector?
Fernando Carvalho
– Elegimos construir VoxFi porque los mercados de predicción son una de las formas más eficientes de transformar información dispersa en probabilidades sobre el futuro.

Agregan conocimiento colectivo de manera estructurada y transparente.

Observamos avances regulatorios importantes en Estados Unidos entre 2024 y 2025, lo que indicó que este modelo comenzaría a escalar globalmente.

Vimos un escenario similar al inicio del mercado cripto, un sector nuevo que requiere educación, gobernanza sólida y desarrollo gradual para alcanzar escala.

¿Dónde está la línea entre mercados de predicción y apuestas?
La diferencia es estructural. En los mercados de predicción, los usuarios negocian entre sí a través de un libro de órdenes y los precios reflejan probabilidades percibidas.

En las apuestas tradicionales, existe una casa que define las cuotas y asume el riesgo. Aquí no hay casa, hay mercado.

VoxFi entra con un enfoque B2B. ¿Qué oportunidad identificaron?
El iGaming está atravesando una transformación en Brasil y los operadores buscan nuevas formas de engagement.

Nuestra solución permite integrar mercados de predicción como una capa adicional de contenido vía API, mientras los socios mantienen su identidad de marca.

¿Compiten con operadores de apuestas?
No. Complementamos el ecosistema. Evitamos deliberadamente temas deportivos para no competir directamente y ampliar el abanico de contenidos.

¿Brasil está atrasado en este segmento?
No. Está en una etapa inicial, pero con características ideales, una audiencia digital altamente comprometida y una creciente familiaridad con instrumentos financieros más sofisticados.

¿Cómo funciona el modelo de ingresos?
Es similar al de plataformas de trading, cobramos comisiones sobre transacciones o sobre la liquidación de contratos.

En el modelo B2B también generamos ingresos a través de fees de implementación y acuerdos de revenue share. Es un modelo altamente escalable.

¿Quiénes son los principales interesados hoy?
Hay tres grupos principales, operadores de iGaming, empresas de medios y entretenimiento, y plataformas digitales con grandes audiencias.

¿Cómo se construye liquidez en un mercado nuevo?
Inicialmente mediante un market maker interno para garantizar condiciones eficientes de negociación. Al mismo tiempo, estamos desarrollando infraestructura para integrar market makers externos a medida que el ecosistema crece.

¿Por qué evitar temas como deportes y elecciones?
Es una decisión estratégica para alinearnos con la regulación actual y evitar conflictos con organismos como CVM, SPA y TSE.

¿Brasil está cerca de regular los mercados de predicción?
La discusión recién está comenzando a tomar fuerza. El principal riesgo es una clasificación incorrecta como apuestas tradicionales o como derivados financieros.

¿Qué define el éxito en los próximos seis meses?
El crecimiento de la base de usuarios, el volumen negociado y la activación de integraciones white label con socios estratégicos.

A futuro, ¿será un complemento del iGaming o una categoría propia?
En el corto plazo lo vemos como un complemento natural del iGaming, agregando nuevas capas de contenido y engagement.

A largo plazo, creemos que puede convertirse en una categoría digital propia, una nueva capa de internet enfocada en la predicción de eventos futuros.

The post Fernando Carvalho define una nueva era para los mercados de predicción en Brasil con VoxFi appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Fernando Carvalho outlines new era for prediction markets in Brazil with VoxFi white label technology

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The global expansion of prediction markets is beginning to reshape how users interact with information, probability, and digital engagement.

Positioned at the intersection of finance, technology, and behavioral data, these platforms are gaining traction as a structured way to transform collective intelligence into measurable forecasts about future events.

In Brazil, this emerging segment is still in its early stages, but the combination of a highly engaged digital audience, recent regulatory evolution in adjacent sectors such as fintech and crypto, and the constant search for new engagement models within iGaming creates a fertile environment for growth.

It is within this context that VoxFi is positioning itself as one of the first structured players in the local ecosystem.

Last week, during BiS SiGMA South America 2026 in São Paulo, the company officially presented its white-label solution, designed to allow third-party businesses to integrate prediction markets directly into their own websites and applications.

VoxFi also took part in the panel “Forecasting or Gambling? The Fine Line Between Prediction Markets and Bets,” where CEO and co-founder Fernando Carvalho discussed the boundaries between emerging prediction models and traditional betting structures.

In addition, the company was selected as one of the six finalists in the event’s Startup Pitch Competition, reinforcing its positioning as an innovative player in the space.

The company, a Brazilian platform focused on event-based prediction contracts, has introduced a white-label solution that allows third-party companies to integrate prediction markets directly into their own digital environments.

Through API connectivity, businesses across sectors, from media and entertainment to telecom,  can offer customized prediction experiences under their own branding, leveraging VoxFi’s infrastructure, compliance framework, and liquidity mechanisms.

Unlike traditional betting models, VoxFi operates on a peer-to-peer logic, where users trade binary contracts (“yes” or “no”) based on future outcomes.

The pricing of these contracts reflects perceived probabilities, creating a dynamic environment that resembles financial markets more than conventional gambling structures.

All markets undergo internal curation and validation, with clearly defined resolution criteria, compliance standards, and monitoring systems.

The platform also incorporates financial-market practices such as mandatory KYC, transaction monitoring, and event-based account segregation, reinforcing its positioning as a structured and responsible ecosystem.

Founded by Fernando Carvalho, known for his role in advancing the crypto asset market in Brazil through QR Capital, and Luis Felipe Carvalho, a fintech entrepreneur behind NG.CASH, VoxFi combines experience in financial innovation with a product designed for scalability and regulatory alignment.

In this exclusive interview, CEO Fernando Carvalho explains the rationale behind entering a still-misunderstood segment, the strategic positioning of VoxFi, and what lies ahead for prediction markets in Brazil.

The prediction market is still not widely understood in Brazil. What led you to invest in this sector?
Fernando Carvalho – We chose to build VoxFi because prediction markets are one of the most efficient ways to transform dispersed information into probabilities about the future.

They aggregate collective knowledge in a structured and transparent way. We observed important regulatory developments in the United States between 2024 and 2025, which indicated that this model would begin to scale globally.

We saw a scenario similar to the early days of the crypto market: a new sector that requires education, strong governance, and gradual development to reach scale.

Where is the line between prediction markets and betting?
The difference is structural. In prediction markets, users trade with each other through an order book, and prices reflect perceived probabilities.

In traditional betting, there is a house that sets the odds and assumes the risk. Here, there is no “house” — there is a market.

VoxFi enters with a B2B approach. What opportunity did you identify?
iGaming is undergoing a transformation in Brazil, and operators are looking for new ways to engage users.

Our solution allows prediction markets to be integrated as an additional content layer via API, while partners maintain their own brand identity.

Do you compete with betting operators?
No. We complement the ecosystem. We deliberately avoid sports-related topics to prevent direct competition and instead expand the range of available content.

Is Brazil behind in this segment?
No. It is in an early stage, but with ideal characteristics: a highly engaged digital audience and increasing familiarity with more sophisticated financial instruments.

How does your revenue model work?
It is similar to trading platforms: we charge fees on transactions or on contract settlement. In the B2B model, we also generate revenue through setup fees and revenue-sharing agreements. It is a highly scalable model.

Who are the main players interested in this today?
There are three main groups: iGaming operators, media and entertainment companies, and digital platforms with large audiences.

How do you build liquidity in a new market?
Initially, through an internal market maker to ensure efficient trading conditions. At the same time, we are developing infrastructure to integrate external market makers as the ecosystem grows.

Why avoid topics like sports and elections?
This is a strategic decision to align with current regulations and avoid conflicts with authorities such as CVM, SPA, and TSE.

Is Brazil close to regulating prediction markets?
The discussion is just beginning to gain traction. The main risk is being incorrectly classified as either traditional betting or financial drivatives.

What defines success in the next six months?
Growth in user base, trading volume, and the activation of white-label integrations with strategic partners.

Looking ahead, will this be a complement to iGaming or a standalone category?
In the short term, we see prediction markets as a natural complement to iGaming, adding new layers of content and engagement. In the long term, we believe they can become a standalone digital category,  a new layer of the internet focused on forecasting future events.

The post Fernando Carvalho outlines new era for prediction markets in Brazil with VoxFi white label technology appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Brazil

Mastering the Brazilian maturity curve

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We sat down with Tequity’s VP Growth Originals, Dominic Sawyer, to discuss how the industry is evolving to meet the unique appetites of Brazilian players and how technical scaling is the secret weapon for ambitious studios.

Brazil is now well over a year into its regulated era. How has the focus shifted for operators who are looking beyond that initial launch phase?

The first year was about land grabs and establishing a footprint. In 2026, the conversation is much more grounded in operational efficiency and the cost of player acquisition. Brazil is a massive market, but it is also an expensive one. If an operator is spending a premium to bring a player through the door, losing them to a generic, uninspired lobby is a massive waste of resources.

The focus has shifted heavily toward retention. We are seeing operators move away from the volume at all costs approach and towards building a brand-based ecosystem. This is where bespoke content comes in. By using our Originals framework, operators can create games that feel like a native part of their platform. This builds a sense of familiarity and trust. In a regulated market, player loyalty is the only thing that can protect your margins against evolving tax frameworks and marketing restrictions.

We know Brazilian players have a deep-seated love for sports. How is this influencing the types of casino games that are succeeding in the market?

The crossover between sports betting and casino in Brazil is perhaps more pronounced than anywhere else. Brazilian players crave high-energy, high-frequency interaction. They want the tension of a live match translated into a casino format. This is why we have seen such an explosion in the popularity of ‘burst games’ and instant-win titles.

Our product roadmap is heavily influenced by this desire for real-time excitement. Our Crypto Trading Games range, for instance, resonates because it mimics the volatility and decision-making of a live market or a high-stakes football bet. Features like 1,000x leverage and the ability to manage multiple active bets simultaneously provide a level of agency that traditional slots often lack. With the World Cup on the horizon, we expect this appetite for sports-adjacent casino content to reach a fever pitch. Operators who can bridge that gap effectively will see the highest levels of cross-vertical engagement.

With so many international brands entering Brazil, how can an operator ensure their content doesn’t just look like a translated version of a European site?

Laziness in localization is a fast track to irrelevance. A player in São Paulo isn’t looking for a translated UK slot, but a game that feels like part of the local culture. True differentiation involves cultural alignment, brand recall, and a pacing of gameplay that matches local preferences.

We believe in providing a modular approach that hands the creative keys back to the operator. This allows them to tailor visual treatments and UI to reflect local festivals, brand ambassadors, or specific colour palettes. When a game feels like it was built for the Brazilian market rather than just adapted for it, the player connection is significantly stronger. You want your content to feel like part of the local furniture, reinforcing the operator’s brand identity at every turn.

Innovation is high, but technical barriers often slow things down. How is Tequity helping studios scale faster to bring high-quality games to the Brazilian market?

There is no shortage of brilliant creative ideas in the industry, but there is often a massive technical bottleneck when it comes to global distribution and compliance. For an ambitious studio, the prospect of navigating the specific regulatory requirements of Brazil while trying to build a global presence is daunting.

This is exactly why we launched Tequity Publishing. We want to dismantle those technical barriers. Through our RGSaaS (Remote Game Server as a Service) model, we provide the infrastructure, distribution muscle, and compliance frameworks that allow studios to focus entirely on the creative side. Whether it’s a small studio with a fresh concept or a more established provider looking to plug into our aggregator network, we provide the pathway to the player. By removing the operational friction, we ensure that high-quality, innovative content can hit the market at the speed the industry demands.

The industry is increasingly streamer-driven. How are suppliers ensuring games are stream-ready for the influencers who currently dominate Brazilian social feeds?

Social media is the new storefront in Brazil. The traditional casino lobby is being bypassed in favour of TikTok, Twitch, and Telegram feeds. If a game isn’t visually engaging or doesn’t provide natural clipping moments, it’s missing a massive trick. Successful suppliers are engineering content to be inherently shareable, creating a narrative that is easy for a streamer’s audience to follow. When an influencer shares a high-multiplier win, it creates an organic marketing event that is far more effective than a standard banner ad. It’s about providing the tools for operators to lower their acquisition costs by creating content that players want to emulate and share.

The post Mastering the Brazilian maturity curve appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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