Interviews
Sportingtech’s plans for expansion in 2024
Sportingtech is continuing to enhance its reputation across the globe and is the number one provider in LatAm, with more plans to grow now that regulation in Brazil imminent. Senior Director of Emerging Markets, Mark Schmidt, outlines what lies ahead.
Tell us about your new role in a nutshell?
I have now worked at Sportingtech for 18 months, previously as Sales Director, Africa. In my new role, I will be driving the company’s expansion into new and developing markets, with an increased focus on Latin America. I will also continue to drive growth in Africa. I am responsible for formulating and executing market entry strategies, establishing key partnerships, and ensuring regulatory compliance in targeted emerging markets. This means staying abreast of all regulatory developments in Brazil, particularly over the next 12 months, as we gain a clearer picture of the country’s regulatory framework and licensing plans.
What constitutes a new and emerging market for Sportingtech and how does the brand decide to increase its footprint in that area?
An emerging market for us is one that shows exponential growth and has untapped potential. For Sportingtech, this covers both LatAm and Africa. Although both markets are showing significant growth, our award-winning platform will ensure our partners push further and establish themselves as market leaders. Our continued success over many years is due to our understanding that a one-size-fits-all approach never works. We provide a solution that is unique to each operator across all regulated markets and we succeed at this by using our years of local research and knowledge
On the back of our huge success in Brazil, the decision to increase our footprint in the region was an easy one.
Being the number one platform provider in Brazil didn’t happen by accident, we have invested heavily in infrastructure and technology. We have also gone to great lengths in hiring the best people who love what they do and understand that precision, passion, and urgency are fundamental when working in such a demanding market. We have laid the foundation now and we will not be standing still. We will be continuing to look at ways of improving all facets of our offering to maintain the high standards.
What learnings have you taken from your role of Sales Director Africa and how can these experiences be applied when tapping into other locations?
There is a definite crossover between the betting markets in Africa and LatAm. I have been fortunate enough over the last 15 years of being in the industry to work for Tier 1 operators across both B2B and B2C.
Understanding market dynamics is crucial, ensuring best practice is followed. The key thing is to understand that every operator has their own unique needs and delivering products or services that are fully aligned with those needs.
Sports betting has exploded in Latin America, much like it has done in Africa and understanding this proved to be popular as we made our presence felt. Of course, LatAm is a different beast with comprehensive regulations, but following the same patterns should result in commercial success for our partners.
Regarding LatAm, many of our competitors see the region as an opportunity, but fail to actually get meet operators and hear about their plans first hand. This is something we do differently as we believe in partnerships and understand what makes our partners tick. This is something you can’t find out over email or a video call.
As has been the case for the last few years for Sportingtech, our commercial and technical teams will be out travelling to meet existing and potential customers, not just at the industry shows but also for dedicated visits.
LatAm is a huge focus for the industry, and with Brazil recently giving the green light to regulation, what do you expect from that market in 2024?
First and foremost, market growth. With increased accessibility and a legal framework in place, more operators are likely to enter the market. This will lead to a broader range of gaming options for consumers. This increase in activity will have a positive impact on the economy, which can be significantly boosted through tax contributions and the creation of new jobs.
More licensed operators mean more options for the customer, and stiff competition between brands. With operators vying for a strong foothold in the market, they will be striving to create the best products and services to differentiate themselves. Unsurprisingly there will be a lot of interest from international brands who can bring expertise, capital, and perspectives from different markets to enhance the industry in the region.
To help maximize this engagement, the technology offering must be reliable. The integration and utilization of technology across all devices can enhance the betting experiences for players and this can be accelerated if the appetite is there.
Just because regulation provides a legal framework, there are still challenges in enforcing these regulations. There is still work to be done by the authorities to ensure a safe environment. Make no mistake, there is a huge opportunity to implement comprehensive measures for both operators and players, and ensure the region thrives.
Finally, the societal impact of gambling, both positive and negative, may become a subject of discussion. Advocacy groups and policymakers may address concerns related to addiction, social inequality, and the overall impact on communities.
It is essential to keep in mind that the success of the regulated gambling market in Brazil will depend on the effectiveness of the regulatory framework, responsible industry practices, and the ability to balance economic benefits with social and ethical considerations.
Are there any other regions in LatAm that you deem to have untapped potential?
Mexico already has a well-established gambling industry, but there is still potential for growth, particularly in the online and mobile betting sectors. The Mexican government has been considering regulatory changes to accommodate new forms of gambling.
Colombia was one of the first countries in Latin America to regulate online gambling. The market is considered relatively open, and further growth anticipated, especially in the online casino and sports betting segments.
Peru’s gambling industry, including casinos and sports betting, has been growing steadily. The government’s openness to regulation and the country’s economic stability make it a potential area for further investment.
Sportingtech’s success in Brazil means that these areas bring their own opportunities and is the next natural step for us to enhance our already outstanding credentials in LatAm.
Fast Track, the leading SaaS technology company and CRM provider in the iGaming industry, has unveiled the second instalment of its Inside Out video series.
Titled “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” the interview features CEO and Co-founder Simon Lidzén in a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion about the company’s growth, challenges, and vision for the future.
In the 30-minute video, Simon reflects on Fast Track’s nearly ten-year journey: “Success to me is about setting goals and achieving them. This year has been intense, but incredibly rewarding. From scaling Fast Track to launching groundbreaking products like Rewards, we’re just getting started.”
The conversation explores the launch of Rewards, Fast Track’s promotional ecosystem that integrates CRM with gamification to deliver engaging and personalised player experiences. Simon also discusses the company’s rapid global expansion and the challenges of scaling leadership within a fast-growing organisation. Looking ahead to 2025, he highlights Fast Track’s focus on leveraging AI to redefine CRM and customer engagement.
Simon’s reflections also touch on the company’s culture: “Fast Track is built on relentless innovation and a team that thrives on solving challenges. Seeing how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come makes this journey so exciting.”
For those unfamiliar with Fast Track, the company is a high-growth SaaS leader, known for pioneering the use of AI to deliver personalised experiences to customers. Its software empowers companies to automate marketing and operational workflows, enabling teams to focus on strategy and innovation. Fast Track is reshaping CRM for iGaming, setting a new standard for customer engagement.
Watch the interview here: https://2ly.link/23JyZ
The post Fast Track CEO Shares Honest Reflections in New Interview: Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
As we enter 2025, what unique opportunities do you see for WA.Technology in the LatAm iGaming market?
The iGaming market in Latin America is experiencing rapid transformation, and this dynamic shift presents considerable opportunities for companies with the right strategy and adaptability.
We are witnessing a shift from informal, semi-professional operations to a growing demand for a formal, structured, and professional gaming industry that can meet the higher expectations emerging from both regulators and consumers.
At WA.Technology, we are perfectly positioned to leverage our extensive local knowledge to achieve just that. Our team has been working across the region for years, from Mexico to Brazil, Colombia, and beyond, which gives us a unique edge in navigating the regulatory complexities and unique behavioural dynamics of this evolving landscape.
This authentic regional understanding not only allows us to stay ahead of market trends but also empowers us to innovate in a way that aligns with global best practices while being sensitive to local cultures, customs, and regulations. As the LatAm gaming market continues to mature, we are ready to support operators in a more structured, regulated, and growth-oriented environment.
How does WA.Technology plan to maintain its progress across the region in 2025?
Our approach to sustained growth in Latin America is driven by the expertise of our team, who bring years of experience from across the region. The team at WA.Technology has collectively worked across a variety of LatAm gaming markets, gaining firsthand knowledge of local regulations and consumer preferences. This wealth of experience enables us to navigate the ever-changing landscape with agility and precision.
As the region continues to evolve, we will continue to integrate global best practices while remaining flexible enough to address the unique needs of each local market. Our strategy at WA.Technology largely focuses on building close relationships with various local stakeholders, refining our offerings based on real-time feedback and ensuring our presence continues to make a long-lasting difference in the region.
We are committed to driving long-term growth, building strong partnerships and providing the best possible value to our clients across Latin America.
For operators looking to enter Latin America in 2025, what are some of the key trends/nuances they need to be aware of? And how is WA.Technology helping them to navigate these?
Entering the Latin American market in 2025 presents a variety of opportunities for growth. However, operators looking to make the most of what this region has to offer must carefully consider local regulations, consumer behaviour, and cultural differences in each country. After all, LatAm is not one homogenous region – each country has its own unique dynamics at play.
Regulatory frameworks continue to evolve rapidly, with each individual regulator in the region setting its own rules, meaning that operators must be highly adaptable and well-prepared for any future legislative changes. But regulations aren’t the only challenge.
Understanding local consumer habits, preferences, and cultural nuances is equally critical to building a successful operation. For example, the products players enjoy in Brazil are likely to be completely different to those favoured by Mexican bettors.
At WA.Technology, we help operators navigate these complexities by offering solutions that are fully compliant with local laws and tailored to meet the diverse needs of Latin American consumers.
We don’t see ourselves as just a technology provider; we want to be a trusted partner, supporting operators in their journey to understand the regulatory environment and local market dynamics, ensuring they’re well-positioned for long-term success.
With Brazil now live, how does WA.Technology plan to gain an edge in what is likely to be a highly competitive market?
Brazil is undoubtedly the flagship market in Latin America, and we’ve been preparing for this moment for some time. With a market of such size and potential, competition is bound to be hard. However, we are confident that our extensive local presence and tailored approach will give us a distinct edge unmatched by any other provider on the market.
We’ve made significant investments in Brazil, building a team that is highly knowledgeable about the local market and deeply embedded in the regulatory landscape. I am proud to say our team has worked extremely hard to ensure we were ready in time for the new regulations in Brazil and that we are in a position now to grow even further in this market as a result. With dedicated local offices, a strong team of regulatory experts and seasoned professionals with operational expertise, we are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of Brazil’s rapidly growing iGaming market.
Our extensive knowledge of the local market and commitment to delivering innovative, market-specific solutions allows us to provide licensed operators with the tools they need to succeed in this competitive space.
How will your approach to Brazil differ from that of the wider LatAm market?
While Brazil is undeniably one of the largest and most significant markets in Latin America, our approach to the region as a whole is both comprehensive and tailored to the unique characteristics of each country.
We recognise that Latin America is a highly diverse and dynamic market where each country presents distinct opportunities, challenges, and regulatory landscapes.
At WA.Technology, we adopt a market-specific strategy across our entire business, ensuring that we provide localised solutions that meet the unique needs of each country while maintaining a strong, responsive presence in all key markets.
Our team brings extensive experience from working in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. In fact, we recently expanded our footprint by opening offices in Mexico City, which allows us to stay closely connected to local developments and offer even more tailored support to our partners in this market.
Mexico is particularly important to us in terms of future growth, and we view it as a key focus for WA.Technology alongside Brazil. Our integrated, flexible approach ensures we can remain agile across the entire region, responding effectively to each market’s specific demands while maintaining a cohesive regional strategy.
What are your goals for expanding WA.Technology’s footprint in LatAm over the next 12 months? And how do you plan to achieve these?
Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, our key goals for expanding WA.Technology’s footprint in Latin America is rooted in two fundamental pillars: extensive market knowledge and strong local presence.
As the region evolves at a rapid pace, staying ahead of market shifts requires constant attention. Our strategy is to maintain a physical presence in every major market, fostering relationships with local stakeholders, regulators, and operators. By doing this, we are able to anticipate changes in the wider market and position ourselves as a proactive, solutions-driven partner, ensuring that our partners can retain their competitive edge.
We aim to further solidify our relationships with key players across the region and remain highly engaged in local markets, adapting our solutions in real-time to meet emerging needs.
Our focus on continuous engagement ensures that we’re always in tune with the evolving landscape, positioning WA.Technology to lead the way in driving innovation and delivering value in Latin America.
The post Patricio Molloy: WA.Technology is ready to raise the bar for LatAm in 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Tom Walton, Director at technology consultancy, Burendo, shares how operators can achieve sustainable profitability with learnings from other sectors
Operators who are merging and acquiring other businesses, launching new products or even integrating third-party technologies, can find themselves navigating complex internal processes. It is a complex large-scale challenge. Where M&As are commonplace, brand consolidation can be critical when securing sustainable profitability while planning for higher returns in the future. Within the emerging LatAm and US markets, acquisition remains a key focus. A common issue, regardless of geography, is the challenges presented by outdated or fragmented platforms and systems, a major obstacle in the growth trajectory.
In many cases, fundamental changes in how the organisation functions: its people, processes and technology holds the key to better value, higher profits, operational efficiency and reduced risk. By addressing these complexities with proven experience, technology consultants can support operators to be successful in their strategic initiatives.
Agility in competitive markets
To remain competitive in an ever-changing market, operators must move fast and with agility to refine their offering. A constant eye on retention, acquisition and regulatory changes is paramount to avoid financial impact. Despite this risk, research conducted by Accenture in 2022 found that 95% of B2B and B2C C-level executives believe their customers are changing faster than they can change their business, indicating most operators risk falling behind. This poses the question of how this can be supported.
The value of technology consultancies is in enabling businesses to extract greater value from existing resources through a confident understanding of what good looks like. Bringing external ideas gathered through experience, exemplary resources from process to people, can demonstrate what good looks like. More importantly, it shortens the timeline to achieving real goals in the organisation. Being under resourced or lacking the skills needed across these challenges makes it difficult to gain an overarching perspective particularly within a siloed approach.
At Burendo, we leverage more than 40 years of cross-sector experience. We are not only working with some of the biggest operators in betting and gaming, but partner with other highly regulated industries including finance and healthcare. We have helped operators across many initiatives helping them to realise cost savings or increased revenue in a matter of weeks. We pride ourselves in ensuring we leave a lasting positive impact on the culture, enabling our partners to be empowered to carry on our work.
The retention battle
Many operators are too busy with day-to-day tasks or overwhelmed with where to start when it comes to transformation and building a cutting-edge user experience. An example of the gap between capacity and demand is the rising popularity of in-play betting. During live sports, the speed in which players can find and place their bet is critical. Here, streamlined processes that allow for quick innovation will correlate with customer satisfaction, resulting in higher retention rates.
A fresh perspective for lasting change
A successful approach to optimisation requires taking the challenge and viewing it from an experienced and innovative angle. Our partners truly benefit from best practice and valuable lessons derived from other sectors. Through experience we have found that these challenges are not exclusive to betting & gaming and so the ability to apply these learnings drive success.
Managing complex systems and large volumes of data is a common obstacle. By applying these cross-sector principles through working with technology consultants, operators can gain valuable insight into re-engineering platforms and the skills needed, to meet both current and future demands.
Building exceptional, scalable and adaptable architectures ensures that businesses can continue to grow and evolve as the industry changes. This forward-thinking approach positions operators ahead of the curve, meaning they are poised for success in the years to come and have the agility to address any challenges or opportunities that arise.
Creating lasting change requires more than just solving immediate problems. Our goal for our clients is to maintain high levels of efficiency long after an initial transformation is complete. By empowering teams to implement and sustain improvements, operators can maintain continuous growth and unlock growth worth tens of millions of pounds, far outweighing their cost of delivery.
The focus must now shift to building stronger, more Agile organisations that can adapt to changing market conditions. Sustainable efficiency enables operators to optimise time-to-market, improve platform performance, and manage resources more effectively, creating a foundation for long-term growth.
About Burendo
Founded in 2018 and with offices in Leeds and London, Burendo is an award-winning, consultancy delivering stand-out products and services through technology. We partner with organisations to accelerate organisational value delivery and transform customer experiences.
We are pragmatic thinkers and doers who understand the operational world of organisations and customer demands. We work as a partner to give our clients the latest ideas, tools and techniques to deliver effective results that build long-term value.
For more information, you can visit the Burendo website: www.burendo.com
If you have any questions, please contact Kate Smith, Senior Digital Marketing Executive by email: [email protected]
The post Consolidating brands efficiently to achieve high growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Australia6 days agoRegulating the Game Announced New Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing Masterclass at 2025 Conference
-
Asia7 days ago
Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao
-
Bragg Gaming Group7 days ago
Bragg Gaming is Live in Brazil’s Regulated iGaming Market
-
FBC Melgar6 days ago
Stake Peru secures official sponsorship of FBC Melgar
-
Africa6 days ago
Soft2Bet takes its first steps into Africa with a multi-year Turnkey deal with media leader Channels TV
-
JVSpinBet7 days ago
MightyTips signs partnership deal with JVSpinBet
-
Asia7 days ago
Natural8 India welcomes 2025 in style with Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025
-
Eastern Europe5 days ago
Conquering Challenges: TotoGaming in Romania – 1 Year in the Market
