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Where does the Sport of Kings fit into the Brazilian market?

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With a regulated Brazil now in sight, Richard Duncan, Head of Business Development at racing odds and data provider PA Betting Services, assesses the potential for the sport to become a key product in this emerging market

 

With the last few months having seen Brazil’s sports betting bill clear all the hurdles needed to finally be signed into law, many in the sports betting world have understandably taken a keen interest in the possibilities offered by South America’s largest country.

The home of footballing greats Pelé and Ronaldo and boasting more World Cup titles than any other country, Brazil’s passion for and the resulting potential of football betting is clear. There are a number of parallels to be drawn between a market such as the UK and Brazil when it comes to football. For one thing, the similar level of devotion among the fan base looks set to ensure that football will easily remain the biggest betting turnover generator in Brazil, as it is in the UK.

What’s less clear is how likely racing is to come anywhere near the second place it holds in the UK market, where it accounted for 36% of remote betting turnover in the last set of official Gambling Commission statistics. However, there are a number of comparisons that can be made between the UK and Brazil when it comes to racing. For example, there’s a hardcore fraternity of racing fans and many more casual racegoers, those who are likely to view a day at the races as much in terms of the experience as the opportunity to have a flutter. Not to mention that Brazil boasts the third-largest horse population globally. The thoroughbred industry has been growing steadily since the 1990s, with notable group one winners such as Siphon, Sandpit and, more recently, Bal a Bali elevating the breed’s prominence.

But there’s a huge difference in the local availability of racing. While Brazil’s enormous size makes it the fifth largest country in the world and its population of more than 215 million makes it the seventh most populated, it has just four racetracks, albeit these are well-attended on race days. The UK, ranked 80th by land area and 21st by population, meanwhile, is home to 59 racecourses.

This disparity goes some way to explaining why football is taking the lion’s share of sports betting turnover in Brazil despite currently being unregulated, while racing takes a fraction of this even though it’s been legal for many years.

Online operators could be doing more to cash in on local racing than they currently are. The key to making the most of the Brazilian opportunity is educating the local population on the benefits of betting opportunities that the sheer volume of international races affords and cross-selling this to keen sports bettors.

Filling the gaps

Because while football is unlikely to lose its crown as the most popular sport among Brazilian bettors, the problem with football, NFL, basketball, MMA, golf, tennis and everything else, is that there are so many gaps in the schedule. And once the significant licence fees outlined in the new law have been paid, both local and foreign operators are likely going to need to optimise their product with as little downtime as possible in order to justify their investment.

Racing has the edge over all other sports because on a global basis there exists a full calendar where there is always something to bet on.

In the UK and Ireland we’ve already seen this approach used to great effect with the relatively recent introductions of North American, French, South African, Australian and Asian racing for domestic audiences. This secondary content does well as it lands in either prime leisure hours or is filler at weekends or for poor weather conditions. The increasing globalisation of racing was, in fact, one of the key reasons for our acquisition of Asian racing data provider iRace Media in the second half of last year.

In this respect, foreign operators, some of which have established a foothold in Brazil prior to a regulatory regime and are savvy with this approach used in established markets, may have an edge over others, simply because they’re experienced with the product.

Brazil is likely to be the same as any other fledgling market in the sense that if a company has just started offering a legal gambling product, they are likely going to have greater comfort in offering products to bet on that they are familiar with.

Mitigating the risk

In conversations our team has had with operators in emerging markets such as Brazil, Latam and Africa, the racing knowledge gap is an issue that’s come up repeatedly. They could easily integrate with a data provider such as ourselves from a technical perspective, but they may not fully understand the data they are looking at and some worry this leaves them overexposed.

There are a number of things that make racing more challenging than other sports to trade. For a start, the vernacular used in racing is not something that everyone understands if they’ve not been exposed to it before. In addition, a lot of operators fear racing because while they believe it can make them good money, they know there are people out there, professional punters and big racing syndicates, that know more about racing than their own traders.

This view is not unique to Brazil or even new markets, it’s something we also hear in our core markets and it possibly goes some way to explaining why new operators sometimes take every sport on offer before they get to racing. But inevitably, most take racing at some point because the volume on offer is too great to ignore. However, one recent shift worth mentioning is that more operators new to racing are opting for a platform partner or pricing partner to avoid being exposed to risks they aren’t comfortable with.

This is something that may be even more attractive to operators in emerging markets like Brazil given their lack of experience with global fixed odds racing to date. One thing that may work in their favour is that the country’s bettors would also appear to lack the maturity shown in established markets when it comes to the type of bets they are placing.

For instance, virtually all of the bets taken on football in Brazil are multis, which are bad for punters but which operators love as they are high margin and low risk. A diverse racing portfolio similarly has the potential to deliver high margins for operators and keep players engaged year-round, meaning the product could be just as successful in Brazil as it is in many more established markets.

 

Richard Duncan is Head of Business Development at PA Betting Services. He has been with parent company PA Media Group since 2002, with the bulk of his career having been spent working in its racing team.

BGaming

LatAm: Beyond Brazil – Chile, Uruguay and Peru’s Regulatory Trajectories

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Looking beyond Brazil, which LatAm market stands out most right now, and what makes it attractive?

Liam Hoofe, Content Strategist at GameOn

Based on our research for GO Intel, I think Chile is the market to watch out for the most. The size of the opportunity is potentially massive, with the Chilean Senate’s own figures estimating that more than 5 million Chileans are already gambling online.

The demand is definitely there, and broader discussions about a regulatory framework are underway. Our estimates in GO Intel also put channelisation rates at 80% if enforcement and regulation ran smoothly.

The proposed ‘cooling-off’ period for operators already active there is also quite a unique approach, and it will benefit those who approach the market with the right foundations in place.

Of course, as we’ve seen with Brazil, there will no doubt be a lot of public debate around the market, and the tax structure could be complex, but of the three we researched, this one still stands out the most.

Paulina Hovar, Lead Sales Manager LATAM at BGaming

Right now, Mexico and Argentina stand out the most to me.

Mexico has been showing steady growth for a while now. It’s already a fairly mature market with strong operator presence, but there’s still plenty of room to scale. At the same time, one of the main things to watch is the tax situation and how regulation may develop in the future, since that could impact profitability and market dynamics.

Argentina is interesting for a different reason. The market is regulated at the provincial level, so it’s much more decentralized. That creates opportunities because entry can be more flexible, but it also means you need to understand the local landscape and choose partners and regions carefully.

Ramiro Atucha, Board Advisor to Kiron Interactive

Mexico stands out. The size of the market alone makes it attractive, and the current regulation is already acceptable enough for public companies to feel comfortable operating there. It’s also moving toward a more formal framework, so there’s still margin to grow. Beyond Mexico, I’d point to Chile, certain provinces in Argentina, and Colombia. All three have their own dynamics, but they’re markets you can’t ignore right now.

 

When entering markets that are still evolving from a regulatory perspective, what’s the right balance between moving early and waiting for clarity?

Liam Hoofe, Content Strategist at GameOn

That’s the million-dollar question, and it’s one I’m not sure there is a 100% correct answer to. For me, it’s about building relationships, ensuring you have the right infrastructure in place, and understanding a market before you invest.

Operators and studios that just enter with no understanding of the culture and of the way the regulatory landscape could adapt are putting themselves at risk of failing.

Trying to remain one step ahead of regulation and working alongside the regulators to help the market mature is always going to be a much better approach than just waiting for regulation to come into place and being reactive.

Paulina Hovar, Lead Sales Manager LATAM at BGaming

It depends on how mature the market is.

If the regulatory framework is already clear and established, then the best approach is to operate fully within the licensed model from day one.

But in markets that are still in a gray or transitional stage, where operators are already active, it can make sense to take a more gradual approach. That could mean building partnerships, adapting the product to local needs, and preparing for future regulation before fully committing.

You also have to be very careful about legal and reputational risks. Every market is different, so timing and level of involvement should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Ramiro Atucha, Board Advisor to Kiron Interactive

As early as possible, as long as it isn’t illegal or forbidden. That’s the right moment to enter and transition through the regulatory process. Brazil is the clearest example. Sports betting was legalized in 2018, but the full regulatory framework only came in late 2023, with licensed operations starting in 2025. The operators that used those years to attract players, test the market and build name recognition without breaking the law made a real difference. By the time regulation arrived, they were already established.

As markets like Chile, Peru, and Uruguay develop, what will separate the brands that succeed from those that struggle?

Liam Hoofe, Content Strategist at GameOn

The biggest differentiator for me is localisation, and by that, I mean real localisation, not just translating a game into Spanish and calling it a day. This means actually creating products and promotions that speak to local audiences. LatAm is not just some big monolithic market with a one-size-fits-all solution – brands that succeed there are the ones that understand this. The ones who know that a player in Chile is not the same as one in Uruguay or Brazil are going to be the big winners.

On top of that, working closely with regulators and showing genuine concern for players’ well-being in these markets will make a huge difference. It’s not enough anymore to just display simple responsible gambling tools; players want to see it in your actions, and it’s obvious to them which brands really care and which are just ticking boxes.

And finally, local partnerships. Some of the most successful companies we work with are those that really integrate themselves and find local partners that offer genuine insight into communities, and can be leveraged to build trust. This can be achieved in a number of different ways, whether it’s through working with local content creators and influencers or getting involved with local charities and events.

Paulina Hovar, Lead Sales Manager LATAM at BGaming

As markets like Chile, Peru, and Uruguay continue to develop, the following three factors will set successful brands apart from the rest.

First, strong local partnerships. Without people on the ground and a real understanding of how each market works, it’s very difficult to build a sustainable position.

Second, product adaptation. Translation alone is never enough. Companies need proper localization that reflects user behavior, cultural differences, and local audience preferences.

And third, regulatory readiness. The companies that invest early in certification, compliance, and building the right processes will have a major advantage later on. It’s expensive and takes time, but in regulated markets, long-term preparation usually makes the difference between short-term growth and lasting success.

Ramiro Atucha, Board Advisor to Kiron Interactive

Brands that bring international experience and proven competitiveness from other markets, combined with genuine local understanding, will get the best of both worlds. The international background gives you credibility and product depth. The local presence gives you a product that’s actually adapted to how players in that country behave. Neither side works on its own. In Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, the operators who get this combination right are the ones who’ll separate from the pack.

The post LatAm: Beyond Brazil – Chile, Uruguay and Peru’s Regulatory Trajectories appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Andre Medeiros

Zitro Digital Goes Live on Brazino777 in Brazil

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Zitro Digital, the online arm of leading gaming supplier Zitro, is further expanding its footprint in Brazil through a new partnership with Brazino777, one of the country’s most recognized online operators. The agreement strengthens Zitro Digital’s position in a key regulated market and reflects the company’s continued commitment to Latin America’s iGaming sector.

Brazino777 players now have access to Zitro Digital’s full portfolio, spanning slots and Video Bingo titles that combine the company’s proven land-based heritage with content developed exclusively for the digital space.

“At Brazino777, we are focused on delivering high-quality, top-performing games to our players. Zitro Digital’s portfolio strengthens our offering, and we’re confident it will resonate strongly with our Brazilian audience as we continue to grow and evolve our platform,” said Andre Medeiros, country manager for Brazil at Brazino777.

“Brazil is an important market for us, one where we see a strong connection with players and the local gaming culture. Launching our portfolio with Brazino777 gives us the opportunity to bring our content to a new segment of players, as part of our continued growth in the Latin American digital gaming scene,” said José Javier Martí, CCO at Zitro Digital.

The post Zitro Digital Goes Live on Brazino777 in Brazil appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Massive Gaming launches Blitzcrown titles on Superbet Brazil via Bragg Hub

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Massive Gaming (MVG) has gone live with Superbet Brazil, launching a selection of Blitzcrown studio titles via the Bragg hub game aggregation platform.

The initial rollout includes eight games from Blitzcrown, which focuses on non-traditional casino formats. Titles available at launch include Boom Boom Hit Plinko, Snowball Plinko, Fast Crash, and Dragon & Wizard.

The content is delivered through bragg hub, using Bragg Gaming Group’s existing aggregation relationship with Superbet in Brazil. The companies noted that Superbet secured a regulated licence ahead of the market’s January 2025 launch.

Blitzcrown’s instant-win games previously secured Brazil RGS, RNG, and individual game certifications from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).

George Cho, Director at Massive Gaming, said: “Going live on Superbet Brazil is a landmark moment for Massive Gaming, and for Blitzcrown as a studio. Brazil is one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world, and being able to bring our content to Superbet’s players through Bragg’s platform is a testament to both the quality of our games, and the strength of these partnerships. We look forward to expanding our presence in the market as we continue to grow our portfolio.”

Hristofor Hristov, Commercial Director Aggregation at bragg, commented:

“We are thrilled to facilitate this exciting launch between Massive Gaming and Superbet in Brazil. Our bragg hub platform is specifically engineered to seamlessly deliver high-performing, localized content to major operators. Blitzcrown’s certified instant-win and non-traditional games are a perfect fit for the dynamic Brazilian audience, and this rollout underscores our commitment to fueling our partners’ growth in one of the world’s most vibrant regulated markets.”

The post Massive Gaming launches Blitzcrown titles on Superbet Brazil via Bragg Hub appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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