Internal training and strong compliance are the foundation for protecting bettors and meeting new requirements under Brazil’s gambling regulations

Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil, the company behind the Esportes da Sorte and Onabet platforms, is taking a proactive approach to player protection by embedding responsible gaming into its organisational DNA.

A strong internal culture focused on physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing, open dialogue around diversity, and hiring practices rooted in collaboration, customer focus, and ethics all lay the groundwork for an environment where protecting players is second nature.

In June, 600 employees took part in the immersive program “Learn to Protect.” Over three days of workshops led by the Instituto de Apoio ao Apostador (IAA) and the Empresa Brasileira de Apoio ao Compulsivo (EBAC), the team simulated real cases, learned to recognise signs of risk, and adopted international support protocols. The content has since become mandatory e-learning, with refreshers every six months.

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The Brazilian betting market, which already moves over R$12 billion a year according to estimates from the Ministry of Finance, is undergoing its first full regulatory cycle. The new law requires each licensed operator to demonstrate preventive actions against gambling addiction, support channels, and self-exclusion mechanisms.

Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil has further strengthened its Responsible Gaming commitment with the appointment of new manager Ana Carolina Luna Maçães. In addition, the group launched a Code of Ethics and Conduct outlining five core principles — integrity, respect for people, privacy, responsible gaming, and compliance — which apply to employees, suppliers, and partners.

Technology is crucial in supporting this layer of protection by identifying issues before they occur. Machine learning models monitor dozens of behavioural variables (bet value, frequency and time, session duration), and when risk is detected, they trigger conscious gambling alerts, offering instant deposit limits or self-exclusion options. Monthly reports are sent to the Compliance team for ongoing audit and review. High-risk alerts are individually handled by a support team trained in active listening to better engage with users.

Over the past two months, the group hosted the Match-Fixing Prevention Forum for clubs including Náutico, Ceará, and Corinthians, equipping athletes and coaching staff with training in sports integrity.

Hugo Baungartner, Director of Institutional Relations and Partnerships at Esportes Gaming Brasil, said: “Promoting responsible gaming internally is the first step toward bringing education, protection, and transparency to the market. When our team is prepared, we can share that knowledge outward and protect those who bet. With a strong culture, rigorous compliance, and continuous education, we aim to give increasing visibility to a culture of Responsible Gaming.”

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We sit down with Rafael Levy, Chief Growth Officer at Dreidel, to learn more about how the rising start slot machine manufacturer from Mexico is taking the market by storm.

For those who haven’t heard of Dreidel, who are you, and what products do you offer to the industry?

We are a proudly Mexican company that’s been designing and producing land-based slots since early 2020. Recently, we’ve expanded our offering into the online space for the first time. From day one, our mission has been to bring innovation and quality to the land-based gaming market in Mexico, and we’ve done this by making sure we have a deep understanding of player and operator needs through the hands-on experience of our team and constant iteration and improvement of our products. What sets us apart – indeed, I’d say it’s our superpower – is the highly experienced team we have built at Dreidel, with everyone having worked directly in the field. This has allowed us to learn not only from the successes we have enjoyed but also from the challenges we have faced and overcome along the way.

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Can you describe your approach to slot development?

Rather than develop products in isolation, we take a meticulous and practical approach to understanding the dynamics of the market we are in, especially when it comes to what the player expects from a slot game. By doing this, we’ve been able to put innovation at the foundation of our approach to development, which in turn allows us to consistently evolve our games and cabinets so they deliver fresh, engaging and differentiated experiences that hit the mark with players. Ultimately, our products for both land-based and online are born out of real-world insight and combine quality with creativity to ensure we not only meet but exceed player expectations. Because we are a young company, we’ve been able to use and leverage the latest technologies, and this has helped us deliver a superior product and ultimately build massive momentum behind the business.

Just how important is it to read the market and understand what players and operators are looking for?

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It’s very important, and that’s why it’s a fundamental pillar at Dreidel. We have developed a process that allows us to read the market with precision and agility, and then easily feed that insight into our development cycle. We know that we operate in a highly dynamic environment where player preferences can shift quickly, driven by trends, global influences and evolving technologies. This is why we invest so heavily in continuous market research and pay close attention to player and operator feedback, as this enables us to act fast, adapt effectively and launch innovative products that stand out and gain traction from day one.

You mentioned your team as being critical to the early success you have achieved. Who are the key people behind the business?

Dreidel was formed as a joint initiative by a group of entrepreneurs with extensive operational experience in the gaming industry. This includes Isaac Shemaria and Moisés Shemaria, who came up with the initial idea for the business. Since our launch in 2020, we have grown with a structure that balances an ambitious strategic vision with strong on-the-ground execution. Today, the company is led by José Shemaria and Rafael Levy, and has a highly skilled multidisciplinary team driving key areas of the business.

The direction of the project is led by a collaborative leadership group that ensures every decision is aligned with our long-term goals. This synergy allows us to maintain a strong commercial focus, efficient operations, and sound financial planning, all aimed at meeting the evolving needs of the market. It’s worth highlighting our technology and innovation team, which plays a vital role in developing unique gaming experiences, turning ideas into functional products that resonate with both operators and players. This is complemented by the daily work of our developers, technicians, operators and commercial staff, who bring deep industry knowledge to ensure our products reach the market with both impact and quality.

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We firmly believe that our true value lies in the strength of our collective talent. Every area and every person play a key role in turning ideas into reality. This integration of strategy, creativity, execution, and consumer insight is what has shaped our growth and continues to drive our success in such a competitive industry.

You’ve quickly established Dreidel as a leading slot machine manufacturer in Mexico. How did you do this, and what sets your product apart?

The market-leading position we have achieved is the result of a long, challenging yet rewarding journey. It’s been a step-by-step process, marked by both setbacks and incredible achievements, all of which have shaped us into the company that we are today. What sets us apart from other suppliers? I’d say it’s our ability to deeply understand and analyse what players want and enjoy. We don’t create generic products, we listen to the end user, study their behaviour, preferences, and playing habits, and design games that resonate with them on a personal level.

We focus on meeting the unique demands of the gaming sector, tailoring our offerings for each market we target. Mexico is our primary market, but we are making moves into other LatAm markets and North America, too. Our goal is to deliver games that are not only innovative in terms of technology and design but also captivating for the player, grabbing their attention from the very first spin to the last.

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Today, we offer Class III products that are ranked among the top performers in the Mexican market. That leading position is the result of a clear vision, a player-focused approach and a passionate team committed to creating experiences that truly stand out.

What makes the land-based slot market so difficult to crack?

The land-based slot machine market is one of the most complex and demanding areas within the gaming industry, mainly due to the high barriers to entry, both technological and regulatory. It’s not enough to have a good idea; you need a product that is technically solid, commercially viable and fully compliant with strict industry standards.

One of our biggest challenges was developing the right product, one that would truly succeed in the market. This required significant investment in research, development, certifications and continuous testing. We also faced the challenge of competing against well-established brands, which pushed us to stand out not just through innovation, but through product quality and a deep understanding of the player.

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We overcame these challenges by being patient, strategic and consistent. We had to earn the trust of operators and players one step at a time, proving that our products meet the highest standards while also delivering unique experiences that resonate with end users. It’s been a journey of perseverance, but one with highly rewarding results.

What is your top-performing game, and what made it so popular?

Our top-performing game is Imperial Ascension, a Class III title that stands out for its innovation and its ability to truly engage players. It’s more than just a slot game—it’s an immersive experience that captures attention through its functionality, visual appeal and the excitement it creates.

What has made Imperial Ascension such a success is its unique touch: it offers high rewards and a strong element of mystery that keeps players engaged throughout their session. The game continuously surprises players with multiple progressive jackpots embedded within the gameplay, which not only increases anticipation but also significantly boosts the potential for big wins. This combination of innovation, excitement and rewarding mechanics has made it one of our standout titles.

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You also have a portfolio of online slots. What are your plans for the online segment, and what opportunities have you identified?

The online segment represents a completely different universe for Dreidel, with its own dynamics, audience profiles and player behaviours. That’s why we’ve developed a dedicated approach for this channel, with a specialised team that understands the nuances of the digital player experience.

Our online strategy is not about replicating the land-based model but rather adapting to new consumption habits by leveraging the advantages of technology and the accessibility of online platforms. We’ve identified significant growth opportunities in this segment, particularly driven by the increasing demand for digital entertainment, flexible formats and the ability to reach a much broader audience.

We are currently in a phase of deep market analysis and building a solid, tailored offering. Our goal is to deliver innovative, responsible and engaging experiences for online users. The online segment is a key path for our future expansion, both within Mexico and internationally.

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You mention international markets. What are your plans to take Dreidel beyond Mexico?

This is the perfect time for international expansion and particularly into the United States because it’s the largest and most dynamic market in the gaming industry. It offers tremendous growth opportunities, a highly diverse base of end users, and presents many exciting challenges that we are fully prepared to take on.

The variety in player preferences within the US market pushes us to continue innovating and refining our approach. Our focus is on adapting to that diversity by delivering customised products that offer unique and engaging experiences.

The United States is one of our main strategic priorities, as we see the potential for exponential growth in that region. We’re confident that this is the natural next step for Dreidel and that we have the strength, creativity and vision to compete successfully on an international scale. Of course, we are also looking at other markets within Latin America and to replicate the success we have enjoyed in Mexico in the jurisdictions we chose to enter.

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CyberArena, a global leader in online gaming and interactive entertainment, has announced the official rebranding of its flagship platform from 188BET to taptap, effective July 1, 2025. This marks a bold evolution in the company’s journey, reinforcing its mission to provide modern, secure, and seamless gaming experiences for audiences around the world.

The transition to taptap represents more than a name change it introduces a refreshed brand identity designed to meet the demands of today’s fast-moving, mobile-first users. Combining cutting-edge technology with global design sensibilities, taptap elevates the user experience while preserving the trust, familiarity, and excitement that millions of users have come to expect.

“taptap reflects our forward-thinking approach and our commitment to providing intuitive, high-performance gaming for global players. While the brand is new, the values remain: reliability, innovation, and exceptional entertainment,” said a CyberArena spokesperson.

What’s Changing?

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• New Brand Identity: 188BET is now officially taptap

• Enhanced User Interface: A modern, mobile-first design for faster navigation and improved performance

• Refreshed Look and Feel: Updated visual elements that reflect taptap’s global outlook and digital-first philosophy

What Stays the Same?

• Your Account: All login credentials, balances, and play histories remain fully intact

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• No Registration Needed: Existing users can continue using their accounts as normal

• Full Game Line-Up: All services, promotions, and favorite games are available without interruption

A Comprehensive Global Gaming Experience

• With the launch of taptap, users will continue to enjoy access to a complete portfolio of entertainment, including:

• Sports and Esports Interactive Play

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• Live Gaming and RNG Table Games

• Virtual Sports, Lottery, and Skill-Based Games

• Tournaments, Promotions, and Exclusive Global Campaigns

Whether on desktop or mobile, taptap is engineered to deliver smooth, reliable performance, backed by industry-leading security protocols and 24/7 multilingual customer support.

A Global Vision for the Future of Online Gaming

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CyberArena’s rebrand to taptap is a strategic step forward in shaping the future of digital gaming. Built with scalability and international expansion in mind, the platform combines next-generation usability with a strong foundation of trust, compliance, and responsible entertainment.

“This rebranding represents a renewal of our promise to global users. As taptap, we will push boundaries, embrace innovation, and set new standards for excellence in online gaming,” added the spokesperson.