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Betsoft and BlueOcean Discuss the Recipe for Long-Term Success in iGaming Partnerships
Selling product, although essential, is still only one part of an effective business formula. Relationship building in today’s global and crowded markets is a major element for long-term success. Enduring partnerships need trust and commitment from both sides, plus a little something else. Erik Köhler, Marketing Manager at Betsoft Gaming and Dejan Jović, CEO at BlueOcean Gaming enjoyed a socially distanced meeting to discuss just what makes their companies’ relationship work.
Erik is a data driven marketer with substantial knowledge of digital marketing, social media exploitation andafiliation within the iGaming world. Over the past decade, Betsoft has earned a reputation as one of the world’s premier producers of high quality igaming products. It offers an unparalleled level of service, backed by a solid and highly experienced team. In addition to the substantial portfolio of cinematic quality games, the product suite also includes a full featured casino management platform. Betsoft’s commitment to excellence has made it a leader in the industry. Independent certifications and licensing in numerous igaming markets have been obtained and, through these efforts, Betsoft has secured a loyal client base throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Dejan comes from a technical background in IT. His career in iGaming spanned product management, strategic development and business development before he became CEO of BlueOcean in 2016. The Slovenian-based business is an independent B2B online gaming software provider. Gamehub – their inhouse gamehub aggregation – allows casino operators to launch multiple game providers with a single API integration. With a business strategy comprising easy-to-use, time saving and efficient all-in-one solutions for online casino businesses, their White Label solution offers the necessary suite of products and services required to start an online casino.
EK: Betsoft and BlueOcean have enjoyed a successful partnership for some time; what made you choose Betsoft originally and what keeps the partnership working?
DJ: ‘Yes, we have been collaborating since 2015. Betsoft was one of the first game providers available within our Game Aggregation solution – GameHub. I would say that the quality of the games was a significant enabler for our growth right from the start. Working with Betsoft was integral to the success of our strategy. By choosing Betsoft products originally, we were able to offer those great games to all of our initial operators. This early success acted as a magnet to bring in more new clients for us. The result today is that almost all of our clients have access to the Betsoft portfolio.
We will definitely keep working together as our success is reflected in the great business growth we have made together. An important factor contributing to the strength of our long-term partnership is the technical side of your games: operationally, the games run smoothly so we never experience any issues. Finally, we have great communication overall and that always makes life easier.’
EK: At Betsoft, we too have been very happy with how our partnership has developed. Your business has grown considerably since you started: can you sustain this growth?
DJ: ‘We are really proud of our effort over the past few years; it required hard work and commitment from the entire team but it has paid off. Our dream is to maintain solid growth, but we are keeping ourselves grounded and accept that it will take some time. Currently our GameHub solution offers more than 5000 games from around 80 game providers, although we are always looking for more.
The strategy is to provide globally accessible games. In addition to our extensive game library, GameHub features an additional set of four features: Automated Game Catalogue, which enables a fully automated release of new content along with extensive game details and icons; FreeRound API, which allows operators to distribute free spins to selected players through single implementation that works with all game providers supporting free rounds; Game History API, which gives our clients access to detailed game history which can then be incorporated into their own back-office and, finally, Unified Jackpot Feed which offers the potential to display jackpot values in real time.
Although we are satisfied with the product as is, we want to take it to the next level. We will offer further additional features to make us stand out from the crowd and to showcase GameHub as something special. But each development requires a lot of time to be perfected. We are currently working on Tournaments and feature triggering – which are both available across most game providers including Betsoft. This is a great tool to offer in terms of player engagement and retention.
Finally, in addition to product development, we have invested in targeted marketing. This, for us, is something new. Previously we never dedicated a team, budget and policy to marketing. Our strategy for this year was to attend all the major iGaming events worldwide; however, due to the covid-19 situation, this has been put on hold. Therefore, we have re-directed our focus on to advertising and marketing online, thus raising brand awareness through this platform – at least until the live events are back in business. So yes, we feel confident that, with our plans in place, we will continue to grow.’
EK: BlueOcean has enabled many start-ups in the industry and encouraged them to showcase the best games on their sites. Which casino operator would you say that you are the most proud of assisting?
DJ: ‘Currently we have more than 100 active clients on our GameHub aggregation and an additional 40 White Label and Turnkey solutions. We work closely with all of them to constantly grow the numbers. This year we hit record volumes which, for us, is a great indicator that our strategy works. Our clients managed to expand their business through a mix of our software solutions and great gaming content.
Originally, we started with B2C business; therefore we have many White Label operators, all of whom we are immensely proud. Together we have a created a successful story. One in particular has been with us right from the beginning in 2012. Universalslots.net is just one of the multiple brands this client has with us and we are impressed by them. Also, a very recently sealed partnership with us is becoming a great success already. Horuscasino.com is another B2C who has managed to grow amazing numbers in the space of just one year, so we are pretty proud of that relationship too.’
EK: Over the years that Betsoft and BlueOcean have been working together, does any one particular moment or event stand out for you?
DJ: ‘Originally, most of our communication went through email and Skype which was a bit impersonal; therefore we arranged to meet in person with the then Betsoft Head of Sales at the Berlin Gaming Show in 2016. We introduced ourselves at the stand and then we went out together. It was a memorable dinner! Judging by our continuing success, we created a mutually supportive relationship from the start. This is something we still maintain as we normally meet regularly at gaming shows, iGaming awards and other events.
From a business point of view, we definitely appreciate the promotions we run together, particularly the personalised ones. These are very well received by our clients and reinforce how much we respect each other as partners.’
EK: Betsoft is renowned for its regular releases of quality games and this is set to continue. Which Betsoft game is your personal favourite and why?
DJ: ‘Correct. Betsoft has a really nice library of games and some outstanding titles. Also, new game releases come out regularly and we are always primed and ready to release them on the exact date of the official launch so we benefit from the great marketing.
Personally, the older, classic games stick in my memory the most. Titles such as Pinocchio, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Sugar Pop and Tiger’s Claw are just such great games. However, I would say that my favourite game is Good Girl Bad Girl. I remember that, at the time of release, this game was highly anticipated. It has some impressive features such as the option for players to choose their side and change the gameplay. I also recall that we recommended the game highly to all our clients at the time and the take up was very strong.’
Clearly long-term relationships benefit from trust, supportive structures and open channels of communication as well as co-ordinated and mutually beneficial direction. After five successful years working together, Betsoft and BlueOcean are very much anticpating many more to come, whatever the circumstances.
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A discussão sobre a proibição de apostas online no Brasil ressurge em um momento sensível do debate público, marcado por soluções simplistas para temas complexos.
Neste artigo, Thiago Iusim, fundador e CEO da Betshield Responsible Gaming, analisa os paralelos entre o mercado de cigarros eletrônicos e o setor de ‘Bets’, destacando como a tentativa de eliminar uma atividade por decreto tende a empurrá-la para a informalidade.
Para ele, a experiência brasileira mostra que proibir não extingue mercados — apenas reduz a capacidade de controle do Estado e amplia riscos para o consumidor.
O Brasil já viu esse filme antes.
Existe uma solução mágica que sempre reaparece no debate público brasileiro, normalmente em período eleitoral, quando um tema se torna politicamente incômodo: proibir.
A lógica é sedutora. No discurso, o “problema” desaparece. Na prática, ele apenas muda de endereço.
O caso dos cigarros eletrônicos mostra isso com clareza.
Os vapes nunca foram autorizados no país. São oficialmente proibidos desde 2009. Em teoria, portanto, não deveriam existir em terras tupiniquins. Na prática, estão por toda parte, sem controle sanitário, sem fiscalização efetiva e sem qualquer garantia sobre a procedência do produto.
A proibição não eliminou o mercado. Apenas eliminou a possibilidade de cercá-lo com regras.
Uma reportagem recente da CNN sobre o avanço das apreensões de cigarros eletrônicos ajuda a dimensionar esse fenômeno. O país não acabou com os vapes. Apenas empurrou esse mercado para um ambiente onde o Estado perdeu capacidade de controle.
O Estado proibiu. O crime organizado agradeceu e aplaudiu de pé.
Essa experiência ajuda a entender o momento atual do debate sobre apostas online no Brasil.
As bets já existiam antes da Lei 14.790/2023. Durante anos, o país conviveu com um mercado ativo, acessível pela internet e operando a partir do exterior, sem arrecadação, sem supervisão e sem instrumentos efetivos de proteção ao consumidor.
A atividade não surgiu com a lei. A lei surgiu porque ela já existia.
Regular foi a forma racional de trazer esse mercado para dentro de um ambiente controlável, com licenças, outorgas, identificação de usuários, prevenção à lavagem de dinheiro, regras de publicidade, mecanismos de proteção ao jogador.
Dezesseis meses depois, o debate público volta a flertar com a mesma solução simplista aplicada aos vapes: a ideia de que proibir faria a atividade desaparecer.
A essa altura, já deveríamos saber que não funciona assim.
No caso das apostas, o Brasil havia escolhido um caminho diferente: regular para controlar. Proteger o cidadão e a economia popular.
Voltar agora a discutir proibição como resposta para um mercado que já existe seria mais do que um erro regulatório.
Seria uma contradição histórica.
Ou, talvez, apenas a manifestação mais confortável de um certo moralismo público que prefere empurrar a atividade para a clandestinidade em vez de reconhecer sua existência.
No plano do discurso, a proibição pode soar vitoriosa. Na prática, ela serve apenas como embalagem moralmente confortável para soluções apressadas e politicamente convenientes.
Isso não passa de fantasia eleitoral. E, desta vez, ninguém poderá dizer que não conhecia o roteiro.
Thiago Iusim
Fundador e CEO da Betshield Responsible Gaming
The post Bets, vapes e a ilusão da proibição appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
The debate over banning online betting in Brazil is resurfacing at a sensitive moment in the public discourse, marked by simplistic solutions to complex issues.
In this article, Thiago Iusim, founder and CEO of Betshield Responsible Gaming, analyzes the parallels between the electronic cigarette market and the ‘Bets’ sector, highlighting how attempts to eliminate an activity by decree tend to push it into informality.
According to him, the Brazilian experience shows that prohibition does not eliminate markets — it merely reduces the State’s ability to control them and increases risks for consumers.
Brazil has seen this movie before.
There is a magic solution that always seems to return to public debate, especially in election season, whenever an issue becomes politically inconvenient: ban it.
The logic is seductive. In the political narrative, the issue disappears. In real life, it simply moves elsewhere.
E-cigarettes make that point painfully clear.
Vapes have never been authorized in Brazil. They have been officially banned since 2009. In theory, they should not exist. In practice, they are everywhere, sold through social media, messaging apps, marketplaces, street vendors, and small retail shops, with no sanitary controls, no effective oversight, and no real guarantee of origin.
Prohibition did not eliminate the market.
It only eliminated the possibility of surrounding that market with rules.
A recent CNN report on the surge in e-cigarette seizures helps show the scale of the problem. Brazil did not get rid of vapes. It simply pushed the market into an environment where the state lost the capacity to control it.
The state banned it. Organized crime applauded.
That experience helps explain the current debate around online betting in Brazil.
Bets existed long before Law 14,790/2023. For years, Brazil lived with an active market operating online and from abroad, with no local tax collection, no regulatory oversight, and no effective consumer protection tools.
The activity did not emerge because of the law. The law emerged because the activity already existed.
Regulation was the rational response. It was the way to bring an already existing market into a controllable framework, with licenses, concession fees, user identification, anti-money laundering requirements, advertising rules, and player protection mechanisms.
And yet, just eighteen months later, public debate is once again flirting with the same simplistic solution applied to vapes: the fantasy that prohibition would make the activity disappear.
By now, Brazil should know better.
In the case of betting, the country had chosen a different path: regulate in order to control. Protect consumers. Protect the broader economy.
To now return to prohibition as a response to a market that already exists would be more than a regulatory mistake.
It would be a historical contradiction.
Or perhaps simply the most comfortable expression of a certain kind of public moralism that would rather push an activity into the shadows than acknowledge its existence.
In political discourse, prohibition can sound like victory.
In practice, it often functions as morally comfortable packaging for rushed and politically convenient decisions.
This is nothing more than electoral fantasy. And this time, no one will be able to say they did not know how the story would end.
Thiago Iusim
Founder and CEO of Betshield Responsible Gaming
The post Sports Betting, E-cigarettes and the Illusion of Prohibition appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
En un artículo exclusivo para Gaming Americas, Udo Seckelmann, socio de Bichara e Motta Advogados, analiza cómo el mercado brasileño de iGaming ha entrado en una nueva fase de madurez tras el BiS SiGMA South America 2026.
Dejando atrás las expectativas regulatorias, la industria ahora enfrenta presiones reales a nivel operativo, político y económico, lo que plantea interrogantes clave sobre la sostenibilidad, la fiscalización y el equilibrio entre crecimiento y protección del consumidor en uno de los mercados de apuestas más dinámicos del mundo.
En un artículo exclusivo para Gaming Americas, Udo Seckelmann, socio de Bichara e Motta Advogados, analiza cómo el mercado brasileño de iGaming ha entrado en una nueva fase de madurez tras el BiS SiGMA South America 2026. Dejando atrás las expectativas regulatorias, la industria ahora enfrenta presiones operativas, políticas y económicas reales, lo que plantea preguntas críticas sobre sostenibilidad, aplicación normativa y el equilibrio entre crecimiento y protección del consumidor en uno de los mercados de apuestas más dinámicos del mundo.
BiS SiGMA 2026 dejó en claro que la conversación en torno al sector de apuestas en Brasil ha cambiado de forma fundamental. La industria ya no se discute como una oportunidad futura moldeada por expectativas regulatorias, sino como un ecosistema en funcionamiento sujeto a presiones del mundo real. Con el marco regulatorio en vigor y operadores activos, el foco se ha desplazado hacia cómo se comporta realmente el mercado bajo regulación y en qué puntos ese marco está siendo puesto a prueba.
Este cambio fue evidente tanto en la calidad de las discusiones como en el perfil de los participantes. En ediciones anteriores, gran parte del debate se centraba en el marco regulatorio ideal, la tributación y las estrategias de entrada al mercado. En 2026, el foco se trasladó hacia temas más sofisticados y, en muchos sentidos, más desafiantes: implementación regulatoria, fiscalización y el equilibrio entre crecimiento y protección del consumidor.
Un elemento adicional que permeó muchas de las discusiones fue el reciente endurecimiento del discurso político hacia el sector. Declaraciones del Presidente que sugieren la posible eliminación del mercado regulado de apuestas, así como iniciativas en el Congreso orientadas a restringir de forma amplia la publicidad del sector, revelan preocupaciones legítimas sobre externalidades negativas, pero también un riesgo concreto de que la política pública se diseñe de forma desconectada de la nueva realidad regulatoria.
La crítica aquí no se dirige a la preocupación por la protección del consumidor, que es sin duda esencial, sino a la forma en que se ha llevado a cabo este debate. Medidas prohibitivas o excesivamente restrictivas, particularmente en el ámbito de la publicidad, tienden a producir efectos adversos ya observados en otras jurisdicciones: menor capacidad de canalización hacia el mercado regulado, fortalecimiento de operadores ilegales y debilitamiento de los propios mecanismos de protección al consumidor.
En este contexto, la publicidad no debe ser vista únicamente como un factor de riesgo, sino también como una herramienta de política pública. Es a través de la publicidad que los operadores licenciados pueden diferenciarse de entidades no reguladas, comunicar prácticas de juego responsable y operar dentro de parámetros auditables. Las restricciones desproporcionadas, en la práctica, reducen la visibilidad de quienes están sujetos a regulación, al tiempo que amplían el espacio para quienes operan fuera de ella.
Además, la inestabilidad del discurso político, especialmente cuando coquetea con escenarios de prohibición tras años de esfuerzos para estructurar un mercado regulado, genera una importante inseguridad jurídica. Las inversiones realizadas bajo un marco regulatorio reciente son reevaluadas, los costos de cumplimiento aumentan y el apetito de nuevos entrantes tiende a disminuir. En última instancia, esto afecta no solo el desarrollo del sector, sino también la recaudación del gobierno y los objetivos regulatorios originales perseguidos por el Estado.
Otro tema clave discutido durante el evento fue el impacto del aumento de la carga impositiva, particularmente tras el incremento del Gaming Tax, sobre la competitividad del mercado regulado. Existe una preocupación legítima de que un entorno excesivamente gravoso, combinado con fuertes restricciones publicitarias, pueda generar un escenario económicamente inviable para los operadores licenciados, incentivando nuevamente la migración hacia el mercado no regulado.
Otro punto destacado del evento fue el debate en torno al rol de los intermediarios tecnológicos, incluidos los market makers en segmentos emergentes como los prediction markets. La expansión de estos modelos plantea importantes interrogantes regulatorios: en qué medida los marcos existentes son suficientes para acomodar estas innovaciones y cuándo será necesario avanzar hacia regímenes regulatorios específicos, posiblemente bajo la supervisión de autoridades como el regulador del mercado de valores.
Una comparación con ediciones anteriores de BiS SiGMA demuestra claramente la creciente madurez del sector. Si Brasil alguna vez fue visto como una gran promesa, hoy es una realidad compleja que requiere ajustes finos y coordinación institucional. La agenda ha pasado de la apertura del mercado a la gobernanza, ahora bajo un escrutinio político y social mucho más intenso.
Por último, un aspecto que merece especial atención es la creciente profesionalización de todos los actores involucrados. Operadores, reguladores, proveedores de servicios e incluso el debate público han evolucionado significativamente. Hoy existe una comprensión más clara de que el éxito del mercado brasileño depende de su credibilidad y de su sostenibilidad a largo plazo.
Udo Seckelmann
Socio del área de Gambling & Crypto en Bichara e Motta Advogados
The post Los nuevos desafíos de la industria del iGaming en 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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