Betano, the leading online sports betting and gaming brand, owned by Kaizen Gaming, has refurbished and revitalised a state-of-the-art basketball court in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, and invited none other than its global ambassador, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to inaugurate it.

In addition to undergoing a full refurbishment, the court located in Rio de Janeiro now features a stylized design of Giannis Antetokounmpo on the playing surface by Brazilian artist Neto 78.

The inauguration took place on Monday, June 9.

During the event to open the new court, Giannis, known affectionately by fans as the “Greek Freak,” signed the court and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. Following its inauguration, the court hosted its first game as The Payback group, which had regularly used the court in the past, played its debut match. Following the event’s culmination, the court was fully handed over to the community for public use.

George Daskalakis, co-founder and CEO of Kaizen Gaming, said: “The choice of Giannis as our ambassador was a natural one from the beginning, as we have many things in common. We share a journey of humble beginnings in Greece, and through hard work, determination, and a mindset focused on continuous improvement, we have managed to expand our reach globally.”

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A Betano ambassador since 2023, Milwaukee Bucks player and two-time NBA MVP (Most Valuable Player), Giannis understands the importance of public spaces as a source of entertainment, social inclusion, and for fostering a consistent and healthy relationship with sports.

Giannis Antetokounmpo said: “My story is deeply connected to public courts. That’s how I discovered my passion for basketball. I hope this court inaugurated today by Betano stays full and inspires the development of new talent.”

The court inauguration is part of a broader strategy by the company to support national sports. As the main sponsor of major football championships such as Brasileirão Betano, and Torneo Betano in Argentina, as well as the first official global betting sponsor of the UEFA Euro 2024^TM and official partner of CONMEBOL until 2028 – including sponsorship of the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024^TM – the company is looking to expand into more areas.

Guilherme Figueiredo, Country Manager of Betano in Brazil, concluded: “We want to be a major supporter of national sports, whether through sponsorships, the construction of public sports spaces, or social transformation initiatives through sport.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family have been in Brazil since last Saturday, invited by Betano. During their stay there, they have the opportunity to get in touch with the people, immerse in the culture of the country and visit landmarks like the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family’s presence in Brazil will conclude on Wednesday, June 11th, with their visit to the Kaizen Gaming/Betano office in São Paulo, where they will connect and engage with the company’s local team.

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Zimpler, a leading Swedish company in Pay-by-bank solutions, has become a certified Payment Institution (PI) in Brazil, authorized by the Central Bank. Now Zimpler is allowed to facilitate payments and other Open Finance ecosystem resources, streamlining the checkout process and reducing friction by allowing direct transactions without redirecting users to bank apps. This movement solidifies Zimpler’s plans and structure in Brazil.

“We are thrilled to receive this authorization from the Brazilian Central Bank. The recognition of Zimpler as a payment initiator reinforces our commitment to this local market, which offers a great opportunity for growth and value in a very dynamic and competitive environment,” said Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler.

The authorization, which also allows Zimpler to act as an electronic money institution, strengthens the Open Finance ecosystem in Brazil, one of the most advanced in the world and which now welcomes the leading payments fintech from Sweden. Businesses looking to thrive in the country can now benefit from the Zimpler’s seamless payment experience, giving them a competitive edge in a dynamic and fast-moving market.

“This milestone showcases the strength of Swedish innovation and the mutual benefits that come from closer economic collaboration between Sweden and Brazil. Sweden has long been a leader in financial technology, and we are proud to see companies like Zimpler bring their experience and trusted solutions to contribute to Brazil’s dynamic digital economy,” said Andreas Rentner, Trade Commissioner and Country Manager of Business Sweden in Brazil.

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“With our experience powering over 80% of Sweden’s population through Swish, we’re bringing the same proven technology and approach to Brazil through Pix, one of the most successful real-time payment systems in the world. We’re looking forward to helping businesses unlock the full potential of Open Finance in Brazil with seamless, secure payments that drive market growth,” Strand said.

The authorization by the Central Bank is another step in strengthening Zimpler’s foundation in Brazil, following the opening of its São Paulo office in 2022. The company remains focused on expanding its footprint and deepening its partnerships across key verticals such as iGaming, where it sees strong growth potential.

Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet has announced the expansion of its partnership with premium slot provider Habanero into Brazil, as both companies deepen their presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing regulated iGaming markets.

Players at PlayUZU.bet.br and BacanaPlay.bet.br now have access to Habanero’s acclaimed portfolio of slots and tables games. This includes fan-favorites like Hot Hot Fruit, new titles like Love & Riches Eldorado, and Habanero’s industry-renowned progressive slot, Jackpot Race, which uses a sophisticated algorithm to deliver instant prize drops to players.

Brazil’s newly regulated online gaming market, effective since January 1, 2025, is projected to generate $2.9 billion in gross annual revenue this year, with potential growth to $6.3 billion by 2028, according to Vixio regulatory analysts.

SkillOnNet was among the first operators to secure licensing in the country, launching PlayUZU.bet.br and BacanaPlay.bet.br earlier this year.

The rollout of Habanero’s games into SkillOnNet’s Brazilian platforms reflects the company’s strategy of offering diverse and high-quality gaming experiences tailored to local markets.

Arcangelo Lonoce, Head of Business Development at Habanero, said: “We are extremely pleased to extend our partnership with SkillOnNet to Brazil and further boost our collaboration. As one of the most anticipated market openings in a number of years, it has been a key focus for us. We are delighted that games like Hot Hot Fruit, Santa’s Village, and Zeus Deluxe – all of which have already proven successful in several other markets – will now be available to SkillOnNet’s Brazilian customers.”

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Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet, said: “Brazil represents one of the most exciting and dynamic opportunities in the global iGaming landscape. Partnering with Habanero in this market allows us to deliver world-class content to a rapidly growing audience hungry for premium gaming experiences. This move reflects our long-term commitment to localized growth and best-in-class entertainment.”