GMB - Tell us about Vera & John's trajectory. What are the main markets where you operate, the best products and what are your next objectives?
Alessandro Valente - Vera & John is a brand of the Jackpotjoy Group that has been operating in Brazil for three years and now has an expansion plan for Latin America including countries like Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico and others, but the focus is still is very much in Brazil. It is a site that offers casino games, a site focused on a product and so ends up doing a slightly better job. Today we have a wide range of games, over 700, including Hallowenn, Pachinco, Ice Age which are very popular in Brazil and are offered online, regulated with all possible support. We have support teams, practically 24 hours for Brazil in Portuguese, all necessary payment methods, bank transfer. We have a 100% adapted operation.
The company was part of the Brazilian Affiliate Congress last week, where it was chosen as the best platform for gambling. What led Vera & John to be an exhibitor at this congress and what new client profile did you seek?
We were at the Brazil Affiliate Congress to bring more affiliates. The affiliates we get here, usually bring us better traffic, a more skilled player. It has already been worked by the affiliate and already enters our platform with the desire to play. And Vera & John is a fun casino that is not so monotonous and where you really have a fun gaming experience.
What are Vera & John's projects for Brazil after the total regulation of the gaming activity in the country?
With the eventual regulation of gaming we will probably have a license in Brazil to be able to enter the open media and publicize in a more effective way. Our project is always online, in all countries where we operate today we only have online operation. However, it is very well adapted to each of the markets. So, the Brazilian version is 100% adapted to this market.
Besides the license to help in the divulgation, with a legalized sector, what kind of products do you intend to offer the Brazilian public?
Sports betting already exists, as you can see the site Sua Aposta that is licensed; there is already games of chance in Brazil. When this is regulated, we will probably bring new games, more interactive and more social to the country. Games like video bingo, become a second option and, for example, bingo with chat and moderator becomes the first option. And also live, which are games broadcast live from Brazil, which is something that we don’t have today. These live games are produced in Eastern Europe and are not adapted for Brazil. And as gaming happens in Brazil, we will invest in a Brazilian live casino.
What is your assessment of the gaming legalizing process in Brazil? Do you think it could move faster?
The Brazilian process is late, it is decades old, I think it should have been approved a few decades ago and unfortunately we do not have a real perspective. We have heard of various dates, various debates, but I never see anything concrete. I have been participating in some conferences like the Brazilian Gaming Congress since 2013, I have been following the process and I do not see something happening in fact.
What could be done by the whole sector, from operators to associations and other gaming entities, to speed up this process?
The movement of the sector is already occurring. I think this is no longer the problem. At the beginning perhaps, I mean 2013 when they started discussing this more effectively. Through the Brazlian Gaming Congress you have begun to see the operators, both physically and online, looking for a solution and bringing information to the government. But unfortunately it does not depend on the industry. The market is willing to do whatever it takes, what it really needs is for the rulers to take action.
Returning to Vera & John. In addition to Latin America, which countries do you operate in, what licenses do you have and what are your main business policies?
We have the Malta license; which is our main, and in the UK. The company is a publicly traded company, traded on the London Stock Exchange, so we have a very large responsibility with the investors, with all the complience and everything we do is always with the focus on quality and responsibility. So the gaming responsible for us is very important.
Source: Exclusive GMB
