GMB - Did the Brazilian market need to have a face-to-face event of this level?
Roberto Brasil Fernandes - Yes. Events held at a distance (through the internet) do not meet all the needs and expectations of market players. Face-to-face contact, with health precautions, is essential for carrying out business.
Can the strength of BiS and its dissemination in the media help to understand that this industry should be legalized for the benefit of the country?
No doubt. The BiS event is part of a journey of other events, such as the BGCs and OGS held in previous years, a history that gives security to panelists and anyone wishing to participate in the Brazilian iGmaing Sumit, whether to learn about the news in the Brazilian market, or to contribute to the debate or prepare to prospect investments in the sector.
What topics will you cover or would like to develop on your panel?
I was invited to be a moderator, at the tables that will have distinguished guest panelists who will address the “Regulation of Sports Betting and Lotteries in Brazil: Expectations and Perspectives” and the “Business Vision of Lotteries in Brazil”. I was honored with the invitation, I hope to meet the organizers' expectations.
How do you analyze Brazil's growth this year specifically in the gaming market segment where you work and specialize? What are your expectations for 2022?
These were two events of fundamental importance for the Brazilian Lottery market.
The first concerns the commitment of the Ministry of Economy team to ensure the operation of the lottery modality entitled "fixed-quote sports betting" provided for in Law 13,756/2018, economic feasibility with legal certainty for investments in the sector. This is the approval of Law 14,183 of 2021, which changed the calculation basis for calculating the amounts of legal beneficiaries and taxes, in addition to the rates levied on the turn over of the same modality, with regard to Contribution to Social Security.
The second event is an important milestone in the lottery market. It was on February 2, 2021 that the decision of the Federal Supreme Court (ADPF 493) became final and unappealable, which assured all states and the Federal District the competence to explore the same lottery modalities established by Federal Law.
Expectations are coming true, as we see several states establishing their own lotteries and the Union progressing in the debates on the regulation of this market. The year 2022 will go down in history as the start of state lottery activities in more than a dozen Brazilian states.
At what point do you see the local gaming market in general and its evolution in 2021 from a political and regulatory perspective?
It seems to me that we have evolved a lot, for the reasons mentioned above. Both federal and state parliaments, and their respective governments, welcomed the market, dealing in each case with regulation. Some in the study phase, through GTs or PMIs and others with publication of notices for hiring operators.
I think that this movement will contribute to the acceleration of the legalization and regulation of casinos in Brazil, the last frontier to be conquered.
Were the results of your company's work this year as expected? Do you have plans in Brazil to grow and contribute more to the local market?
Yes. We were already expecting a busy year due to the service in the lottery market after the STF decision (ADPF 492 and 493). We will inevitably grow to meet demand.
In the most recent discussions about gaming activity in Brazil, the main players believe that the country is closer than ever to regulation. Do you share the same opinion? Do you believe it is possible to approve all gaming verticals in Brazil during this next year?
Yes, with the observation that a lot has already been achieved. Purely economic activities, such as casino games and bingo halls, as soon as they find consensus in their defenses, will be regulated and will bring many benefits to the country, in all aspects. There are important working groups representing the private sector working on the legalization of these activities, which have already gained a space for serious debate and will soon reap the results. It's a matter of time, and let it be soon.
All about the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BiS)
Due to the health crisis, several events, trade shows and congresses had to be postponed or even canceled throughout 2020 and 2021; however, with the advance of immunization across the country, things are slowly returning to normality. Thus, the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BiS) will take place at Espaço Boulevard JK, in São Paulo, on December 1st and 2nd with the strategic partnership of Games Magazine Brasil, and will be attended by investors and entrepreneurs from diferente sectors such as sports betting, communication, affiliates, lotteries and regulators. For the first time, it will take place in a hybrid model, with real-time broadcasts and big screens spread throughout the conference space.
To ensure the safety of guests, event organizers will respect all recommended health safety protocols. With this, BiS will be the return point of in-person events for the gaming sector in Brazil and a great opportunity to connect entrepreneurs of the gaming market to the country's political personalities and actors involved in the regulation process. They will discuss and analyze what will be the next steps to pass legislation for the sector, and what are the trends for the development of this market in Brazil.
For more information, enter the event's official website.
To register for the Brazilian iGaming Summit, click here.
Source: GMB
