GMB - What trends in terms of technological advances do you think we will see this year in your sector?
Francisca Vidal - As a Latin American company specialized in providing services and technological solutions for companies and online casino platforms in regulated markets, we see that the trend will continue similar to last year, which was profoundly dizzying in terms of the development and expansion of the online commerce, as well as the technologies that support this strong growth.
Undoubtedly, it will impact the penetration of 5G mobile technologies, which will allow faster and more stable connections with the consequent benefits for companies that provide online casino and recreation services and their users.
Where do you envision user customs and demands to satisfy in 2022?
We believe that this year there will be, if the pandemic allows it, a strong demand for sports betting. Their followers were without event offers for a long time. However, a promising year is coming with the World Cup qualifiers, and with all the major leagues of the main sports being reborn. We believe there will be vigorous growth in them.
On the other hand, the flagship product of online casinos -Slots and Live Tables- has gained many new followers in the last 12 months, which is why we believe that this vertical will continue to rise.
How do you think the pandemic will affect business results in 2022?
I think the pandemic already had its biggest impact on the industry in the middle of 2021. Then it leveled off and there was a little setback. In 2021, the pandemic significantly affected the industry, depending on the vertical of each company. Those oriented to sports betting were seriously affected by running out of events.
On the other hand, the sites focused on Casino Slots, live tables and virtual sports had a great year. This year we think it will tend to stabilize. Markets are no longer in lockdown and consumers are once again broadening their entertainment spectrum.
What markets and/or countries do you see as the greatest chances of progress and growth opportunities?
Without a doubt, due to their volume of population, Brazil and Mexico should be the most thriving markets.
What are the main goals of your company for the year? Do you have more releases planned than in 2021?
This year we will be in the Mexican market before the end of the first semester. In February we start with a new site in the regulated market of Argentina.
To achieve your goals this year, do you plan to make more investments and hires than last year?
The Board of our company is precisely analyzing the entire growth and diversification strategy for this year that is beginning. Without a doubt, we will continue to grow and diversify our investments, as well as our social aid work with NGO projects.
According to your vision of the global market, do you consider that 2022 aims to be a year with a greater number of mergers or purchases of companies than the previous one?
In the year 2021 there was a great movement and appearance of new sites of new operators in the industry thanks to the great demand at the peak of the pandemic. This year the post-pandemic market, if it were to come, should contract a bit. This could lead to many smaller operators being absorbed by larger ones.
On the other hand, the big international operators are increasingly interested in the Latin markets, which is why they will surely continue to buy and absorb local operators. I would not dare to say if this year will be higher or lower than 2021, but there will certainly be a lot of activity and opportunities in this regard.
Could you mention 3 events within your industry that will be key in 2022? Why did you choose them? (They can be sports tournaments, poker, fairs, etc.)
We have special interest in the first Casino and Gaming Fair to be held in March in Chile, sponsored by the Superintendence of Casinos of the country.
On the other hand, we hope to have ICE London 2022 again, which is the great worldwide showcase for the industry. We all want to go to meet again and learn about everything new that is coming forward in terms of gaming, technology and security offers.
Finally, this year for the Latin community, the great event of the year will be the entire process that remains until the World Cup in Qatar in December.
Source: Exclusive GMB
