GMB - What is your assessment of FBM's performance and growth in 2022? Was it what you expected or did it exceed expectations?
Rui Manuel Mendes Francisco - The assessment of the group’s journey in 2022 is positive. This was the first somewhat “normal” year in the post-pandemic context and we saw the group grow as a whole, through FBM®’s land-based market and FBMDS™ presence in the online market. Big events came back with no restrictions, the market is providing excellent signs of evolution and there are a lot of opportunities we wish to explore as of today.
The fact we kept our teams intact through the pandemic period made it easier to reinforce our product lines, in slots and video bingos. Meanwhile, we celebrated several deals in markets in which the group operates, both in the land-based and online universe. With that being said, we make a positive balance of these 12 months.
Could you list the main accomplishments or goals achieved?
Throughout 2022, there were a lot of expansions steps taken by the FBM® Group. In the land-based world, the FBM Xtreme® brand confirmed its ambitious positioning in the slot’s segments. We entered 2022 with the Mythic Link® product expansion in Mexico, maintaining continuity to its expansion with the introduction of new games in the FBM Easy$Money Link™ pack and closing the year showcasing the FBM Spin & Win and Jin Qián Link™ games – two new thematic products which are ready to conquer FBM®’s markets of operation.
In video bingos, we significantly increased the Progressive Series collection portfolio and launched several games restyles, which reinforced FBM®’s positioning in the Mexican and Filipino markets, winning over players with new features and bonuses. Simultaneously, the group headed to Spain, with the nomination of a new General Director, preparing to strike this market in force in 2023.
In the digital world, FBMDS™ achieved multiple agreements with relevant market players, increased its gaming portfolio and affirmed itself as a reference brand in the online segment. This distinction was proven with all the nominations for international awards throughout the year, taking home the recently won prize in the “Bingo Supplier of the Year” category at the 5 Star & Co Starlet Awards 2022.
In your sector within the industry, what topics or technological advances do you think will dominate the market in 2023? What will be the future trends?
There are a lot of trends now emerging in the industry. In the land-based casinos, I believe providers and operators are working together more and more in order to create technological solutions which can facilitate omnichannel gaming experiences, connecting offline and online realities, thus fomenting player engagement.
At the same time, we can see a new player profile which is searching for distinctive gaming experiences and that wishes to feel more in control of the outcome of his gaming session. That way, I believe technology will help with the introduction of new game modes, in which player’s actions and skills will influence the game’s result.
Then, there are trends which have been repeating over the last years with slower implementation processes, sometimes even uncertain. Examples of these are virtual reality (VR), applied to special gaming modes in casino games or artificial intelligence (AI), to manage operator and client relationships in online casinos.
Have you noticed that the Brazilian gaming market has evolved this year, or has it missed another opportunity? What do you see about the regulation in the country for 2023?
Brazil continues being perceived worldwide by the industry as a much desired and unexplored market. Every operator knows it is a nation with great potential, as Brazilians enjoy playing. For that reason, all industry agents are eager to understand when Brazil will by an open and regulated market. That regularization is a broadly discussed topic for some years now. I believe gaming is already seen differently in Brazil, but it is hard to clearly pinpoint when will that step forward be taken.
What are FBM's main goals/objectives for 2023?
The FBM® Group goals for 2023 aim towards launching new games, as we want to grow our market share in different countries of land-based operations. We also wish to affirm FBMDS™ even more as a reference brand in the online segment, by expanding our operations in new markets.
The first months of 2023 will certainly bring novelties to our clients and will be the launching step for a year we all believe will mark a new successful chapter for the FBM® Group.
Source: Exclusive GMB
