The Betsson Group, with more than 20 brands in its portfolio, including Betsafe.com, Betsson.com, NordicBet.com and CasinoEuro, is one of the biggest references in online gambling in the world, delivering entertainment and fun for more than five decades.
Operating in Brazil since 2019, Betsson is the first and only licensed operator in the Brazilian gaming and sports betting market, in partnership with the Jockey Club of Rio Grande do Sul. In the country, the brand is a sponsor of the Íbis Sport Club and the state championships Pernambucano Betsson 2022 and Gauchão 2022.
In a conversation with GMB, the company's managing partner in Brazil, says that although he is concerned about the delay, he hopes that the regulation of sports betting will be finalized within the period determined by law 13,756 / 18. Below is the exclusive interview during the recent edition of BiS.
GMB - Brazil is on the verge of regulating sports betting. What is your expectation regarding this from a personal point of view?
André Gelfi – We are a little apprehensive about the last things we saw about the publication of the regulatory decree and the provisional measure that would complement this decree. We had a very positive outlook with the publication of this decree, which would give clarity to the market regarding how to fit in and position itself to develop all this potential that we know from the Brazilian market and that has been proven over time.
The current market is different than it was a year ago and it will probably be very different now at the World Cup. The regulation has a deadline to happen, which is December 2022. Let's see if the government really mobilizes and clarifies that this regulation is not something new, it's just something to organize the house, because the market already exists. We are not creating anything new. This issue needs to be made clear to the government. I am doing what I can and demystifying the misunderstanding so that we can reach a good port with this issue. We remain optimistic that this will happen because it is nothing more than the truth of the facts and a logical path, as we see in other markets and that the government has in mind. Today there may be an issue to address that is more political than technical and I imagine we can clarify.
The other side of this story would be to return to a more chaotic scenario from December onwards, when, if regulation does not occur, then we will have something legal and not properly regulated. This could turn into a market for injunctions, judicialized, which is of no interest to anyone who has medium and long-term plans for Brazil.
And how does a global company such as Betsson Group see this as a corporation?
We are not seeing anything that is absolutely unusual. Discussions of the local society in a market where we operate to find the best way to address the matter. Regulation is always a process that goes through discoveries along the way and the group looks at it with sobriety. We are on schedule and we imagine that the government, by responsibility, will comply and publish the regulation before December 13th.
Yes, within the deadline, but to score in the 45th minute of the second half? Couldn't we have scored that goal much earlier and had a more peaceful victory in this game?
This is a great reflection, because with each passing day the government stops collecting and protecting. If we have something ready in a drawer, it should come to the table, be signed, published and the government start to participate, supervise and do what is expected of it as an organization of our activity.
Sure, signed and published. What will be the next steps for Betsson Group?
It is to see what will have been published and run after a license. Our goal is to work in a regulated market. Today, as you know, we have a business already authorized, working together with the Jockey Club of Rio Grande do Sul, and our fantasy game. Our idea is to apply for a license and continue in the regulated market.
We are very excited about what we see and what we know about Brazil's potential. It's not even potential anymore, it's a reality. We have a very thriving market, having seen the event (BiS) in which we are participating. I am impressed with the number of exhibitors, suppliers, media communication. Anyway, it's a great success and I congratulate the organizers.
And what about other gaming verticals, what do you expect for the future?
Great question. I don't have a crystal ball, but it looks like we're going to have some movement at the end of the year. My understanding and perspective is that this matter will be discussed again in the Senate, after the election and even before the change of government and Congress, and that Brazil will have other activities in the country. There is that possibility and I would bet that it will happen at the end of the year.
Source: Exclusive GMB
