GMB - Pay4Fun is at one of the world's most important fairs. Is it a sign of seeking new markets?
Leonardo Baptista - It's about opening new markets for Pay. We are looking at G2E with great interest. This is our first time participating here, and it's a whole new world for us because we know that G2E is much more focused on retail and land-based. But it's crucial for us to be here, especially due to our hope for regulation in the Brazilian market. In case the land-based market opens in Brazil, there's a lot of intelligence here that we need to learn from and apply in the Brazilian market.
And not only that. If we consider - and you, who have been to many fairs here in Las Vegas, know - it's not just about land-based anymore. G2E has now launched a specific area for iGaming. What do you think about that?
Ari Célia - Yes, it's great to see that the United States, which has a strong focus on land-based gambling with a massive history of casinos, is increasingly recognizing the presence of iGaming at these types of events. As Léo mentioned, for us, it's about seeking new horizons and new products. We've come here to find inspiration because we already know what to do in Brazil when land-based regulation comes into play, but we're here to learn, discover what's new, seek partnerships, and continuously improve the Pay4Fun solution.
Is there still something to seek with all the expertise of Pay4Fun in the payment market?
Leonardo Baptista - I believe there's an important exchange in this regard. What's happening? We have a series of meetings scheduled at G2E with many people who are looking at the Brazilian market and want to know more about Brazil, payment methods, and the Brazilian payment system. We know this sector very well, it's our trademark. Now, it's important for us to be here to understand the land-based world.
It's a world we are just entering, including with lotteries in Brazil. It's a new partnership in the area of physical lotteries in Brazil, at the terminals. It's great to be here to learn about physical gaming and apply it in Brazil through these lottery partnerships. Imagine, for instance, the opening of a resort in Brazil with a physical casino. You're at a machine, using your Pay4Fun wallet to deposit, withdraw, go to the restaurant, pay your resort bill, and leave, all integrated into the same payment method. That's what we're doing.
What's currently happening in the lottery sector?
Ari Célia - There's a significant movement in Brazil right now regarding the opening of state lotteries, running parallel to federal regulations, and a lot is already happening. This includes lotteries in Rio de Janeiro, Maranhão, Paraná, and Paraíba. In Paraíba, we already have our solution implemented in the state through two local operators who were accredited using the Pay4Fun solution. It's still the beginning, and we're trying to understand the market, but our solution is already operational in video lottery terminals.
How do you analyze the appointment of Senator Angelo Coronel as rapporteur of the proposal that regulates sports betting in Brazil in the Senate Economic Affairs Committee?
Leonardo Baptista - I think it's an excellent name for us because he's a person who already comes with a background, knows the betting market, knows the gaming market, has been fighting for this legalization and regulation of the Brazilian market for some time, so it's a strong name and we really hope that this happens soon.
Brazil is immense, with grandiose events and the size of the Brazilian market itself, capable of competing with the American market, given all the potential we have. We are extremely anxious for this regulation to be done correctly, the way it needs to be. We understand that the way it came out and ended up in the Senate is not ideal, there is a lot of work to be done ahead, but we are happy for more space. I am very confident and think that 2024 will be a very important year for the history of gaming in Brazil.
And for the story of Pay4Fun, which is already ahead with an additional business card, which is the seal of approval from the Central Bank. Is that so?
Leonardo Baptista - We really are one step ahead of everyone today. Pay4Fun is the only payment institution authorized and regulated by the Central Bank to operate in this market, especially with the current regulations. The law is coming precisely for this and it is very well highlighted that only authorized and regulated institutions will be able to operate in this market. This will clean up the market, removing many small operators that operate illegally out there.
Source: GMB Exclusive
