GMB: Are you here at Las Vegas show looking for new business opportunities with a view to internationalize Control F5?
Natalia Nogues: We are looking for new business opportunities, new partnerships, and getting to know the U.S. market a bit. It's our first time at G2E, and it's truly a completely new experience for us. We're here to understand how the business works here, who the audience is, and to gain insights into both the land-based and online aspects. It seems that this year, as it happened the last one, there's more focus on the online sector.
For us, this is very positive especially because, as we always say, Brazil is in the spotlight right now. The whole world is paying a lot of attention to the Brazilian market with high expectations, and we really want to be present to lend a helping hand and support all those who are entering the Brazilian market.
Natalia talks about learning from this market, but Control F5 has been teaching a lot to operators interested in entering Brazil. How is this moment of learning and teaching?
André Vínicius: I think it has a lot to do with the current state of the Brazilian gaming market. We have to be aware of the reality of the Brazilian gaming market, but we also need to understand that we are a relatively new market. So, of course, we're here to draw from this source, learn, put it into practice, and share our knowledge to expand it in the Brazilian market.
I believe that's what accelerates the growth in our market. For us, it makes perfect sense to learn in these much more consolidated markets and take the best we learn at these events to Brazil.
Is it the time for Control's internationalization, even if it's not to operate outside of Brazil but to work with more international players?
Natalia Nogues: Yes, exactly. There was a boom at the end of 2022 and now in 2023, with many players who are strong, mature, especially in Latin American countries, and some players here in the United States who are already in that mature operation. However, they are saturated in the markets where they are. So, they look at Brazil as a way to expand, moving out of their markets and entering Brazil with a focus on growing in this powerhouse market.
I believe everyone wants to get into the action, and since regulation is very close, countries, operators, they are all increasingly saying, "I'll put my foot in the door, start establishing my brand in Brazil, and wait for regulation." I think that's really their focus, and what we want to do is support them. We're here to talk about Brazil, extend a helping hand, and say "we're the company that also represents Brazil, and we can support you with all the services because we have a 360-degree view, like a hub of solutions." We can help from the beginning, get the business up and running, and accompany them to grow in all areas.
Now, with the appointment of a rapporteur in the Senate's Economic Affairs Committee, things are starting to move faster. Are we going to wait for the 45 days and stall the agenda, or are we going to meet the 45 days and present a document to society?
André Vínicius: I often joke that we've heard for at least five years that we're at this point and that "now it's going to happen." I think it's an obligation, a responsibility for Brazil to present a proper regulation. I'm one of the people who always say everywhere that regulation is fundamental, extremely important, and it needs to make the regulated market healthier than what we have today. So, it's extremely important that we meet this deadline and establish a regulation that is productive and positive for the entire market.
Source: Exclusive GMB
