GMB - I'd like you to talk about Ortiz Gaming's current situation and the company's participation in G2E.
Alejandro Ortiz - The Las Vegas trade show is a crucial and important moment because we receive visitors from all around the world, especially from the Latin American, European, and Asian markets, which are the markets where we are most active.
This presence is expanding because you were previously known for video bingo and now you're also in reel games. Is this a step forward in Ortiz Gaming's evolution?
Yes, indeed, as you rightly pointed out, we were known as a reference in the global video bingo industry, and now we are evolving by creating our reel games. If you look at our games, you can already see Ortiz Gaming's DNA in the reels themselves. The idea is that we can now expand our games, but with the characteristics and small details that Ortiz adds to the games to provide more entertainment to the players.
Providing entertainment to online players as well, as Ortiz Gaming has a strong presence in that segment, right?
Well, online gaming, as everyone knows, is no longer a trend; it's a global reality. So today, you have two very large and distinct markets: the physical market and the online one. The online market is experiencing significant growth in all aspects, I would say. We have a significant presence in the case of video bingo, expanding to more platforms, and the idea is to also introduce our reel games to the online platform.
And how is the work with the world's leading game aggregators going?
Yes, the way for us to grow is to offer our games to platforms and platform aggregators. This way, we enter a greater number of platforms so that players can access our games, which perform quite well within the platforms, leading many of them to seek us out to add our titles to their offerings.
Technology is evolving exponentially, with talk of chatGPT, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning. How is Ortiz Gaming positioning itself in this moment with these tools?
These tools are a reality, and there's no going back. They are incredibly helpful. We are already in the era of digitization and Artificial Intelligence. Our games are now being created using these technologies. The initial images we put into an artificial intelligence application generate various versions of our games. If, for instance, you want a medieval theme, it takes our creation and transforms it with medieval elements, childlike elements. So, you choose the elements, and Artificial Intelligence then creates details and something different. This is proving to be of significant assistance, and, in reality, I believe it's the future where all companies are headed.
And what is the impact of these technologies on the end user, the person sitting at the computer playing an online Ortiz Gaming machine?
The difference is in the quality... you'll notice it in various details. Graphic quality has improved significantly, as have in-game details. Even the sound, there are characteristics being added that make a significant difference. All these technologies ultimately benefit the end user, and they perceive something different and enjoy the game more. So, our mission is to create entertainment where people can spend some hours having fun, and the use of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence is contributing to that.
The Brazilian market is getting closer to opening up to online gaming, with sports betting and, perhaps in the near future, other verticals. How do you feel about this?
Well, I believe that gaming in Brazil should have been open for a long time because it's already a reality. There are various types of games operating in Brazil in an illegal manner, not paying taxes, not creating formal employment, and not being regulated. Sports betting has entered Brazil, on television and in football clubs, in an online format, with all providers being based outside of Brazil. This is not just a Brazilian reality, but a global one. Brazil is on the right path by legislating sports betting.
Once sports betting, or if senators and federal deputies wish to, they can expand it to virtual gaming, which would bring significant benefits to Brazil. I believe that the government, the population, and the media will understand that gaming is not the boogeyman, the negative thing that Hollywood portrayed. On the contrary, older people, for example, could go to a bingo as a safe place to spend the day having fun and meeting new people.
Casinos, which we don't have in Brazil, are a reality in most countries. So, with gaming well-regulated, good laws, and proper taxation, I think Brazil has a lot to gain. There will be a lot of job creation, and society will benefit. I believe it's a reality, and there's no turning back.
Source: Exclusive GMB
