GMB – How is Betcris doing business across the region?
Fernando Garita – Business is growing day by day and we are adopting a series of strategies to deal with this. We are planning a series of actions in this regard and will soon be announced. The growth of the industry and mainly the amount of products and companies that are coming from Europe and other regions to the Latin market is benefiting everyone. There are lots of good content, casino games, etc.
I believe this is positive and at each fair we attend we are faced with interesting themes and new proposals. In this way, the strategy will be to take advantage of these moments and define which products best adapt to each customer.
What are these news from Betcris?
We can't talk about that yet, but we always have strategies focused on certain types of customers and players. We are currently expanding our casino area and soon we will have a lot of new content to offer our customers, something that was in the process and is now happening. We are signing contracts with the main providers in the market and the idea is to work together to offer an excellent casino area.
It's a very important vertical, isn't it?
Sure. The omni-channel theme is very important. It is essential that we seek a platform that has a little bit of everything and with the best content and service so that customers remain. There are many companies and the rotation of customers takes place in markets where there is a lot of supply. They will stick to the one that offers the best content and service.
Betcris is a sponsor of SAGSE Latam. How is this partnership?
We have been working with SAGSE Latam for many years now and it gives us good results. The exhibition is fantastic, with a lot of people. That's what we're looking for and SAGSE is an excellent brand. The first time we participated was in 2006, with a stand, and today we are sponsors and are present to make many contacts. As a sports betting company, we were pioneers in participating in a predominantly land-based fair. Everything has changed a lot, since it used to be a world of machines with an online company's booth, and today it is an online universe with some machines.
Before there were machines and Betcris!
That’s right. We were always there to present our solutions. To this day, we continue to bet on this type of event, as it opens many doors for us. Many times companies evaluate that it is too expensive, but it is not. There are great opportunities at SAGSE Latam.
By the way, Betcris is very attentive to the issue of location, with sponsorships and specific products for each country…
Yes, the location in terms of sponsorship is very important. Right now we have just renewed with MLB, the most important baseball series in the United States that reaches all over the Caribbean and Mexico, where there are many fans of this sport. Localization is one of our important policies. Due to strategic issues, we canceled some and included new sponsorships to reach different audiences.
How is the Betcris operation in Brazil going?
We continue to operate consistently from our Costa Rica unit while we wait for the regulation of sports betting in Brazil.
Do you expect regulation soon?
Yes, we are seeing the discussions on issues like taxation and we will see how this is defined. We have ahead of us an event in Brasilia and BiS SiGMA Americas, where we will be present to closely monitor the advances in regulation. We hope it comes out soon, as we have been waiting for more than four years for foreign companies to be able to operate calmly and with adequate regulation.
Is Betcris ready for the regulated market in Brazil?
Of course. We are ready for this and are keeping an eye on how the regulation will be conducted.
Source: Exclusive GMB
