GMB – As one of the most distinguished consultants in the field of sports betting and iGaming, how do you evaluate the current stage of the sector in Brazil?
Ricardo Magri – In total growth. First, I would like to say that it is always a joy to talk to the Games Magazine Brasil team, a media of which I am a fan. And this question you asked has a lot to do with this growth I mentioned. Note that this event, Gambling Brasil created by Afiliados Brasil, was born precisely because of growth. It is the first edition and the organizers were very happy to put a whole floor for our sector. And this just a few days away from an epic event, the size of international events, taking place in Sao Paulo which is BiS SiGMA. For those who don't know, SiGMA is one of the largest organizers of iGaming events in the world and has joined the Brazilian iGaming Summit, the largest in Latin America. In other words, it demonstrates that the sector is growing a lot in the region.
You said “total growth”. The regulation is about to come out and there is talk that betting operators will not be able to offer online casino games. How do you see this gap?
I don't like this subject. It causes confusion in the market. Regulation needs to happen, but this measure could put a brake on growth. It's a very personal opinion, but I don't see it with good eyes. I am in favor of regulation and have contributed several times with the various previous governments, including taking government actors to learn about international operations to understand the sector. This regulation is making a mistake, as they are much more focused on revenue than on effectively organizing the segment. This can scare the market away. If so, many operators will go to the black market. I don't like it, but I'll understand. But the regulated market will be much weaker than it could be.
That is, the ideal is to regulate and legalize all verticals with adequate taxes and with present inspection?
Exactly. And taking precautions to align the market with the population. It is important to talk more about responsible gambling on the issue of possible compulsiveness, as well as to combat match-fixing. I have already worked with this and we always warn the federations about various events, but there are few actions taken effectively, either by the police, federations, bookmakers businessmen, who are very harmed.
They are the most affected by the manipulation of results!
Of course. They are the most affected. I don't see the government exploring these themes. I see our sector organizing itself to take these guidelines to the government. They accept it, but they would have to be proactive. I would like to hear the government say: “we are creating a national agency, which will take care of this and that”. Thus, the sector could contribute more to public policy. But not. It's the other way around. They only point out how much the percentage will be for clubs, government, family allowance, leaving for later what they will do with the sector.
In other words, look for the right path!
Exactly. Let the correct path be sought. I am in favor of that and regulation, and it has to foster the market and absorb the informal. That is, any of these things, for me, is not right. It is necessary to set of practices for the good of the industry.
Source: Exclusive GMB
