MAR 26 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2024 - 08:20hs.
Mor Weizer, Global CEO

“Playtech welcomes recent government steps to regulate sports betting in Brazil”

In this exclusive interview with Lider Inc., Mor Weizer, global CEO of Playtech, talks about the big bet: the consolidation of gambling as an online product. Artificial intelligence, security (legal and of the user), and data are on the agenda. According to the company's leader, new investments in casinos (iGaming) are targeting Brazil. “We look forward to an ongoing and thoughtful discussion leading to a fair, safe and well-regulated sports betting market in the country,” assures Waizer.

Playtech is a digital native company. Over these 24 years, what were the main transformations that the London-based company had to go through in order to survive and meet market demands?
Playtech has undergone significant transformations over the past 24 years to stay at the forefront of the online gaming industry and meet the ever-changing demands of the market. Our adaptability has been key to our continued success. We have always embraced technological advances, ensuring that our game offerings incorporate cutting-edge innovations such as artificial intelligence and mobile gaming to enhance the overall gaming experience for our players. This dedication to technology has allowed us to stay ahead of the competition and deliver state-of-the-art gaming solutions.

Diversification has been a crucial aspect of our growth strategy. We've expanded our portfolio beyond traditional casino games to include sports betting, live casino, bingo, poker and much more. By providing a wide range of gaming options, we cater to a wider audience and offer something for everyone.

Over the years, growth in the gambling industry has been primarily driven by regulation. Our goal is to be the preferred partner for operators in newly regulated markets, with a special focus on the Americas and Europe. Playtech's B2B gambling business continues to focus on opportunities in regulated and soon-to-be regulated markets. The Group continues to target high-growth markets, including the US, Latin America and parts of Europe. As markets have developed, we have also consistently adapted our operations to meet legal requirements and maintain industry standards. Player safety and fair play have always been of the utmost importance to us.

Strategic partnerships and expansion were also key to our growth. By collaborating with major operators and licensees, we expand our reach into new markets, bringing our game offerings to gamers around the world. And through strategic acquisitions, we integrate innovative technologies and expertise across multiple gaming verticals. These acquisitions not only contributed to our growth, but also fueled our drive for continuous innovation.

Our customer-centric approach is what sets us apart. We understand that every gamer is unique, and we strive to provide high quality products, putting the user experience at the heart of everything we do. We continue to invest in improving platform design, functionality and usability to provide seamless and engaging gaming experiences for our licensees.

Our ability to adapt, innovate and embrace change has been critical to our survival and success in the dynamic and competitive online gaming industry. We are excited for the future and look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional gaming experiences around the world.

Founded in 1999, Playtech has established leadership in the gaming industry in over two dozen countries. In Brazil, the company's products have crossed generations. What is the representation of the Brazilian market in the company's operations today?
Our operations in Latin America are witnessing remarkable progress and growth, with our existing partnerships in Mexico and Colombia gaining momentum. Playtech is ideally positioned for strong growth through its structured deals in several countries, including Brazil. We have an exciting strategic agreement with galera.bet in Brazil, with economic terms similar to our other agreements in Latin America, anticipating the regulation of this market.

In addition to Brazil, we recently opened a state-of-the-art live casino studio in Peru as part of our commitment to expanding our presence throughout the region. This studio represents a significant step forward in our regional expansion efforts. On the studio side, our new live casino establishment in Peru is dedicated to providing bespoke products designed exclusively for the Latin American markets. The market response has been overwhelming, with strong initial demand.

Has the digital solutions vertical (software, services, content and gaming platform technology) always been the company's flagship? How do you intend to continue maintaining the level and relevance in the age of Artificial Intelligence? By the way, how does AI contribute to business in general?
Indeed, Playtech's digital solutions vertical has been the foundation of our success, spanning advanced software, services, content and gaming platform technology. This comprehensive approach has played a crucial role in cementing our position as a prominent player in the online gaming industry.

Playtech's scale has allowed us to consistently invest in research and development to ensure that we and our partners remain at the forefront of innovation in our industry. This includes the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics, and we are very excited to continue exploring how to leverage this exciting technology. One of the key areas where AI has had a significant and positive impact is in the field of responsible gaming. We established Playtech Protect to offer licensees a wide range of responsible gaming and compliance technologies, tools and solutions, as well as our research partnerships.

More generally, AI's ability to analyze vast amounts of data has allowed us to provide personalized experiences for players. The insights we gain through AI-powered data analytics provide valuable insight into player preferences and behaviors, allowing us to continually improve and innovate our gaming offerings.

In Brazil, the main public discussion is about the regulation of gambling. You have a business unit focused on this issue and you have already faced the regulatory process in several European countries and in the United States. How do you see the evolution of this theme in Brazil?
Playtech's B2B gambling business remains focused on opportunities in regulated and soon-to-be regulated markets. The group continues to target high-growth markets, including the US, Latin America and parts of Europe. Playtech anticipates continued favorable regulation and strong growth in the region for years to come. An example of this is Brazil, where sports betting legislation has been passed and is expected to be implemented in the near future. Brazil is expected to be a significant market due to its large population and love of sports. The company has an exciting strategic agreement with galera.bet, with economic terms similar to other agreements in Latin America, in anticipation of the regulation of this market.

Playtech has extensive knowledge and experience in other markets that are newly regulated or in the process of being regulated, working with both regulators and operators to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome for all stakeholders. We welcome the government's latest regulatory steps, which represent important progress in regulating fixed odds sports betting in Brazil. While the process is ongoing and there is more work to be done, we look forward to an ongoing and thoughtful discussion leading to a fair, safe and well-regulated sports betting market in Brazil. Most importantly, we hope this results in benefits for Brazilian citizens, athletes, sports organizations and businesses. We remain committed to collaborating with all stakeholders throughout this process.

With more than two decades of digital experience, is it possible to predict the next steps of your market? If so, in which area do entrepreneurs - big and incipient - need to be aware of not losing competitiveness, efficiency and opportunities?
We gained valuable insights into the dynamics of our market. However, it is crucial to recognize that the digital landscape is constantly evolving, and while we can anticipate certain developments, the future remains dynamic.

To maintain competitiveness, efficiency and seize opportunities in the market, entrepreneurs, both large and fledgling, must pay attention to several key areas:

*Emerging Technologies: Keeping a vigilant eye on emerging technologies is essential. Innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to disrupt industries and create new business models. Entrepreneurs need to proactively assess how these technologies can be leveraged to enhance their products or services and gain a competitive advantage.

*Customer experience: In the digital age, customer experience is key. Entrepreneurs must continually invest in understanding their customers' ever-evolving needs and preferences. Utilizing data-driven insights, personalization, and creating seamless user experiences can set businesses apart from the competition and build strong customer loyalty.

*Data and analytics: Data has become a valuable asset in today's business landscape. Entrepreneurs must invest in a robust data infrastructure and analytical capabilities to extract meaningful insights from the vast amount of information generated. Data-driven decision making can lead to more effective strategies, greater operational efficiency and better customer understanding.

*Regulatory environment: Staying informed and vigilant about the regulatory environment is critical. Regulations can significantly impact industry practices and create barriers to market entry. Understanding and complying with relevant laws and regulations is crucial to ensuring sustainable growth and avoiding potential legal and reputational risks.

*Sustainability and social responsibility: Environmental and social considerations have become essential factors for the long-term success of the business. Entrepreneurs need to be aware of sustainability trends and integrate responsible practices into their operations and offerings. Embracing sustainability can not only benefit the planet, but attract an increasingly conscious customer base.

*Talent and skill development: Attracting and retaining qualified talent is vital to fostering innovation and driving growth. Entrepreneurs must invest in employee development and create a dynamic work culture that encourages creativity, problem solving and continuous learning. A skilled and motivated team can be a significant asset in navigating the ever-changing digital landscape.

We continue to leverage our extensive digital experience, understanding the importance of remaining agile, curious and future-oriented. By paying attention to these key areas, entrepreneurs can adapt to the ever-evolving marketplace, stay ahead of the competition, and take advantage of new opportunities for growth and success.

Source: Lider Inc.