GMB – On January 1, 2025, Brazil will launch as one of the largest regulated markets in the world. What are Genius Sports' expectations for when that moment arrives?
Guilherme Buso – We have always been prepared for this moment and eagerly awaited it. We see this development as a sign of great market maturity, and as Genius Sports, we are fully prepared to meet the main demands, whether from new betting companies coming from abroad to operate in Brazil or those already operating here, which will naturally expand their operations in Brazil.
Today, our official football content is highly relevant to Brazil and the Latin American market. It's very comprehensive. We currently provide official content from the world’s top leagues to betting companies, including the Brasileirão, Campeonato Paulista, Argentina, La Liga, and the Premier League. Additionally, we offer content from other sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and the NFL, which grows each year. We expect significant growth starting now and even more from January 2025. The regulation and everything happening in Brazil is spectacular news.
How do you collect so much data from numerous sports and deliver consistent information to operators so they can adjust their odds based on what’s happening in the sports market? It makes a big difference when you analyze who is using official data and who isn't. First, there is a reasonably large delay, and the bettor, if they are monitoring odds from various bookmakers, notices this delay. Those using official data receive it in seconds, almost in real time. If it's not official data, there can be issues, such as delays in reporting a goal, a corner, or a yellow card. Sometimes operators cut the market, making the experience worse as the market keeps getting blocked.
Having official data is very important, which is why we work so closely with the sports industry. Of course, we have solutions for betting companies, but we are getting closer to sports organizations, offering technology and artificial intelligence, which enables more data points, including data collection from areas beyond the usual ones.
And also providing integrity, which is essential for sports?
Without a doubt. It's not just a concern for betting companies; it's a concern for sports in general. Whether it’s someone on the field or a bettor, they want a clean game where the result is uncertain, not something predetermined. That’s the real appeal of sports and sports betting—the result happens on the field, not because of privileged information. Genius Sports invests heavily in integrity, from monitoring technology to working closely with sports leagues on education.
This year, we held several integrity sessions with first-division football clubs, such as Botafogo and Atlético Paranaense, as well as sports leagues like the National Futsal League, the Women’s Basketball League, and the National Men’s Basketball League. We invest a lot of time, effort, and technology to fight manipulation. It’s a difficult battle, but we do our part and try to bring everyone together. It’s not just Genius’ work—it involves organizations and betting companies.
Genius has been in the Brazilian Parliament and in the Ministries of Finance and Sports showcasing its integrity tools. Did these stakeholders understand what you offer and the quality of Genius Sports' product?
It's a long-term effort. Today, when you look at the regulations, they clearly address this issue. For instance, a player or a professional athlete might not be aware, but starting in January 2025, they will no longer be allowed to place bets. Nor will their immediate family members.
All of this is part of long discussions that we and other companies in the sector have had in Brasília to ensure everything is mapped out.
We are well aligned on integrity, and we are proud to say we’ve participated in this movement alongside many other companies in the industry. The government has always been open to this, and Genius has done its part and continues to contribute. From January 2025, everything will change, and we expect improvements in several aspects. But the important thing is that this is already happening.
Have user verification companies picked up on the message from Genius Sports, for example, regarding football players not being able to bet? These companies also serve as filters.
I can’t speak for them, but I imagine they are all adapting. This is a moment when all the rules must be observed to be implemented starting in January 2025. We have the technology for this and a complete mapping of athletes, from top professional divisions to lower divisions in football or other sports like basketball, volleyball, and futsal. This is a collaborative effort, and when we talk about the ecosystem, it involves not only betting companies but also sports leagues, the government, police, and others.
Is Genius Sports hopeful and optimistic about January 1, 2025?
Very optimistic. I believe it’s not just us working in Brazil, but the entire company as a global player. There’s a strong focus on Brazil right now. Recently, we’ve had a significant presence with the NFL’s arrival in Brazil. We even held an integrity event in São Paulo recently, where we invited the whole industry to discuss the topic and talk about technologies. So, without a doubt, Genius has been investing a lot of effort in the country for several years.
Source: Exclusive GMB
