GMB – You recently joined Eightroom/Vpag. What are your plans regarding this new professional challenge?
Bernardo Fraga – I come from the financial market. So, for me, iGaming is something new. I started this transition earlier this year, precisely to bring knowledge from the financial sector, which we know is highly regulated and competitive in Brazil.
My main role within the group is to ensure that we do things right, creating value for our clients with our products, all in compliance with Bacen regulations and now also Conar.
What are the plans for putting all of this into practice? How will this be developed?
One of our main roles was to create a structure that can monitor all affiliate campaigns. We take responsibility for any campaign from our partners. We have created a financial ecosystem for our users and operators that brings many benefits, ensuring recurring business.
We also have a working group to oversee the issue of gambling addiction, primarily aimed at ensuring the sustainability of responsible gaming. So, we take care of our users and operators and, most importantly, we care deeply about the image we project to the market.
Taking on the responsibility of overseeing and validating affiliate actions is a risky move. Have you done this with caution?
We are definitely approaching this cautiously. We need to ensure that our internal processes are aligned and that our team is very competent in executing this. Before any affiliate campaign goes live, it must go through our compliance validation process. Only then is it approved. This way, we ensure safety for our operators and affiliates.
Is this a serious commitment that further enhances credibility in the market?
Absolutely. This is a concern given the Brazilian landscape, where we must care not only about the operators but also the users. We want to transform the iGaming industry in Brazil into a serious industry that generates returns, revenue, and thousands of jobs. And one way to achieve this is by following the rules.
We’ve discussed systems and procedures. What about new products?
Today I can give a little preview. Unfortunately, I can't go into too much detail yet, but one of our main products is the Wallet, a digital wallet for both users and operators. Now, through Pay, Vpag has obtained a Central Bank license to operate under the regulations. This offers value retention, various benefits for the user, and ensures that all transaction records between operator and user are done correctly.
So, according to the payment transaction ordinance?
Exactly. We follow all the necessary procedures and reporting. We are very careful about this. Of course, we still have some learning to do and things to improve, but we do everything within the rules, always aiming to add value for our clients and users.
What can we expect from the regulated market starting January 1, 2025?
It has been a lot of work, but the Secretariat for Prizes and Betting, along with Bacen, has done a great job establishing the ordinances and rules for operation. In conversations with some clients, we’ve seen they are uncertain, but I think starting in January, they will see how serious the Brazilian market is and decide to bring their investment to Brazil. This is what we aim for. We want to attract investment, qualify the market, and generate returns and revenue. We are ready for this and will continue operating step by step.
Source: Exclusive GMB
