GMB - How is Genius Sports growing and expanding in regulated Brazil now?
João Amaral - We are living in a very special moment. We are an English company that has put down roots in Brazil since 2020 and, since then, we have not only expanded our team, but also our proposal and offering.
We are present in over 160 countries and operate in over 400 sports events – from basketball to volleyball, soccer and many others. We are deeply concerned about integrity, as demonstrated by the recent technical cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Finance to combat manipulation in sports.
Therefore, our presence in Brazil is expected to grow even stronger, especially with our operations in Latin America, where we have a major office in Medellín, Colombia, and a promising future for this year.
What are the main innovations that Genius has presented here at SBC Rio?
Ricardo Pisani – We have revolutionized the betting market with the complete integration of streaming and odds through BetVision. I joke that it is the 'casinization' of the sports betting habit, as it allows engagement without the bettor having to interrupt the streaming to bet. We see how important streaming is today, especially in soccer. Betting houses have become a safe place where almost the entire content portfolio of a championship is contained therein. And BetVision brings this to the bookmaker's offering.
In addition, we would like to highlight Preview MultiBet, a refined product that allows multiple bets to be placed in a natural and intuitive way. This concern with the user experience reinforces our commitment to improving the performance of bookmakers and building solid relationships with our customers.
Does Genius Sports believe that these are the most competitive products to face the challenge of conquering a market as large and demanding as Brazil?
JA - Exactly. Our approach is focused on the end customer, the bettor, offering high-quality data that allows bookmakers to provide a superior product – with fast and reliable odds and bets.
With BetVision, as Ricardo pointed out, the experience becomes even more immersive, integrating bets directly into the streaming. This undoubtedly represents that the future of betting in Brazil involves Genius Sports.
I would like to emphasize that, even with more than a decade of experience, our technological leap has transformed us from a simple provider of odds feeds to a complete platform.
This evolution, evidenced by partnerships with super important institutions in this universe, such as the Premier League and the NFL, demonstrates how our data capture and technology integration – whether in streaming, MultiBet or our own feed – add immeasurable value to bookmakers.
Regarding sensitive topics, such as responsible gaming, user protection and advertising, how has Genius Sports dealt with them?
JA - First, I congratulate the Ministry of Finance and SPA for their excellent work in protecting users. Responsible gaming translates into a word that is society, protecting society, since gambling is already part of Brazilians' lives.
Since our genesis, we have always kept a close eye on integrity, translated into technical cooperation agreements with federations in more than 160 countries that use our technology to protect sports from manipulation.
In September, we signed an agreement that strengthened the Ministry of Finance in the fight against manipulation in sports such as football, volleyball and basketball, reaffirming our commitment to a safe and honest betting environment.
How do you see the future of iGaming and betting now that Brazil is regulated?
RP - It is a very interesting market, as we bring our know-how from an originally English company that now operates globally. Over the years, we have identified different levels of maturity and development structures in different countries, which makes it very important to analyze the Brazilian scenario and understand the phases it has gone through.
Nowadays, with the regulations in force, the market has evolved: it is no longer focused solely on pre-match betting and casinos as the only source of revenue. Now, we see solid bookmakers, with robust sports units and a special focus on user experience – one of the main channels for customer acquisition and retention. This dedication to improving the product is one of the great strengths that we bring to the Brazilian market.
In addition, when observing the product, we realize that some operators already stand out for incorporating know-how and investing heavily in innovation. Both major operators and new players are committed to offering differentiated solutions, making us a natural partner for those seeking advanced technologies – such as Bet Vision, which offers a reliable, fast data feed with markets open for longer. This vision points to a promising future, where innovation and personalization will be key to success in the sports betting scene.
JA - Adding to what Ricardo said very well, any market that matures in iGaming needs to have a balance between the revenue of a betting house with a casino and with a sportsbook. This is happening in Brazil. This was obviously accelerated by regulation and we will see more and more Brazilian betting houses thinking seriously about offering fast, safe and reliable sports betting.
Speaking of technological trends, especially artificial intelligence and machine learning, what do you have to say about the news in this area?
JA - BetVision incorporates machine learning and artificial intelligence, allowing the customization of odds within the streaming according to the bettor's interests.
This trend of personalization, which we have already observed in streaming platforms and even on Amazon, promises to intensify. We expect to see, in 2025 and 2026, offers increasingly adapted to the profile of each user, increasing the level of customer engagement and satisfaction.
Source: Exclusive GMB
