iGaming Daily

This episode of igaming Daily is sponsored by Optimove

>> Speaker A: SBC Media welcome to the iGaming daily podcast, analyzing the news from the betting and gaming industry all over the globe. Supported by Optimove, the number one CRM marketing solution for the igaming market.

>> Speaker B: Hello, I'm Ted. Clay. I'm sat here with two of my SBC media colleagues. We're on the, the final day of ice. yeah, coming to the close of what's been quite a busy three days for all of us involved. I think. Before we get into discussion, of course, I should mention, our sponsor. This episode of igaming Daily is sponsored by, Optimove. Optimove is the number one CRM marketing solution for the igaming market. 56% of the EGR Power 50 personalized player experiences with Optimove. so, yeah, as I said, we're coming towards the end of ice. Lucia, I'll start with you. this is Lucia Gando, from the narcissia's team. what have you been up to at ice, Lou? how's it been going? Spoken to anyone interesting?

>> Speaker C: Yeah, a lot of interesting people. Hello to everyone, and hello to my, two of my favorite SPC guys.

>> Speaker B: Thank you.

>> Speaker C: Happy to be in this podcast with you. yes, we've had a, ah, lot of interesting meetings with latin people. it's always a pleasure to be here and be part of these kind of events. Of course, we are preparing for SPC summit Rio in three weeks now, so we've been catching up, about it especially. I also had an interview, a video interview, super interesting. With Laura Gago from Betan Dio. She's head of operations. She's a genius. I love seeing, women take part of this industry, in modal roles. So, I hope you guys tune in to listen to it and, learn a little bit more about what affiliates are doing in Lahom.

>> Speaker D: Yeah, so not just taking part, but I noticed that as well. We really see women taking center stage at this event and SPC events as well. It's very good to see. Echo that sentiment.

>> Speaker C: Yeah, totally. Actually, today I started the day with women in gaming breakfast, and it was super good to be around them and learn from them. but I also like to spend time with my SPC colleagues, female, colleagues here, so it's always good. Well, I'm based in Argentina, so far away from you, so it's always good to get to see you guys and share some time.

>> Speaker B: Yeah, I think we can both agree with that. It's always great to have the not to see us guys over. it's a rarity, but I think, it makes it, a bit more special. It's always good to see you guys and to do some work with you.

>> Speaker D: Excited to join you guys in South America in a couple of months. That's what we're finally crossing over to that, ah, side of the world. Very exciting to be in South America and happy to join you and, you guys on the podcast as well today. And Lou, I've got to say, you are the best dressed person at ice today. Fantastic. Looking brilliant. yeah, yeah, thanks, Ted. Thanks for having me on.

>> Speaker B: Yeah, no, so obviously just talked to Lou about what sounds like a very interesting interview. We'll stay tuned. Keep an eye on that, when that comes out. But yes.

Joe Block: I'm new to casino beats but interested in igaming

What have you been up to, Joe? Who have you spoken to? ah, anyone of interest?

>> Speaker D: Well, as somebody that's relatively new to. New to casino beats, I feel like I've been around igaming for a while. But now an editor of casino Beats, it's been great to get a feel for what is the buzz of igaming and, what is really fueling the industry. I think there are many things from just various discussions. I've really had a myriad of discussions this past three days, with some of the key players, some of the key operators, some of the key suppliers, and just some of the key thought leaders in the industry. I think one of the things is emerging markets, and Lou will speak to Brazil. It's very much all systems go now to Rio, Brazil, one that everybody is focusing on, looking to tackle it, looking to be, as efficient as possible in how they enter the brazilian market. an interesting conversation I had with Isadora, actually, about the fine print of the regulations and why there could be some teeming problems, specifically when it comes to igaming. It's going to be fascinating to see, how that plays out. And, of course, North America. Lots of discussion around North America. yeah, some, speculation around New York. What we could see from New York still very much remains up in the air in terms of New York I gaming, but one that many are, focusing on also a little bit on Italy as well. some people touting Italy as a bit of a dark horse for, slot games and that type of stuff. So, yeah, really interesting. And also just to hear how much innovation is at the forefront of slots and how, these companies are really looking to bring new mechanics to games to bolster engagement and we're seeing just the ceiling be elevated in terms of gamification. and that presents many challenges. And of course, I would be remiss if we're talking about slots innovation, not to mention, multiplayer slots, relatively new to market. It's going to take a while, but we're almost there. I think the other thing that stands out to us all is the licensing, right? We see squid games over there. We see there's so much licensing, there's so much branding. It's fascinating to see how, slots companies tap into these cultural phenoms and make them an engaging game. How about you, Ted? how's your ice been? I know you've been in the payments corner a little bit somewhere. I used to locate myself.

>> Speaker B: Yeah, I think my experience of, this ice is probably quite similar to yours, really, Joe? In that, obviously, I also moved across some roles in SBC lately. Took on the editor role at pavement expert, just a few months ago. So, yeah, I think expos like this and what you'll be finding at, Rio and some of our SBC events later in the year as well, it's a great opportunity to get around and speak to a lot of the big companies involved in a sector that you might have just been getting. You're just getting involved in yourself, really. just put some names to some faces with who the big players, are, gain understanding of what they do, what markets to target, sort of their business models, their core products, and also just gain some observations about, ongoing or emerging trends. Obviously, I think a big one. I know we mentioned this on a podcast we did on the first day of ice, but I'll reiterate, it is obviously open banking. Everyone's talking about that and the potential of it, for the gambling industry. A lot of operators are getting interested in it then. Also, obviously, we've mentioned Brazil, and that's on everyone's minds, isn't it? Regardless of whether you're involved in betting, gaming, land based, or if you're a supplier, or payments provider, if you've got some sort of stake in igaming, you're paying attention to what's going on in Brazil right now. And I think everyone is very keen to seize that opportunity.

>> Speaker D: Yeah, wholeheartedly agree. And that's why, it's going to be really fascinating out in America. Ah, yeah. When we go out there for SBC, Rio.

>> Speaker C: Yeah, of course we are happy to have you guys in our land now. Well, not my land specifically, but yeah, we'll be happy to have you please bring sandblock.

>> Speaker D: I was going to say, can you promise us some better weather than we've given you in London?

>> Speaker C: Yes, a lot of sun, the beaches, the coconut water. We can promise you that.

>> Speaker B: You're selling it? Well, to us, Lou. You're selling it?

>> Speaker C: Yeah. And a lot of hot, business, to catch up with the region that is growing so fast and so good that we have to all take advantage of that.

Lou Pearson loves London, and he's spending a weekend exploring the city

>> Speaker D: Nice.

>> Speaker B: And I guess just on a bit more of an informal one. Lou, obviously, you've been, over on a trip to London. What's your experience with the UK capital been? How have you found it?

>> Speaker C: Well, London is the only city I've been in Europe, so, it's great. I love it. I love the history. Like, you can feel, how much information of humanity is in this place, and I love it. Spending, the weekend here to get to know a little more. But, yes, I love it. But I hate the Weather. I really hate it. I would be so depressed if I live here.

>> Speaker D: You and Isadora have some crazy plans for this weekend, right?

>> Speaker C: Well, crazy, crazy. Well, I'm going. Not Isadora. She didn't want to join me, but I'm going to the Highgate cemetery. Yes, I love film photography, so I'm taking cute golf pictures, and it's a great place to do that. There's also where marks car, marks is buried, so it's famous for that. I think there are a lot of, famous people there, but, yeah, it would be interesting.

>> Speaker B: It's got a lot more historical significance than I think a lot of people give, it credit for, doesn't it? Yeah. Highgate cemetery. we're obviously based in Manchester, and we come down to London for events like this and for other sort of industry things. But I think that one of the great things about London is just the pure variety of things there is to do and see isn't much. You could do a different thing in London every day of the year and still have things left to do. So I'm sure, you'll have plenty to fill your schedule with over the, we've, we've talked, a bit about London here, but I think I should probably get the conversation back onto, the, actual sort of content that we.

The SPC summit on sports betting takes place in Rio in March

So, Lucia, as the, south american specialist that we've got here, obviously, you're from Argentina. the region is your bread and butter is your day to day. from what you've seen, have a lot of people have been talking to you about Brazil here. is there a lot of interest from what you've seen?

>> Speaker C: Personally, I've been in the industry for more than five years, I think, and I've never seen a topic as Brazil take so much attention, internationally. yes. The main focus of all of the conversations I had, even in podcasts, is Brazil. that's why it's so important, the summit we are holding in March, we are also having, Brazil is also starting the process of getting the licenses for operators. So it's just right on time for our event, where regulators are going to be, also from Argentina and, from Central America. So, it will be a hot.

>> Speaker E: Place to be Brazil, a global economic powerhouse, deeply passionate about sports, and now home to one of the hottest markets in gaming. And we're giving it the full SBC treatment. Join industry leaders, market experts, and all the major players in the country for three days of content, exhibition, and epic networking at the first ever SPC summit, Rio.

>> Speaker D: I really think that event is crucial as well, because some of the discussions I've been having around Brazil are largely, based on, ambitions and optimism that regulators, operators, suppliers, the big industry players, sort of collaborate and talk. And that's how we get the framework. As we await the framework, we've got to hope it's not, too much of a handicap for innovation, and we can still innovate. And, yeah, the framework is good, and it complements the industry, it complements social responsibility, especially when it comes to igaming, where, there are probably a few more challenges, I think, in terms of creating a framework that is complementary of the system and fuels innovation, and, allows operators to grow and allows the industry to grow and help build the economy in there. For sports, obviously, for sports, it's going to be easy, right? You're such a sports mad nation, and Argentina, obviously, but you're such a sports mad region. I think the whole of South America is so passionate about sports when it comes to sports betting. I think that's going to be easy. I think the igaming one, will maybe create a few more, maybe have a few more teething problems and create a few more, complexities.

>> Speaker C: Well, I think this, Brazil in general, will have a great impact on the sports development in all the regions. so being the example for Latin America, of course, right now, Colombia is the example, because they were the first country that regulated. But Brazil, the popularity of Brazil will get us, being. Paying attention to it. So it's going to have a great impact on sports. And I think, in Argentina as well, at least, we will see, an update of the sports industry, thanks to the inclusion of sports betting as, now regular activity, entertaining activity that people, will participate in.

>> Speaker D: Obviously, each market requires its own intricacies and its own approach, but I do hope that there are lessons learned from the european market in terms of marketing. I, hope football teams aren't just flooded with sponsorship. We see the sports industry is just flooded with sponsorship. I, hope there's a bit more of a meticulous approach, although it does seem like, brazilian fans are more accepting of, sports betting sponsorships and gambling sponsorships, because they know how much the funding can help boost the.

>> Speaker C: Yeah. Yes, of course, in general, Latin America tries to apply european examples, every industry and everything. But of course, our own personalities and cultures don't make it that simple to just, copy the example. So, yes, as you said, in Brazil, the sponsorships are more well received. And I think, we will see cases of things working in Latin America that don't work in Europe and things that won't work in Latin America. But you guys that have more experience on gaming and sports betting are used to.

>> Speaker B: That was a really interesting discussion, guys. Yeah, I think it's really important to mention the sports side of things. I'm glad you brought that up. yeah, we'll see a lot of, sponsorship and marketing activity. And I know also, if we want to talk about Rio, actually, just mention this quickly. obviously there are going to be some football clubs, some representatives of football clubs attending the Rio summit, aren't there? So I think it'll be quite interesting to hear their sort of insights on that. But, just sort of bringing this back, up to what we've been doing at ice.

Dave: I think affiliates can help operators gain good market share again

Just before we close off, lou, could you just tell us a little bit about, what have you learned from some of the interview that you did today? Like, what were some of the key talking points from it? What can we expect to find more about from that?

>> Speaker C: Well, as we were talking, the latin american industry is a little bit behind, Europe and the US, regarding how well accepted it is in society. But we also see this in the accolade side. It's not that popular. People don't really understand how it works. Why is it so useful? Why operators can benefit from that? Laura Gago being, the head of operations of Betandeel, which is, one of the biggest affiliate brands in Spain and now in Latin America. Explain us, why, the region, the market, the Latin America market can grow thanks to the affiliate, why responsible gaming and the regulations can be beneficial, for the development in the industry, thanks to the work the affiliates do, and the compliance, they help operators, adapt their strategies, too.

>> Speaker D: It's going to be interesting. It's going to be an interesting tool, because it's no doubt going to be incredibly competitive in Brazil, the market. So, yeah, affiliates could be a big hand in, helping operators get ahead and really gain good market share again.

>> Speaker C: Yeah, totally. For that, we need more, information and educational sessions on affiliates. So Laura Gago is a, really great way to start.

>> Speaker D: Definitely.

>> Speaker B: Yeah. Thanks, Lou. yeah, that sounds really interesting. I think that's a really nice little snapshot of what we can expect from that interview. It's always good to, take full advantage of these events to get some good content out of it and speak to some really interesting people. So, yeah, I'd encourage everyone listening, to keep an eye on, for that interview to come out and see, the full thing and really get some good insights out of, Yeah, and as ice is coming to a close, I think this episode is now coming to a close.

>> Speaker D: Roll on Rio.

>> Speaker B: Yeah, roll on. yeah, I'd encourage everyone to check out the SBC events page, check out the Rio summit. There's some really interesting speakers there.

>> Speaker D: SBC Natissia as well, of course.

>> Speaker B: Yeah. But, yeah. Thanks again, guys. it's been great to speak to you about this. and, Lou, I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip around London.

>> Speaker C: Thank you very much.

>> Speaker A: Dave, thank you for listening to Today's daily podcast supported by Optimove, the number one CRM marketing solution for the igaming market. If you want to find out more about some of the subjects raised today, feel free to explore any of the sites in the SBC News network or check out the latest edition of the SBC Leaders magazine. Happy reading.