Betsson, Galera.bet and F12.Bet Apply for Brazil Betting Licenses
Betsson, along with Galera.bet and F12.Bet, has this week applied for a license to operate sports betting and iGaming in Brazil, taking the tally of requests to 10.
The trio of companies have submitted their applications with the 20 August deadline for the initial 90-day window of preference rapidly approaching. Operators who apply by that date will make certain their applications are processed by the expected market launch date of 1 January 2025.
The three applications follow the publication of the final regulations in Brazil last week. These cover various aspects including online games and responsible gambling.
Match-Fixing Allegations Cast Doubt over Brazil Sports Betting
Brazil may be known for its soccer, but the beautiful game is currently in the midst of a match-fixing storm after American businessman and Botafogo owner John Textor made allegations of match-fixing in the country.
The issue is made even more apparent with Brazil’s legal sports betting market likely less than five months away. Experts say low player salaries and economically unstable clubs are making Brazilian soccer a target for match-fixing.
However, with a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) set up to try and combat the issue and the likes of Sportradar and the IBIA aiding the fight with data and technology, there is optimism the problem will alleviate now more government attention has been given to integrity concerns.
Paraguay Association Demands Update on Gambling Reform Delays
Apoja, Paraguay’s Gambling Association, has called upon the country’s Chamber of Deputies to outline why it has delayed plans to update the nation’s laws on gambling.
As reported by local news site ABC, Apoja is calling for the progression of a bill that would modify six articles of Law No 1016/1997, which include the elimination of the monopoly.
Carlos Liseras, president of the National Gambling Commission Conajzar, says the draft law proposal has not yet been presented to parliament by the executive.
The National Commission of Gambling Conacom is in support of the plans, with Apoja president Lorena Rojas believing the hold-up is due to a “political struggle”.
Nuvei Acquires Pay2All in Brazil as Part of LatAm Growth
Nuvei Corporation has entered into an agreement to acquire Pay2All, a licensed payment institution in Brazil, allowing Nuvei to offer payment services in Brazil thanks to Pay2All’s authorization from the Central Bank of Brazil.
The acquisition, pending regulatory approval, positions Nuvei to support the Brazilian market’s anticipated legal launch in January 2025.
In announcing the deal, Nuvei company chair and CEO Philip Fayer revealed the business was eyeing further LatAm expansion. Nuvei is already active in Colombia with plans of launching a local acquiring service in Mexico.
Brazil Labelled Entain’s Fastest Growing Market
In its interim results presentation for Q2, Entain highlighted Brazil as its fastest growing market with gaming revenue from the country rising by 48%.
Brazil first-time depositors (FTDs) were higher than in both 2022 and 2023, with Entain crediting more efficient marketing investment and operational improvements for the growth.
A legal market is on the horizon, and Entain chief product officer Satty Bhens pointed to localization as a crucial element for the company in Brazil, such as the rollout of popular local payment solution Pix. The operator’s Sportingbet brand already applied for a license to operate in the market.
SkillOnNet Secures License in Peru
Online casino operator SkillOnNet has received a license to operate in the Peru’s re-regulated market.
The license was awarded by Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), which currently regulates gambling in the country.
Peru is in the process of updating its betting market after Law 31557 came into effect on 9 February, having initially been signed into law in 2022. There were delays due to discussions over taxation, but with those issues now resolved, operators have been submitting their applications for licenses.
Betsson, for instance, secured a license for its Betsson and Betsafe brands for Peru in June, before subsidiary Inkabet also gained authorisation. Last week, Rush Street Interactive announced it was launching RushBet in Peru, continuing its “strategic advancement” in LatAm.
