The panel titled Peru, Brazil, and Africa: New Market Evolution at SiGMA Europe featured insights from leading industry experts, including Maurizo Soccodato, Founder & CEO of Global Lab; Ohad Straschnov, Senior Compliance Director at Soft2Bet; Victor Borg Barthet, Director & CEO of Air Dice Malta; and Danilo Arrichiello, Business Development Manager at PG Gaming. Together, these panellists delved into the complex dynamics of compliance, risk, and opportunity in emerging gaming markets.
In new territories like Latin America and Africa, regulatory environments are often inconsistent or underdeveloped, presenting both challenges and possibilities for operators and providers. Brazil, for instance, illustrates the difficulty of managing regulatory compliance across fragmented states, where high fees and shifting mandates create significant operational uncertainty. In regions like Peru and various African countries, providers and game developers navigate additional hurdles in ensuring their offerings meet undefined or inconsistently enforced regulations.
Maurizo Soccodato opened the discussion with a focus on compliance stability, emphasizing the importance of establishing reliable frameworks that can reduce operational risks for companies venturing into these regions. Ohad Straschnov highlighted Brazil’s unique regulatory landscape, which requires careful navigation of state versus federal requirements, adding that high fees and unpredictable financial obligations complicate entry for B2C and B2B operators alike.
Victor Borg Barthet shared insights on how regulatory changes affect game providers, noting that requirements often shift unexpectedly, especially in new markets where local regulators are still refining their compliance frameworks. Testing labs, as industry regulators, frequently struggle to obtain clear direction from authorities, further complicating entry into these regions.
Panellists shared a common sentiment on the importance of open communication between regulators and industry stakeholders, advocating for a transparent, collaborative approach to ensure smoother market entry and regulatory alignment. “Before entering any market, doing your homework—engaging with local partners, regulators, and compliance teams—ensures a smoother, more compliant entry,” noted Straschnov.
Ultimately, the panel emphasized that balanced, locally informed regulatory frameworks—combined with clear, proactive communication—are essential for growth and stability in emerging markets. With these pillars in place, markets in Brazil, Peru, and Africa have the potential to become prosperous, well-regulated spaces for the gaming industry and its consumers.
