FairPlay Sports Media, the global sports media network fuelled by data and powered by fans, has launched in the Brazilian market with a localized version of its renowned odds comparison brand oddschecker.

Following ongoing success in the LATAM region, where the brand ranks as a top three traffic driver for sportsbooks in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, Brazilian sports bettors will now be able to access localized, real-time odds grids at oddschecker.com/br, repurposed with market-specific APIs to ensure a seamless odds comparison experience.

The decision to launch in Brazil follows the recent regulation of sports betting, with FairPlay’s business and product strategy best-suited to legal markets where consumers are protected and sportsbooks operate in-line with generally agreed best practices.

FairPlay and its oddschecker brand have invested heavily in the region as of late, and this new launch also sees a number of new hires on the ground in Brazil to best operationalize the brand to become local sports betting experts, as well as delivering more effective operator partnerships.

Stuart Simms, Group CEO at FairPlay Sports Media, said: “The Brazil market has huge potential, arguably similar to the US in its scale, and this is an ideal time to service the sports mad fans of the country with a quality, fully localised odds comparison service that will empower them with the insight and pricing edge to take on their favoured sportsbooks.

“We are fully behind recent steps to regulate. We want to play by the rules, execute best practices and demonstrate values that we’ve learned from other maturing markets to bring about a better betting ecosystem for all.”

Richard Gale, Chief Revenue Officer at FairPlay Sports Media, said: “The Brazilian market is both challenging and hugely rewarding. With so many local and multi-national operators, our industry leading technology will provide consumers with true comparisons and a fairer betting space. With regulation coming in, now is the time for our brands, global expertise and multi-national media partnerships to properly enter the market.”

Oddschecker’s Brazilian site will offer sports bettors the same, market-leading experience that users receive in other markets, with an added focus on sports relevant to the country, including soccer and U.S. sports.

Mancala continues to go from strength to strength in the Brazilian online gaming market, with the announcement of another new partnership. This time the partnership has been created with leading platform provider, XSA Sports. A prominent name across the Brazilian igaming landscape, this new partnership will allow for even more users to play Mancala games in this up-and-coming market.

Mancala Gaming’s CEO Nikita Gorshkov said: “We are delighted to enter a partnership with XSA Sports. Expanding our presence in Brazil is very important for us, and working with XSA Sports means even more people will have access to our games across the region. We look forward to many great things together.”

Bruno Almeida, Business Development Manager of XSA Sports, said: “We are excited about this partnership between XSA Sports and Mancala Games. This collaboration is a significant step for us as it allows us to offer innovative and engaging games to our operators here in Brazil, providing users with a unique and diverse experience.”

In the vibrant gaming industry in Chile, Francisco Leiva’s figure emerges as a key reference. A trained industrial civil engineer, his professional journey spans 35 years, from his beginnings in the public sector to his prominent role as Superintendent of Casinos, and more recently as Corporate Manager of Strategic Development at Marina del Sol. His entry into this industry, marked by challenges and significant achievements, reflects his commitment to progress and innovation. In this interview, Francisco shares his vision, experience, and accumulated wisdom over the years.

Could you tell us a bit about your career, professional trajectory, and path to where you are today; What motivated you to enter the Gaming industry?

I am an industrial civil engineer, and my career started in the public sector 35 years ago. Initially, I worked at the Ministry of Health and then at the Ministry of Finance, where I was involved in the drafting and legislative processing of various bills, such as the anti-money laundering law and the gaming casinos law.

Given my work in the legislative process of the gaming casinos bill, after its enactment in February 2005, President Ricardo Lagos appointed me as the first Superintendent of Casinos to implement the law. It was a significant professional and personal challenge as it involved bringing an industry that was far behind similar developed countries as Chile up to date.

During your time as Superintendent of Casinos in Chile, what were the most challenging tasks you undertook, and what would you say was your legacy in the gaming industry?

The main challenge was implementing the new gaming casinos law, which involved setting up the Superintendency, hiring staff, and preparing all conditions for private investors to apply for new casino operation permits. This led to 52 projects being submitted for the 18 available casino permits, with investments exceeding US$ 755 million at the time. Foreign investment accounted for 55%, and national investment for 45%.

The result was the construction of 18 new casinos along with complementary facilities such as hotels, convention centers, restaurants, and other leisure facilities that turned these areas into tourist attractions in the cities where they were built.

Undoubtedly, the main challenge was meeting the tender requirements within a tight timeframe. We managed to have a competitive process with operators from around the world, radically changing Chile’s gaming casinos industry.

The legacy was transforming the gaming casinos industry from seven municipal casinos to a modern industry with 24 top-level casinos and facilities.

What significant lessons have you learned throughout your career? And what message would you like to leave for future generations?

One lesson is that ambitious goals can only be achieved through dedication and by building motivated teams with clear objectives. It’s impossible to do it alone in tasks like these.

I believe the message is to work with honesty, dedication, and without losing sight of the task entrusted to you.

Knowing you personally, not just professionally, what activity inspires you or helps you achieve balance in your life?

Since I was a child, I have been passionate about playing tennis, and I have tried to maintain this passion even as a senior player. In this sense, I think engaging in sports helps maintain a healthy mind and body, which is essential to counter the stress that comes with demanding and complex work.

Similarly, one cannot neglect family life, as they are the ones who will ultimately support you in difficult times.

In summary, the only way, although not easy, is to harmonize work demands with a balanced life.

Finally, what is your opinion on hosting such an important international event in your country? And in a way, being one of the hosts to such important international personalities.

It is very important for the country to host such events that allow interaction among different actors in the gaming industry. It facilitates the exchange of experiences and networking, allowing the industry to continue developing. It is also important for public authorities, especially regulatory ones, to participate so they can understand the industry’s reality and see where the industry is heading given technological and cultural changes.

Francisco Leiva’s story in the gaming industry in Chile is an inspiring testimony of determination and success. From his crucial role in implementing the gaming casinos law to his contribution to the industry’s growth and modernization, his legacy endures as a beacon of positive change. Beyond his professional achievements, Francisco reminds us of the importance of balancing work and personal life, as well as the need to stay focused on values such as honesty and dedication. His optimism and commitment to the future of the gaming industry in Chile are a reminder that success is achieved through effort, teamwork, and a clear vision.