Interviews
Axel Antillon: Our Peru entry is a major milestone for WA.Technology
What opportunities has WA.Technology identified in the Peru market? Why was this an attractive expansion opportunity?
The Peruvian market is an incredibly attractive opportunity for WA.Technology, for many reasons. The market is home to a large, fast-growing, tech-savvy audience that has an ever-growing disposable income available to enjoy gaming.
The Peruvian market is also no stranger to gambling regulation. Land-based casinos have been legalised in Peru since 1979; this legislation formed a solid foundation for many other LatAm markets to introduce similar regulations for brick-and-mortar venues.
Online regulations have been introduced much more recently, in October 2023, following approval from the regulator, MINCETUR. As you can imagine, this means that much of the population has a level of awareness of the different gambling products available to them.
Another key factor is the growing usage of social media platforms among players. In Peru, social media usage has surpassed eight hours a day – this provides an important opportunity for operators to be able to establish communications with players and, ultimately, build brand exposure. Growing internet and smartphone penetration across the country also presents a huge opportunity for the growth and development of the gambling industry. It is estimated that smartphone penetration is approximately 1.2 phones per person, making the type of online gambling we’d expect in Europe and North America quickly available further south.
Why has now been the right time to enter Peru?
As they say, there’s no better time than the present! We already have a strong presence in LatAm. The introduction of regulations that govern the online gambling space in Peru has opened up new doors for us to expand our footprint across the region.
Peru’s regulatory framework makes this market the perfect opportunity for WA.Technology to bring our expertise to operators across this nascent market. With more and more operators entering Peru (the last time I checked, there were 145 licence applications), we knew that there would be a demand for platform providers that can offer the full package of iGaming solutions. WA.Technology is perfectly placed to deliver exactly that.
Our full spectrum of products and solutions – which includes WA.Platform, WA.Sports, WA.Casino, WA.Fantasy, WA.Affiliates and WA.Lottery – will allow sportsbooks and casinos across Peru to revolutionise the way they engage with bettors by facilitating new levels of personalisation and localisation.
How do you plan to stand out from the crowd? What are your key USPs for this market?
WA.Technology has three key aspects that will give us a true edge in the Peru gaming market, making us the best proposition available for operators. The first is that we are the only iGaming provider that fully understands the importance of localisation. We are a global business, but we act locally – as well as boasting nearly two decades on the continent.
In short, we are incredibly well versed in the intricacies of the LatAm market, and how best to navigate the unique gaming culture in Peru. We also have a team based in Trujillo, which gives us a solid base of operation and allows us to stay up to date on developments on the ground.
The second aspect is the quality of the platform that we have. The WA.Technology is second to none; our products and solutions are highly customisable and scalable, each tailored to the unique needs of each of our partners.
We also offer best-in-class technology, backed by our team of top-level professionals, which utilises artificial intelligence to create the most efficient, streamlined products for our partners. This combination of expertise and cutting-edge technology gives WA.Technology an edge in the Peruvian market and allows us to stay ahead of any changing trends.
The final aspect is the support that we can offer to our partners. Operators are not just purchasing a product from WA.Technology; they are getting a full package of iGaming solutions. By partnering with us, operators will gain access to a wealth of knowledge and round-the-clock support that no other provider on the market can offer.
In addition to our platform, our partners also benefit from our team’s extensive gaming experience. Not only do they receive the full spectrum of support when launching and executing their growth strategies – but we’re also able to seamlessly integrate our best-in-class technology, no matter what the local tech challenges, as we understand LatAm better than anyone else.
How will your previous experience in LatAm shape your Peru strategy?
Our experience in LatAm, and other markets around the world, has provided us with a deep pool of knowledge that will most certainly influence our value proposition and our ability to offer operators the best possible solutions based on their own unique requirements.
WA.Technology knows just how important localisation and personalisation are to creating stand-out experiences. This isn’t just applicable to LatAm, but rather to every market that is regulated. We are very fortunate that we can tap into our local team to ensure that we have a deep understanding of the cultural, social and economic dynamics of the market.
We know that in order to engage and retain players, we cannot offer a standardised set of products – each product and solution must be tailored, in collaboration with our partners, to allow them to achieve their company goals.
What have been some of the biggest trends within the Peruvian gaming market? And how does WA.Technology plan to capitalise on these?
Something to keep in mind is that the Peruvian market is incredibly diverse, so it is hard to pinpoint a small number of trends that are shaping the market. But there are two which I believe should be mentioned: the first is the growth in provinces outside of Lima.
Lima, the capital city, has long been the centre of operations in Peru. But the city has become increasingly saturated, with many operators focusing their attention here.
In recent years, we’ve seen particular growth in cities such as Arequipa, Ica and Moquegua, and with that, significant technological advances and growing acceptance of gambling activities. This growth looks as though it will continue long into the future, which I believe will bring plenty more opportunities for expansion in Peru.
The second trend I’ve noticed comes down to players’ behaviour. The grouping in digital tribes is becoming much more noticeable, especially as we can analyse behaviours across different demographics.
At WA.Technology, we have identified more than 40 different demographics of players and more than 60 different psychological biases that impact how players engage with gambling activity. With those insights, we can understand what stimuli can impact player behaviours and adjust our products accordingly.
WA.Technology’s commitment to compliance and social responsibility
WA.Technology is a dedicated B2B service provider that upholds a strong compliance culture and encourages social responsibility and responsible gaming. Our marketing efforts support partners in upholding ethical standards, reflecting a commitment to integrity, transparency and the well-being of the gaming community. WA.Technology encourages safe and responsible gaming environments by offering products and services that adhere to regulatory compliance and responsible marketing.
Interviews
Interview with Booming Games: A Sweepstakes Casino Powerhouse Poised for Big Wins in 2025!
In the ever-evolving world of sweepstake casinos, Booming Games is making waves. With visually stunning slots, a wide range of games, and a strategic focus on sweepstakes, they’re quickly becoming the go-to supplier in the industry. We sat down with two of the masterminds behind Booming Games’ success: newly appointed Director of Games, Nemanja Zivic, and VP of Product, Moritz Blume. Here’s what they had to say.
Booming Games has been making quite a splash in the sweepstakes space recently. What’s the secret sauce behind your success?
Moritz Blume: laughs Well, it’s no secret that we’ve been laser-focused on making Booming Games the ultimate partner for sweepstake casinos. For us, it all starts with the players. We’ve built a reputation for creating visually stunning and feature-packed games that keep people coming back for more. And, you know, our sweepstake-friendly features like interactive bonuses, free spins, and multipliers? Players love it! Who wouldn’t want to hit a big win without staking any real money? That’s kind of our jam.
We’ve also made sure to optimize all our games for mobile because let’s face it, people love spinning the reels on their phones, whether they’re on the couch or waiting for their coffee. The seamless mobile experience keeps them hooked, and we’re proud of that.
You’ve just introduced Nemanja Zivic as the new Director of Games. How does he fit into Booming Games’ already strong team?
Moritz Blume: Oh, Nemanja is a rockstar! He brings a ton of experience, not just from the online iGaming world, but as a passionate player of land-based games too. His expertise spans both worlds, and he’s helping us take those proven land-based features that players love and bringing them online. We’re offering players mechanics tailored to all kinds of play styles. Nemanja’s input ensures our games are not just popular but keep players coming back for more.
Nemanja Zivic: Absolutely! We know there’s a traceable trajectory for the features that start in land-based casinos and go on to make waves online. There’s nuance, of course, but we get it. That’s why we offer content featuring both the core and the evolution of Hold and Win, Cash Collect, Triple-pot bonuses, quick-hit Multi jackpots, Multi-reel set Bonuses, and short-term persistence games that make players feel right at home. We bring these land-based features online, and then elevate them with multiple bonus buys, side bets, and picks—ensuring every kind of player, from the casual spinner to the high roller, finds something that resonates with their style.
Between Moritz and me, we’ve got the experience to know what players crave. Add that to our killer roadmap for 2025 and 2026, and we’re all set to release some seriously exciting new titles.
Speaking of sweepstakes, what specifically sets Booming Games apart for operators in this space?
Nemanja Zivic: Booming Games offers full flexibility and an unmatched diversity in our game portfolio—whether you’re looking for classic casino fruits and diamonds, popular casual player favorites, or high-roller picks, we’ve got it all either in the portfolio already or coming next year.
For sweepstake casinos, we provide modified language support tailored to sweepstake players, social currencies, you name it—we’re all about making it work for the operator. And we don’t just stop there. We offer customized game titles to help strengthen the casino’s brand. Want a game with your logo on it? We can do that! Want exclusive features for your VIP players? Done.
Oh, and let’s not forget our various app integrations. We’re getting embedded into platforms that sweepstake players use the most. If you want your Booming Games titles in your app store, we make it happen. Anything’s possible when you’re working with us.
Wow, that’s impressive. Can you tell us more about how you’re integrating with influencers and sweepstake streamers?
Moritz Blume: We’re playing the long game here. In 2025, we’re going to be teaming up with some big names in sweepstake-focused streaming and influencer marketing. Expect to see Booming Games plastered all over Twitch, YouTube, and every platform where people love to watch gameplay. We’ve got some secret partnerships up our sleeve with streamers who are going to take our games to the next level in terms of exposure.
We’re already among the top 3 revenue drivers on various sweepstake platforms, and we’re only going to climb higher. By working closely with influencers, we’re taking our visibility and engagement to new heights. The future is looking bright!
It sounds like Booming Games is on the verge of a major sweepstake takeover. What can we expect next?
Nemanja Zivic: We’re just getting started! We’re in the final stages of some truly exciting partnerships and game launches tailored specifically for sweepstake operators that will redefine the player experience. At the same time, we’re always keeping our eyes on regulatory changes—if there’s an update, we’re ready to react the next day, ensuring our games are fully compliant wherever they’re played.
But that’s not all—responsible gaming is one of the pillars of Booming Games’ strategy. While we’re busy creating all these exciting new features, we’re equally focused on making sure our games are safe, secure, and fair for everyone. By staying on top of regulation and promoting responsible play, we aim to deliver not just thrilling games but ones that players can trust.
Any last words for the sweepstake casino operators and players reading this?
Moritz Blume: If you’re an operator, Booming Games is the partner you’ve been waiting for. We’ve got the tools, the games, and the know-how to make your players love what they’re playing. And for the players? Strap in, because Booming Games has some wild new titles coming your way. 2025 is going to be a ride!
Sounds like Booming Games is the perfect storm for sweepstake casinos. Thanks for chatting with us!
Moritz Blume and Nemanja Zivic: in unison Thank you!
Booming Games continues to dominate the sweepstake casino world, with cutting-edge game design, tailored solutions for operators, and exciting partnerships in the pipeline. Stay tuned for their roadmap in 2025—it’s going to be big!
As Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) rounds to a close in the US, Dr Michael Auer, Managing Director of OpenBet’s Neccton, and Joann Pierce, Chief Commercial Officer at Games Global USA, share their insights into the biggest responsible gaming and player protection challenges currently facing operators in America’s regulated states and the tools needed to secure a sustainable and safer future for the industry.
What are the key player protection challenges faced by operators and suppliers in 2024?
MA: Evolving global gaming markets, such as the US and LatAm, demand operators have in-depth insights into their players’ behaviour. With high player volumes, this can pose a challenge for those without up-to-date technology. Operators have the responsibility to take proactive steps to protect players from harm, but in new jurisdictions such as Brazil and Peru, it is vital for them to win the trust of their customers and promote responsible gaming from the off. In a recent Hibou survey, of 2,839 Brazilian respondents, 16% reported experiencing financial issues due to their gambling, which should make combating harm and effectively tracking their player base a core priority for operators.
For suppliers, developing responsible gaming tools that meet the needs of the market is essential. By achieving this, they can take positive steps towards building a sustainable and safer industry. Of course, to be confident their tools are up-to-date and will have a notable impact on reducing potentially harmful behaviours, they must be informed by the richest data available from real players. Peer reviewed research that uses datasets from operators themselves is the best way to do this.
JP: There are very different player protection challenges for operators who are directly accepting wagers from the player vs suppliers who are typically offering their products to the operators – to offer to the player. The main difference is complete oversight of a player’s activity vs partial. An operator can join the dots and see all of a player’s conduct across every wager and vertical, whereas a supplier will typically only see the fraction of that play which occurs on their products. Working together, suppliers can help operators with contextualising to help fulfil their duty of care.
Suppliers will typically operate across numerous states, so where state-by-state, game design and safer gambling requirement variations exist it can pose a challenge. In this regard, continued moves towards harmonisation across states would be beneficial for all stakeholders.
What tools and resources can be provided to help operators implement effective responsible gaming measures?
JP: We have mentioned that harmonised standards assist players, operators, suppliers and regulators. However, measures should be evidence based to ensure that we are putting in place solutions which we know are going to be effective and which help all parties target their resources to maximum effect. From an operator’s perspective, access to any player data that can help build an accurate picture undoubtedly helps in delivering that duty of care. Following the lead of other countries, the UK is seeing the implementation of centralised industry-led exclusion registration via the GamProtect system.
Results from the pilot stage looks promising and with some US focussed operators having been involved in that pilot, it would be interesting to see if the US states could come together to replicate such a register to protect the most vulnerable players when for example they physically relocate between states.
MA: Operators looking to succeed in their respective markets must demonstrate superior responsible gaming capabilities and may turn to technology to support their efforts. OpenBet’s Neccton empowers operators to effectively track player behaviour in real-time, offer limit setting and pop-up messaging functions, and integrate anti-money laundering and fraud detection tools.
My research in this sphere has shown that real-time interventions, such as reality checks, improve the effectiveness of player protection efforts. Our software, which is informed by academic research and adapted in line with the latest insights, is supported by a dedicated compliance consultancy service which gives operators the confidence to fulfil their responsible gaming responsibilities.
What are the key priorities for suppliers in promoting responsible gaming in the years to come?
MA: Suppliers must keep up with the latest developments in responsible gaming tools and research as markets evolve. I have published more than 50 peer reviewed studies in academic journals related to safer gaming and continue to conduct contemporaneous research into player protection. Utilising real player data and insights from experts will help suppliers evolve their offerings to match the changing needs of operators and their customers.
Additionally, staying on the pulse of recent regulatory developments must also be a priority, as shortcomings can delay the production of much-needed software that instils confidence in operators and regulators alike and meets the needs of the market.
JP: The main focus for suppliers around safer gambling relates to game design. There isn’t that direct contact with the players, so the scope of direct interaction is removed. In this regard, harmonisation of standards and requirements around game design is hugely beneficial to all stakeholders.
We would love to see some of the excellent academic work being undertaken in this field being picked up, endorsed and incorporated into formal standards by regulators.
All suppliers are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their products help keep players safe but we want to ensure changes are going to achieve the desired outcome and the best way to do this is to take the evidence based approach.
GameplAI is harnessing the gains in automation seen in other tech sectors and bringing them to the sports betting industry, with more accurate pricing and automation which reduces the manual overhead of risk-management for trading teams. Its growing group of partners are benefiting from a series of never-before-seen, player-focused markets that engage fans both pre-game and in-play.
Gaming Americas caught up with their Co-Founder, Graham Savage, the man at the helm of a company on the road to becoming the premium supplier of automated and quantitative-driven sports solutions for the sector.
After GameplAI’s defining Q1 raise earlier this year, how have you been deploying the funds?
There are two core priorities for the deployment of our capital. The first is the expansion of our team. We have already doubled the size of the team since January and we are still looking to hire additional technology and sports-modelling expertise. The second strand is a focus on licensing. Given the global footprint of our expanding customer base, we are actively pursuing licences in multiple U.S. states (and have already secured our first three in Virginia, Colorado and Iowa) in addition to emerging LatAm regions such as Peru and Argentina.
What does adding Marco Blume as an investor do for the company?
Marco provides fantastic insight and context in terms of what is most important to operators when assessing third-party products. Under his tenure, Pinnacle became a global leader in terms of sports product and pricing and this is the equivalent position that we are keen to assume within the suppliers’ sphere.
How do you see the supply market changing in the year ahead?
We see a strong emphasis being placed by operators on both in-play and props products. We feel this will be a dual responsibility to solve, with the onus being on companies like ourselves to create innovative products bolstered by compelling and accurate pricing, whilst our B2C partners will prioritise delivering intuitive and engaging front end UI to further embellish the product experience.
How were the Euros/Copa America for you and your recent operator deals?
We used both tournaments as a test bed. Betano, the premium online sports betting and gaming brand, launched a segment of the football player props product that we have developed in conjunction with Opta data. These markets proved to be hugely popular and we will roll out our extensive football props solution with Betano over the coming weeks.
In parallel, we launched a proof of concept of our football narrator product with a leading UK operator, which generates contextual markets in-play, relative to the most recent game state. These markets were really well-received by UK-based customers and we will look to broaden the scope of that collaboration, now that the domestic season has resumed.
What are the opportunities for GameplAI right now in the medium to long-term?
We have been very fortunate with the stature of partners with whom we are working. Their respective product and trading teams have been a fantastic support and resource for us – and working with people of that calibre will only serve to further enhance the quality of our product offering.
Broadening our international footprint is also hugely exciting and by the end of year we will be live with market-leading partners across three separate continents, which represents incredible progress in 12 months. We are hugely enthused at the prospects ahead and firmly believe GameplAI will be at the forefront of driving new product innovation in sports in 2025 and beyond.
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