Interviews
Exclusive Interview: Atlas-IAC – Industry B2B Insight for Brazil & LatAm with Sergei Efimenko, CEO of Atlas IAC
Can you briefly unpack Atlas’ areas of provision and their integration?
Of course. First up, the Atlas Seamless API is a service for existing gambling operators who need to bolster their product range to increase business performance. Whether you need a Sportsbook, Casino, Live Casino, Virtual sports or any other product, with one simple integration we can provide any product into your existing platform. Once integrated, an operator has full control over the look and feel of each product. Each product comes with a multifunctional back office, with an intuitive customisation module and CMS. One seamless API integration allows an operator to take advantage of all of the functionality within the Atlas CMS such as our powerful risk management and CRM tools.
As for our Atlas CRM System, it’s a fully automated marketing solution that allows you to manage all of your marketing and communication activities with your customers from one place. Rules based flows helps create specific personalised communication with each client, identify and trigger client group communication, boost the numbers of a campaign through powerful tools for in-depth marketing analysis, predict a campaign’s performance, and modify a campaign on the fly.
Its key features include real-time data collection and real-time triggered activities; unique content-creating tool for template management across any communication channel; client segmentation tool with myriad fine-grained triggers for client identification and grouping; messaging hub across all popular means of messaging and social channels
And finally, there’s our risk-management tools. These make up a wide-ranging toolbox for fully automated identification and restriction of fraudulent customers, and responsible management of your good customers. You no longer need to employ a huge team of risk analysts to weed out the “sharp” or “at-risk” customers. As an operator, all you need to do is create your own policies and rules, setup and manage categories and criteria in the constructor. The rule-flow powered engine analyses the client’s activities, and categorizes them for you. Core components include in-depth analytics which are mounted on over 200 triggers to manage client groups. Its two operational models are based on AML-scoring or trigger-based scoring and ably backed up by dedicated 24/7 support and training.
How has your business grown in recent years?
The Atlas platform has over 50 operators on-boarded with partners either taking the full solution
(PAM/Sportsbook/Casino) or just our sportsbook, either through a simple iFrame or via our sportsbook API – which has all of the hooks and triggers required to power the sportsbook, but offers an additional level of flexibility to the operator. The modular framework of the Atlas system ensures that sportsbook integrations can be rolled out quickly, with the heavy-lifting undertaken at our end. That can even include underwriting our “no risk sportsbook solution” which has proven very popular of late, particularly amongst casino brands who previously baulked at the supposed volatility of adding a sportsbook to their offerings.
Is there a particular geographic focus of the company?
Emerging markets from LatAm to Africa and Asia. Of the 53 operators we currently have on our books, 28 are in Brazil. So, that fact alone eloquently denotes the opportunity not only in the largest South American nation, but also its wider continent. Importantly, we also have some instructive case studies of brands who get up to $5m+ GGR in less than four months from their start date – and that delivery / integration time takes only two days with Atlas. We even have an example of delivering three websites in just two days in parallel for Brazil! There are even credible whispers that Brazil is now Bet365’s major territory, surpassing the incredibly mature UK market and even China. So, I reckon that’s all you need to know in terms of potential! A majority of our operator partnerships are here as a result. We’re also very interested in Peru, which is “crossing the Ts” of its regulation, alongside some of the existing success stories, like Colombia.
Brazil has legalised but hasn’t regulated yet (due for later this year, with recent changes of incumbent government delaying the process) so its 400+ operators are currently hosted abroad. With regulation, that will naturally quickly change. As with any evolving marketplace, but especially in LatAm, there are three things to keep in mind when approaching any given new territory: the viability of regulatory regime, the commerciality of the tax regime, and potential to take on the local competition. At Atlas, we feel we have profiled the wider market both deeply and effectively.
Looking at Brazil above all, can you share some of that insight and speak more to the specifics there?
The size of the market is bigger than most commentators believe. As I alluded to earlier, Bet365, Entain and even Betano (only launched in 2021) are already each processing $100s of millions in GGR. You need to deliver exceptional, hyper-personalized experiences to your customers and always pay them quickly to engender confidence in your brand. The landscape currently winds around very visible sports sponsorships and mainstream TV-ad packages which are widely available and represent a competitive battlefield. While the most popular payment method is Pix, an instant, frictionless, low-cost mobile payments system developed by the Central Bank of Brazil and launched in late 2020. More broadly, this has led to a boost in all forms of e-commerce, not limited to gambling. However, more specifically, it’s wise to remember that payment costs can be high as gambling-related cash cannot be held in Brazilian bank accounts. The FX spreads on conversion of deposits and withdrawals are high at 30-40% of GGR for many operators. However, this will likely drop to less than 10% post-regulation and will provide some offset to the potential loss of casino.
Which other markets are currently taking your eye in LatAm and South America?
As I mentioned in passing, Peru appeals to us as things stand. Its benign regulatory regime certainly recommends that it should form part of any concerted South American / LatAm regional advance. The market is fragmented which is also beneficial for a highly agile provider like Atlas. Only those with a license (which must be renewed annually) will be permitted to advertise or sponsor sports teams in Peru, and there’s a 12% tax on of all net winnings. Still, it makes Peru one of the more operator-friendly regulations in recent times.
More generally, this continent certainly a rapidly evolving ecosystem where no market positions can be taken for granted, especially if you’re running on outmoded legacy platforms. Emerging markets are very fragmented. Time was when six or seven markets would be an attractive proposition for international presence for a global betting brand. However, what we’ve seen in the modern era is the emergence of lots of national champions (take Caliente with a staggering 75% market share in Mexico) who are not globally-centralised operators. Remember, every global nation has their own form of regulation (bar perhaps Norway, Finland and Austria) with differences ranging from return to player, tax rates, marketing restrictions and market-access restrictions to name just a few. The trend for operators’ management teams partnering with local brands is unsurprising. It’s sometimes easier to retain the expertise and support local heroes. What matters is knowing the customer, meeting them in their respective communication game (i.e. familiarity) with a host of localisation techniques. Atlas’s modular platform is a step ahead which it comes to delivering the requisite versatility and tech. Wherever you stick your pin on the map, these varied requirements across continent, country or region constitute ideal proving grounds for our versatile platform to demonstrate how we keep our international partners ahead of their rivals. Atlas’ efficiencies of cost and scalability will win out over time, no matter where you set your scene.
What are the challenges to making it in South America?
Needless to say, it’s a football-crazy territory, and so football must lead the way across both continents. Almost without exception, you’re selling the the same football-powered product. But it can be complemented and supported by local preferences which can range from mainstream to more localised appetites. Player habits are also very different. Small-stakes-big-win scenarios will prove popular in all emerging markets, of course, but these types of bet are great for the operator on margin, and there’s plenty more juice in the lemon so to speak.
More broadly, as we’ve discussed, rapid-fire access to funds (from deposit to withdrawals) is also paramount to making your brand the preferred wallet of any customer. Customer trust in any operator really hinges on their capacity to payout in timely fashion. Especially because customers heavily favour the aforementioned BetBuilder / parlay model. You have to localise your payment methods in many cases country-by-country in a patchwork assembly of needs. You have to localise on Customer Support, too. For instances, Portuguese fluency alone wouldn’t be a plus-point, you need the regional varieties and dialects. That’s one area where automation can’t currently help you too much. And the User Experience of your site has to be familiar, so you can’t reinvent the wheel for UX if you want to take on the leaders in any given territory.
Elsewhere, I still believe that free-to-play (F2P) jackpot games are the best way to acquire and retain customers in an international landscape that’s running out of regulatory rope in some parts. And as Atlas continues to break into new emerging markets, F2P solutions that track localised player proclivities could prove the reliable differentiator for operators who’ve discovered that narrow-minded bonusing is a race to the bottom.
We saw that at last year’s football World Cup, the most important and most watched football competition in the world – and even more so among Brazil football-mad fanbase! Pixbet, perhaps the largest home-grown operator, executed much better than some of the global behemoths eyeing the Brazilian space simply because they know their end user so intimately. They weren’t alone. Other local sportsbooks and media companies across the soon-to-regulate Brazilian marketplace elevated their acquisition and retention targets via F2P. The North American market has already seen DFS companies fostering loyal and engaged audiences in many U.S. states or Canadian provinces before they open up to sports betting, and a similar pattern is set to ensue in Brazil and other South American countries.
For those that might not know, can you give us a brief overview of Pick’Em Player Props?
In simple terms, the new Pick’Em Player Props product from WA.Technology is almost like a hybrid between fantasy sports and sports betting. In the same vein as traditional player props products that you see in traditional sports, players can select markets on individual players – we have just taken that model and elevated it.
During the game, players can make between two and six bet selections. For example, will Erling Haaland score more or less than 2.5 shots? The number of bet selections the player makes then determines their multiplier. By allowing bettors to unleash their sporting knowledge and provide engaging games for them to play, we are helping our operator partners to not only engage with a wider player base but also to fuel long-term retention. It really is a one-of-a-kind product and one we’re incredibly excited about. It’s already proving to be a top performer in LatAm.
Why has now been the right time to unveil Pick’Em Player Props?
Over the last few years, we’ve seen significant growth in the number of player proposition products. There are several reasons for that. Sports fans have shown a growing affinity for individual players rather than a team. They follow players on social media and engage with content featuring that player.
This reflects the wider trend we’re seeing: the new generation of fans is more in love with the players than the team itself. A great example of this is both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Bettors worldwide would wager on either of those players and engage with their content regardless of which team they played for or what club they supported.
The appetite for player-driven betting is increasing dramatically, resulting in a greater demand for products specifically tailored to individual athletes.
With more traditional sportsbooks, however, we’ve found that there isn’t as much depth of product regarding player propositions – aside from goal scorer markets. We wanted to change that – we wanted to deliver a fun, engaging product that helps build a sense of community among players.
Since Pick’Em Player Props is also a hybrid of fantasy and sports, it can act as an attractive tool to facilitate new market entries, as fantasy sports are not regulated like sportsbooks or iGaming. Take the US for example. In most states, operators do not need a licence to offer a fantasy sports product. This is the case for many markets around the world, too. I believe this will be an attractive proposition for operators looking to expand their international footprint, and as a truly global provider, we’re here to make that happen.
In your view, what differentiates WA.Technology’s Pick’Em Player Props from other player props products on the market?
Currently, we are the only B2B provider to offer a player propositions product that combines sports and fantasy. A handful of companies in the US offer something similar, but they are all B2C companies – we are bringing something totally unique to the B2B space.
Fantasy Sports have always been popular in the US. But over the last 18 months, we’ve seen a meteoric rise in the demand for player proposition markets; we wanted to develop a product that caters to that growth in demand and delivers something unique for our partners.
For other player props products on the market, something that is worth noting is that the design and UX are doing little to engage Millennial/Gen Z bettors. This audience demands a streamlined UX that is easy to use. Our Pick’Em version has been specifically designed with this demographic in mind, although we have been careful not to disenfranchise other age groups. We have kept the design sleek, streamlined and easy to use to deliver that. It’s extremely well-designed compared to what you might see in a more traditional sportsbook.
The game is straightforward to understand because we have fixed multipliers. This decision differentiates us from more traditional products, where the multipliers vary depending on how many bets you place. It also makes the product much more accessible for players who might otherwise not be familiar with fantasy or player props.
Another major defining factor is that we have ensured players can add multiple bets from different markets together. On most sports betting sites out there, you cannot combine player props markets. You couldn’t, for example, have a bet slip combining Erling Haaland’s Over/Under Shots and Kevin De Bruyne’s Shots on Target. We know this is frustrating for many bettors. We wanted to eliminate that barrier and elevate sports fans’ experience.
How does the level of data granularity influence the design and effectiveness of player proposition betting products, particularly in terms of player engagement and personalised betting options?
We are very fortunate that the data feed we use for our player props markets is the best. We have a wide range of insights and data analytics available, giving us an edge over other companies within the space – this is a serious differentiator.
The enhanced data range means we can deliver many more bespoke, personalised betting options to players while also getting more granular with the markets we can offer.
Our Managed Services Team, which oversees all things trading, also closely monitors the markets that are most popular with players. For example, if we see an influx in bets on ‘shots on target’, we know how to create more promotions around this particular market. We can tailor the CMS to engage better with players and create a more personalised experience.
Players can also ‘favourite’ particular players and clubs. Any market featuring that player will automatically appear when the Pick’Em Player Props application loads up.
Are there any markets where you believe Pick’Em Player Props will prove to be particularly popular? If so, why?
In all honesty, I can’t think of a market where this won’t be popular! Regions such as LatAm present an enormous opportunity for the growth of player proposition markets. I believe we can really plug a gap in the products currently offered to bettors.
Across the continent, we’ve seen players show a real passion for player-focused markets, and we’re here to capitalise on that. In Brazil, for example, if we were to create markets on Neymar, I’d anticipate this would gain much traction!
The real selling point for Pick’Em Player Props here is that we offer an extensive range of sports and markets that cater to a broad audience – but within that, we can personalise sports and bet selections not to overwhelm the player. I’d expect that markets on football will perform exceptionally well across Africa and LatAm, while countries such as South Africa may have a stronger preference for Rugby or Cricket.
Ultimately, it’s about understanding the unique preferences of players within each jurisdiction our partners operate in and tailoring the product accordingly. With teams based in various markets worldwide, we can get to grips with the local knowledge and fully understand what resonates with bettors.
In your view, what are some of the factors behind the growth of player props products in the last 12 months?
Most definitely shows how sports media companies are incorporating more player-specific content into their roster. This already has a huge impact, and I can’t see it changing anytime soon.
Whether it’s interviews with specific players, post-match analytics on performance or even the inherent growth of social media, the balance is undoubtedly tipping more towards the player rather than the team.
Personalisation will also have a considerable knock-on effect on the growth of player propositions. Bettors want more bespoke offers, specific bet suggestions and more instant content tailored to their unique playing habits. With a product like Pick’Em Player Props, you can personalise that betting experience to your heart’s content.
It also becomes much easier for sportsbooks to align with a specific user’s interests when we deliver unmatched data analytics and levels of personalisation that are available via WA.Technology’s product suite.
In short, Pick’Em Player Props gives operators the tools they need to create wide-ranging engagement opportunities without sticking to the rigid sporting calendar, where sometimes you might have to wait several days between a game. By incorporating fantasy sports, we can deliver round-the-clock content much faster, therefore meeting the demands of players. If you want to find out more – make sure to stop by Stand 1095 at SiGMA!
Behind every stellar online slot is an equally stellar maths model. These are becoming more experimental as the industry flirts with an increasing array of innovative new mechanics. We spoke to Pablo Martinez, Math/Design Lead and Founder at maverick game studio Peter & Sons to find out more.
Do you have to be a maths genius to build a slot machine?
Nah, you don’t need to be a maths genius. It’s more about having the right mix of skills and loving what you do. You need to play a lot of games, see what’s working out there, and understand what makes them fun. Knowing maths helps, sure, but it’s more about creating something players want to keep coming back to.
Peter & Sons is known for making games that dare to be different, visually and thematically. Is the underlying math equally experimental?
Definitely! We love pushing boundaries, both in how our games look and how they play. Sure, it’s a bit of a gamble to have a bunch of games with unique mechanics, but we’re all about trying new things. Games like Peter Hunter and our upcoming Muddy Waters are great examples — they bring fresh gameplay and new experiences to the table. Each year, we try to put out at least one or two experimental titles, keeping things interesting while mixing them with more familiar styles.
Do you come up with the maths model first and then build the game around that? Take us through the process of building the game from start to finish.
We usually start with an idea for the mechanics first. We make a quick prototype to see if the concept can work with the maths. Then we bring in the art team to brainstorm themes that will fit well. Once we have a basic prototype, we go through a bunch of tweaks and changes until the art, mechanics, and maths all feel right together. It’s a back-and-forth process where we’re constantly finetuning everything to get the best balance.
Why do you think a mechanic like Megaways was so successful?
Megaways took off because it’s a fun, exciting mechanic that gave players something fresh, but smart brand marketing really helped it catch on.
Is there pressure as a slots developer to come up with the ‘next’ Megaways?
Not really. Coming up with new mechanics is always fun, but it’s not the only way to make a hit. Plenty of top games are just clever twists on classic mechanics. It’s more about creating a great experience that keeps players coming back, whether it’s something brand new or just a fresh spin on something more familiar.
Which slots are more popular, high or low volatility, and why do you think that is?
It depends on the market, but in some unregulated markets — and especially with some operators — high-volatility slots are really popular. A big reason for this is streamers. High-volatility games make for exciting content, so they get a lot of attention and hype online. That thrill factor really draws players in.
Which is your favorite Peter & Sons mechanic and why?
Right now, I’d say the fishing mechanic in our upcoming game Muddy Waters. It’s a new twist on the fishing genre that really brings something fresh to the gameplay. It’s exciting to take a familiar theme and make it feel totally different.
Tell us about the mechanics in your latest release, Barbarossa Revenge.
Barbarossa Revenge is a pirate-themed, high-volatility game with 243 ways to win. It’s a DoubleMax game, meaning the multiplier doubles with each cascade. You’ve also got Multiplier Jumps and a Cashout feature that guarantees wins. During Free Spins, the multipliers don’t reset and can keep growing unlimited. With a max win potential of 30,000x the bet, this game is a real thrill!
We’re only a few months away until the highly-anticipated Brazilian market launches, and it’s safe to say that the industry is on the edge of its seat waiting to see what lies ahead for the South American sleeping giant. But one company that is poised and ready to capitalise on the golden opportunities this market has to offer is Infingame.
Gabriel Pinto, Sales Manager at Infingame, outlines some of the recent developments taking place across Brazil as he discusses how Infingame is catering to the unique demands of players across the market.
Brazil’s regulated market is expected to officially launch on 1 January 2025. Now that we’re only a few months away, what are your overall expectations for the Brazilian gambling market once it is fully regulated? Where will the biggest opportunities be?
I think it’s an excellent move. For a start, the launch of Brazil’s regulated markets means that operators, suppliers and affiliates will be dedicated to protecting players under licensed market conditions. That includes fair play, responsible gaming and security – both in terms of transactions and technology. This, I believe, will help build consumer trust and participation in the market.
The regulation of the gaming sector in Brazil is also going to have hugely positive effects on job creation across Brazil. As we all know, this is an industry which has operated for quite some time – but the new legislation will help formalise various different sectors, including technology, customer service, marketing, commercial sales and much more.
Sportsbook, of course, is going to be massive, but I think many have overlooked just how exciting iGaming can be. So much of the retail-based heritage when it comes slots especially, is part of our culture already and has been for so many years. IGaming is really going to be the one to watch and given we’re one of the fastest-growing aggregation hubs in LatAm, we can’t wait to begin entertaining players in the regulated market.
Data has suggested that players in Brazil tend to prefer higher volatility verticals, such as slots. What motivates players to choose these games over others?
I think it all comes down to culture and history. We have a history of land-based gaming here in Brazil – for more than 100 years, we’ve had games in the street, card rooms, bingo, land-based machines. This is a sector which has become deeply ingrained in our culture.
As a result, I think slots have an air of familiarity among players. Players are aware of what slots involve, the various different games available to them, who the big-name developers are. I think that it is this affinity with the vertical that makes slots much more popular than other types of gambling products.
Players also understand that slots are a great form of entertainment – playing habits suggest that bettors across Brazil prefer low-stake, high volatility products, which reflect the fun nature of gaming when it comes to betting small and win big. They also create a sense of excitement that more traditional games might not manage.
Slots, in particular Fortune Tiger by PG Soft, have been incredibly popular with players. It really is a truly loved game here, and the title has become the go-to for many bettors – which isn’t necessarily the case in other markets around the world.
How do levels of engagement with high volatility games such as slots differ to that of live casino or table games?
Live casino is hugely popular with bettors across Brazil too! Over the last few years in particular, this vertical has absolutely boomed – and the reason for that is familiarity.
Slots have typically out-performed more traditional table games, but live casino is most certainly experiencing signifcant growth. The live casino suppliers that can effectively tailor their games to the local market – from featuring local, Brazilian croupiers to incorporating culturally-significant icons and designs – will reap the rewards of Brazil’s regulation.
At Infingame, we have a broad portfolio of games that have all been handpicked – our in-depth knowledge of each market means that we know each of the games on our platform will resonate with local players. We have spent a lot of time getting to know players, understanding what they like and what they don’t, what verticals perform well, the game designs that players enjoy – and everything else that comes with it.
With this in mind, are there specific game mechanics or themes that resonate more with Brazilian players? If so, why?
Anything with a local twist! We’ve seen a particular up-tick in football-themed casino games – this was a trend that was certainly prominent throughout the 2022 World Cup and the Copa America this year.
As a result, we’ve noticed that many operators are looking to include Brazilian themes within their slot offering, with many incorporating games that feature samba, football and local icons into their games. Of course, that makes perfect sense.
Another trend that we’ve noticed is that many operators are requesting exclusive, branded content to roll out to their players. They want slot titles and casino games that are developed specifically for their brand – be it joint ventures with game developers, or partnerships with local icons such as sports clubs.
I think that this is a trend that will continue long into 2025, as casinos look to make their mark on the local audience. Not only is it a great way to get your name out there, but it is also a much more cost-effective way to create a unique experience for your player base. Gambling is very much a commoditised industry; there is very little differentiation in the actual products and bonuses out there. Of course, exclusive games help to disrupt that status quo and bring something new to the table. This will definitely be an area to watch.
How do Brazilian players’ session lengths and frequency compare to those in other markets?
Players tend to gamble for longer periods of time, but with lower stakes. They see casino products as a form of entertainment, with many players usually enjoying the occasional bet during an evening or when they have a spare 30 minutes.
However, we should note that this trend differs depending on which device players are using. Those using mobile tend to enjoy shorter playing sessions, showing a preference for more high volatility games such as crash games and slots, while those on desktop tend to enjoy sessions ranging from 1-2 hours.
Those on desktop show similarities to land-based bettors – they tend to gamble in the evening, products tend to include more table games and traditional casino products, although similar to mobile, the stake tends to be lower.
How important is mobile gameplay in Brazil, and how does it impact player engagement and retention? How can brands best optimise their games to better suit mobile-first gaming?
It’s not just important, it’s critical! Everyone has a mobile device, and for many, this is the go-to platform in which to enjoy casino games. To not optimise your games to mobile devices would risk alienating a large portion of your player base.
In Brazil, there has been significant improvement in mobile connectivity and smartphone penetration, meaning that more players are able to access games via their handheld devices. But in order to create the most optimised experience, casinos and game developers must adapt their UI to suit mobile devices. Another consideration is developing games that are tailored to single-handed play – with many players enjoying casino products on the go, ensuring that your games cater to playing habits is essential.
Based on current player habits and preferences, what future trends do you expect to emerge in the Brazilian casino market, particularly in online slots?
As we’ve covered already, and I can’t re-enforce this enough, localised content that is tailor-made to the Brazilian market is going to be key. This will by far be one of the biggest trends. As operators flood into Brazil, there will be fierce competition among brands looking to amass market share and engage with new players – so the key to achieving that will be through providing content that they cannot get anywhere else.
I also think we will see slots and live casino continue to grow in popularity. Their high volatility and social nature will no doubt drive loyalty among players and keep them engaged in the long-term. And I think the final trend will be that we will see verticals such as crash games emerge as a front-runner among bettors – these products are simple to understand and highly engaging, a perfect recipe for players looking for entertainment!
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