Interviews
Exclusive interview with WA. Technology: LatAm’s most established iGaming solutions provider
Offering a level of expertise that few can match in LatAm, WA.Technology has firmly entrenched itself as one of the continent’s most sought-after providers. In our latest exclusive interview, we speak with WA.Technology’s Axel Antillon, Regional Director LatAm, to get the latest on market developments, as well as the level of in-depth personalization required for operators to become a true winner with local players.
For those that might not be overly familiar with WA. Technology, can you give us a brief introduction of who you are as a company?
Of course! WA. Technology is by far one of LatAm’s most established providers, with an incredibly long history of success on the continent. With our team’s 20+ years of experience here, it’s safe to say that we are now viewed as one of the “go-to” providers for the full spectrum of iGaming solutions required for any operator to be a true market leader. Our years of experience have allowed us to become fully entrenched with some of LatAm’s biggest operators and have a thorough understanding of the unique dynamics within each market.
We’re very fortunate that our team consists of top-level professionals across just about all LatAm’s major markets, each of whom have extensive experience in the B2B gambling space. This is something that I believe puts us in an incredibly strong position to not only understand the unique demands of each country, but also allows us to offer the best possible turnkey solutions for our partners across the region. Our long history of success and localised delivery here is a testament to that.
Costa Rica and Mexico are two of WA. Technology’s first LatAm markets. How important have these two been for your journey on the continent?
Costa Rica is ultimately where our journey started. But it is actually Mexico which has proved to be our major platform for expansion in the early years of WA. Technology. And there are a number of reasons for that.
It goes without saying that sports, and particularly gambling, are very much ingrained into Mexican culture. The market has been regulated since 1947, meaning that players are well-versed in gambling products – they know what they like, what they don’t like, and what they expect from operators. From an operator perspective, this ultimately means you don’t have to spend time educating bettors on the different types of products available to them.
If you look at the market’s projections over the next five years, revenue is expected to hit $3.09bn (USD) by 2029, which is very promising. Data from Zendesk Consultancy also suggests that 4.2/10 Mexicans regularly take part in gambling activities – if you compare this to the wider Latin American region, the average is 3.5. This shows just how popular gambling is across Mexico.
The market proved to be a fantastic platform for our expansion further south, with major successes in Brazil and Ecuador following soon after. Peru and Colombia will definitely be next for us – but more on that later.
Given you’re now one of the continent’s most sought-after providers, what’s your current take on market trends and growth outside of Brazil? Which countries offer the best examples of regulation done correctly?
If we start with Mexico, we have seen high volumes of activity across both lottery and casino. Both verticals have proved to be incredibly popular with players. Another trend we have noticed is the increasing adoption of mobile. Of course, this has always been prevalent in the major cities – but that’s now expanding to rural areas at pace, and we’re capitalising on this trend majorly as the balance shifts from retail. Of course, this preference for technology-first experiences makes Mexico an incredibly attractive proposition for operators – and one that we’re leading the way on.
In Peru, the younger, tech-savvier audience is also showing a strong preference for mobile betting compared to retail and desktop. That’s an interesting insight for us given the previous dominance of retail, but that’s changing fast. Looking at demographics, the market also has a fast-growing middle-class which is growing year-on-year, many of whom are not only familiar with the range of betting products at their disposal but also enjoy traditional sports, casino and esports, making this a great market for anyone looking to expand their Latin American footprint.
From a B2B perspective, Peru’s regulatory framework is also very favourable, – and we really commend the government’s regulatory authorities. Introduced in 2023, the legislation gives a solid base for people to invest in the market and for operators to enter and paves the way for a successful long-term operation.
Ecuador’s regulation is again very conducive to good business. The liberal approach allows operators to offer a vast range of betting products, which has really diminished the black market, where players cannot be protected. While the country has flown under the radar for many, it’s definitely one to watch.
Next up is Colombia, which was the first market to regulate in Latin America and has undergone tremendous growth since online was regulated by ColJuegos in 2016. The richness of its festive culture, alongside the acceptance of gambling, makes it arguably a shining example of a market done right. Colombia is a country already accustomed to bingo and lotteries, but still with a lot of growth projection on the strategic level. Live casino is also becoming particularly popular here – with ColJuegos estimating that it was already taking 8% of the market back in 2023.
Peru and Mexico have both been incredibly popular markets in the news recently. What would you say are your main USPs here?
In Mexico, one of our offices is located in Reforma – an area that is very central in Mexico City. Our legal team for this market has extensive knowledge of the local regulations and are able to help operators to obtain a licence from Secretaría de Gobernación (The Ministry of Interior).
We are also able to support our partners when it comes to integrations, including payment gateways, which really sets us apart from the crowd. In addition, we belong to AIEJA, the Gambling Association in Mexico, which helps connect operators to various different suppliers. On top of that, we also have a deep understanding of player preferences and the culture. We know how to reach new audiences; what players want and how best to achieve that too. Localisation is key to our strategy in every LatAm market, and Mexico is no exception.
In Peru, we are currently in the process of receiving our certifications. We are about to conclude the vendor registration, which is expected very soon, which will open the doors for new growth at WA. Technology.
This market has been on our radar for many years now. We have been researching it extensively to fully understand how we can gain a competitive edge and how we can best serve our partners. From an operator perspective, this market is high on the agenda for many domestic and international companies already – in fact, the regulator received 145 licence applications during the pre-registration phase alone!
Peru’s gaming industry has also been growing at a double-digit rate over the last five years, with casino leading the way, followed by sports betting and lottery. Market data suggests that revenue for the country’s online gambling markets could hit US$314.8m this year, with that figure expected to grow to $403.5m by 2028. If the market continues to grow at this pace, the opportunity for WA. Technology will be huge!
It’s safe to say that Peru will undoubtedly be one of our main target markets over the next few years alongside Brazil and Colombia, where we’re also in the process of gaining certification. We’re very excited to see what these markets hold for us!
And what are your USPs for both Ecuador and Costa Rica – given we see less media attention on these markets?
In a word, localisation. This is absolutely essential for any market, but particularly in Latin America where each individual jurisdiction is so unique.
In both Costa Rica and Ecuador, we have been closely monitoring regulatory developments and changes in player behaviours – research that has allowed us to support our own commercial initiatives and help shape our future partnerships with operators in the market. We also offer localised payment solutions, which is incredibly important. There’s not much point in offering a product if your players can’t deposit or withdraw their winnings, right?
We also offer bespoke betting markets for operators across both of these markets. I don’t just mean tweaking the language to suit the local dialect. We provide everything that operators need to engage with players across these markets – be it markets on local football leagues, or products tailored to sports that are popular within that particular market.
This goes beyond sports betting too. On the casino side, we offer a tailor-made solution to operators so they can effectively meet the needs of their player base. Casino games that might be popular in Mexico might not gain the same traction in Costa Rica, for example. Again, this is really where the retail heritage comes into play – and it’s absolutely essential to understand how the unique retail legacy in each market has shaped slot preferences for each country. In a competitive environment of fine margins, edges like these mean we can provide the tools for our operator partners to quickly gain an edge.
Speaking of player preferences, we’ve seen a shift towards the online space in recent years. How do you keep up with changing trends?
As we’ve already covered, you have to remember that many of these markets started off solely focused on the brick-and-mortar space. Players would visit casinos and betting shops, and that’s how they engaged with gambling since the 1990s. Now, however, we have a mix of both online and retail with many of the land-based players now transitioning away from the more social-based area of retail to mobile betting that players can enjoy from home, on the commute or anywhere in between.
To capitalize on this, and after extensive research into what these players enjoyed from their land-based experiences, we asked our casino team to integrate our brick-and-mortar offer into the online space. This has worked incredibly well because it allows players to recognise their favourite products and games and enjoy them from the comfort of their own home.
Last but not least, as a major takeaway for our readers – how can we showcase that you are the best provider when it comes to understanding the market?
We have already touched upon localisation, as that’s a major point for us that no outside platform provider can match. We are demonstrating this by offering local currencies, payment service providers, languages, local betting markets and even the creation of “specials” – betting markets that have been developed particularly for one jurisdiction. For example, we have our own dedicated teams and models to price up the likes of Mexican wrestling, the famous “luchadores” – which again, very few outsiders can match in detail like us!
It also goes without saying that our WA.Platform is also the most comprehensive, solid platform that is available to any operator looking to make a name for themselves on the continent. We offer both scalable and customisable solutions, meaning that operators can continue to drive future growth as they continue to expand their international footprint.
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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