Latest News
Opening the gateway to new LatAm opportunities

Featuring exclusive industry B2B insight for LatAm from David Camacho, Account Manager for LatAm markets at QTech Games
The QTech Games team is buzzing with excitement for this week’s SBC Summit 2024 at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa & MEO Arena. This highly anticipated event, set in the stunning city of Lisbon, is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to reunite with old friends and make new connections. It’s sure to be an exhilarating experience that we’re eagerly looking forward to.
On the eve of a busy season in the igaming sector, this conference offers a timely forum for reflection on the road ahead – how the industry can provide operators and players with engaging and innovative betting experiences at some high-impact events that will drive revenue for the coming quarters. SBC Summit 2024 offers excellent networking opportunities with senior peers to discuss many of the most current and pressing issues. Whatever you have in mind – the opportunity or the broader picture unfolding worldwide, regulatory challenges, player engagement, retention strategy, acquisition, and bonus alternatives – it is always helpful and often enlightening to exchange ideas on overall plans and specific innovations with other industry leaders so that we can collectively converge on the best way forward and overcome obstacles.
SBC Summit 2024 brings together thousands of attendees across the gaming sector, including casino operators, sportsbooks, leading distributors like QTech Games, developers, bettors, and affiliates. Nearly half of the attending businesses will be represented by C-level executives, making it the perfect place to build on existing collaborations and forge new ones.
As we look at the current trends, it’s evident that the convergence of AI and data collection is reshaping the gaming landscape. The time has come when AI, with its predictive powers and associated marketing tools, aligns with data collection to create more effective personalization modes. With systems that truly understand and know your customer from login, a seamless, personalized experience is now within reach. The rise of high-volume AI systems is set to be a significant battleground in the future as marketing departments strive to create impactful campaigns that can scale.
After all, if intelligence is just a matter of data processing, the gap between the informed reasoning of the regular workforce and the take-off functionality of AI is only increasing by an order of magnitude. At QTech Games, our gaming lobby, known as QT Play, has led the market for years, thanks to its machine-learning capabilities and the countless improvements in player insights and localized game selection that we have been able to distil from one of the most profound data sets of any distributor. This has given our operator partners in emerging markets a constantly sharpened competitive edge over their rivals.
More broadly, LatAm fosters a rapidly evolving ecosystem where no market position can be taken for granted. After all, emerging markets are often highly fragmented by their very nature.
Player habits are also very different. Small bets and big-win scenarios will be popular in all emerging markets, of course, but these types of bets are great for the operator in terms of margin, and there is much more juice in the lemon.
More generally, reliable and fast access to funds (from deposits to withdrawals) is also critical to making your brand the preferred wallet for any customer. Customer trust in any operator really depends on your ability to pay out in a timely manner.
Especially since customers vastly prefer the sportsbook or jackpot model mentioned above, you need to localize your payment methods, often country by country, based on a set of needs. You also need to localize customer support, which is essential for quality management.
For example, fluency in the local language alone would not be a plus; you need the regional varieties and dialects. That is one area where automation can only help you a little. Your site’s user experience has to be familiar, too, so you can’t reinvent the wheel for UX if you want to compete with the leaders in a given territory.
We closely follow other Latin American markets, including Peru, where the regulated market was launched a few months ago. As in Brazil, several well-known international operators were already operating in Peru, but the market is now one of the most thriving territories in the industry. Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico are also hotspots.
As an innovative and forward-thinking company, we are confident in the potential of the Latin American market. To underscore that commitment, our website is now also available in both Spanish and Portuguese via a simple toggle function, as we bid to service more partners across the Hispanic world.
We know the future of retail demands a hybrid solution which is why we’ve created QTech Hybrid, already soft-launched to immediate positive reviews. We are showcasing this innovative retail solution for emerging markets (like LatAm and Africa) at this week’s SBC Summit 2024 where senior QTech Games delegates are on site if you’d like to enjoy a dedicated demo.
In short, though. QTech Hybrid offers a retail offering that can be transferred to your phone, so that the customer can continue playing after leaving the premises or betting shop. QTech Hybrid allows players to access the full game library of QTech Games, while this retail solution also contains a state-of-the-art Agent Management System. It’s just the latest example of how our wider concerted effort, focusing on LatAm and African markets, is reaping rewards for the end-user experience by seamlessly marrying online and offline. This trademark ingenuity is also another sign of our commitment to under-served regions in developing products that have a high local demand, wherever you set your scene on the map.
This system will be a game-changer, revolutionizing the gaming experience for our partners’ clients, and we are excited to bring it to LatAm as one of the first locations.
Central America
21VIRAL Boosts Latin American Reach Through Strategic Partnership with Virtualsoft

21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, has strengthened its expansion by signing an agreement with platform provider Virtualsoft
21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, today announced a strategic agreement with prominent platform provider Virtualsoft, significantly strengthening its expansion across the region.
This collaboration will integrate 21VIRAL’s extensive portfolio of games into Virtualsoft’s platform, providing enhanced content options for operators across key Central and Latin American nations. Virtualsoft is a key supplier with a strong presence in markets including Ecuador and Peru, delivering innovative gaming solutions to a diverse range of operators.
Christoph Härtel, CEO of 21VIRAL, commented: “Partnering with Virtualsoft is a pivotal moment for 21VIRAL as we deepen our engagement with one of the world’s most rapidly advancing online gaming markets. Virtualsoft underpins numerous leading brands in the region, and integrating our GameConnector solution will allow swift access to their operational brands. We look forward to working closely with Virtualsoft’s talented team to deliver innovative and revenue driving gaming experiences.”
Alejandro Velez, General Manager at Virtualsoft, stated: “21VIRAL has a strong reputation for seamless integrations and profound expertise in the Latin American gaming market, making them an ideal partner for us. Together, we are streamlining operations and elevating the gaming experience for players, aiming to set new benchmarks for the industry.”
Compliance Updates
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a “dual currency” model to mimic casino-style wagering.
“Sweepstakes” platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting “No Purchase Necessary” disclaimers, they sidestep California’s regulatory framework and evade the state’s voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these “sweepstakes” operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.
“We cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governments’ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,” said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.
“For over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundation—compromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
“We support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of California’s gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.
“Tribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to California’s economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,” said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.
AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.
Compliance Updates
New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports

The Division I Council introduced a proposal that, if adopted in October, would change sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports and refocus the Association’s enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity. If adopted, the change will be implemented only if Divisions II and III also vote to allow betting on pro sports.
The council’s introduction of the proposal, which comes after a directive from the Division I Board of Directors in April that the council adopt changes to sports betting rules, is not an endorsement of sports betting behaviors, especially for college athletes. The NCAA’s prohibition against betting on college sports would remain in place, as would the prohibitions against sharing information about college events with bettors. The NCAA also would continue to maintain its prohibition for NCAA championships against advertising and sponsorships associated with betting.
“NCAA rules prohibiting sports betting at all levels were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council. “As betting on sports has become more widely accepted across the country, Division I members have determined that further discussion of these sports betting rules is warranted, particularly as it relates to the potential distinctions between betting on professional versus collegiate sports. Throughout our discussions, the council has remained focused on student-athlete wellness and educating student-athletes about the risks and potentially harmful impacts of betting.”
Current NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes or institutional staff to engage in sports betting at any level (professional, college or amateur) for any sports that have NCAA championships, and NCAA members have continually maintained that any betting by a student-athlete on his or her own team or own sport in college should continue to result in a permanent loss of any remaining collegiate eligibility. However, in 2023, Division I changed the reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who participate in sports betting on professional sports to focus on harm reduction for problematic betting behaviors.
“Deregulating professional sports betting may provide schools an additional opportunity to implement harm-reduction strategies, which can be more effective and have long-term benefits not seen with abstinence-only approaches. Harm-reduction strategies include education, stigma reduction and acknowledging actual behaviors,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “By meeting student-athletes where they are, schools may be more effective at preventing, identifying and supporting student-athletes with problematic gambling behaviors. Regardless of the change, schools are encouraged to use the many sports betting resources already available.”
The recently released Harm Reduction Considerations for Gambling & Sports Betting in Collegiate Sports references available sports betting resources, including the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices. Additionally, more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators have been reached through the NCAA’s education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions, and the NCAA has launched an e-learning module to educate student-athletes on problem gambling harms and the integrity risks associated with sports betting.
Several sports betting-related violations by staff members at NCAA schools have been resolved through the infractions process in recent years, and the enforcement staff is working on issuing Notices of Allegations in several ongoing cases that involve allegations of betting on professional and college sports by student-athletes and/or athletics department staff members at a handful of NCAA schools.
The proposed rule change would not be retroactive. If it is adopted, it would apply only to sports betting activities that occur after the effective date of the proposal.
“The enforcement staff’s sports betting-related caseload has significantly increased in recent years, and our staff — including our new sports betting integrity unit — has been effective in detecting and pursuing violations,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.
The Association prioritizes competition integrity, which is vital to college sports. The NCAA uses a layered strategy to respond responsibly to the rise in sports betting across the United States by monitoring over 22,000 contests per year, advocating for limits on prop bets that pose heightened risks, reducing the potential for student-athlete abuse by aggrieved bettors, and creating greater transparency to assist with the timely investigation and resolution of integrity-related issues.
This layered approach includes the most recent agreement extension with Genius Sports to establish unprecedented betting restrictions on high-risk proposition bets. Sportsbooks licensing NCAA championship data must cooperate fully with NCAA investigations, including providing access to account data, financial history and geolocation records. This will allow the NCAA to work with the sportsbooks to gather detailed account information when harassers are identified to prevent repeat offenders from continuing to place bets across platforms, increasing safeguards to protect student-athlete mental health and well-being.
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