Latin America
Latin America: everything to play for
Although much of the industry’s focus is on North America at the moment, recent developments in South America mean the southern continent of the Americas is turning just as many heads.
With an enormous population of more than 600 million and a strong sporting culture, Latin America is an enticing prospect for sports betting operators looking to enter new markets.
Interest in the region has increased significantly since Brazil’s government began the process of developing regulations for sports betting last year. The recent introduction of online gambling legislation in the province of Buenos Aires in Argentina is also being viewed as encouraging by many.
“Latin America is a huge market with great potential,” says .
But this part of the world is not without its challenges. While countries such as Brazil and Argentina are well known for their love of football and there’s a strong tradition of gambling among their populations, the lack of regulation has held back many online operators.
Difficulty accessing financial services and appropriate payment methods has proven another challenge, particularly as many countries in the region have low levels of financial inclusion.
The Colombian blueprint
However, the development of the online market in Colombia is proving the region has real potential. Since regulating the market in 2016, the country has attracted 17 licensees and its regulatory system is being viewed by many as a blueprint for other Latin American countries.
Altenar has been active in the Colombian market since day one, having launched a fully managed sports betting solution for the country’s first licensed sportsbook, Wplay. The operator remains the market leader in Colombia, with about 50% of the market.
Stranomitis says Wplay’s success is largely due to the focus on localisation. “While other providers tried to introduce European methods into Colombia, Altenar listened to local voices and designed a sportsbook for Wplay.”
He says operators must not only differentiate their offerings in Latin America from the products they provide in other regions, but they must also pay attention to differences within the region itself.
While Altenar is also active in Mexico via its partnership with Playdoit, Stranomitis says developing products suitable for the two markets wasn’t simply a matter of looking at what worked in one and transferring it to the other.
“Despite some people’s belief, Colombia is a completely different market from Mexico and this is the big lesson Altenar has learned when it comes to Latin America.
“This is something successful operators in any Latin American country must bear in mind as they try to enter others.”
But while the differences between countries pose challenges, they are certainly not insurmountable, says Stranomitis. Indeed, Altenar is already preparing to expand its footprint further across the region.
“At the moment we are evaluating Peru and Argentina, as possibly those are the countries where operators may soon be able to secure an appropriate licence. Then obviously there is the ‘big bet’ of Brazil, which is a hugely promising country although we are still waiting for the government to deliver the new law.
“Last but not least, we are keeping an eye on the Caribbean islands, as we think there could be value there that not many can see at the moment.”
SOFTSWISS, a leading global provider of iGaming software, announces the promotion of Dario Leiman from Regional Business Development Manager to Head of Business Development in Latin America.
SOFTSWISS has been actively focusing on building a solid foundation in Latin America since early 2024. As Regional Business Development Manager, Dario successfully established key partnerships that helped the company become a prominent player in the region. His efforts secured certifications for the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator in Brazil and the Game Aggregator in both Brazil and Peru. These milestones underscore the company’s commitment to meeting local regulatory requirements.
Rubens Barrichello, Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, comments: “SOFTSWISS has assembled one of the strongest teams of professionals for such a crucial market as Latin America. Dario’s promotion ensures we have the right expertise to guide our expansion here. I’m looking forward to seeing how the region will continue to grow under his leadership.”
In his new role as Head of Business Development in Latin America, Dario will oversee the development of business strategies to enhance SOFTSWISS’ market position in the region. This includes building new and nurturing existing partnerships and implementing the latest tech innovations that meet operators’ and players’ needs.
Dario Leiman, Head of Business Development in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, shares: “I am truly honoured to take on this role. Our recent certifications in Brazil and Peru have opened up incredible prospects for local and international operators. I’ll do my best to ensure that SOFTSWISS continues to deliver best-in-class solutions tailored to the unique gaming landscape of Latin America.”
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
After becoming one of the first B2B suppliers to get their sportsbook solution successfully GLI-certified for Brazil, Delasport has now achieved compliance with the requirements of SIGAP regarding its iGaming platform.
Obtaining the required GLI certifications and the integration with the Brazilian DataVault through SIGAP’s official API means that the solution is fully ready to dive headfirst into the market.
The certifications granted by Gaming Labs International to Delasport include the required set of approvals: the technical certificates for Betting System, Sports Betting Server (Sportsbook), a.k.a. Remote Game Server (RGS), and more.
Delasport also covers the geofencing requirements and the requirements for safer gambling monitoring and AML transaction monitoring.
Part of the implementations include an intricate system with multi-factor authentication and a modern KYC provider, meeting all requirements of the market.
Just days ago, Delasport announced its first Brazilian deal with Latam-based B2B platform provider Vibra Solutions. This is all part of the company’s global expansion strategy where Brazil and LatAm in general is a key region to get established in.
“Successfully completing this second phase of GLI certification for Brazil reinforces the trust that players and operators place in Delasport’s products”, says Filippo Ferri, Delasport’s Chief Compliance Officer. “This certification highlights our ability to uphold the highest industry standards of integrity and fairness”, he concludes.
SkillOnNet’s flagship Spanish-language brand launches high-impact marketing push
PlayUZU, the fair and transparent online casino brand from global entertainment powerhouse SkillOnNet, has launched a nationwide TV and billboard campaign in Peru as it looks to strengthen its presence and build brand recognition in the country.
The campaign is designed to take PlayUZU’s unique value proposition directly to the public, reinforcing its commitment to fun, fairness, and transparency in the online gaming space. The brand, which prides itself on offering a gaming experience that’s completely free of wagering requirements, is investing heavily in mainstream media to showcase why it’s different from traditional online casinos.
The marketing initiative includes prime-time TV advertisements on major Peruvian networks, complemented by an extensive billboard presence in key places throughout the capital city of Lima. These efforts will be further amplified through digital marketing, including social media engagement, influencer collaborations, and search engine positioning.
Having already made a name for itself in Spain, Mexico, and Buenos Aires City, PlayUZU is now accelerating its efforts to capture the hearts of Peruvian players. Since launching in Peru in November under the country’s new regulated licensing framework, PlayUZU has been committed to offering a fun, safe, and engaging gaming experience, backed by an extensive portfolio of top-tier casino games from leading providers.
Helena Rico, SkillOnNet Head of Marketing, Spain and LatAm said: “With this campaign, we want to show Peruvian players that PlayUZU is here to stay. We believe our transparent approach to online gaming will resonate with players who are looking for a fairer and more entertaining way to play. This TV and billboard push will put PlayUZU front and centre in Peru’s gaming market, ensuring that everyone knows where to go for a truly fair and fun casino experience.”
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