Latin America
Futbol Sites joins forces with top industry executives to drive scale-up
Futbol Sites Network Group (FSN) has joined forces with top industry executives Jordan Gnat, Robin Chhabra and Andy Clerkson, who together have acquired a significant interest in the Group, as well as appointing Mr. Gnat to the position of Vice Chair.
These three leading stalwarts, who bring over 60 years of combined experience building brands in the sports, betting and media sectors, are committed to FSN’s expansion and reach – not only in its current North American and LatAm markets, but also broadening its footprint into new global territories. With offices and operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and the United States, Futbol Sites bridges the gap between brands and fans, using data, technology and a deep knowledge of the sports industry.
FSN is a digital media powerhouse, focusing on Latin America and the USA, which owns and operates 10+ sports websites. Founded in 2008 by Argentinian entrepreneurs Federico Grinberg and Nahuel Pan, FSN helps global brands and Football Federations to manage their digital and social media assets, designing and executing powerful fan-oriented strategies.
FSN attracts more than 60 million unique monthly visitors to its web assets and more than 300 million unique monthly visitors to its social media channels.
- Company Size: +100 employees
- Website: https://futbolsites.net/
- Industry: Digital Sports Media
Jordan Gnat is a Senior Business Executive with over 25 years of leadership experience and over 17 years in the global gaming and media industries. Most recently, Gnat was the Group Senior Vice President of The Stars Group, the parent company of PokerStars, FOX Bet, PokerStars Casino, Sky Betting and Gaming and Oddschecker Group Media.
Robin Chhabra is an experienced executive in the online gambling sector and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of FOX Bet, a landmark partnership between Flutter Entertainment and FOX Sports in the USA. He was previously on the Executive Committees of The Stars Group, William Hill and Inspired Gaming Group where he focused on strategy, business development and M&A and expanded the global footprint of each of these companies.
Andy Clerkson has spent three decades building brands for media, sports betting and gaming companies in the USA, UK and Europe. In 2019, he helped The Stars Group and FOX Sports set up FOX Bet, for whom he is a senior advisor. In 2007, Clerkson founded influential digital marketing agency Grand Parade, which specialized in sports betting and was acquired by William Hill in 2016. Previously, Clerkson had a media career in both London and New York culminating in running Maxim USA, which under his stewardship became the world’s most successful men’s lifestyle magazine.
Federico Grinberg, co-founder and CEO of FSN, said: “We started FSN 12 years ago in Argentina. This is a company that has been profitable and growing non-stop from day one. With passion, focus and perseverance we expanded operations all across LatAm and the USA. Now, we are ready to take the company to the next level by joining forces with Jordan, Robin and Andy.”
Grinberg added: “Having these three superstars of the industry as investors, as well as Jordan joining our Board, will not only help FSN expand its network and reach, but also allow us to take the company to the next level, leveraging their shared knowledge and advice, and consolidating FSN as a global group synonymous with digital sports content.”
Jordan Gnat said: “Businesses are premised on their people and the team at FSN are second to none. I am honoured that they have chosen me, Robin and Andy to contribute to their winning ethos. We look forward to bringing our combined sports, media and gaming experience to bear at the company. The platform that has been built is rock solid and we look forward to working with the team to maintain the strong growth in LatAm, the USA and beyond.”
The terms of the acquisition were undisclosed.
About Futbol Sites:
Futbol Sites is a digital media powerhouse in Latin America, and among US Hispanics, with offices across LatAm and in Miami, Florida. Futbol Sites has over 60+million unique monthly visitors, across 10+ owned and operated sports websites, and reaches a monthly audience of over 300+million fans via its social media channels.
Compliance Updates
Salsa Gator, Brazil’s game aggregator, secures certification for the regulated market
Salsa Technology’s renowned content aggregator, Salsa Gator, has received GLI certification ahead of Brazil’s iGaming regulation taking effect on January 1, 2025. Among the key requirements is certification, ensuring compliance and trust in the regulated market.
This achievement enables Salsa to deliver high-quality content to operators in Brazil. In addition to strengthening its prominent position in the market, the certification ensures seamless and efficient operations for its clients in the new regulated landscape.
As per the rules of the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance, the certification process for the aggregator platform included content agreements with some of the largest global gaming providers, such as Evolution, Games Global, Spribe, RubyPlay and FBM, among others. These partners offer an impressive variety of games that cater to the preferences of the Brazilian public.
Salsa Gator has solidified its position as a leading platform in Brazil and Latin America thanks to its strategic curation of games that prioritise local player preferences. With a single integration, partners gain access to a robust portfolio with support in Brazilian Portuguese, Latin American Spanish, and English.
“Salsa Technology is committed to delivering the best experience for operators and players in Brazil’s regulated market. Our focus on quality, innovation, and localized support positions us at the forefront of this historic moment for Brazil’s iGaming sector,” said Eliane Nunes, Chief Growth Officer at Salsa.
Salsa Technology remains dedicated to transforming the iGaming market with complete, certified solutions tailored to the needs of local audiences.
Zitro, a leading global gaming company, has announced the successful launch of its first Wide Area Progressive (WAP) in Argentina, with over 45 slot cabinets initially installed in five gaming halls located at the Hipódromo de Palermo. The product selected for this project is the successful game “Mighty Hammer Ultimate” on Zitro’s premium cabinet, “Altius Glare.”
This system represents the first WAP in South America. A shared jackpot called “Mega Pozo Mighty Hammer” starts at 50 million Pesos and grows progressively, making it the largest accumulated prize in the region. The official inauguration was held on December 19th during the exclusive “Noche de Palermo” event, including a live performance by the renowned Argentinian band Los Totora.
Company Directors commented: “We are very pleased to introduce Argentina’s first WAP at the Hipódromo de Palermo. This project – for which we partnered with Zitro – reiterates Casino Club’s commitment to innovation, always under the premise of offering our customers an entertainment experience that exceeds all their expectations.”
For her part, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director of Zitro for LatAm, commented: “The launch of our first WAP in Argentina is a very important milestone for Zitro, as it confirms our company as a supplier of machines for WAPs. Attending the inauguration event and seeing firsthand how our products connect with players has been a pleasure, providing a unique and different entertainment experience in the region. Additionally, I want to highlight the excellent marketing surrounding the launch, contributing to its success. Finally, I would like to thank Casino Club for their trust and collaboration, which has allowed us to present this innovative proposal in such a renowned and emblematic place as the Hipódromo de Palermo.”
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, the largest content hub in the iGaming industry, has secured Brazilian certification, becoming one of the first in the market to achieve this milestone.
Regulatory rules for iGaming come into effect in Brazil on 1 January 2025. According to them, platforms, aggregators, sportsbooks, and providers must undergo certification. Companies aiming to provide their services in Brazil in 2025 and beyond have been preparing for this transition throughout the year.
The SOFTSWISS team announces that its Game Aggregator is the first to fully comply with regulations, completing all necessary preparations and receiving the certificate to ensure smooth and efficient operations for its clients.
SOFTSWISS has also obtained certification for integration with the world’s largest game providers – Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Playtech. These providers offer a diverse range of games tailored to suit the preferences of Brazilian players, from immersive live dealer experiences to engaging slots and table games, ensuring entertainment for every type of player.
According to recent Kantar research conducted in November 2024, the overall satisfaction index for the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is 8.1 out of 10. Remarkably, half of the respondents rated the product a 10 or 9. Customer support service satisfaction scored even higher, at 8.4 out of 10.
The Game Aggregator also boasts a key advantage: consistent 99.999% uptime, which is crucial for the iGaming business.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, notes: “According to our information, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is the first aggregator fully prepared, both technically and legally, to work in Brazil when the new regulations take effect. This is a significant achievement that the team has worked on diligently and systematically. Our work doesn’t stop here – we are actively adding new providers to help our clients expand their presence in this promising Brazilian market, which is no longer ‘the sleeping giant’. It has awakened, and SOFTSWISS is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.”
To support this high level of performance, earlier this year SOFTSWISS appointed Rubens Barrichello, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend, as a Non-Executive Director, demonstrating its strong commitment to the local market. To ensure efficient operations and promptly address ongoing matters, SOFTSWISS also has a dedicated team of local business development managers in Brazil.
SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss partnership in Brazil and other markets at the first major iGaming event of 2025 – ICE Barcelona, taking place on 20–22 January, at stand 2G42.
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 23,500 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.
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