Zona de Azar Isle of Man – Interview with Henrique De Simoni (3 Oaks Gaming): The Future of iGaming in Latam

Isle of Man.- 29th October 2024 www.zonadeazar.com In an exclusive conversation, Henrique De Simoni, Account Manager Latam at 3 Oaks Gaming, shares his vision of the iGaming landscape in Latin America. With imminent regulation in Brazil and a constantly evolving market, De Simoni addresses the opportunities and challenges the industry faces.

From the expected growth to the importance of regulatory adaptation, his insights highlight 3 Oaks Gaming‘s commitment to leading innovation and providing exceptional gaming experiences in the region.

• Henrique, thank you for your time. Let’s start by discussing Brazil. What is your perspective on the future of the iGaming market in Brazil, and how do you think it will develop in the coming years?

Thank you very much for the invitation, and it’s always a pleasure to talk about the iGaming ecosystem representing 3 Oaks Gaming.
My perspective is as positive as possible.
The future of the iGaming market in Brazil, with regulation set to take effect in January 2025, will make the country one of the leading global markets for the industry. In the coming years, I believe that by 2030 we will see exponential growth, along with greater professionalization of operators and content providers, as well as significant investments in technology and everything that governs this market.

• January 1, 2025, is a key date for the regulation of gaming in Brazil. What do you think will be the main challenges for the iGaming industry in Brazil at that time, and how is 3 Oaks Gaming preparing to face them?

Undoubtedly, it will be the most anticipated day of the year, and considering it’s just the first day of 2025. It will be a year of much learning and adaptation, and I view the regulation positively.
The regulation will bring new rules that operators and providers must follow rigorously. For many, the adaptation process can be lengthy and require significant investments, which is the main point because those who are already undergoing these procedures will achieve more robust results.
Competition will also be a factor to monitor, as the migration from the gray market to the regulated one will see a consolidation of players across more than 500 betting websites.
Regarding 3 Oaks Gaming‘s preparation, we are fully committed to regulatory compliance and the Brazilian market. We already operate in highly regulated markets like Romania and Colombia, and Brazil will be no different.
We have solid experience adapting our operations according to stringent rules with licenses from IOM and Malta. We will continue to meet our compliance and integrity standards to ensure that all our slots align with Brazil’s new requirements.

• You mentioned that Argentina has a strong heritage of land-based casinos. How do you see the evolution of the iGaming market in Argentina compared to other Latin American countries like Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru? What strategies do you think should be followed for each jurisdiction?
  I’m glad to know that my responses are being viewed in other media within the industry.
  Argentina is an industry that is surprising us!
  Due to the long tradition of land-based casinos across Argentine soil, it has a huge influence on the online market.
  The transition to the online environment in Argentina has already begun, with some provinces regulating the sector.
  In fact, I see Argentina, in the short term, competing for second place in terms of volume with Mexico in the Latin American market.
  Overall, each country presents a different level of regulatory maturity and acceptance of iGaming. Argentina, due to its heritage of physical casinos, can be an interesting bridge to a regulated and robust market, but it will require a regionalized approach and constant state involvement to unify regulation.
  Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru present different challenges, with Peru being a market that has just been regulated.

• We are seeing this happen in Brazil with the federal and state license. Numerous court orders through state licenses are being applied to ensure operator participation. This complicates understanding, and I believe Argentina will go through this as well, as the absence of a federal regulatory body in Argentina has created a fragmented scenario for the development of the iGaming market.
  What needs to be done is to seek transparency and legal security so that players, operators, and providers can understand the market concisely.
  A more cohesive regulatory environment would bring benefits to both operators and players, increasing trust in the market and facilitating the entry of new international players.

• Speaking of regulations, you compared the situation in the U.S. to that of Latin America, mentioning the provincial system. What lessons do you think Latin America can learn from the U.S. regulatory system, and how can these lessons be applied to improve the iGaming environment in the region?
  Latin America can significantly benefit from observing how the U.S. has structured its iGaming regulatory system, being a model to follow!
  In the U.S., the state system creates a local self-regulation model that offers flexibility while maintaining a national coordination that strengthens market integrity and competitiveness.
  I believe that some lessons Latin America can adopt include: standardizing guidelines for the sector, using advanced technology for compliance and monitoring, and strategies to strengthen the legal market and combat illegal activities.
  Adapting these lessons to the Latin American context will help create a more cohesive and sustainable iGaming market, promoting healthy and safe growth for consumers and operators. It’s a challenging path due to cultural differences, but I believe in a scenario where this can happen.

• 3 Oaks Gaming has worked with high-value studios to offer premium iGaming solutions. Could you mention some of the games that have achieved notable success in Latin America and what you think made them stand out in this region?
  Without a doubt, we are a provider of premium slots. Therefore, we focus heavily on providing the best possible experience for the end user and also serving our clients, from operators to aggregators, with excellence.
  Our team has dedicated itself to working with renowned studios to deliver high-quality games that resonate with the Latin American audience. Some of the titles that have achieved notable success include Coin Volcano, 3 Hot Chillies, and the recent release, Amazonia Spirit.
  All three of these games stand out primarily for their visual appeal, culturally relevant themes, and gameplay mechanics that combine entertainment with quick and easy-to-understand rewards. From the visual aspect and understanding cultural issues, it helps us achieve more success with “hot temperature” games, if you catch my drift!

• In terms of innovation and technology, what new trends or advances do you see shaping the iGaming market in Latam, and how is 3 Oaks Gaming adapting to these changes?
  Our company is attentive to the trends of innovation and technology that are shaping the iGaming market in Latin America, focusing on resources that promote player immersion and engagement. One of the main innovations is the adoption of advanced gamification mechanics and our flagship product, “Hold and Win,” which is very popular in the region for offering a dynamic and accessible experience in the palm of your hand, whether on mobile or desktop.
  In terms of technology, 3 Oaks Gaming is implementing AI integrations, primarily to understand gaming patterns worldwide.
  Localization is also fundamental so that we can align expectations with our game team, as we can exchange information about what works in Brazil and what doesn’t work in Romania, for example.

• With the accelerated growth of the market in Latin America, how does 3 Oaks Gaming ensure that it maintains quality and player satisfaction in such a competitive environment?
  As I mentioned earlier, we focus on providing a differentiated gaming experience, with a portfolio that meets local preferences. The company stands out for its focus on content personalization, adjusting games to align with the preferences of Latin American players.
  We are a technology company above all, so we always seek to pay attention to what works within the dynamic iGaming landscape.
  Additionally, at 3 Oaks Gaming, our account management team is extremely professional and high-quality.
  We are always available to clients and friends to respond quickly to regional demands, which strengthens relationships with clients and helps create the necessary trust for everyone to increase their revenues.

• What role do partnerships and strategic collaborations play in the expansion of 3 Oaks Gaming in the region, and how do they influence the offering of products and services?
  Partnerships and strategic collaborations play a fundamental role in the expansion of 3 Oaks Gaming in Latin America, allowing the company to strengthen its presence and offer products and services tailored to local demands. By collaborating with regional operators like RushBet in Colombia, F12 in Brazil, and Lagersoft in Mexico.
  These partnerships help optimize the distribution of games and introduce popular features that increase engagement.
  Furthermore, these collaborations facilitate access to insights on player behavior and regional trends, which helps us remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
  I always say that the secret to this market is creating lasting and genuine partnerships!

• Finally, looking to the future, what are the main goals and expectations of 3 Oaks Gaming for the coming years in Latin America, and how do you plan to achieve them?
  3 Oaks Gaming has ambitious goals for the coming years in Latin America, focusing on expanding its reach in growing markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, and consolidating itself as one of the leading content providers in the region. We are committed to closely monitoring emerging regulations, especially with the opening of the Brazilian market, and quickly adapting our operations to ensure compliance.
  In summary, 3 Oaks’ focus will be to combine innovation, strategic partnerships, and adaptation to local regulations to stand out and grow sustainably in Latin America. Brazilian regulation will be an important milestone for our company, as we strongly believe in this new market and want to be among the top choices for clients and end users.
  We will participate in all the fairs next year, expand our outreach, and increasingly showcase our brand.
  I am confident that 2025 will be a year full of successes and even more positive than 2024 for the entire 3 Oaks team.

Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com