Zona de Azar Argentina – Exclusive Interview with Juan Pablo Córdoba López, Founding Partner at Neko Games**

Argentina.- February 19th 2025 www.zonadeazar.com In an exclusive interview, Juan Pablo Córdoba López, Founding Partner and Product Director of Neko Games, analyzes the main challenges and lessons learned in the certification process for the Brazilian market, as well as the strategies that the company has developed to differentiate itself in a highly competitive environment. In addition, he shares his vision on the evolution of Instant Bingo and the trends that will define the future of the sector.

With a strong tradition in Video Bingo and a gaming ecosystem in full transformation, Brazil has become a strategic territory for developers and operators. Neko Games has opted for innovation and the adaptation of its products to connect with the Brazilian public, offering titles specifically designed to respond to the preferences of the local player and the needs of the operator.

In this conversation, Córdoba López details how the company has managed to position itself in a growing market, the impact of streamers in the adoption of new games and the importance of events such as EGR Buenos Aires for the strengthening of commercial relationships and the consolidation of its brand in the region.

Brazil as a key market: What were the main challenges and lessons learned in the certification process for the Brazilian market?

At Neko Games we develop games with a special focus on the Brazilian market, considering its affinity for Bingo and other similar formats in the region. Therefore, the certification process for Brazil was key for us and presented several challenges, mainly in the adaptation of our games to the regulatory and technical requirements of the market. It was fundamental to ensure that each title complied with the required standards without compromising the essence of the gaming experience.
Another great challenge was to communicate to new operators, who began operations this year or who are still unfamiliar with the category, the competitive advantages of our games, especially those that are most successful and in demand. To do so, we worked on effective communication strategies that highlight the alignment of our games with the preferences of the Brazilian public, explaining how they add value to both players and operators.

Regional Strategy: How does Neko Games plan to differentiate itself in Brazil against local and international competition?

Our competitive advantage in Brazil lies in our experience both in game development and in our deep understanding of the needs of operators and players in Latin America.
We differentiate ourselves through the development of Instant Bingos, a category that has gained relevance among operators, as it drives player acquisition, retention and value maximization. Achieving this with a single product is a challenge, but when successfully accomplished, these games become key pieces in operators’ strategic portfolio planning.
For players, Neko’s Instant Bingos offer an entertainment experience with familiar mechanics, similar to traditional bingo, but with key innovations, such as extra balls, enhanced graphics and features highly demanded by target profiles. These additions amplify entertainment and engagement opportunities, strengthening the attractiveness of our games in Brazil.

Adapted games: What specific features have you implemented in your games to attract the Brazilian public?

Brazil has a strong gaming tradition linked to Video Bingo, so we design our games with both players and operators in mind, prioritizing their needs and preferences.
We have developed titles inspired by successful classics of the Brazilian market, making sure they evoke nostalgia and familiarity to strengthen the connection with the local audience. At the same time, we introduced innovative concepts that have been quickly adopted and today stand out as favorites within the category. In addition, we incorporate Portuguese names and themes based on key local festivities.
Overall, our focus is on modernizing Video Bingo, creating a new category of games that appeals to new generations by combining traditional mechanics with innovations that enrich the gaming experience. This not only increases player preference, but also translates into excellent results for operators.

Influence of streamers: How has the support of influencers and streamers impacted the adoption of your games?

The impact of streamers on the gaming industry is significant, but must be approached responsibly due to the large supply of content available. At Neko Games we believe in authenticity and in the value of the opinion of referrers who generate content organically, without misleading advertising or practices that may go against Responsible Gaming policies.
It is crucial to ensure that any content related to our games is not directed at minors and complies with current regulations. We have seen cases where streamers have shared genuine experiences with our games, which reinforces credibility and community interest without the need for invasive marketing strategies.

Global expansion: What other emerging markets are on your radar after Brazil?

In addition to Brazil, we have been able to expand our presence in regions where the category was not originally known, but which are now closely following our new launches. Recently, we added the Netherlands to our distribution, thus strengthening our presence in Europe. We are closely following regulatory developments in different territories to identify new expansion opportunities and bring our games to more players around the world.

Industry trends: What bingo and casino gaming trends do you think will dominate 2025?

The casino industry continues to evolve around the three key needs of operators: acquisition, retention and maximizing player value.
One trend that continues to gain traction is the localization of content and functionality to suit different audiences. At Neko Games we have been pioneers in integrating these customizations into Video Bingos, and this philosophy is a core aspect of our studio. Understanding the customer in detail – both operators and players – and responding to their needs and expectations is key to success.
We also see a growing demand for innovations in game mechanics, achieving mergers between different categories and hybrid products. An example of this was the launch of the first Video Bingo with Link&Win, one of the most successful features in the slots world, which combined traditional elements with new dynamics to increase interaction and engagement.

Game innovation: Do you plan to introduce new mechanics or formats in your next releases?

Innovation is the driving force of Neko Games. We are already developing new mechanics in Instant Bingo and Video Bingo, expanding the entertainment possibilities in these categories.
We were the first to introduce the Link&Win feature in Video Bingos, a highly successful slot game mechanic, and we continue to explore ways to incorporate the best features from other game categories.
Our goal is to continue to push the boundaries of Video Bingo and Instant Bingo, creating more dynamic and engaging experiences for players.

Events and networking: What impact have events like EGR Buenos Aires had on the growth and positioning of Neko Games?

Events are key tools for our communication strategy, promotion and positioning in the industry.
There are massive events where networking is the main advantage, allowing us to interact with key players in the industry and strengthen business relationships. We also participate in more specialized events, such as EGR Buenos Aires, which allow us to hold more focused meetings with local operators.

These types of meetings give us the opportunity to showcase our latest innovations, obtain real-time feedback and reinforce our presence in strategic markets.

Relationship with operators: What feedback have you received from operators and how does it influence your product development?

Operator feedback is essential for the evolution of our products. Through events and strategic meetings, we obtain valuable information on market needs and adjust our roadmap accordingly.
Operators highlight the positive impact of our games on player retention and value maximization. They also value the innovations we have introduced, such as Free Spins and Link&Win for the first time in a Bingo game, which have been key to improving the gaming experience and commercial performance.
This feedback helps us to continue fine-tuning our strategies and developing games that truly generate value for both operators and players.

Future vision: How do you envision the future of instant bingo and what will be the role of Neko Games in its evolution?

Since its inception, Neko Games set out to revitalize Video Bingo in the online world, transforming a stagnant category through innovations that have been recognized by both players and the industry.
Today, our Video Bingos have evolved from being a niche and regional product to become Instant Bingos with global demand. We believe that the future of these categories lies in their constant evolution through new mechanics and functionalities, and at Neko Games we are committed to continue leading this transformation.

Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com