SAGSE Talks inaugurated yesterday its series of talks

Alan Burak, VP in Monografie, and organizer of the event, presented the series of talks, and Pablo Zuppi, Yogonet Director, moderated the webinar. "It is important to remark that it is a proposal open to the public, to face the current situation we are living with the coronavirus pandemic."

The panel discussed the issue of the situation in Argentina, where there are different jurisdictions, since each province has its lottery, which is responsible for the game.

Sebastián Vivot, Manager of Modernization and Information Technologies at the City of Buenos Aires Lottery, said: "In the City Lottery, we have been promoting the project to legalize online gambling since 2018. One month before the pandemic, we opened the process of granting permits. Some companies have advanced in the registration process, but the situation was complicated by the emergence of the pandemic and quarantine. It is our turn without any technological process enabled. "

Besides, Luis Ayestarán, Head of Lotería de Rio Negro, affirmed: "Since 2013 we have the authorization. Basically now this crisis generates opportunities. Beyond the health situation, we are going through a difficult economic situation. Our agencies and casinos are closed and the law does not allow us to market online. That shows that our regulations and systems are archaic, and there are shortcomings in terms of regulation and the market. Today the world is online, therefore, consumer habits have changed, and we must change completely, if not, consumers are going to leave us out of the market. This generates a rethink of the commercial strategies ".

Silvio Vivas, IAFAS Entre Ríos General Manager, affirmed: "Since 2004, 2005 there has been talks at ALEA on the subject of achieving an attractive market where, from joint investments of all lotteries, something unified, of a very federal nature, is achieved. Entre Ríos does not have an attractive market to go off alone. We have had a framework regulation for how online gaming should work for 2 years, and we were close to calling for bids on online gaming. We are analyzing different alternatives to cope with this situation. The economic aspect begins to have more weight, and we are working against the clock both with regard to lotteries and online casinos and in relation to the issue of quarantine. "

Lucas Baffeti, Manager of Lotería de San Luis in Grupo Slots, said: "We have had some queries regarding the operation. Our platform can work with different jurisdictions. Multiple provinces could work there. This greatly reduces costs. "Regarding the type of player, he added:" The online player is different from the traditional player, and that is why we have to speak to them differently. The age range is completely different too. "

Gustavo Cisneros, Director Consulting in Pálpitos 24, Tucumán, assured that they had queries from different jurisdictions. "As the casino and lottery rooms are closed, these queries increase. Today we have our own system, and we are looking at the possibility of offering our software as a service to other jurisdictions."

Besides Matías Vannelli, Comminications and Marketing Manager at Casino Club, talked about how traditional offer and online gaming complement each other. "Casino Club started as an online gaming platform in the province of Santa Cruz in January 2019, which was developed by an Argentine provider. This company historically had brick-and-mortar casinos, and today we have the need to look for this complement, since the client demands alternatives. The situation has brought about a major change, but as game and entertainment providers, we had to find an alternative. The platform grew little by little. Today we have a limitation with respect to the market, which has to do with technological evolution "

Luis Ayestarán then affirmed the need of a total reconversion of the industry in Argentina. "Some provinces are more advanced and others are not. We have to see the cost benefit, and make a large mass of clientele so that it is beneficial for everyone. In the online there is no border that exists in the traditional game. We have to see what type of games we offer, and transform our portals into consumer portals: link a consumer network in the offer of game and entertainment, to attract a new mass of consumers. We must go to that place in a very fast-paced way if we want to continue being in the market".

Both Silvio Vivas and Sebastián Vivot agreed in the importance of a joint work among all the provinces, and in that sense, they valued the work of ALEA, which next July will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Besides, Karen Sierra-Hughes, Latin America and Caribbean Government Relations & Business Development, Gaming Laboratories International, United States, participated from Las Vegas. "The issue has to do with a political decision. Regulators understand that the need to go online is important and urgent. Our responsibility is to make our leaders understand that our industry has the tools to maintain the integrity of the gaming industry. In many countries there are limitations, not only in Argentina. In Panama the same thing happens, for example. "

"This crisis has led us all to see a different reality, not only in the game, but in general (online shopping in all areas). Now the player will have more confidence in entering a totally online world. money laundering or responsible gambling are always questioned. We will work to defend ourselves as an industry. There are tools for control, even more so in a moment entirely online."

Then he added: "Think about what each province will do for you, but take into account that you have to take global business and online gaming models as a reference, and try to implement them."

Finally, Evert Montero Cárdenas, FECOLJUEGOS President, explained several issues regarding the Colombian model "Entrepreneurs have to be more open and see how we contribute; not just wait to see what governments offer us. In Colombia, online gaming is working very well. We believe that the regulator will understand that at this time of crisis it is not a good time to continue providing licenses, but to protect the current ones. With the banking sector we have the same problems as in Argentina. The gaming sector is very well regulated and in Colombia it complies with all national and international regulations.

Finally, he called on the sector: "We must contribute to the reputational issue, and work together to demonstrate the economic benefits that the sector generates. We are looking at the Fintech companies, looking for new alternatives, since the banking sector is turning its back on us. I invite the sector to reflect together. Those who do not operate legally in one country should not legally operate in other countries, as that does not help the industry. It is unfair competition. "