The webinar on the regulation of online gaming in Brazil was attended by leading experts in the sector. Carlos Contreras, from México. From Argentina, Teresita Benítez shared her vision on the challenges and technological risks in the market. Esmeralda Brighton, from Costa Rica, provided her perspective on best practices and constant innovation in the industry. Carlos Sanz from Mexico analysed the interaction between traditional and digital customers in the context of lotteries. Alexandre Tauszig, commercial director of NGX, was present as guest speaker at the webinar, to talk about Brasilian regulation and as moderator Rodrigo Sigluti, executive director at cibelae, from Buenos Aires, who guided the talk on regulation in the region.  

Esmeralda, President of the Social Protection Board of Costa Rica and Vice-President of Cibelae, opened the debate by addressing the changes in the Board's business model. She explained that digitalisation has been key to expanding markets and offering products through its web platform, highlighting that ‘the online electronic lottery has been a success that allows us to cover segments that we did not reach before’.

Esmeralda also underlined that, after taking over the management of outlets directly, the board faced an intensive learning curve. ‘The change was difficult because we went from depending on a third party to managing ourselves. However, we have made significant progress, such as the implementation of player identification to reinforce responsible gambling and combat illegal sales,’ he said.

Teresita, head of Cibelae's Technology Commission, highlighted that technological advances, such as cloud computing and the democratisation of digital services, offer great opportunities for lotteries. However, he stressed the need for strong regulations that address information security and omni-channel integration. ‘The convergence of physical and digital platforms is imperative to provide a seamless player experience. This requires unified databases, responsive applications and clear standards from a regulatory point of view,’ he added.

Carlos Alberto, Project Coordinator for LatAm of Skilrock Technologies in Mexico, applied to lotteries, praised the process led by Esmeralda, noting that ‘moving towards self-management and technological modernisation requires comprehensive solutions, from security to hybrid platforms that combine the physical and digital’. He also emphasised the importance of facilitating the player experience, allowing for agile transactions and immediate rewards.

Carlos Sanz, a specialist in the Mexican market, offered a perspective from the private sector. He highlighted that digitalisation has allowed lotteries to diversify their offerings and reach new audiences, although they also face regulatory challenges that require greater flexibility to adapt to market demands. ‘Mexico needs to advance in a legislation that not only contemplates the physical, but also integrates the digital dimension, respecting the principles of responsible gaming and consumer protection,’ he said.

Alexandre director comercial referred to the Brazilian regulatory framework, specifying that it will come into force on 1 January 2025. During the session, topics such as the new requirements for operators, the impact of the Pix payment system and the challenges associated with responsible gaming and cybersecurity were discussed.

He also explained that, unlike in other jurisdictions, ‘in Brazil, everything that is considered online gambling, including sports betting, falls under the category of lottery mode. But we cannot use the term casino because it is not yet allowed in the country. He also mentioned that, as of 1 October, offshore operators are no longer allowed to offer services in Brazil, except for those that have complied with the necessary regulatory process starting from 1 January 2025.
The topic of the Pix payment system generated a lot of interest, especially because of its role in the fight against illegal gambling. Alexandre emphasised that ‘Pix will be a key barrier against illegal gambling. All transactions are connected to the CPF, the equivalent of the tax identification number in Brazil, which facilitates a thorough control by the government’. He also stressed that, because of this direct connection, ‘banks will not process payments for unregulated operators’. This, he said, will significantly reduce illicit activities in the sector.

The moderator, Rodrigo, introduced a key question on the attractiveness of the formal market for operators. He mentioned that sometimes ‘over-regulation can encourage the underground and illegal market rather than the formal market’. To this, Alexandre responded firmly: ‘The regulated market offers clear advantages, such as the security of payments and the possibility of declaring revenues without complications. This especially attracts responsible players.

Teresita, expanded the discussion by highlighting the technological risks inherent in the expansion of online gambling. ‘We cannot look the other way. It is crucial to invest in cybersecurity measures, especially in mobile channels,’ she said. She also highlighted the need to adopt international standards, such as ISO 27001, to protect information and combat fraud. According to her, ‘cybersecurity is as important as regulation itself, as fraud and cybercrime are major problems’.

On the other hand, Carlos Sanz, shared his perspective on the interaction between traditional and digital models. According to him, ‘the trend is towards a hybrid integration that allows players to easily access both physical and online services’. This approach, he explained, is key to attracting a younger audience, who are looking for immediacy and accessible platforms.

The closing of the webinar was marked by reflections on the future of gaming. Esmeralda stressed the importance of constant innovation, without losing sight of the social impact of the sector. ‘All lotteries have a social purpose: to generate resources for those who need it most. This obliges us to continuously improve and promote responsible gaming,’ she concluded.

Carlos Alberto's closing remarks summed up one of the main challenges of the market: the acquisition of new audiences. ‘Young audiences are looking for immediacy, hybrid platforms and easy-to-use payment gateways. Adapting to these needs is essential to ensure the growth of the sector,’ he said.

This event made it clear that Brazil, with its robust regulation and focus on technology, is emerging as a benchmark in the online gaming industry. However, the challenges associated with regulatory compliance, innovation and data protection will be critical to the success of this emerging market.