The conference focused on Brazil, which has emerged as one of the most discussed topics at this event and across the gaming industry. With the country’s regulated online sports betting market set to launch next year, projections estimate an annual revenue of five billion dollars within the first five years. 

First, Fellipe Fraga, Chief Business Officer of EstrelaBet, and Guilherme Busso, VP of Brazil at Genius Sports, were presented to introduce their newly signed streaming partnership. Genius Sports will provide Estrela Bet with official data and low-latency live streams from premium international and Brazilian sports competitions.

Guilherme Busso took the floor first, providing insight into the company’s unique positioning within the industry: “I like to always compare Genius Sports as being in the middle of sports and sportsbooks. We collect data directly from the field and transform that into sportsbook odds. Our focus is heavily on the sports side of the business, building strong relationships with sports organizations globally, such as the NFL, the Premier League, and the Brasileirao, which is the Brazilian football championship. We also work closely with the AFA in Argentina and several others," explained Busso.

He went on to highlight Genius Sports' commitment to maintaining sports integrity: “We’ve been running numerous integrity workshops for federations, leagues, and clubs in Brazil, especially after dealing with some issues in Brazilian football. Integrity is key to ensuring a healthy ecosystem in the sports industry,” he added.

Next, Felipe Fraga introduced EstrelaBet and its leading role in Brazil’s sports betting market: “EstrelaBet is proud to be one of the biggest sportsbook operators in Brazil. We’re currently among the top three to five operators in the market, and like many others, we are eagerly awaiting the upcoming regulation," Fraga shared.

He emphasized EstrelaBet’s long-standing efforts to push for regulation and expressed excitement about the future of Brazil’s sports betting industry: “We’ve been fighting for this regulation for years, and now, with 220 million people in Brazil, the impact of this change will be enormous, not just for us but for the industry as a whole. We’re excited about what’s to come and how this will shape the market,” Fraga continued.

Fraga also spoke highly of the newly announced partnership with Genius Sports: “We’re especially excited about our partnership with Genius Sports, a company we trust deeply. They’re helping lead the movement between sports and betting. And, as Guilherme mentioned, integrity is crucial for both Estrela Bet and the industry as a whole," he concluded.

Following this, Guilherme Busso posed a question to Fellipe Fraga regarding the upcoming regulation in Brazil, set to begin on January 1st: 

“How do you feel about this new era for Brazil’s betting market?”

Fraga responded confidently, acknowledging the challenges but expressing optimism: "It’s a completely new scenario for us, but we’re ready. Brazil is unique, and many foreign companies struggle to adapt. However, we understand the culture and how to operate here. This regulation brings clarity and safety for customers, ensuring responsible practices. We're excited to move forward, offering more entertainment options, like betting and streaming, especially with Genius Sports’ technology, The Vision. Despite some concerns from other sectors, we’re focused on improving entertainment in Brazil."

Furthermore, Guilherme Busso highlighted the importance of responsible gaming and integrity, sharing how Genius first entered Brazil to tackle issues like match-fixing. He noted that they recently held a workshop in São Paulo with sports federations, leagues, clubs, and sportsbooks to address these concerns, emphasizing that match-fixing impacts the entire industry.

Fellipe Fraga responded: "For us, integrity is essential because we love sports. We sponsor seven football clubs, as well as teams in volleyball and basketball, and work hard to improve sports in Brazil. Betting relies on the unpredictable nature of the game, and it’s crucial to keep it clean. We’ve been affected by match-fixing but work closely with Genius Sports to share information and reduce risks. Their program has helped us cut alerts by 70% in Brazil, which is vital given the vast number of official games across four football divisions and state championships. Keeping integrity in check is a priority for us all."

Lastly, Guilherme Busso asked, "What’s next for Brazil? What can we expect next year?"

Fraga replied: “With regulations coming, it’ll be a new world. Technology is advancing quickly, and people are more engaged. We’re focusing on improving  the betting experience with streaming, stats, and live betting all in one place. Next year, sportsbooks will grow, and people will better understand betting beyond just predicting winners. We’re excited to see the evolution and invite everyone to experience it in Brazil."

Then the Moderator took the word and asked: How important is local knowledge for success in Brazil, given its cultural and linguistic diversity?

Guilherme Busso: Language is a major barrier. While Brazil speaks Portuguese, many assume English is common, but that's not always true, especially in business contexts. And even within Portuguese, there are regional differences that impact communication and marketing.

Fellipe Fraga: Exactly. Brazil is a continental country, with each region having its own unique culture. For example, Minas Gerais is different from São Paulo in many ways, from lifestyle to how people engage with sports and betting. Understanding these regional differences is crucial for any business strategy, whether you're a local or international operator.

Before finishing the conference, it was the time for audience questions: How are you working with sports authorities to protect sports integrity as the market grows?

Guilherme Busso explained that there are three key factors:

1. Technology – We monitor bets globally and share information across sportsbooks.
2. Education – It's crucial to teach athletes about betting markets, so they understand how their actions, like receiving a card or assists, impact bets.
3. Policies – We help sports organizations create policies to respond quickly to match-fixing incidents, including player bans and fines.

Fellipe Fraga agreed with this.

The final Question from the Audience: We've discussed that Brazil has some very unique market conditions. Given that Genius is an international company active in various markets, how have you tailored your strategy for Brazil to meet these conditions?

Guilherme Busso: This realization started a few years ago. We understood that Brazil is distinct from the rest of Latin America. While Genius operates in both regions, we’ve segregated our strategies because Brazil speaks Portuguese, not Spanish. The multicultural and continental nature of the country also necessitated different approaches. We have dedicated teams for each region, which has helped us engage with local sports stakeholders effectively.

Fellipe added to end a noteworthy geographic detail: the distance between Brazil's eastern and western points is greater than the distance from Brazil to Africa.