WA.Technology is an industry-leading iGaming service provider, offering scalable and customisable software solutions that enable operators to rapidly enter new markets or enhance their iGaming operations.
Known for their local expertise, they’ve long been a driving force in LatAm markets, and today, we’re joined by their marketing manager for the region, Dr. Renzo Escalante.
Renzo is a marketing maestro and an all-round business mogul. During his two decades in the industry, he’s founded two companies, Play Advisors—a market research iGaming consultancy—and Clases Play— which provides courses and diplomas for the Gambling & iGaming sector. He’s filled senior marketing roles at several prominent gaming enterprises. And more recently, he received an Honorary Doctorate for his contributions to the gambling sector and responsible gaming initiatives.
Read on as Renzo and our Head of Content, Curtis Roach, discuss Brazil, the products behind the region’s iGaming boom, how to add extra value for stakeholders, SBC Lisbon, and everything in between
WA.Technology is renowned for its knowledge of the Brazilian market. What are some of the most significant differences in this market compared to other LatAm countries regarding platform or product requirements?
“We’re proud of our leadership – Brazil is the largest market in LatAm, and we’re excited to see it regulated. Looking at industry figures, data from H2 Gambling Capital estimates the offshore market to have been worth $2.6bn in 2023. This was before the market was regulated. The latest projections for it now reach as high as $4.37bn by 2028.
“There will undoubtedly be disparities compared to, say, Colombia’s regulation, which saw swift implementation via ColJuegos back in 2016. In contrast, the Brazilian market is set to go live by the end of the year, with much of the regulatory environment still to be defined.
“Consequently, operators will have wholly different platform and product requirements regarding both flexibility and knowledge of local regulation rather than being able to deploy off-the-shelf products. Given our local expertise, WA.Technology products will be a major solution to this problem.
“iGaming is an excellent example of how important this flexibility will be. I anticipate we’ll see different verticals approved over time, so operators will need a platform partner that can instantly adapt and evolve as new elements become available. Given our extensive understanding of the market, this is an area where we’ll have an edge over other suppliers.”
Why is Brazil such an important market for WA.Technology? What will be the biggest growth drivers for this market going forward?
“We’re proud to be considered one of LatAm’s most trusted iGaming providers. Brazil’s rapidly expanding population is fast approaching a quarter of a billion people with a huge passion for sport and gaming, which will fuel significant growth.
“In terms of what will make that happen, alongside population, is Brazil’s fast-growing middle class and increasing smartphone and 4G and 5G penetration. The potential is enormous, given the ever-growing population of sports fans, their ever-increasing disposable income and the rate of tech adoption.
“Last but not least, I’ll touch on payments. Pix Payments has been a major catalyst in the market’s transformation, and it will continue to be a driver of growth.
“The introduction of Pix during the pandemic enabled the shift from offline Boleto payments to Pix’s fast, more secure experience online. Pix currently dominates the market, with 4.21bn transactions in 2023 alone, which gives you an idea of the scale we’re dealing with and how much of a growth driver it will continue to be.”
WA.Technology is the main sponsor of a new podcast aimed at the gaming sector. It launched this week, is aimed at the Latin American market and is hosted by you. What are your expectations for the podcast? Where can we listen to it?
“That’s a great question – we’re very excited about it! WA.Technology is always looking to add value to both the market and our customers, so we wanted to do something special that could contribute to the fantastic global gaming community.
“The podcast launched on September 10, and listeners can follow the program by subscribing for free via the new YouTube channel, Gambling Master. We aim to provide real value to all listeners, whether investors, operators, suppliers, or anyone looking to learn more about the continent.
“We’ve got some really special focuses lined up, and the podcast will cover multiple topics, ranging from strategic marketing of various verticals to detailed guides and analysis of individual markets and regulatory environments.
“We’re also prepping a series within the podcast called ‘Gambling Masters,’ which we’re really looking forward to. This series will see us speak with the leading movers and shakers on the continent. We hope that their insights, and indeed success stories, can inspire the audience.”
SBC Summit, one of the biggest gaming shows in the world, will take place in Lisbon for the first time this September. WA.Technology is excited to be exhibiting at this show. What do attendees have to look forward to?
“I’m sure it’s going to be an excellent show. Anyone looking to become the best in their market should stop by our stand, C155!
“Of course, everything is centred around our fully customisable and scalable WA.Platform, which saw some exciting upgrades in 2024. We’ll have a host of demo stations on our stand where visitors can engage with our entire product range, including WA.Fantasy, WA.Sports, WA.Casino, WA.Lottery, and WA.Affiliates.
“On what’s new, we’ll showcase fresh new features for WA.Sports and WA.Fantasy, including our integrated real-time sportsbook bet ticker, which offers some of the most advanced insights and analytics available for live betting markets.
“Operators can also look forward to our new range of fantasy sports experiences, with a revamped user interface and even more advanced customisation options.
“Last but not least, WA.Affiliates will also have plenty to showcase, offering a next-generation iGaming-specific affiliate management product to enhance affiliate engagement.
“Guests can explore its standout features—which we’re excited to showcase. These include a streamlined, intuitive interface, gamification features, real-time optimisation capabilities for immediate adaptability, and integrated user tracking for detailed performance analytics.”
Editor’s Note:
Brimming with expertise, Renzo is clearly at the top of his game, and so is WA.Technology.
According to Renzo, this expertise has allowed the company to sweep pole position and lead the Brazilian market by offering flexible and dynamic solutions that are catered to local regulations and operators – whether you need sports, casino, lottery, fantasy or affiliate management software, they’ve got the whole package, and it’s customisable.
Like most iGaming service providers, WA.Technology is doubling its focus on Brazil due to the abundant opportunities the newly regulated market offers. These include a booming population with a keen passion for sports, an ever-increasing middle class with more disposable income, increasing smartphone and 4G and 5G penetration, and rapidly improving payment infrastructure.
But it’s not all business for Renzo and WA.Technology.
Understanding the larger role the company can play in the regional gambling ecosystem and information dissemination, WA.Technology is strengthening the gaming community through its brand-new podcast, Gambling Master.
Hosted by Renzo, the podcast covers a range of pertinent topics and is a must-listen for regional operators and stakeholders.
