International gaming fair Peru Gaming Show (PGS) is returning for its 19th edition on June 15-16, at Lima’s Jockey Club del Perú. The event is set to carry out an exclusive selection of themes and speakers with the intention of transmitting real experiences and the knowledge gathered throughout the years.
Sportsbook and casino platform provider Digitain will attend the event and exhibit its products at stand #60. Ahead of the show, Yogonet had the opportunity to speak with the company’s Senior Sales Manager, Gevorg Rushanyan and Sales Team Manager, Hamest Safaryan, who shared the company’s plans and expectations for the show. They further spoke of the company’s expansion plans for the region stating that the company aims to spread its sportsbook platform and turnkey solutions in Peru, Chile and Argentina. The company also plans to expand its presence into Brazil once the market is regulated.
What will be the main novelties, products, and services that Digitain will present and focus on at Peru Gaming Show this year?
Gevorg Rushanyan: Digitain is more prepared for this PGS 2022 than ever. We will be exhibiting at booth #60 where guests will have the opportunity to interact in real time with products such as our Award-winning Sportsbook, self-service terminals the cashiers, and our new innovative virtual games. It is also worth mentioning that we are 100% fit with the Peruvian market, whether in the localized platforms for retail and online as local payment methods and more.
Which are the company’s key goals and expectations for the event? How have you crafted your tradeshow strategy in order to meet the demands of these particular and diverse Latam markets that will be represented in Peru?
Hamest Safaryan: I would define the goals and expectations in 2 directions: In developing relations with existing Latin-American partners as we have many over the region in Peru, Chile, and Argentina, and in new networking opportunities to deliver our wide solutions to new prospects. We mostly aim to spread our Sportsbook and platform turnkey solution in these markets. We see the Latam market as one of our target markets with huge potential in it and PGS is a very good opportunity to achieve this goal.
How do you plan to capitalize on the presence of key regional regulators and trade bodies? Do you plan to participate in any educational activities?
Gevorg Rushanyan: The interaction with the regulatory bodies is fundamental since they direct the operating law. As a company, we procure to have on our agendas participation in panel programs organized by exhibitions, where we have the opportunity to make our qualities and advantages better known. We consider this a perfect opportunity to interact with members of regulatory organizations in order to strengthen our connections.
Latin American regulations are growing at great speed. Peru is currently discussing new legislation that would include a specific tax on online sports betting and gaming, and Chile’s lawmakers have started discussions on online sports betting regulation as well. What is Digitain’s approach to those two cases in particular? What impact do you expect this regulatory momentum will have in your business areas and the gaming industry in general? What further growth potential does the company foresee there?
Gevorg Rushanyan: Digitain has always been in favor of markets being regulated, which is why we are at the forefront with our GLI and BMM certified Sportsbook and Gaming Platform. Our expectations are to build alliances with the leading operators of the aforementioned countries, just as we have been doing in various other regions.
What is the company’s approach/expectation in the midst of imminent sports betting regulations in Brazil, and an eventual opening of the broad gambling market? Which other key LatAm markets are you focusing on this year?
Hamest Safaryan: We see Brazil as one of our strategic destinations in the Latin American market even with regulations coming to Brazil. There will certainly be changes in the expectations and strategies of potential operators targeting this market and these changes will affect our approach as well mostly in meeting the market requirements. However, we see this as an opportunity and a challenge to improve the product. With regulations coming to Brazil there will be time taking difficulties for both operators and providers, but the potential that this market has will compensate for the efforts so the market will organically be filtered, and the quality of market players will be solid in long term.
During a previous interview, Simon Westbury, the company’s Chief Business Officer, said that the company was looking to hire a specialist virtual sports sales team. Could you share some updates on this matter? What would you say are the main requirements or qualifications the company is looking to find, and how will this boost your business capabilities?
Hamest Safaryan: I think Simon is well known in the industry for having high standards and is demanding in everything he does. I know Simon from his previous work in virtual sports has a good understanding of the vertical and has some very definite requirements for the Virtual Sports Team. I cannot give too much away, but I know that interviews are taking place and that Simon is excited about some of the candidates that he is speaking to.
In terms of requirements, it is clear to us that we need people with experience and knowledge of the virtual sports vertical, not just in terms of sales but also in product development. So, I think it is safe to say that we will be looking to hire the best of the best in the virtual sports vertical.
Regarding Business Capabilities, I think we have seen at ICE with our product launches, Centrivo, Payment Gateway, Live Dealer, and Virtual Sports, Digitain as a company is on an aggressive growth trajectory, and the more market defining products we have, the more the opportunities there are for us to grow. Virtual Sports as a new business direction for us allows growth in terms of product, revenue, and geography.
