Between April and June, the Latin American industry featured different initiatives developed further in the following quarters. These projects represented a before and after in some jurisdictions, such as Peru, or major setbacks like in Chile and Argentina. In this second year-end review, SBC Americas revisits the most important news from the Latin American industry in the second quarter of the year.
Peru sets its sights on online gambling
In mid-Q2, the Finance Committee of the Peruvian Congress unanimously approved a project that allowed the country to access a regulated online betting market, while also increasing annual contributions to local sports leagues. Fortunately, Peru continued to write the chapters of this story in the following months.
Chile rejects sponsorships
In a major setback for the industry and for sports in Chile, different representatives presented a project to the Sports Commission of the Chamber of Deputies aiming to ban sportsbook sponsorships at sports events and with teams. Despite not being a measure with popular support, it gained strength over the months, reaching a resolution in the last quarter of the year.
Historical shareholder structure change for Grupo Boldt
After decades as President of the Argentina gaming giant Grupo Boldt, Antonio Ángel Tabanelli stepped aside, leaving his children Rosana Beatriz Martina Tabanelli and Antonio Eduardo Tabanelli as the main shareholders of the company. Rosana is currently the Director and majority shareholder of the company. In addition to also being the main shareholder, Antonio Eduardo serves as VP.
IGT leaves Baloto after 20 years
At the beginning of May, the Colombian regulator Coljuegos concluded the bidding process for the Baloto, resulting in Promesa de Sociedad Futura Operador Nacional de Juegos S.A.S. as the winning company. This partnership replaced IGT, which had been in charge of this popular game since its launch in 2001. The only interested parties were the two aforementioned companies, despite the fact that just in the first quarter, the game contributed over $3.5m to the state.
Ecuador National Lottery unveils its online platform
The Loteria Nacional de Ecuador presented its new platform and app for BET593, its sports betting operator. As a response to a growing demand for entertainment at the local level, the platform began its operations with over 1,500 sporting events, both local and international.
Argentina’s soccer gets closer to betting
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) continued to make headlines in the second quarter as it named BetWarrior as the official sponsor of the national teams, the Argentina Cup, and the local league, in a ‘ground-breaking deal’. The two sides activated the partnership right before the Finalissima played against Italy in London on June 1, which allowed the South American side to lift another international trophy.
Buenos Aires backtracks on debit card gaming hall use
Although the regulator of the Province of Buenos Aires had approved the use of debit cards in gaming halls, it was forced to void the resolution after multiple concerns surrounding problem gambling in Argentina’s biggest jurisdiction. The measure wasn’t brought up for discussion again in 2022, and only cash is allowed in the rooms.
Waldir Eustáquio Jr joins the SECAP board
After the departure of Gustavo Guimarães and after fulfilling several roles in the industry, Waldir Eustáquio Marques Júnior was introduced as the new board member of the Secretariat of Evaluation, Planning, Energy, and Lottery (SECAP) of the Brazilian Ministry of Economy, which supervises the sports betting regulation. The seasoned official would once again be mentioned in 2022, as he joined Loterias Caixa as General Manager in late October.
