SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Peter Nolte, Chief Executive of Patagonia Entertainment, has told SBCNoticias that the bespoke supplier of industry B2B systems and platforms will move to significantly expand its operations in Peru, meeting increased LatAm wagering demands.
Expanding its operational capacity beyond its home market of Uruguay, “Patagonia will open an office in Peru during the first quarter of 2020,” he detailed, following a ‘year of record LatAm integrations’ for Patagonia services.
“Currently, we are present in all regulated markets in Latin America, with teams in Uruguay, Brazil and Mexico,” Nolte added. “We will also open an office in Peru in the first quarter of next year. We know that having a true understanding of the market requires commitment, and we insist on having a presence on the ground, establishing offices in each country of interest.”
Further to establishing a working presence in Peru, Nolte underlines that Patagonia will prioritise obtaining a much sought after ‘technology certification’ to operate system provisions within the Brazil’s anticipated regulated sports betting marketplace – a market being monitored by all major enterprises.
He continued: “One of the objectives for 2020 is to achieve the certification of our platform in Brazil. Once this process is completed, we will implement 20 localized games that we will incorporate to ensure we maintain our leading position in the region.”
Patagonia closes a successful 2019, in which the company secured its biggest contract to date by becoming the lead omni-channel systems supplier to legacy South American online gambling operator BetMotion.
Having witnessed positive market developments across South America during 2019, Nolte is confident of the prospects of further regulatory progress.
He said: “It all started with Colombia, now Brazil is the focus of attention with a sports betting law that will regulate the activity in the coming months. Many other countries will do the same, once the solid framework for this is established.
Nolte spoke to SBCNoticias as European incumbents eye new market opportunities, which may see the industry M&A agenda move towards South American shores.
“Our entire industry is consolidating and will not be different in Latin America, especially if we consider the largest operators looking for new markets to expand,” he concluded. “Working with a local partner is the best strategy to unlock the benefits that Latin America has.”
