Brazil
Where does the Sport of Kings fit into the Brazilian market?
With a regulated Brazil now in sight, Richard Duncan, Head of Business Development at racing odds and data provider PA Betting Services, assesses the potential for the sport to become a key product in this emerging market
With the last few months having seen Brazil’s sports betting bill clear all the hurdles needed to finally be signed into law, many in the sports betting world have understandably taken a keen interest in the possibilities offered by South America’s largest country.
The home of footballing greats Pelé and Ronaldo and boasting more World Cup titles than any other country, Brazil’s passion for and the resulting potential of football betting is clear. There are a number of parallels to be drawn between a market such as the UK and Brazil when it comes to football. For one thing, the similar level of devotion among the fan base looks set to ensure that football will easily remain the biggest betting turnover generator in Brazil, as it is in the UK.
What’s less clear is how likely racing is to come anywhere near the second place it holds in the UK market, where it accounted for 36% of remote betting turnover in the last set of official Gambling Commission statistics. However, there are a number of comparisons that can be made between the UK and Brazil when it comes to racing. For example, there’s a hardcore fraternity of racing fans and many more casual racegoers, those who are likely to view a day at the races as much in terms of the experience as the opportunity to have a flutter. Not to mention that Brazil boasts the third-largest horse population globally. The thoroughbred industry has been growing steadily since the 1990s, with notable group one winners such as Siphon, Sandpit and, more recently, Bal a Bali elevating the breed’s prominence.
But there’s a huge difference in the local availability of racing. While Brazil’s enormous size makes it the fifth largest country in the world and its population of more than 215 million makes it the seventh most populated, it has just four racetracks, albeit these are well-attended on race days. The UK, ranked 80th by land area and 21st by population, meanwhile, is home to 59 racecourses.
This disparity goes some way to explaining why football is taking the lion’s share of sports betting turnover in Brazil despite currently being unregulated, while racing takes a fraction of this even though it’s been legal for many years.
Online operators could be doing more to cash in on local racing than they currently are. The key to making the most of the Brazilian opportunity is educating the local population on the benefits of betting opportunities that the sheer volume of international races affords and cross-selling this to keen sports bettors.
Filling the gaps
Because while football is unlikely to lose its crown as the most popular sport among Brazilian bettors, the problem with football, NFL, basketball, MMA, golf, tennis and everything else, is that there are so many gaps in the schedule. And once the significant licence fees outlined in the new law have been paid, both local and foreign operators are likely going to need to optimise their product with as little downtime as possible in order to justify their investment.
Racing has the edge over all other sports because on a global basis there exists a full calendar where there is always something to bet on.
In the UK and Ireland we’ve already seen this approach used to great effect with the relatively recent introductions of North American, French, South African, Australian and Asian racing for domestic audiences. This secondary content does well as it lands in either prime leisure hours or is filler at weekends or for poor weather conditions. The increasing globalisation of racing was, in fact, one of the key reasons for our acquisition of Asian racing data provider iRace Media in the second half of last year.
In this respect, foreign operators, some of which have established a foothold in Brazil prior to a regulatory regime and are savvy with this approach used in established markets, may have an edge over others, simply because they’re experienced with the product.
Brazil is likely to be the same as any other fledgling market in the sense that if a company has just started offering a legal gambling product, they are likely going to have greater comfort in offering products to bet on that they are familiar with.
Mitigating the risk
In conversations our team has had with operators in emerging markets such as Brazil, Latam and Africa, the racing knowledge gap is an issue that’s come up repeatedly. They could easily integrate with a data provider such as ourselves from a technical perspective, but they may not fully understand the data they are looking at and some worry this leaves them overexposed.
There are a number of things that make racing more challenging than other sports to trade. For a start, the vernacular used in racing is not something that everyone understands if they’ve not been exposed to it before. In addition, a lot of operators fear racing because while they believe it can make them good money, they know there are people out there, professional punters and big racing syndicates, that know more about racing than their own traders.
This view is not unique to Brazil or even new markets, it’s something we also hear in our core markets and it possibly goes some way to explaining why new operators sometimes take every sport on offer before they get to racing. But inevitably, most take racing at some point because the volume on offer is too great to ignore. However, one recent shift worth mentioning is that more operators new to racing are opting for a platform partner or pricing partner to avoid being exposed to risks they aren’t comfortable with.
This is something that may be even more attractive to operators in emerging markets like Brazil given their lack of experience with global fixed odds racing to date. One thing that may work in their favour is that the country’s bettors would also appear to lack the maturity shown in established markets when it comes to the type of bets they are placing.
For instance, virtually all of the bets taken on football in Brazil are multis, which are bad for punters but which operators love as they are high margin and low risk. A diverse racing portfolio similarly has the potential to deliver high margins for operators and keep players engaged year-round, meaning the product could be just as successful in Brazil as it is in many more established markets.
Richard Duncan is Head of Business Development at PA Betting Services. He has been with parent company PA Media Group since 2002, with the bulk of his career having been spent working in its racing team.
Better Collective
Network Gaming partners with Better Collective to launch pioneering gaming ecosystem
Network Gaming and BolaVIP launch groundbreaking mobile gaming platform, Ligavip, for Brazilian sports fans
Network Gaming, the next-generation sports games studio, has announced the launch of its mobile-first gaming platform in partnership with Bolavip, one of Brazil’s largest sports media brands and part of the global sports media group Better Collective.
This launch marks a bold step into new territory for Network Gaming — entering the Brazilian market for the first time, and doing so on a mainstream stage that reaches millions of passionate fans. The collaboration sets the scene for a new category of mobile sports games, built for mass appeal and designed to deepen engagement across Bolavip’s vast audience.
Timed to coincide with the start of the main football championship in Brazil, the debut of the Ligavip platform delivered standout early results, including a 15% conversion rate from unique visitors to registered users in its opening weekend.
Unlike traditional models, Ligavip is not tethered to betting. Instead, it opens up an innovative source of new revenues for Better Collective by offering free-to-play games powered by branded prizes, such as shopping vouchers from one of the country’s top sports retailers, awarded to the best performers in Ligavip challenges. Players can compete for rewards, challenge their friends for bragging rights, and monitor their performance on live leaderboards in a community-first environment.
“We’re stepping onto a new stage — launching in Brazil, partnering with one of the most influential sports media groups in the world, certainly in terms of incoming traffic to its assets, and thereby pushing our platform into the mainstream,” said Harry Collins, CEO of Network Gaming. “This is a defining moment for us. It’s not just about great gameplay; it’s about creating sustainable entertainment ecosystems built around loyalty, fun, and fan connection.”
The launch also signals a new phase of development for Network Gaming’s broader platform ambitions. With Ligavip, the company will now be building out advanced meta mechanics — systems layered on top of gameplay such as daily rewards, progression loops, and upgrades — designed to boost long-term retention. Combined with powerful social features like leaderboards, invite-a-friend mechanics, and community leagues, these systems turn simple games into sticky, social experiences.
Tomás Vaz de Carvalho, COO South America at Better Collective, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Network Gaming to bring a new kind of interactive sports experience to Brazil. This is about engaging fans in a fresh, rewarding way — and opening up new commercial avenues that align with global digital trends. Gaming is now a key pillar in many media strategies, and this partnership puts us right at the forefront.”
As traditional media looks for new ways to engage and monetise its audience, initiatives like Ligavip are becoming a strategic pillar. (The New York Times now generates more revenue from its games portfolio than its core news content.) This collaboration allows Better Collective and Network Gaming to stay ahead of the curve — creating experiences that are fun, valuable, and aligned with global digital entertainment trends.
The post Network Gaming partners with Better Collective to launch pioneering gaming ecosystem appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
SOFTSWISS and Rubens Barrichello are launching an exclusive collaboration with the iconic motorsport brand Sparco. The limited-edition collection was revealed at the SiGMA Americas Summit in São Paulo.
Founded in 1977, Sparco aimed to bring more safety and fashion to motorsport. Over the decades, the brand has become synonymous with high-quality racing gear, reflecting its commitment to technology, innovation, and style. Today, Sparco is a globally recognised leader in motorsport apparel and equipment, trusted by professional drivers and racing enthusiasts.
Inspired by Rubens Barrichello’s remarkable racing career, the new Sparco casual-style collection brings together the worlds of motorsport and technology. It is a reminder that real success, whether on a race circuit or in the office, starts with daring to push beyond the limits.
Rubens Barrichello, Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, commented: “Sparco was with me at every turn. It’s not just a logo – it’s a symbol of reliability proven by speed. I’m proud to be working with the brand that supported me throughout my career – now in a new format”.
One standout feature of the collection is the number 111. It is instantly recognisable to Barrichello’s fans, as he celebrated numerous racing victories with it on board. Alongside this numeric design element, every item also features Rubens’ personal autograph.
The Office of Sparco Brazil commented: “In Brazil, motorsport isn’t just a sport – it’s part of our cultural DNA. Having a driver like Rubens Barrichello is a point of national pride. This collaboration is our way of capturing the energy that lives on the racetracks of São Paulo. It’s a story of speed, pride, and a uniquely Brazilian spirit”.
Visitors can book a meeting with the SOFTSWISS team until April 10 using this link.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS and Barrichello Team up with Sparco for SiGMA Americas appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Breaking New Ground in Brazil: Blitzcrown’s Crash Games Now GLI Certified
Blitzcrown, MVG’s pioneering games studio, has secured Brazilian Certification as well as GLI-19 Certification from GLI(Gaming Laboratories International) for its industry-changing three Crash titles. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into Brazil’s thriving online gaming market, positioning Blitzcrown at the forefront of the region’s rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
The license comes at an important time for Brazil’s gaming sector, following the launch of the new licensing regime that started on January 1, 2025. The regulatory framework, signed into law in December 2023, has transformed the industry’s prospects.
The certification encompasses 3 innovative crash games: Crash, Fast Crash, and Twin Crash. This strategic milestone establishes Blitzcrown as the premier provider of certified Crash games in the Brazilian market, demonstrating the company’s unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence and gaming integrity. With the GLI-19 and Brazil certification process successfully concluded in March, Blitzcrown has solidified its position as an industry pioneer in this dynamic and emerging market.
Crash games are a recent addition to the global iGaming market, featuring the dynamic evolution of real-time multipliers and immediate reward structures. Blitzcrown has stood out by establishing groundbreaking game mechanisms that offer different and exciting gameplay experiences. Standard Crash provides players with a standard multiplier-based gaming experience, and Fast Crash is optimized for users seeking quick, intense multiplier experiences. The Twin Crash is an original format allowing players to place simultaneous bets on two separate multipliers.
Building on this momentum, Blitzcrown has announced plans to expand its certified portfolio with two additional versions of its innovative Plinko games, demonstrating the company’s strategic commitment to market expansion. This forward-looking initiative underscores Blitzcrown’s dedication to continuous innovation and sustainable growth in the regulated gaming markets.
Blitzcrown is MVG’s edge-game studio focused on pushing game ideas beyond their norms through innovative and non-traditional gaming experiences. The studio has been particularly recognized for its groundbreaking approaches in various game categories, including its successful Crash and Plinko series.
George Cho from MVG said: “This GLI certification testifies to Blitzcrown’s unwavering commitment to offering top-quality, fair gaming systems. We are well placed to take advantage of Brazil’s exciting new regulatory environment and the vast growth potential of the online gaming industry.”
The post Blitzcrown Secures GLI Certification for Three Crash Games in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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