Axel Antillón & SiGMA World Exclusive Interview: The New Era of iGaming in Latin America

Axel Antillón, WA.Technology’s Regional Director for Latam gave an exclusive interview to SiGMA World. Join Axel as he discusses iGaming in Peru, the regulatory framework implemented by MINCETUR, The products that appeal to Peruvians, and the upcoming SiGMA Europe event in Malta.

What are the implications of WA.Technology's certification for competition in the iGaming market in Peru? 

We are very proud of our entry into the Peruvian gaming market! This has been a huge milestone for us at WA.Technology and it really helps solidify our presence as a market leader in Latin America.  

It goes without saying that the LatAm region has been a huge growth opportunity for us. We focus heavily on localising our products to ensure they comply with regulations and align with differing player preferences.  

To ensure we deliver the most localised experiences for the Peruvian market, our team has been hard at work developing custom retail solutions to cater to exactly what operators will need in Peru. In this market, retail is hugely important; to succeed, operators must consider incorporating brick-and-mortar touchpoints into their offerings. Our extensive experience in LatAm has allowed us to understand the local market dynamics and tailor our product suite accordingly. 

While Peru is pinpointed as a major growth opportunity for sportsbooks and casinos, it is incredibly important for operators to understand the intricacies of the market. WA.Technology is a leader in that regard. Our team understands the local regulations, player preferences, and the technical requirements needed for each market – this puts us in a unique position to deliver the most localised, personalised experience for each partner. 

What growth opportunities does the Peruvian market present for WA.Technology compared to other Latin American markets? 

Peru has its unique sets of requirements that operators must be aware of. It is a truly unique market in the LatAm region.  

This isn’t just another market for us – Peru is a huge opportunity and is a market where we can truly showcase our local expertise. We aim to be the first B2B iGaming platform provider that can deliver a full spectrum of solutions to our partners.  

We already have a team that understands not only what the market needs but understands what players enjoy and how best to deliver that experience from a technological perspective.  

How does the regulatory framework implemented by MINCETUR influence local operators' trust in new iGaming platforms? 

Since the pandemic, the playing fields in LatAm have changed substantially. Players are looking for an experience which centres around entertainment and responsible gambling. Operators must, therefore, offer the correct tools and platforms that provide a safe gaming experience and keep players entertained.  

From a technical perspective, this means minimal downtime and a host of safer gambling tools that can flag any problematic gambling behaviours. From a product perspective, operators must also have a platform that features a range of products that can be customised to their audience. This is a major strength of ours. WA.Technology prides itself on not only supporting our operators in delivering a safe, responsible gaming experience – but also with a range of products that help create that added entertainment value too. 

What features of WA.Technology's iGaming solutions may be most attractive to Peruvian operators? 

We have many! If I had to pick one, then WA.Affiliates is going to be hugely popular. This has been explicitly designed to help operators track their affiliation strategies with the ultimate aim of driving acquisition, engagement, and retention. This is going to be critical for those companies looking to gain an edge over their competition in what I imagine will become an incredibly saturated market. 

I also have no doubt that our WA.Sports, WA.Casino, and WA.Fantasy products will also be very attractive for Peruvian operators. They have already been rolled out with many leading operators across LatAm, and I think Peruvian operators will soon be adding these products to their roster! They are some of the best products on the market.  

What role will the projected growth of the gaming market in Peru and Latin America play in WA.Technology's long-term strategy? 

If we look at the regions worldwide, LatAm is the most prominent emerging market. It is a region generating enormous attention and will continue to be high on the agenda for many betting and gaming companies worldwide.  

WA.Technology is no exception to that trend. Peru and Latin America, as a whole, will play a central role in our long-term strategy to deliver stand-out experiences to our partners.  

To maintain our market leader position, we must stay ahead of the trends and adapt according to regulatory and technological changes. For example, smartphone usage continues to grow across the region. To cater to this growing demand for mobile-first gaming experiences, we have made sure that each of our products is optimised for desktop and handheld devices and provisions for regions with less-than-optimal data coverage. 

Companies looking to expand into LatAm over the coming years must adapt to the market’s needs. This is why it is important to have the right platform provider by your side – and, in my view, we’re by far the continent’s best B2B solutions provider. 

Are you coming to Malta? Tell me everything 

The WA.Technology team will be there in full force! We look forward to attending SiGMA Europe – this has always been a staple event in our calendar. Each year, it gets bigger and better! 

During the event, we look forward to meeting with operators looking to revolutionise their LatAm offering. WA.Technology will be there to support their journey into the region through our local expertise and our personalised, localised products and solutions that can help partners effectively meet the needs of each individual market. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! 

Read the full interview on SiGMA World.