Playtechs Responsible Gaming Report: Fresh Consumer Insights for Latin America
Latin America is a diverse region, and this is reflected in its gambling trends. The industry is projected to reach $3.4 billion by 2025, making it essential for operators to grasp player preferences. Playtech, a leading player in the industry, recently unveiled the second edition of its Responsible Gambling Report, providing valuable information for operators seeking to enter this expanding market.
Playtechs Responsible Gambling Report: Fresh Consumer Insights for Latin America
The Latin American market is a hidden gem, but it’s also a complex one for operators to navigate. Different nations are at different stages of their gambling evolution. Argentina has a long history of regulated gambling, while Colombia and Peru are relatively new entrants. Brazil only regulates sports betting.
Playtech Report: Top Five Markets in Latin America
Playtechs Responsible Gambling Report covers 21 different countries and territories, focusing on five of the six largest markets with the highest populations, encompassing over 680 million people.
Playtechs crew of regional business, regulatory, and responsible gaming specialists, Chief Policy Officer Francesco Rodano, Head of Regulatory Affairs Charmaine Hogan, and Regional Director Pedro Extremera believe this report can act as a guide for companies looking to enter the industry.
The Latin American gambling market: a dynamic sector
The Latin American market has long been viewed as the next big thing for online gambling, with most nations in the region now legalizing online gambling in some form. However, despite widespread expansion, there is still a confusing regulatory mix from nation to nation, and even from state to state in Argentina.
Latin America is seen as a region with immense growth potential for numerous reasons. The region has a large population, with a smartphone penetration rate of 73%, and a passion for sports, making it easy to see why it is an ideal location for operators.
Soccer-obsessed Brazil
Take the region’s enduring love for soccer, for instance. In the pre-market for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Brazil and eventual champions Argentina were both at the top of the list. Their passion for the sport is also reflected in gambling – it is reported that 67% of wagers in Latin America are placed on soccer.
As with any developing market in the gambling industry, ensuring player safety is always a top priority in operator strategy.
Playtechs report highlights that online gaming providers must not only educate players about responsible gaming but also furnish them with tools to safeguard themselves. In Europe, authorities have imposed substantial penalties on operators who violate regulations concerning social responsibility and money laundering. If operators cannot demonstrate compliance with these regulations, they may be subject to fines or even license revocation.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant increase in problematic gambling. It is crucial to comprehend player behavior to effectively assist them. During the pandemic, there was a surge in excessive gambling among individuals in Latin America. This trend is likely attributable to factors such as home confinement, increased online activity, and limited leisure options. In Chile, a study revealed an escalation in the prevalence of problem gambling from 2.2% in 2018 to 8.3% in 2022. Consequently, the question arises: how can operators prevent further deterioration of this situation?
Despite similarities in gambling preferences across Latin America, Playtechs Responsible Gambling Report reveals substantial variations in gambling habits among five distinct nations. For instance, when queried about online gambling participation within the preceding six months, only 53% of respondents in Argentina affirmed engagement. This represented the lowest proportion among the five countries surveyed.
South America, particularly in nations like Chile, Colombia, and Peru, exhibits a high prevalence of online gambling, with participation rates exceeding 60%. This data, as highlighted by Rodano, underscores the significance of this report as a valuable resource.
The study’s findings offer insightful information that can guide industry organizations and operators in crafting and bolstering their responsible gaming and customer service strategies across the Latin American region. Rodano emphasizes that these insights provide a detailed understanding of each market’s perception, which is crucial for operators seeking to expand their presence in the area.
The report reveals that player experiences and their associated consequences vary significantly across different countries. For instance, a substantial portion of Brazilian respondents (52%) reported receiving warnings about their gambling activity, whereas only a small percentage of Argentinians (16%) had similar experiences. Cultural differences play a significant role in shaping both gambling patterns and attitudes towards responsible gaming. This is evident in the contrasting views on legal online gambling, with a majority of Brazilians (60%) considering it responsible, while only a minority of Argentinians (29%) share this perspective.
This discrepancy in opinion may be attributed to the distinct approaches to gambling in these two countries. Argentina has a long-standing tradition of regulated legal gambling, while Brazil has only recently introduced regulations for online sports betting.
These distinctions reveal that gaming businesses should not adopt a standardized, universal approach to accountable gaming across Latin America, Estremela explained.
Operators can utilize country and consumer segment data to shape highly personalized responsible gambling programs, marketing strategies, and product offerings to meet the unique requirements and behaviors of each region.
Estremela continued, “The wide range in awareness and behavior towards accountable gaming across the five nations is a captivating insight. “This can be largely attributed to the different stages of regulatory maturity each country is at.
“It’s also important to recognize that Latin America is far from a homogeneous region, with many differences in culture, history, economics, and politics. This is also reflected in the diverse viewpoints reflected in the answers recorded in the report, such as those mentioned above.”
The variety of market behavior is one of the most intriguing findings of the responsible gambling report.
Identifying harmful online behavior
The report emphasizes the need for stronger regulation and a commitment from operators to prioritize player protection. Operators can learn from other nations that have already tried and tested approaches to placing responsible gaming at the forefront of the industry. Consider the UK, for instance, which is set to release its highly anticipated gambling white paper this year.
The proposed modifications currently being discussed emphasize the necessity for operators to enforce obligatory data sharing for high-risk clientele, as well as the maximum wagers for online slot machine wagering for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24.
Playtech’s report and the key insights gleaned from it led Hogan to believe that operators should adhere to some clear guidelines when entering the Brazilian market and the broader Latin American market.
“As Brazil and other Latin American markets develop, we believe that regulatory bodies can play a crucial role in establishing a consistent framework to safeguard players under local regulations,” Hogan stated.
“Simultaneously, operators have a responsibility, particularly in newly regulated markets, to exceed minimum regulatory standards and continuously enhance their practices in ways that promote player protection.”
Brazil: A demanding market for online gambling operators?
With the emergence of a new era of gaming and the projected expansion of the country’s gambling industry, Brazil has the potential to be one of the most lucrative markets for operators.
However, entering this new market also presents its own difficulties, especially since reports indicate that respondents from Brazil received the most gambling warnings. Interestingly, only 13% of them believe that not wagering more than they can afford is associated with responsible gambling, compared to 53% in Argentina and Colombia, 50% in Peru, and 56% in Chile.
A significant indicator emphasizes the necessity for operators to select improved responsible gambling tactics. This indicator is the “gambling time” data presented in the report. This figure is more elevated in the remaining four nations, with Peru leading at 56%, followed by Colombia (51%), Chile (50%) and Argentina (41%). Only one-third (32%) of Brazilian participants asserted they play for a limited duration each day.
These findings indicate that operators should implement responsible gambling strategies prior to entering the market. These strategies could include triggered behavioral warning messages or mandatory deposit limitations. However, operators are not the sole actors playing a vital role in addressing this issue. Regulation is essential to educate players about harmful gambling, similar to practices in Europe.
Responsible gambling: employing preventative actions
Across Latin America, 4% of participants believe their gambling habits are becoming problematic, and 1% in each of the five countries are certain that gambling is harming them. These figures are undoubtedly concerning.
Rodano explained how operators can address this challenge. “Operators can utilize advanced data analytics and technological solutions to effectively identify players at risk in Latin America,” he stated.
For instance, behavioral analysis programs can be specifically taught to identify and highlight patterns and indicators of problematic behavior, not only for each nation but also for each provider operating within that nation.
**Gambler Security Information**
One in three survey participants in Latin America reported receiving alerts about their gambling activity levels, with the highest percentage in Brazil.
The formats of these alerts differ depending on the recipient’s preferred method of communication. According to Playtech’s research, the most common method is through pop-up notices, with 38% of respondents choosing to receive them through on-screen messages. Emails and text messages are also more favored than screen freezes or phone calls, suggesting that players prefer to receive messages in a less disruptive manner.
Despite the variety of messaging methods, only 8% of respondents stated they stopped playing immediately after receiving an alert, while another 31% claimed they paused or decreased their gambling as a consequence. Since 26% of Latin American respondents still felt that warnings did not motivate them to alter their behavior, providers need to consider taking further actions to promote responsible gambling.
Rodano explained, “One of the advantages of combining analytics and messaging is that operators can utilize insights from analytics to comprehend what is driving a player’s risk and then customize messaging based on their risk level.”
Custom-made information and proactive measures are better received and more pertinent than generic information, making them more effective in influencing players’ choices about gaming.
The gaming industry’s technology: A vital role
The gaming industry’s technology is continuously evolving to meet the demands of safer gaming. Playtech’s report highlights the significance of these products in pinpointing at-risk players.
Breaks, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion, and deposit limits are just a few of the choices available to players. However, despite the availability of these tools, adoption rates across the industry remain low. This reinforces the need for operators to identify and engage with these players, as Rodano explains.
“Technology and data analytics can assist in evaluating risk factors within a large population. Continuous behavioral monitoring, combined with analysis, can detect emerging issues and risk trajectories. This can aid operators in meaningfully and effectively engaging with affected players before problems worsen.”
Playtech and BetBuddy
Playtech believes that technology is the key to identifying these trends and recognizes the importance of investing in protective technology, particularly its BetBuddy platform.
“Our BetBuddy platform utilizes advanced player analytics and machine learning to identify risky patterns,” says Rodano.
Our offerings can aid in providing tailored interventions early on and precisely identify risk paths based on a diverse array of behavioral traits.
BetBuddy’s distinctiveness stems from its provision of clarifications concerning the individual risk elements that propel player evaluations. This empowers operators to react in a customized and interactive fashion, thereby bolstering player protection.
While technology can undoubtedly assist the industry in enforcing responsible gambling practices among players, there are apprehensions regarding regulation and heightened governmental involvement. Consequently, 36% of respondents across five nations believe their governments should take more action to mitigate the potential hazards associated with gambling. This figure is most prominent in Colombia, where 40% of respondents believe their government needs to take more action, and 41% believe it needs to improve.
Across the region, only a small percentage (10%) believe their governments are doing enough to lessen the potential risks of harmful gambling, presenting a clear challenge for officials and regulatory bodies. Fostering trust in players and ensuring they feel secure online will enhance the player experience, benefiting both players and operators, a matter Playtech takes very seriously.
Hogan clarified that the group is dedicated to aiding decision-makers, commercial associations, and operators in crafting bespoke market plans to encourage accountable expansion throughout Latin America.
The group is dedicated to aiding decision-makers, commercial associations, and operators in crafting bespoke market plans to encourage accountable expansion throughout Latin America, Hogan stated. Each nation is unique, so a personalized strategy will be vital in harnessing opportunities through sustainable business practices while addressing the particular traits of national and consumer segments. While respecting and catering to regional variations, the sector should ensure it adopts a sustainable long-term viewpoint, balancing profitability with the significance of safety, consumer protection, and accountable gaming.
The Future of Accountable Gaming in Latin America
The report disclosed that the sector is continuing to expand at a rapid rate. Nearly 70% of respondents had placed a wager within the past six months, up from 53% in the prior report. With the emphasis on Know Your Customer (KYC) in other parts of the globe, such as Europe, participants in Latin America will soon require such measures.
As more nations in the region regulate, scrutiny and interest in how the sector safeguards players will undoubtedly be a focal point. The Accountable Gaming report provides valuable insights to assist operators in comprehending current and emerging issues and risks as well as opportunities as they contemplate how to successfully enter and compete in Latin America.
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