Date: 25.09.2024

by Mateusz Mazur

“Our content is perfectly suited to Brazilian clients”

Guilherme Buso, Vice President of Brazil at Genius Sports, disscused how the regulatory changes are shaping the market, the company’s commitment to integrity, and how their innovative products are tailored to meet the unique needs of Brazilian operators. 

Brazil’s sports betting market is undergoing regulatory changes. How do you see these developments shaping the industry’s future?

The process towards a regulated market has been in motion for some time now, but we finally have concrete dates. The industry has long anticipated this shift, and now we are closer than ever to achieving it. This is an incredible moment for the sector, as regulation should bring much-needed organization, particularly in areas such as tax payments. A more structured approach from the government will likely follow.

We can also expect increased investment and job creation in Brazil, especially as regulations will require companies to establish a local presence. The industry is currently undergoing significant changes, and companies are pouring substantial resources and effort into meeting the upcoming deadlines. From now until January 1st, we will see intense preparation across the board, with operators working hard to be fully operational by the start of the year.

Looking ahead, while it’s difficult to predict everything, it’s clear that the government still needs to finalize certain regulations to truly consolidate the market. It’s not just about having rules on paper but ensuring that everyone in the industry is committed to following them.

How does Genius Sports plan to fit into the newly regulated Brazilian market?  

For Genius Sports, this is an exciting and pivotal moment. Genius operates at the intersection of sports and the sports betting industry, serving as a bridge by transforming sports data into betting odds. This role places us in a unique position, especially with the opportunity to collaborate with regulated operators in Brazil, which aligns perfectly with our strategic goals.

This is a tremendous moment for us as we will soon be able to deliver official data to licensed sportsbooks in a country experiencing rapid growth. We’ve maintained a solid presence in Brazil for several years, and now is the time to expand and take things to the next level.

Can you share how Genius Sports is addressing integrity issues in Brazil, especially with these new regulations?  

Integrity plays a critical role in what we do at Genius Sports, especially since we operate at the intersection of sports and sports betting. Our commitment to integrity involves continuous monitoring and education. This year, we made significant strides by delivering numerous integrity workshops to clubs and federations across Brazil.

For instance, we conducted highly successful workshops with two top-tier Serie A football teams, Botafogo and Atlético Paranaense. The athletes were deeply engaged, asking numerous questions about integrity in sports. We also hosted a large-scale integrity workshop with the NBB, Brazil’s premier basketball league, where over 300 athletes participated.

Our focus on integrity is vital, given our close relationships with both the sports world and sportsbooks. We take on the responsibility of ensuring that both sides are well-educated and equipped to uphold the highest standards.

How is Genius Sports adapting its global technologies and services to fit the specific needs of the Brazilian market?

Our content is perfectly suited to Brazilian clients, especially when it comes to football, where we currently provide the best in-play betting coverage. This is not only because we supply official content for the Premier League, but also because we offer extensive regional coverage, including football leagues from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and of course, the Brasileirão, which encompasses Serie A and Serie B.

Beyond football, we have secured several official agreements with Brazilian sports organizations, covering basketball, volleyball, and futsal. As a company, we are fully prepared to deliver top-quality content tailored to Brazilian users, ensuring they have access to the best sports data available.

Could you share some of the products and innovations that Genius Sports plans to introduce to Brazilian clients soon? 

In addition to traditional pre-match betting options, we believe multi-bets are particularly well-suited for Brazilian operators, as they’ve seen strong results in this area. Multibets have gained significant traction, and we’re confident in their potential for continued success.

Furthermore, we now offer a robust GTS product, our risk management solution, which can be a game-changer for operators. It not only helps them manage risk more effectively but also enables them to enhance the betting experience in a way that is both more engaging for users and more profitable for the operators themselves.