In an exclusive interview with GMB, Eduardo Aching, VP of International Operations for Games at Konami, describes the company's entry into the newly regulated iGaming market in Brazil. He highlights the great opportunities presented by consumer demand for Konami products. With plans for local partnerships and a commitment to high-quality entertainment, the brand seeks to become one of the main suppliers in the country and expand its strong reputation into the casino gaming segment.
Games Magazine Brasil - Konami's iGaming sector has just made its debut in Brazil. What attracted the company to this emerging and regulated market?
Eduardo Aching
- As a newly regulated market, Brazil offers a huge opportunity. The establishment of standards, regulations, and gaming licensing in the country has created a pathway for Konami to participate in this market. The size, scope, conditions, and reach of the market are aligned with what we expect from a rising regulated market.
Are you certainly following the development of iGaming regulation in Brazil? Based on Konami's global experience, are the pathways suitable for the company to establish itself in the country?
From what we have observed so far, the pathways are suitable and viable. Working closely with our iGaming clients, it is possible for online players in Brazil to legally place bets on Konami slots from their mobile devices in less than six months. And we expect to reach more iGaming partners in the country soon.
Brazil is a major consumer of Konami's entertainment products, especially the eFootball line, which has been an absolute success in the country. Is Brazil significant for the company's global results?
Brazil is an important market on the global stage. Its entry into the regulated gaming sector has very significant potential for the global gaming industry. For Konami, we are fortunate to already have an existing brand presence in Brazil, thanks to the extremely popular digital entertainment from KONAMI GROUP CORP.
The Konami brand has strong recognition in the country and is associated with high-quality products and exceptional content. As the division of KONAMI GROUP responsible for casino games and technology, Konami Gaming intends to expand this reputation to our casino gaming offerings in Brazil.
What are the main products that Konami intends to offer in Brazil for the online iGaming segment?
Konami's iGaming offering has the distinct appeal of being part of the Konami brand, which has a recognizable presence in the Brazilian market.
Another differentiating feature, from the consumer's perspective, is that Konami's online slots are the same found in Las Vegas and any world-class gaming destination. For over 20 years, our slot games have been enjoyed by players at their favorite casinos, and Konami slots continue to reach people in hundreds of regulated casino markets around the world.
Konami's entry into the iGaming sector in Brazil will make available a long list of player-favorite slots for online betting sites. To help achieve robust digital distribution, Konami owns its own remote gaming server (RGS), which integrates with the most popular back-end systems used by today's online gaming operators. Through our RGS, online operators can access proven game performance, with robust delivery in HTML5—compatible with smartphones, tablets, and desktop devices.
How is Konami seeking local partners for its effective entry into Brazil?
My team and I have already begun building relationships with iGaming operators in Brazil. It is very important for Konami that we make our content available to new operator clients in Brazil who may be interested.
Not all clients will be new. Konami has existing relationships with major global iGaming operators who are also scheduled to enter the iGaming sector in Brazil. We are working closely with these iGaming clients to expand our partnership relationship to Brazil and support cooperatively the successful launch of the market with a great mix of content in 2025.
Brazil is still discussing the legalization of gambling. Does Konami expect to be a major player in the land-based market when it opens?
Yes, we are closely monitoring the market. At Konami, we believe there is a significant opportunity in the legalization of land-based gambling in Brazil, and our goal is to become one of the main suppliers in the market.
Considering the company's history in the global industry, our extensive offering of entertainment, innovative technology, strong brand presence, and focus on customer relationships, Konami has a solid foundation to become one of the major players in Brazil's land-based gaming market.
Once again, Konami will participate in G2E in Las Vegas. What will be the highlights from the company at the event and what are the goals with the visit of hundreds of Brazilian businessmen to the company's booth in search of business opportunities?
The Konami display at G2E 2024 includes three
main areas: iGaming, SYNKROS casino systems, and traditional land-based games, including Class III, Class II, VLT, and historical horse racing. Guests will be able to learn about new developments in all these areas.
In iGaming, Konami continues to expand its popular online slot content, with record titles for omni-channel distribution, such as K-Pow! Pig, Dragon’s Law Fortune, and many more.
In the SYNKROS area, we are celebrating the debut at G2E of a digital drink ordering system called the SYNKROS Drink System, along with highly sought-after innovations, covering facial recognition, cashless betting, artificial intelligence, mobile technology, multi-site capabilities, comprehensive anti-money laundering (AML) systems, system-delivered progressive jackpots, and AML compliance.
And in the traditional land-based gaming sector, Konami is showcasing its most creative content to date in DIMENSION, with highlight series such as Bingo Frenzy Stampede—making its world debut at this year’s G2E event.
We look forward to the opportunity to connect with Brazilian representatives at G2E, to build connections and demonstrate the latest ways in which Konami is advancing technology and entertainment in the gaming industry of the future.
Does Konami intend to establish a business unit in Brazil?
We are evaluating how the market develops to help determine this and should make a decision in due time.
In addition to serving as the head of international operations for gaming and iGaming at Konami Gaming, I also have a strong personal connection to Brazil. I was born and raised in Brazil. Although I speak several languages, Portuguese is my first language.
As Brazil is seeking its first regulated entry into online and land-based gaming, the leadership of Konami Gaming has a close understanding of the market and culture, to support cooperatively the growth and development of long-term throughout the country.
Source: Exclusive GMB
