## Waterhouse Venture Capital: Order and Advancement
In a recent article, Tom Waterhouse, leader of Waterhouse Venture Capital, examined the flourishing Brazilian sports wagering market following the nation’s recent regulatory changes.
**Waterhouse VC: Order and Advancement**
“Order and Advancement” – the national motto of Brazil, displayed prominently on the Brazilian flag.
This motto represents the new reforms enacted in Brazil, designed to regulate the country’s $1.5 billion (1.23 billion pounds/1.41 billion euros) gaming industry.
Brazil is a vast and intricate market, with a population of 214 million and 217 native languages, in addition to Portuguese. It is also one of the largest online sports wagering markets worldwide, with 42.5 million unique users. Betting operators have generated substantial income in Brazil by utilizing influencer marketing and numerous sports sponsorship agreements.
The Brazilian House of Representatives recently approved a gambling regulation bill. This bill permits online and omnichannel betting, allowing operators to obtain three-year licenses. However, operators are prohibited from providing incentives and will be subject to a 18% tax on revenue.
Brazil will also impose a 30% tax on player winnings exceeding $400. This tax could deter high-value players from online betting, potentially affecting regulated operators’ income by 30%-50%. Furthermore, the ban on incentives could encourage bettors to engage with unregulated betting companies, which attract them with tax-free incentives.
This rule mandates the utilization of locally sanctioned payment methods, with the goal of curbing offshore and digital currency wagering. Only entities authorized by the Brazilian Central Bank are permitted to provide payment services. Patrons are restricted to transferring funds from their betting accounts to bank accounts situated within Brazil.
Our investigation reveals that the majority of payments for Brazilian betting accounts are facilitated through PIX, which bears resemblance to Australia’s Osko payment system. Thomas Cavalhas, the managing director of VaiDeBob, asserts that PIX payments hold dominance in Brazil, accounting for over 95% of operator transactions.
**Athletic Sponsorships**
Soccer reigns supreme as the most popular sport in Brazil. Numerous betting firms sponsor soccer clubs, as well as teams in other athletic disciplines.
For instance, Brazilian betting operator KTO sponsors the Caxias do Sul team, which competes in the NBB, Brazil’s premier basketball league. KTO has achieved growth through localization tactics, initially focusing on the southernmost state in Brazil, out of a total of 26 states. State-level strategies, coupled with robust products, have enhanced KTO’s player retention. Established in 2018, KTO currently operates in Brazil and Peru, with aspirations to expand into Chile.
Betting websites sponsor 39 out of 40 teams in Brazil’s two top-tier soccer leagues, rendering betting sponsorships far more widespread than in other prominent global soccer leagues.
In the recent 2022-23 season, just one Bundesliga squad, Mainz 05, had a betting company as their sponsor.
BetPix365, established towards the end of 2021, provides a broad selection of wagering options and enables deposits and withdrawals via PIX. In the first month of 2022, the Brazilian operator publicized Luis Fabiano as their newest brand representative. Fabiano is the third highest scorer in the history of the Brazilian national team.
Before revealing Fabiano’s ambassador position, the company also secured ambassador agreements with Corinthians forward Willian and Palmeiras attacking midfielder Dudu.
The endorsements from some of Brazil’s most admired football legends emphasize the enormous potential of the country’s betting sector as it keeps growing.
Influencer Marketing in Brazil
Beyond sports sponsorships, influencer marketing is also a widely utilized channel for gaining new betting customers.
As discussed in our September 2022 newsletter, betting companies are progressively adopting innovative marketing approaches, increasingly utilizing influencer marketing, which gives brands a method to build deeper relationships with consumers.
Felipe Neto is one of the most well-known influencers in Brazil, boasting 45.5 million followers on YouTube. In 2019, Neto became the second most popular YouTuber worldwide.
This individual advocates for Brazilian democracy and was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s most influential figures globally in 2020.
Blaze is a leading betting enterprise in Brazil, capturing a considerable market share through partnerships with well-known online personalities, including Felipe Neto and soccer star Neymar. The firm employs 400 social media influencers to promote its betting platform. In August, the company’s website attracted 50 million visitors, a significant increase from 30 million in June.
In a recent Instagram post, Neto stated:
“Those who follow me on Instagram or my channel are aware that Blaze is our official sponsor. In addition to providing a platform where you can earn numerous extra ways through games like Crash, Double, and Mines, you can also wager on sports on Blaze.”
Brazil’s cryptocurrency betting sector is experiencing rapid growth despite the country’s ambiguous regulatory landscape. These companies have forged alliances with celebrities, athletes, sports teams, and leagues.
For instance, Sportsbet.io has established a strategic partnership with the NBB, providing content on the NBB’s digital platform, focusing on offering fans betting options and statistics before, during, and after basketball games. Former Brazilian national football team forward Denilson serves as a brand ambassador for Sportsbet.io.
The nation of Brazil, boasting a population exceeding 200 million and a flourishing middle class, offers enticing growth possibilities for business-to-business providers and operators within the gambling sector. This applies to both well-capitalized domestic entities and seasoned offshore operators.
Nevertheless, Brazilian operators confront a number of hurdles. The most substantial obstacle is the stringent regulatory environment. This framework prohibits bonuses, levies taxes on player winnings exceeding $400, and imposes limitations on payments. As the market undergoes transformation, operators and suppliers should anticipate ongoing modifications to regulatory guidelines.
Since its establishment in August 2019, Waterhouse VC has attained a cumulative return of 2,492% as of August 31, 2023, assuming all distributions were reinvested.
Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.