Latin America
1xBet lines up ‘phenomenal’ offering for Mexico following official license approval
Setting the stage for its wide-ranging and ambitious goals across Latin America, 1xBet has proudly received a full license from the Games & Lotteries Office of the Mexican Ministry of the Interior. As the company details ‘huge plans’ for the market and a strong focus on raising the status of the Mexican gaming industry, it’s clear 1xBet is serious about becoming the number one bookmaker in one of LatAm’s largest gaming markets…
The award winning online sports betting odds provider, 1xBet, has confirmed it will be driving a comprehensive expansion program in Mexico following approval to conduct operations in the country for the foreseeable future. The company will be focussing primarily on eSports, online and sports betting, thanks to its wide line of 70+ sports catering to all players, whilst also using its experience to drive the Mexican industry forward as a whole.
“We are proud to say that this is a very big step that demonstrates our ambitious goals in the Latin American market,” explained the 1xBet team after the license was agreed.  “We have several successful projects implemented in Latin America, but entering the Mexican market opens up even more prospects for us. This is one of the largest countries in Latin America, which is actively developing in all sectors. Getting started there is a success for any company, even the top brands.”
As one of the world’s most recognised brands in sports betting, 1xBet believes its experience gained in other markets stands them in good stead and the company claims it will utilise ‘tried and tested methods’ to ensure customer satisfaction of the highest level as well as a series of special offers for players across the country.
“It is not everyday that one enters such a large market,” said 1xBet’s team.  “Therefore we are giving particular priority to broadening our name in this emerging market whilst maintaining our brand. We can promise that in the near future you will discover a great deal about the activities of 1xBet in Mexico. But for now, we can assure future players of this – we have a lot of phenomenal things lined up for you.”
Following the approval of its Mexican gaming license, 1xBet has conducted focused R&D into which sectors take centre stage in the country’s industry. The company has highlighted it will promote a high number of offers on football and boxing – the two main sports in Mexico â as well as catering to all other players with its more than 70 sports offerings. In addition to sports betting, 1xBet will also tap into the increase in the popularity of eSports in Mexico, as well as presenting other special betting options across the region.
“Mexico is a vibrant nation of sports enthusiasts,” said 1xBet’s team. “The love of sports and victories is evident in the manner in which the public ardently supports local athletes and teams from the bottom of their hearts. Mexico is one of the centres of the emerging LatAm industry and we are pleased to start work here and support the passion of the Mexican people with our quality product. We have huge plans which were formulated after conducting a detailed examination before entering the market and we guarantee 1xBet will do everything to raise the status of Mexico in the gaming industry to an even higher level.”
1xBet has stated its first priority is to become the number one bookmaker for Mexican players and with its new license not being limited to only online activities, the company is also hard at work establishing a physical presence in the country.
“The 1xBet team adheres to its philosophy and believes that there is no universal path to success,” the team added. “Our betting company is firmly established in several dozen countries, and each experience was unique. Each market has its own specifics of work, and for us, each is an invaluable experience. Of course, we will use all our knowledge to develop the brand in Mexico, but at the same time, we will prepare something new and innovative for this region. This is the only way to win consumer loyalty and earn a positive reputation. Whether online or land-based we will be available to everyone, because our site and application are already available for Mexican users.”
Alongside Brazil, Mexico is one of the key gaming markets in Latin America in terms of revenue and serves as a barometer for the future of the industry in the region. With 1xBet’s new license, the company is keen to establish new partnerships, ambassadors and sponsorships, not just to help grow the brand’s footprint in the region, but more importantly, to raise the profile of the Mexican industry and drive the country’s market forward at this crucial time.
1xBet’s team concluded: “Mexico and Brazil are both important markets for us at this time and with our latest license we look forward to strengthening our position in Mexico as one of our main areas of focus in Latin America. Of course, when you start working in a new market, this opens up opportunities for new partnerships and sponsorships. In Mexico, there are a lot of media people, star athletes and strong teams. We are already considering sponsorship ideas with top figures in the Mexican market so stay tuned for more news coming soon!”
Latest News
BINGO GODEL QUILMES BETS BIG ON ZITROâS MEGA LOUNGE
Zitro, a global leader in the gaming industry, continues to reap success in Argentina with âMega Loungeâ, this time in partnership with Bingo Godel Quilmes, one of the leading references in the province of Buenos Aires. This concept, unique in the industry, is part of the recent expansion of the gaming hall and reinforces the commitment to Zitro, consolidating it as the strategic supplier in this new stage of the renowned Bingo.
âMega Lounge,â located in an exclusive area of the gaming hall, combines different cabinets and a wide game library with various themes and mechanics. These games share an interconnected Mega jackpot progressive.
Bingo Quilmesâ gaming floor now features up to five âMega Lounge,â each packed with Zitro cabinets.
Due to the number of cabinets contributing to the Mega Jackpot, it appears more frequently, creating an exciting community celebration experience known as the âEco-celebrationâ. This event is enjoyed by all customers playing in the Loungesâ cabinets at the moment they win the prize.
Bingo Godel Quilmes, which already offered a variety of successful Zitro games, including Link King, Link Me, Link Shock, 88 Link, Bashiba Link, and Wheel of Legends, has expanded its gaming offer with more renowned titles such as Fu Frog, Fu Pots,, Pearlâs Paradise, Mighty Hammer, Epic Kingdom, Drum Dynasty, Energy Link, 88 Link Multiplier, and 88 Link Shiro,among others. This expansion reaffirms both partiesâ commitment to providing customers with a varied and attractive range of Zitro products, aiming to deliver the most innovative entertainment experience on the market.
Juan Pablo Fichera, General Manager of Bingo Godel Quilmes, commented: âFor us, it is fundamental to offer a wide variety of products that allow us to diversify our offer and provide our players with the best experiences. Therefore, we have partnered with Zitro, a leading supplier in Latin America that has already demonstrated solid performance in our venue. In addition, âMega Lounge,â with its unique, community-focused experience, has been a huge success with our customers and is quickly becoming a favorite.
On the other hand, Alejandra Burato, Zitroâs Regional Director for Latin America, commented, ââMega Loungeâ is proving to be a resounding success in all the venues and countries throughout the region, including Argentina. Its proven performance, combined with a wide variety of games for different player profiles, makes this innovative concept a safe bet, further increasing our performance, which is already among the top 5 venues in the region. We are thrilled to expand our gaming offer through our partnership with Bingo Godel Quilmes and to continue our joint success. We are grateful for their ongoing trust and support of Zitro.â
Compliance Updates
How payments can drive iGaming operatorsâ growth as they navigate an evolving regulatory landscape
With iGaming regulation changing in multiple European and Latin American markets, Paysafeâs Rory Howard considers the invaluable role of payments
By Rory Howard, GM of iGaming for EMEA, Paysafe
After enacting new gambling legislation at end-2023, Brazil is expected to launch its iGaming market on January 1st. With 215m people, Latin Americaâs most populated country is almost certain to rapidly become a major global jurisdiction. Annual gaming revenue is forecast to grow to $4.9bn within five years, according to Vixio.
While the new Brazilian market offers an important opportunity for operators, licensing includes significant regulations to negotiate, including around payments. With other markets also enacting or considering more robust iGaming regulation, the operators that successfully navigate this new space can make change pay.
From Sao Paulo to Sweden via the UK
In April, Brazil published an Ordinance on operatorsâ payment requirements, preventing players from depositing using credit cards, cash, cheques, pay slips, bank slips and cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals of winnings will only be possible via electronic transfer between the operator and the playerâs bank account, which must be a financial institution authorized by the Brazilian Central Bank.
Such restrictions, especially around credit cards, are part of a broader global trend to promote responsible gambling. In neighbouring Argentina, the Buenos Aires legislature is currently considering a bill to ban credit cards and social assistance debit cards for online betting in the capital regionâs regulated market.
Over in the UK, operators have not been able to offer credit card deposits since the Gambling Commission restricted this in April 2020. More recently, the UK governmentâs Gambling Act Review white paper, which was released in April 2023, has resulted in more robust know your customer (KYC) checks for operators, including on affordability. From August all UK bettors depositing a net ÂŁ500 needed to be checked, lowered to net deposits of ÂŁ125 from February.
And UK operators are also facing marketing restrictions. From summer 2026, front-of-shirt Premier League football club sponsorships will no longer be an option following the associationâs voluntary ban. In addition, the government is currently considering whether bonuses should be tightened, though it appears unlikely that the UK will go as far as Brazilâs complete ban on bonusing and free bets.
The UK isnât the only European country strengthening its iGaming regulatory framework, with Sweden only allowing operators to offer players a single sign-up bonus following the Scandinavian countryâs re-regulation of the market in 2019. More recently, the Swedish gambling regulator has come out in favour of the governmentâs proposed ban on credit cards for iGaming from April 2025.
Playing and paying it forward
With Swedenâs eastern neighbour, Finland, looking to liberalize its government monopoly with a licensing system for private operators by early 2027, the only constant when it comes to iGaming regulation is change. While regulatory change providers operators with opportunity, they need to have a solid strategy in place.
The global regulatory space is highly complex and diverse, so itâs essential for operators to develop a robust compliance framework that covers all the different legal requirements for each global market. Against the backdrop of the responsible gambling shift, KYC protocols have never needed to be more granular, requiring automation and specialised software for the highest accuracy and efficiency.
Payments are an indispensable element in negotiating the new regulatory landscape. Every market is unique, including when it comes to payments. If a jurisdiction restricts credit cards or other payment methods, operatorsâ cashiers need to include alternatives such as digital wallets, eCash or even pay-by-bank options to ensure players donât abandon a brand before they become a customer.
With markets restricting bonuses and other marketing channels like sponsorships, operators need to ensure they are getting payments right. Payments â including quick payouts and deposits and the availability of preferred payment methods â are much more important factors in playersâ selection of online sportsbooks than sign-up offers and sports sponsorships, according to Paysafeâs 2024 research.
More broadly, itâs also vital for operators to choose the right payment provider. Partnering with a payments company with global experience and which offers a comprehensive range of its own and third-party payment solutions, including local payment methods (LPMs) like Brazilâs Pix, will enable operators to effortlessly tailor their cashiers to a particular market.
Whether in Brazil, Argentina, the UK, Sweden or Finland, the global iGaming market is diversifying from a regulatory perspective. While the changing space poses significant challenges, it gives savvy operators an opportunity to ensure their brands and cashiers are not only compliant but have a completive edge that will ultimately pay out.
Rory Howard
As General Manager for iGaming in the EMEA region at Paysafe, Rory oversees the companyâs online gambling business in the U.K. and continental Europe as well as neighbouring regional markets. He has close to 20 yearsâ experience in payments and fraud analysis, with a strong focus on the iGaming space. Roryâs previous roles include payment leadership positions at The Rank Group, Racing Stars, Gamesys, and Eyas Gaming.
Latest News
SOFTSWISS Becomes Headline Partner for NEXT.io Elite Retreat LatAm
SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of experience providing innovative iGaming solutions, announces its headline partnership on the Elite Retreat LatAm, an exclusive event organised by NEXT.io, the worldâs leading iGaming community. This partnership underscores SOFTSWISSâ commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the rapidly growing Latin American iGaming market.
The invite-only retreat is scheduled to take place from 24 to 26 November 2024 at the luxurious Secrets Maroma resort in CancĂșn, Mexico. The Elite Retreat LatAm will bring together 100 top decision-makers from leading operators and suppliers in the iGaming industry, offering an unparalleled opportunity for focused networking and strategic discussions in one of the Caribbeanâs most stunning locations.
Max Trafimovich, CCO at SOFTSWISS, shares: âLatin America represents a key growth area for SOFTSWISS, and our ongoing certification efforts in Brazil are a testament to our long-term commitment to the region. We believe that events like the Elite Retreat LatAm provide a unique platform for exchanging valuable insights and fostering meaningful partnerships. With NEXT.io as a trusted partner, we are confident that this retreat will set the stage for significant advancements in the Latin American iGaming market.â
Notable attendees will include key figures such as the GM LatAm of Stake, the CEO of Logrand, the Director of Caliente, the President of AEIJA, the CEO of Apuesta Gana, the CEO of Coolbet, the Director of Doradobet, among others.
Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder & Managing Director at NEXT.io, adds: “We are delighted to welcome SOFTSWISS as our headline partner for the Elite Retreat CancĂșn. SOFTSWISSâ pioneering role in the iGaming industry makes the company the perfect partner for this event. Together, we are creating an environment where the future of gaming in Latin America can be shaped by its leading minds.”
The retreat will feature two full days of networking and entertainment, allowing attendees to forge strategic connections and explore the latest trends and opportunities in the Latin American iGaming sector.
This collaboration with NEXT.io aligns with SOFTSWISSâ strategic focus on Latin America, following initiatives such as appointing the Formula 1 star Rubens Barrichello as Non-Executive Director for SOFTSWISS in LatAm and the ongoing process of receiving a certification in Brazil for its Casino Platform and Sportsbook.
About SOFTSWISSÂ
SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform, and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
About NEXT.io
NEXT.io is the Worldâs iGaming Community, renowned for its in-depth coverage, expert analysis, and industry-leading events. Through a portfolio of high-impact events such as NEXT Summit: New York and NEXT Summit: Valletta, and Elite Retreats, NEXT.io is committed to driving innovation and fostering a global community of iGaming professionals.
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