Evgeniy Pedych: “In the coming years, Latin America will remain one of the main growth drivers for Onlyplay”

Focus Gaming News spoke with Evgeniy Pedych, Strategic Growth Executive at Onlyplay, regarding Latin American igaming momentum, Brazil’s regulatory landscape, and the performance of high-retention mechanics like Piggy Tap.

Exclusive interview.- As Latin America continues to solidify its position as one of the fastest-growing regions in the global igaming landscape, operators and suppliers alike are being challenged to rethink content strategies around mobile-first behaviour, player engagement, and localisation. The shift is not only about scale, but about adapting to a player base that increasingly favours speed, interactivity, and social gameplay.

In this exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, Evgeniy Pedych, strategic growth executive at Onlyplay, shares insights into how the company is positioning itself within this evolving ecosystem, following its participation at SBC Summit Rio.

From the rise of lightweight, high-retention formats to the growing importance of multiplayer and community-driven mechanics, Pedych outlines the key signals shaping the region’s trajectory.

You recently attended SBC Summit Rio to meet operators and affiliates across the region. What signals did you take away about the current momentum of the Latin American igaming market?

SBC Summit Rio clearly showed that Latin America is growing very fast as an igaming market. Operators are actively looking for new content that feels fresh and engaging for players. We saw strong interest in games with simple mechanics and quick sessions that work well on mobile devices. Titles like Piggy Tap and Chicken Plinko fit this demand because they are easy to understand and very interactive. Many operators also asked about multiplayer and social gameplay, which are important parts of our Tap Games mechanics. Overall, the mood at the event was very optimistic and focused on long-term growth.

Latin America is often described as one of the industry’s most promising growth regions. From your perspective, what is driving this momentum right now?

Several factors are pushing the growth of igaming in Latin America. Mobile usage is extremely high, so players prefer games that load quickly and work well on smartphones. This is why lightweight HTML5 games like our Crash titles and simple interactive games perform strongly in the region. Another factor is the cultural preference for fast and exciting gameplay rather than slow traditional slots. Tap Games like Piggy Tap encourage active participation and competition between players, which fits this behaviour well. At the same time, operators are investing heavily in marketing and partnerships. All these elements together are accelerating market growth.

Brazil’s regulatory developments are reshaping the regional landscape. How do you expect this to impact opportunities for game providers operating in LatAm?

Brazil’s regulation is a very important step for the whole region. A regulated market creates more stability and confidence for operators and suppliers. For game providers like Onlyplay, it opens opportunities to work with large licensed operators and long-term partners. It also encourages companies to invest more in localisation and culturally relevant content. For example, games like Brazil Farm or dynamic multiplayer titles such as Piggy Tap can connect well with local audiences. Regulation will also raise quality standards across the industry. Overall, we believe it will help the market grow in a more sustainable way.

“A regulated market creates more stability and confidence for operators and suppliers.”

Evgeniy Pedych, strategic growth executive at Onlyplay.

Onlyplay focuses heavily on high-retention mechanics. How do these gameplay models perform with Latin American audiences compared to other markets?

High-retention mechanics perform very well in Latin America because players enjoy active gameplay. Tap Games are a good example since players tap together and compete for shared rewards. In Piggy Tap, players make more than 800 bets per session on average, which shows very strong engagement. The game also has a 64 per cent player return rate within the first month, which is a strong retention indicator. Interactive mechanics like this feel closer to social gaming than traditional slot spinning. In many ways, these formats match the fast and competitive play style popular in LatAm.

How important are operator and affiliate partnerships when building market traction in LatAm?

Partnerships are essential for building a strong presence in Latin America. Operators help us understand local player behaviour and preferences in each market. Affiliates also play a big role because they drive discovery and trust among players. For example, campaigns around games like Piggy Tap or Chicken Plinko often benefit from streamer and community engagement. These partnerships also allow us to test new ideas quickly and improve our games based on feedback. In a fast-growing region like LatAm, strong collaboration is one of the main drivers of success.

As more providers enter the region, competition is increasing. What factors will differentiate successful content suppliers in the Latin American market?

Successful suppliers will need to focus on innovation and player engagement. Many providers still rely mainly on traditional slot mechanics, but players are increasingly looking for new experiences. Interactive formats like Tap Games, Plinko-style gameplay in Chicken Plinko, or unique mechanics like the coin merging system in Coin Flynn help games stand out. Performance is also important, especially fast loading and mobile-first design. Another factor is understanding regional culture and adapting themes and gameplay accordingly. Providers that combine innovation, performance, and local relevance will have the best chance to succeed.

“Successful suppliers will need to focus on innovation and player engagement.”

Evgeniy Pedych, strategic growth executive at Onlyplay.

Looking ahead, what role do you expect Latin America to play in Onlyplay’s global expansion strategy?

Latin America is one of the key regions in Onlyplay’s global strategy. The market has a young player base and a strong interest in social and interactive gameplay. Our Tap Games and lightweight formats are well-suited for mobile-first regions like LatAm. We also see strong potential for multiplayer games and tournaments, which fit the competitive spirit of local players. Because of this, we plan to continue expanding partnerships with operators across the region. In the coming years, Latin America will remain one of the main growth drivers for Onlyplay.