Manuel Jiménez: “Colombia was and remains the leading igaming jurisdiction in Latin and South America”

Manuel Jiménez, LatAm Sales Manager at EvenBet Gamings, spoke with Focus Gaming News about the company’s presence at GAT Expo 2022 and the novelties EvenBet will exhibit.

Exclusive interview.- Manuel Jiménez granted an interview to Focus Gaming News in which he spoke about his expectations regarding the gaming industry, the future of the LatAm market and how EvenBet Gaming is getting ready for GAT Expo 2022. 

Why did you decide to participate, once again, in the GAT Expo Colombia?

Colombia was and stays the leading iGaming jurisdiction in Latin and South America. It was the first to introduce full-scale online gaming regulation in the region, and now the infrastructure is mature enough to talk about the significant importance of a country in the global market. With the latest online poker regulation changes introduced in 2021, it has become even more crucial for us to be present in Colombia. 

Previously, only existing online casinos and betting operators could offer online poker; now, it has become available as a standalone option.

Last year, GAT Colombia was a success for EvenBet Gaming. We have established communication with numerous existing and future operators, not to mention the pleasure of getting back to face-to-face events and networking. This time, we are looking forward to strengthening our positions.

What was your balance after the last edition of GAT Caribe, last November?

Now, as we are speaking, our team is preparing the launch of several projects that have become possible after this event. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the operators’ names until they go live, but our product and marketing teams are preparing the announcements in April.

Will EvenBet Gaming participate in the conference agenda? In that case, what topic will they address?

Sure we will! Our main product is an online poker software platform, so I will speak on the advantages of the poker projects in Colombia and LatAm in general, current trends in the poker vertical, and the ways for the operators in the region to maximise their revenues from poker. The discussion will be interesting for both seasoned operators and those who are only planning to start an online poker room.

What novelties will they exhibit?

Since GAT Colombia 2022, EvenBet Gaming has completely redesigned the mobile poker application. Noted that up to 90 per cent of the gaming audience in LatAm is mobile, it’s crucial to provide a modern, engaging, and easy-to-use app for players. Everyone wishing to learn more about the new design and features is welcome to our stand! 

Also, we are showing our new promotions module that will change the approach to acquiring and retaining players, especially for those who will use our poker platform together with the casino games and run cross-game promotions. 

“We have more than 2000 game titles integrated into the platform, therefore every operator can find the exact fit for their audience.”

Manuel Jiménez, LatAm Sales Manager at EvenBet Gaming.

What are your expectations for the gaming industry for this year?

In the last few months, we have seen some interesting trends that could affect the online gaming industry: the first online casinos in the Metaverse, the growing popularity of multi-game platforms, to start. However, for me, as I am based in Colombia the real game-changer is the latest developments of online gaming legislation. 

Several weeks ago, I welcomed long-awaited steps for introducing regulation in Brazil. It’s still far from the point when we will talk about poker rooms based on our software, but the process stagnating for years has finally restarted. I’m watching closely the markets in Argentina, Chile, and other countries. 

“I believe that this year will become the next step for Latin and South America to set the path for legal, trusted, and exciting online gaming.”

Manuel Jiménez, LatAm Sales Manager at EvenBet Gaming.

Do you think the success of online poker will be sustained as the restrictions imposed by the pandemic ease?

I’m sure of it. The reopening of brick-and-mortar casinos in the USA didn’t stop the online poker growth. A part of its audience has returned to offline gaming, but if we compare 2021 results with pre-pandemic 2019 numbers, it is clear that the pandemic was just a booster and not the only reason for the poker revival. And here, in Colombia, the operators’ interest is only growing over time, despite the restrictions being progressively lifted. Covid-19 helped players to see how online poker has changed for the better over the last few years.