AI, heavy taxes, and hyper-localisation in LatAm with 1xBet’s Simon Westbury

Game Changers - 29 April

Welcome to another episode of Game Changers! In this episode, we dive into the exclusive data from 1xBet's latest LatAm report. Simon Westbury, Strategic Advisor at 1xBet, reveals how Latin America is surprisingly leading the way in player protection technology, with 69 per cent of operators using real-time monitoring and 34 per cent utilising AI, outpacing Western Europe. The conversation also tackles the looming regulatory hurdles in the region, including the dangers of aggressive taxation, such as Mexico's staggering 50 per cent tax rate. Furthermore, Simon highlights the urgent need for player education to shift the regional mindset so that gambling is viewed as a social entertainment experience rather than a primary source of income generation.

Finally, we get an inside look at how a global titan like 1xBet successfully enters new markets by dropping the "colonial" approach in favour of hyper-localisation utilising local licenses, dedicated local teams, and regional sponsorships to build genuine player trust.

Game Changers is brought to you by ⁠Focus Gaming News⁠⁠, your ultimate source for the latest insights, data, and interviews from the global gaming industry! Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date with all the latest global gaming industry insights!