Interview with Mario Benito, Commercial Director at R. Franco Digital

"Regulation is the only way to protect players"

Mario Benito delivered the keynote address "Online games vs. land-based games", on the first day of Peru Gaming Show 2019.
2019-07-03
Reading time 2 min
While waiting for Peru to regulate online sports betting, the Spanish company exhibited at Peru Gaming Show its omnichannel platform IRIS, among other products. "Land-based operators are the only ones that are contributing to the country's economy. Regulating the activity is the only way to guarantee that Peruvian players' money stays in Peru," said Benito, one of R. Franco Digital's executives who attended the trade show.

The Spanish company R. Franco Digital was present this year at Peru Gaming Show on June 19-20 in Lima, where it displayed its product offer, and also, its Commercial Director, Mario Benito, was one of the speakers of the conference sessions of the event.

The executive delivered a keynote address about online gaming vs. land-based games before a crowded auditorium, during the first day of PGS 2019. After its presentation, the company's CCO spoke exclusively with Yogonet about the potential of this market once it is regulated.

Would the conditions proposed by regulator Manuel San Román guarantee a competitive market?

Undoubtedly. Any scheme that puts forward opening the doors to any operator and supplier that wants to participate is competitive. It is proven that regulatory frameworks similar to those in Colombia or Europe protect the player and provide guarantees to all stakeholders, including suppliers. It turns out that, in Peru, this is still a hypothesis.

Speaking of Colombia, San Román made a difference, which he defined as a positive one: they will not ask for a fee, but a guarantee. Do you agree?

Yes, the same happens in Spain. The Government must request a guarantee, a very high guarantee. In Spain, it is two million euros per license. It is not good that anyone gets a permit. This is the only way to guarantee there are no problems, and to be covered in case one should arise.

The mixed regulation model, online plus retail, is it the ideal approach?

Yes. Many operators -some of which manage two or three rooms, and others between 10 and 12- showed their concern because they feel that the business is slipping away. People already play on mobile devices. Undoubtedly, this points out that regulation is necessary. Currently, land-based operators are the only ones contributing to the economy of the country. Only by regulating the activity is it guaranteed that the Peruvian players' money stays in Peru. In R. Franco, we are always on the side of what law and policies of responsible gaming mandate: regulation is the only way to protect players.

How many operators can a market like Peru support?

I had the opportunity to see some numbers. I do not want to venture too much, but I think 10 is a good number to start with. The five largest international operators usually enter. If we add five local companies, I think we will have a good market.

PGS 2019

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