Brazil as the Anchor Market
Steven Valentine, Chief Commercial Officer at Comtrade Gaming, discusses the company’s objectives at SBC Summit Rio 2026, its expansion strategy in LatAm, and how its iCore platform and CG Games portfolio are positioned to support operators as Brazil transitions into a fully regulated gaming market.
Exclusive interview.- As Brazil continues its transition into one of the world’s most significant regulated gaming markets, technology providers are accelerating their efforts to establish a long-term presence in the region. For Comtrade Gaming, the country represents not only a major commercial opportunity but also a cornerstone of its broader Latin American expansion strategy.
In this exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, Steven Valentine, chief commercial officer at Comtrade Gaming, outlines the company’s objectives at SBC Summit Rio 2026, the strategic importance of its recent certification to distribute CG Games content in Brazil, and how its modular iCore platform is designed to help operators navigate compliance, competition, and rising operational demands in a newly regulated environment.
What are Comtrade Gaming’s main objectives for SBC Summit Rio 2026, and why is this event particularly important for your expansion strategy in Latin America?
SBC Summit Rio is strategically important for us because Brazil is still transitioning from a grey market into one of the most significant regulated jurisdictions globally. For Comtrade Gaming, this is exactly the type of market we prioritise — large, regulated, and operator-driven.
Our objectives are threefold:
Strengthen partnerships with existing regional operators preparing for long-term regulated competition.
Demonstrate the flexibility of our iCore platform and how it can add real value for operators
Position ourselves as a long-term technology partner to help operators grow, not just another supplier.
Latin America is not a short-term expansion play for us; it’s a structural growth region. Being present in Rio signals commitment. We are investing in relationships, localisation, and regulatory readiness — not simply market access. This is also highlighted by the native Brazilian team we have employed.
Comtrade Gaming has recently received certification to distribute its CG Games content in Brazil. How significant is this milestone for the company, and how does it shape your approach to the Brazilian market?
Certification in Brazil was a major milestone for us, and our initial plan for launch is with tier 1 operators. This has taken some time to put together, but by the end of Q2, we will start with a big bang!
How do Comtrade Gaming’s iCore platform and CG Games portfolio address the specific needs of Brazilian operators as the market moves further into a regulated phase?
As markets regulate, operators face three immediate pressures: compliance, new competition, and increased player acquisition costs.
Our iCore platform addresses this by offering:
Modular architecture that allows operators to adapt quickly to regulatory changes.
A big focus on player retention with market-leading bonus tools and player engagement features
Providing CRM and Gamification tools built into our platform to reduce 3rd party operating costs
Meanwhile, CG Games provides certified, performance-driven content that can be integrated seamlessly into both our own platform and third-party systems.
Brazilian operators will eventually move to compete on operational excellence, not just bonuses and acquisition spend. Our role is to provide stable infrastructure and compliant content that allows them to focus on brand and customer strategy.
“As markets regulate, operators face three immediate pressures: compliance, new competition, and increased player acquisition costs.”
Steven Valentine, chief commercial officer at Comtrade Gaming.
Brazil is entering a new era of regulated gaming. What challenges and opportunities do you see in this transition, and how is Comtrade Gaming positioning itself as a reliable technology partner?
The transition brings both opportunity and complexity.
Challenges include:
Rapid regulatory adjustments and secondary legislation.
Increased compliance and operational costs.
Market consolidation as smaller, undercapitalised operators struggle.
Opportunities include:
Greater investor confidence.
Sustainable revenue models.
Higher standards across technology and player protection.
Comtrade Gaming positions itself as a long-term technology partner by focusing on stability, compliance, and flexibility. We’ve supported operators through multiple regulatory transitions across Europe and other jurisdictions. That experience is critical in a market like Brazil, where clarity will continue to evolve over the next 12–24 months. Reliability, in this context, means robust systems, certified content, and the ability to adapt quickly as regulation matures.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, what role do you see Brazil playing in Comtrade Gaming’s long-term Latin American strategy, and what key trends should operators be watching?
Brazil will be the anchor market in our Latin American strategy. Its scale, demographic profile, and regulatory shift make it one of the most important global markets for the next decade. Beyond Brazil, we expect regulatory momentum across Latin America to accelerate, and success in Brazil will strengthen our regional positioning.
Key trends operators should watch:
Consolidation and professionalisation of the market.
Stronger enforcement of responsible gaming frameworks.
Increased demand for platform flexibility as regulatory and tax models evolve.
Data-driven retention strategies are becoming more important than pure acquisition.
For Comtrade Gaming, the focus remains consistent: regulated markets, modular technology, and long-term partnerships. Brazil is not a short-term opportunity for us — it is a strategic pillar in our global expansion roadmap. We have always been the go-to platform partner once operators realise what they are missing from their current provider.
“Beyond Brazil, we expect regulatory momentum across Latin America to accelerate, and success in Brazil will strengthen our regional positioning.”
Steven Valentine, chief commercial officer at Comtrade Gaming.
Interview published by Focus Gaming News.