With more than 20 years participating in this sector, now, you have decided to launch your own company. What is Technogame Corp about, what services does it offer and what are its objectives to start expanding in the market?
Technogame Corp is a distributor of land-based and online casinos’ equipment and technologies, focused on the Latin American market. We will be launching the company in Las Vegas, United States, as part of the prestigious and imminent G2E event. Our goal is to be able to serve our clients and friends in a personalized and agile way. We are distributors of TCSJOHNHUXLEY in Latin America, of its own and unique products, such as the Blaze and Chippers lines, as well as recognized and proven solutions in the industry, such as Cylinders, Table Games and other articles. We are even adding more product lines, like Icon Chips, Refurbished Live Gaming Products, and Refurbished Slots from all available brands. The objective is that the client continues to call me in confidence to tell me directly what his/her company needs. Undoubtedly, we will provide him/her with the best product and technology options to enhance the performance of their companies’ operations with a quick response. It is all that we want after such a long time of closed activities for the reasons we all known.
Speaking about Latin America, the case of Venezuela is one of the topics of the moment. What does it mean for the gambling sector in this region that 30 casinos have been reopened in that territory after a decade closed? How do you imagine that this decision will help expand tourism and gaming businesses in that country?
The reopening of the Venezuelan market is great news and an advance for the country and the gaming and entertainment industry in economic and legal security issues, for both the public and private sectors. From my point of view, tourism and gaming businesses will have a strong rise. It is my wish -and we are collaborating for this purpose- that the Venezuelan casinos have high-level equipment for the greater comfort of their players, with people being able to enjoy themselves again in a relaxed and safe way. Wherever there is an approved, licensed casino, there is always also a hotel, restaurants, social life and movement of the economy, which produces an important income for the State in terms of taxes that can be redistributed for social purposes in those countries, if Latin American Governments respond to their obligations and commitments. The opening of official casinos in the territories is the prove and full confirmation that there is a climate of security and openness to investments in the cities of LatAm that invites tourists to visit them, enjoy their landscapes and attractions, and take advantage of all the entertainment gaming halls can provide.
In which markets will your company be present? What is your analytical view on the current situation of the industry in territories such as Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean and some Latin American jurisdictions (Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Chile)?
Based on my many years of experience in the sector, Technogame Corp has already been working with clients from Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and the Dominican Republic, among other territories. In Venezuela, for example, we have delivered different first-line, very innovative products to customers so that they can update their equipment. I think this will empower all the casinos, some that have already reopened and others that are preparing to restart their operations. With TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s advanced equipment in terms of tables and cylinders, we will soon show the concept of a “new casino”, in Venezuela and throughout the Latin American region. With regard to my analysis of the continent, I understand that there are countries that have managed to handle the crisis and quickly stand up, reactivating their respective economies. In relation to the operators, most have understood that the pandemic was a possibility to reorient their marketing and communication strategies to make them more digital and interactive, approaching players in a more personalized way. I have seen this in operators in Mexico, Panama and some territories in the Caribbean. In Colombia, the entire society realized (and valued even more) about the importance of the contributions of gambling to the health of citizens, since the closure of operations reduced the income of land-based operators and, therefore, the State’s collection was also diminished. In any case, in that country, during the quarantine, the consolidated iGaming segment allowed bettors to continue to have several valid and regulated options to have fun remotely from their homes. On the other hand, there were countries like Argentina and Peru that lagged further behind in the recovery of their economies, with a greater impact on gaming operators. We will see how they can fully resume their operations and also how these societies can further support a sector that contributes resources to the State, and employment and entertainment for the people.
On a personal note, what have you learned from the pandemic, and how has the gaming sector as a whole strengthened and improved its processes to overcome this difficult situation?
I have always been a person prone to value every minute that life offers me. This pandemic context made me see that I could be more supportive of the people I worked with, and to whom, at times, I could not dedicate the necessary time due to the obligations and urgencies of the daily dynamism of our industry. I mean not only at a business level, but also personally. So, I took this opportunity to get to know people more about their lives, their families and their interests. I would say, then, that, despite the distance, communication with clients and friends was reinforced, and our bonds have been enriched.
What prospects and projects do you have for your company’s business future?
Responding to current technologies’ needs in order to quickly and efficiently offer and distribute our solutions, Technogame Corp will be close to our clients. They can contact us online, on our website and our social networks on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, as well as by WhatsApp. Of course, in the immediate term, we are excited and anticipating what will be a great launch at G2E Las Vegas. Friends and clients of a lifetime will accompany us, as I have been in the industry for over 24 years. I look forward to this reunion with the people of the industry so that we can give each other the hugs that we owe for two years.