Brazil's regulated betting market has exploded—but can that momentum continue?

In this episode of the Safe Bet Show, Martin Lycka is joined by Rafael Marchetti Marcondes, Chief Legal Officer at Pitaco, to discuss one of the biggest regulated gambling markets in the world.

Rafael explains why Brazil's upcoming elections could reshape the industry's future, how operators are responding to increasing political scrutiny, and why he still believes the market will continue to grow despite growing regulatory pressure.

The conversation also includes an exclusive update on Pitaco's rebrand and its merger with Mexican operator Draftea, creating a business operating across both Brazil and Mexico.

In this episode:

✅ Pitaco's rebrand and expansion with Draftea
✅ Why Brazil's elections matter for betting operators
✅ The biggest regulatory challenges facing the industry
✅ Advertising restrictions and political pressure
✅ AML and financial crime concerns
✅ Why regulation is essential for long-term sustainability
✅ How Pitaco evolved from Daily Fantasy Sports to sports betting
✅ The future of DFS in Brazil
✅ Rafael's journey from tax lawyer to Chief Legal Officer
✅ Why Brazil remains one of the world's biggest betting opportunities

Rafael also shares why, despite the challenges ahead, Brazil's regulated market has already become too significant for governments to ignore.

#SafeBetShow #Brazil #SportsBetting #Gambling #iGaming #Regulation #ResponsibleGambling #Pitaco #Draftea #BrazilBetting

Are tighter gambling regulations always better for player protection or could they push players towards the black market?

In this episode of The Safe Bet Show, Martin Lycka is joined by Scott Burrows, Director of Technical Compliance at Super, to discuss UK regulatory changes, black market risk, technical compliance and the future of safer gambling.

The conversation explores the mood at the Ethical Gambling Forum, the impact of tax changes, financial checks and promotional restrictions, and why regulation needs to be carefully calibrated if it is to protect players without driving them to offshore operators.

Scott also explains why compliance should be treated as a commercial function, not just a cost centre, and how technical compliance sits between regulation, product and engineering.

In this episode:

✅ Why the UK gambling industry feels cautious right now
✅ How regulatory changes could impact the black market
✅ Why compliance can enable business rather than block it
✅ Super’s approach to technical compliance across multiple markets
✅ How to translate legal requirements into product and engineering
✅ Why responsible gambling technology matters
✅ Why automated pop-ups are not enough
✅ The importance of human intervention in player protection
✅ How newer markets like Brazil need responsible gambling education
✅ Why “tech finds them, people help them” should guide safer gambling

As Scott puts it, technology is a brilliant early warning system but a terrible carer. The operators that get safer gambling right will use technology to identify risk and humans to intervene when it matters most.

#TheSafeBetShow #SaferGambling #ResponsibleGambling #GamblingCompliance #iGaming #SportsBetting #PlayerProtection #GamblingRegulation #BlackMarket #Super

Prediction markets, sports betting regulation and responsible gaming are reshaping the future of the US gaming industry.

At SBC Summit Americas 2026, Martin Lycka sat down with Brandt Iden, VP of Government Affairs at Fanatics Betting & Gaming and former Michigan State Representative, to discuss the biggest issues facing the industry today.

The conversation explores the rapid rise of prediction markets, the importance of consumer protection and why regulated gaming remains the key to sustainable growth across the United States. Brandt also shares insights from his time helping to legalise online sports betting and iGaming in Michigan, one of the most successful regulated markets in America.

In this episode:
✅ The future of prediction markets and sports betting
✅ Why regulated gaming works
✅ Responsible gaming and consumer protection
✅ The evolving role of the CFTC and regulation
✅ How Fanatics is leveraging its sports ecosystem
✅ Lessons from building Michigan's iGaming market
✅ The battle against illegal operators
✅ Why states are increasingly looking at gaming expansion
✅ The opportunities and challenges facing the US industry

Can prediction markets and traditional sports betting coexist? And what does the next chapter of regulated gaming in America look like?

#iGaming #Fanatics #PredictionMarkets #GamingRegulation #SBCSummitAmericas #GamblingIndustry