Playtech Targets Brazil Launch For Early 2027

Playtech expects to move ahead with its Brazil expansion at the start of 2027, with CEO Mor Weizer saying election-related political sensitivity has slowed discussions with a prospective customer.

The supplier agreed in 2025 to provide technology for Caixa, Brazil’s state-owned bank, as it prepared to enter the betting market. Caixa has already paid a BRL30 million ($5.9 million) licence fee, but political scrutiny surrounding gambling has repeatedly delayed its launch.

Brazil’s upcoming general election has added another delay. Weizer said Playtech was asked to hold off until the election period had passed while continuing discussions with the government and its prospective customer.

“There were certain concerns that because it is an election year, and obviously, gaming is a political issue or there were references by politicians throughout the elections about gambling.

“Given the sensitivity around that, we were kindly asked to collaborate with the government [and] with the prospective customer that we are in discussions with to wait until the elections.”

He maintained that the commercial plans remain intact.

“I will say that the expectations remain the same to enter into an agreement and launch sometime at the beginning of next year.”

Brazil could lift medium-term expectations

Playtech CFO Chris McGinnis said the Brazil opportunity was known when the company established its medium-term targets, but it was not specifically included in those forecasts.

“At that point, we sort of knew of the opportunity, but it wasn’t specifically factored into the guidance necessarily,” he stated.

The company intends to reassess those targets with its full-year results. McGinnis said Brazil could add to the existing outlook.

“We’ll revisit the targets at the full-year results. I think that would probably be the logical time to more explicitly factor Brazil into any revised targets.”

Playtech already operates in Brazil through a live casino studio in São Paulo.

Americas performance remains strong

The Brazil discussions come as Playtech reports strong growth across its wider Americas business. First-half revenue increased 10% year on year to €425.1 million, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 77% to €162.5 million.

B2B operations generated €128.1 million of adjusted EBITDA. Revenue from the US and Canada rose 161% to €56.9 million.

Weizer also pointed to industry consolidation as a potential source of future B2B opportunities. He cited the combination of 888 and William Hill, explaining that Playtech already supplied William Hill while having comparatively little business with 888 before the acquisition.

Playtech keeps Evolution case comments limited

Playtech also faced questions about the continuing legal dispute involving Evolution and an investigation commissioned from Black Cube in 2020.

A recently released Spectrum Gaming Group report examined allegations concerning Evolution’s activities in prohibited markets. Playtech has said parts of the earlier investigation were supported by the report, while the report did not confirm some other allegations.

Weizer declined to discuss the litigation further.

“It’s very interesting. But as I’m sure you can understand, we are not going to answer any questions on litigation.

“I have a lot to say, but I can’t.”

Source:

"Playtech expecting 2027 Brazil launch amid political uncertainty", igamingbusiness.com, September 11, 2026