Baungartner joins Esportes Gaming Brasil to spearhead new regulated era
Hugo Baungartner has been appointed as the new chief business officer and executive director of institutional relations and strategic partnerships at Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of the Esportes da Sorte and Onabet brands.
Baungartner has already started work on high-priority regulatory and institutional matters, which will involve him representing the group before key industry stakeholders, such as the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets, the Federal Revenue Service and the Central Bank of Brazil.
“My focus is on managing relationships with institutional stakeholders and regulators, leading compliance initiatives, and structuring strategic partnerships and projects – all with an emphasis on consolidating and expanding the group’s presence in Brazil’s regulated market,” Baungartner tells iGB.
Esportes da Sorte gained a licence for the newly regulated Brazilian betting market in January and H2 Gambling Capital ranked the brand among its top 10 operators for market share in March.
Baungartner, who previously held the role of chief commercial officer at Brazilian operator Aposta Ganha, started his new role earlier this month.
As Aposta Ganha CCO, he helped the company become one of the first to gain a full licence in Brazil, playing a key role in the local operator joining international giants such as Bet365 and Betano in the market.
What attracted Baungartner to Esportes Gaming Brasil?
Baungartner boasts nearly 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, with strategic expansion and institutional consolidation key themes of his time at Aposta Ganha.
He feels those experiences will serve him well at Esportes Gaming Brasil, saying: “I bring with me a comprehensive view of the sector, hands-on experience navigating regulatory transition and valuable technical know-how in both operations and regulator relations.”
When asked what it is that attracted Baungartner to Esportes Gaming Brasil, he explains: “The group’s strategic positioning and commitment to regulatory compliance were key factors.
“Brazil’s current market environment demands prepared and responsible players and Esportes Gaming Brasil is one of the leading names shaping this new landscape. The group is clearly in a phase of consolidation and expansion.”
Baungartner expects to still play an active role in the industry’s conference and events circuit, believing these are essential for sharing best practices and staying ahead of regulatory and technical trends.
The excitement for the new role stems from both professional and personal motivations for Baungartner, who explains the opportunity to work alongside a highly skilled leadership team on the expansion of one of Brazil’s key players is the aspect that most interests him.
“We’re building a robust, regulated operational model aligned with international standards,” Baungartner says. “Professionally, it’s a strategic move. Personally, it’s a chance to make a positive impact on the industry in my home country.”
Targeted regional expansion a priority for Esportes da Sorte
From a commercial perspective, the strategic partnerships aspect of Baungartner’s position will focus on working with companies that support Esportes Gaming Brasil’s expansion plans.
This will entail partnerships with certified providers, fintechs, data companies and certification laboratories that can bolster the business’ position in the hugely competitive Brazilian market.
Baungartner and his team will implement a regional strategy with a priority focus on brand penetration, saying: “Brazil offers opportunities on multiple fronts, but I would highlight the South and Southeast thanks to their economic scale and the Northeast for its strong engagement and the group’s already solid presence.”
Strengthening institutional relations is also among Baungartner’s top priorities and, in his view, the biggest challenge for that objective lies in establishing a trust-based environment.
Esportes Gaming Brasil has been vocal in supporting Brazil’s regulatory process and, with Baungartner’s help, the company will continue to advocate for regulation, while also pursuing commercial aims of innovation and expansion.
“As the regulatory framework continues to evolve, it’s essential to maintain active institutional channels, ensure transparency in internal processes and collaborate with regulatory bodies on the interpretation and implementation of new rules,” Baungartner continues. “As advocates of regulation, we must be fully engaged in this collaborative phase.
“Our goal is not just to comply with the law but to actively contribute to building an efficient, safe and, above all, responsible market.”