Following its successful rollout in Europe, including new licenses in Greece and Denmark, Habanero has been experiencing rapid development in Latin America. What strategies have been implemented to drive growth in this region?
We have always believed that markets are not the same, and that is especially true in Latin America. The strategy has really been about listening and understanding what players enjoy and what operators need, then fine-tuning our approach from there. This approach focuses on creating localized, data-informed experiences that feel relevant to each market, rather than trying to push the same content everywhere. We have built strong partnerships on the ground and tailored our roadmap accordingly. That includes everything from game mechanics to how we roll out promotions like Jackpot Race. It is about making sure our content resonates, and the feedback so far tells us we are on the right track.
How has business been doing so far for the firm in South American markets such as Argentina and Colombia?
Entering both Argentina and Colombia has been hugely valuable to us, both commercially and as a learning opportunity. They have given us the space to test and refine what works best in Latin America. We have seen strong player engagement, especially with our more visual, fast-paced games, and we have developed some fantastic relationships with operators that have really helped push things forward. It has also helped shape our thinking for other regional markets, like Brazil. You cannot overstate how important it is to build from real-world insights, and those two markets have been key in that regard.
Why did you decide to enter Brazil, and now that you have, what are your expectations for this territory?
Brazil was always going to be on our roadmap. It is arguably one of the most dynamic markets in the world. There is a huge appetite for iGaming there, and now that regulation has taken shape, we see it as a real opportunity to contribute something meaningful and impactful. Our focus is on building long-term value and creating games that speak to Brazilian players, working closely with partners, and staying fully aligned with regulatory progress. Our expectations are grounded, but optimistic. It is a market we are incredibly excited about, and we are confident we have the right tools and content to make an impact.
How do you design engaging games that cater to users’ interests, which always vary from country to country?
It all comes down to localization. We do not just translate a game; we look at themes and visuals, and identify what features speak to a particular audience, and then go from there. In some markets, players want high volatility and big bonuses; in others, it is more about rhythm and pacing. We take those insights seriously. Zeus Deluxe, for example, was built with a very specific kind of player in mind and has performed well because of that. We also work closely with our operator partners, and they give us great feedback that helps our design process.
What are the main challenges and goals for your company during this year?
One of the big challenges is staying ahead in a space that is so fast moving, both in terms of regulation and player expectations. It is also what keeps things exciting. Our goals this year are to continue expanding into regulated markets, with Brazil being a big one, while continuing to invest in game development and gamification. We want to keep delivering games that players connect with and operators’ trust. That also means investing more in mobile-first experiences and looking at ways to bring further community elements into our titles.