We had the opportunity to talk to the President of Fecoljuegos, Evert Montero, about the management and impact that Fecoljuegos has had during these 20 years and the most important bets it has made in the sector. In this exclusive interview he also told us about the most important challenges faced by Coljuegos and how the sector has recovered.
MV: What do you think has been the most important contribution of Fecoljuegos to the gambling industry in Colombia?
Evert Montero (EM): I believe that the reputational issue has been very important, because undoubtedly the sector needs to position itself not only within the sector itself but also in the media and in the general economy.
One of the most current and very interesting ones was the support and the bench we did so that taxes could be recalculated during the pandemic, which undoubtedly helped the operators. We were also present throughout the process of online regulation.
The sector, with the help of the federation's commitment, has become not only a national but also an international reference, which in turn acts as an external consultant always looking to see how to adopt new forms of gambling in the country.
MV: How have you seen the recovery of the sector since the reopening was approved?
EV: Well, it has been a slow and difficult process, not only has it been the reopening of the establishments that initially started on the rise, but also the social situation that has arisen has significantly affected the activity.
Yes, there has been a reopening, but we must add to that the restrictions imposed by the department afterwards, and the social problems that have been experienced during the last months, we have already passed the most complicated part, I think we are already at 60%.
MV: Do you see online casinos as a risk factor for the recovery of physical casinos?
EV: I believe that everything must be complementary, without a doubt, one of the lessons that the pandemic left us was the fourth industrial revolution, where everything must also have a digital level. But there must also be a balance between land-based and online. We have seen that although online has gained a lot of strength, the localized niche is very important, here the user is looking for an experience that cannot be replaced, because you have to live it in person, and online is something completely different.
No doubt I am sure we will find those balances where the two sectors support each other and complement each other, that's what it's all about.
MV: What do you think Coljuegos should improve to make processes more efficient and facilitate them?
EV: I think the great challenge for Coljuegos is to improve its entire technological platform; it is something they need to work on. We see constant crashes of the page constantly, which affect the operations and the processes that the operators have to carry out.
It also has to bet on legality, they still do not achieve guarantees for those who are in legality, they do not give guarantees for entrepreneurs who provide employment and comply with all the requirements and payments of legal benefits.
Another challenge that I think is important, is focused on generating new gaming opportunities, it is not only a new way to dynamize the activity and give more possibilities to the entrepreneur to generate new income and make a more competent sector. Because many of the games offered illegally are not regulated, therefore they cannot be offered by the legal operator, making the legal operation of games of chance and chance more difficult
