Pragmatic Play strengthens Ecuabet with Smart Studio in Ecuador.

Summary:

• Smart Studio launched at Ecuabet for a 100% custom Live Casino experience.

• Partnership extended after an initial bingo deal in May 2024.

• Enhanced local experience tailored for Ecuadorian players.

• Rapidly growing market: +20% annually estimated in Ecuador.

• Risks: dependency on a single provider, high costs, regulatory instability.

Pragmatic Play empowers Ecuabet with Smart Studio: a new era for Live Casino in Ecuador.

• Announcement date: July 2025

• Objective: Deliver a fully customizable Live Casino

• Target market: Ecuador

Why are Pragmatic Play and Ecuabet strengthening their partnership?

Pragmatic Play and Ecuabet are expanding their collaboration. The Ecuadorian operator now integrates Smart Studio, a highly customizable Live Casino solution. The goal: deliver a local, immersive gaming experience aligned with the brand’s identity. This announcement follows the agreement signed on May 31, 2024, focused on online bingo.

Who is Ecuabet and what does it offer?

Ecuabet is a key online gaming operator in Ecuador. Its platform is modern, popular, and focused on local innovation.

• Launch year: 2020

• Headquarters: Ecuador

• Regulation: compliant local license

• Available products:

• Slots

• Table games (roulette, blackjack)

• Bingo (added in May 2024 with Pragmatic Play)

• Sports betting

• Live Casino

• Virtual sports

• Registered users: 250,000+ (2024 estimate)

• Platform language: Spanish

• Payment methods: credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, local options

• Partners: Pragmatic Play, VirtualSoft, other iGaming studios

• Positioning: generalist platform with strong content customization

What does Smart Studio bring to Ecuabet?

Smart Studio redefines the live gaming approach. This technology enables full customization of the live environment. Ecuabet can now tailor its Live Casino experience to match its branding and player base.

What exactly does Smart Studio allow?

• Change scenery, logos, and visual elements

• Modify UI, features, and game pacing

• Create a unique atmosphere at every table

• Launch real-time marketing campaigns

• Offer a Live Casino unlike any competitor

Why is the Ecuadorian market strategic for this project?

The Ecuadorian iGaming market is booming.

• Estimated annual growth: +20% (2024 data)

• In this context, technological differentiation is key.

• Ecuabet is betting on innovation to maintain leadership.

• Pragmatic Play becomes a strategic partner in this pursuit.

What do the key players say about this partnership?

Victor Arias, VP LATAM at ARRISE (Pragmatic Play):

“This partnership proves our commitment to delivering local, high-quality experiences.”

Alejandro Velez, CEO of VirtualSoft:

“Thanks to Smart Studio, our Live Casino now truly reflects the Ecuabet brand.”

Critical analysis: strengths and limits of the Pragmatic Play – Ecuabet collaboration.

✅ Key strengths of this strategic alliance

• Deep customization via Smart Studio: Allows Ecuabet to stand out with a Live Casino that reflects its identity.

• Strengthening an existing collaboration: The partnership builds on solid foundations laid in 2024 through the bingo vertical.

• Access to exclusive tech: Smart Studio is still rare in the region, giving Ecuabet a temporary competitive edge.

• Cultural adaptation: Design, atmosphere, and content are aligned with Ecuadorian player preferences.

• Showcase for Pragmatic Play: This project highlights the provider’s ability to meet local demands precisely.

⚠️ Points to watch (or to put into perspective)

• Strong tech dependence on Pragmatic Play: With most verticals (slots, bingo, live, virtual sports) tied to one provider, Ecuabet’s long-term flexibility is limited.

• Customization can be costly: Despite Smart Studio’s flexibility, adapting each table requires resources: graphic design, tech support, maintenance. This can be costly for a growing operator.

• Risk of visual overload or overbranding: Excessive customization might hurt readability and UX. Players used to neutral designs could feel disoriented.

• Short-term novelty effect: Smart Studio may create a temporary wow effect, but if adopted widely, its uniqueness fades.

• Unstable local regulation: Ecuador’s online gaming laws are still evolving. A sudden legislative change could force Ecuabet to revise its strategy.

• Focus on a niche segment (Live Casino): Smart Studio enhances only one part of the offer. It doesn’t impact sports betting, jackpots, or RNG games, thus limiting its overall platform transformation.