GBC Time has interviewed – Alberto Alfieri, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Blokotech, a pioneering iGaming technology company focused on delivering cutting-edge, end-to-end solutions for online casinos, sportsbooks, and gaming platforms
What inspired the creation of Blokotech in 2022, and what key industry gaps did you aim to address from the start?
We started Blokotech because the platforms we were using as operators simply didn’t work for Latin America. Either they were outdated or created without a true understanding of how this region actually works. We wanted something built by people who’ve lived the day-to-day. It needed to be reliable, flexible, and local-first.
Blokotech was founded by industry veterans. How did your team’s past experiences influence the vision and direction of the company?
We’ve launched, scaled, and sold both B2C and B2B businesses. That shaped everything. We knew what slows operators down. We knew where tech gets in the way. So we built a platform that’s fast to launch, easy to scale, and built around actual operator needs and not what product managers in Europe think the region needs.
Why was Latin America chosen as a primary focus?
Because we know it and we love it. We’ve worked in most of these markets for years.
And because it’s growing fast, but it’s not easy. It’s a beautiful, dynamic and crazy macro-region. It takes deep local knowledge of cultures, not just local language and products.
In your view, what makes the LatAm iGaming market unique compared to more established regions like Europe?
It’s not just one market. Every country has its own rules, habits, and infrastructure. Even when many countries in the region share the same language, even the way each of them communicates is different. And this is probably what many competitors fail to grasp.
Mobile is dominant. Agents are still a key channel. Trust matters more than branding. You can’t copy-paste a European setup and expect it to work.
How does your team’s deep regional knowledge shape Blokotech’s product development and client relationships?
We don’t guess. We’ve dealt with local banks, agents, and regulators. We know what clients deal with because we’ve been in their shoes. That’s why our PAM supports complex agent structures, low-data usage, local PSPs, all out of the box. Clients feel that we “get it,” and that builds long-term trust.
Among Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, which markets are currently showing the most momentum for iGaming? What are some of the specific regulatory or operational challenges you’ve encountered in these markets, and how are you addressing them?
We’re already licensed in Peru, a country leading the charge with clear and transparent regulation that provides a defined path forward. Argentina offers high volume but complex operations, as each province presents its own regulatory landscape. Even Mexico — often seen as a more mature market — is still evolving in several areas of regulation and product development. One to watch is Chile: the opportunity looks promising, but regulation is still pending. We manage this by staying modular, using local tools, fast custom development, and trusted partners on the ground.
How does Blokotech differentiate itself from other tech providers operating in Latin America?
- We’re fast. This means operators can go live in weeks, not months.
- We’re close. As founders we’re directly involved in everything, not hidden in the background.
- We’re built for LatAm. You won’t find patchwork retrofits; this is local-first from day one.
Can you share any examples of how Blokotech has adapted its offerings to reflect the cultural preferences of a specific market?
Yes. In some markets we rebuilt the agent system to reflect how commissions and credit work there. In one country we integrated a horse racing product that was only available for that market. In others, we’re preparing a fully localised UX. Whatever it takes.
Blokotech recently welcomed LatAm Commercial Director Nicolas Castearena and Casino Partnership Manager Cristian Tonanti. What strengths do they bring to your leadership team? How will their expertise contribute to Blokotech’s next phase of growth, especially within key Latin American markets?
Nicolas knows the operator side inside out, bringing both speed and structure to the commercial side. Cristian has a strong network in the casino space and is helping us grow the supplier side. Together they raise the bar and let us move faster in key markets.
What’s the core focus or strategic shift that will take Blokotech to the next level over the next12–24 months?
We’re moving from fast growth to deeper market dominance. That means tightening internal structure while growing, expanding our partner network, and pushing hard on new tools such as Bloko Predict, our take on prediction markets. We want to become the default choice in LatAm, not just the best challenger.
