Ecuador as a potential new market for Latin America

Resume Summary

Ecuador for 2024-2025 underwent a "rapid whitening" of the online market: it introduced a single tax of 15% of GGR, collected 65 companies, allowed advertising of sports betting in the media and secured the LOPD license as the only basis for sports forecast operators. On the horizon is a discussion of a referendum on offline casinos in 5-hotels, which adds a tourism angle. This combination of factors makes Ecuador one of the region's most talked about "new" markets.

1) Regulatory foundation: why the "window of opportunity" is already open

Fiscalization: 15% GGR. From July 1, 2024, a single tax on the gross income of sports forecast operators is in force; in the first half of the year, 2024 65 companies entered the payer register. There is a 15% deduction for winnings. This gave the market a "legitimate skeleton" and predictability for P & L.

Single LOPD license. December 2024: Decreto Ejecutivo 487 created the LOPD license (5 years; annual payment calculated from SBU) is the only title for online sports forecasting, with a 3-month window for bringing systems into line.

Ad returned. In the fall of 2024, the government lifted the ban on advertising bets in the media, synchronizing sports partnerships and media visibility of brands.

State platform as a marker of the "white" segment. Bet593 (Lottery National) is an official local player with public positioning and a mobile application.

Conclusion: for the vertical sportsbook online, an understandable entry outline has been created (taxes, advertising, license, state-reference platform), which reduces country risks.

2) Tourism and offline: a factor that can strengthen the online market

In 2025, the Constitutional Court allowed the issue of allowing casinos in 5 hotels through a referendum (after adjustments to the wording). The final date and text is a political process, but the very fact of discussing the tourism model increases investor interest in the country and the infrastructure of the responsible game.

3) A portrait of demand and the role of the "local anchor"

Football as a driver (LigaPro, CONMEBOL, national team) plus a high interest in the NBA/Eurobasket is a stable base for sportsbook.

The media environment is open (permitted advertising) and ready for club/league activations, which accelerates the "growth of recognition" of new brands.

The state brand Bet593 normalizes user behavior (KYC, limits, local payments) and sets a "purity standard" for the market.

4) Ecuador's competitive advantages vs. neighboring jurisdictions

• Fast time-to-market in online betting: a single license and an understandable tax instead of a "gray zone."
• Advertising legality reduces CAC and increases LTV (compared to markets where promotion is limited).
• Political will to systematize (unified title, reporting, public SRI metric in 65 companies).

• Offline is still banned (before a possible referendum), which limits omnichannel.
• For iCasino verticals, a separate regulation is needed (RNG/live standards, license classes), they are not yet explicitly in LOPD.

5) Regulatory Agenda 2026-2030: What could happen

1. Revision for iCasino. On the basis of LOPD, it is likely that classes of licenses for slots/tables/live and registries of content providers will appear, with mandatory certification and real-time reporting. (The forecast relies on vector 2024-2025.)

2. Offline casino referendum. If the outcome is positive, limited pilots in 5-hotels (MICE/resorts) with hard RG/AML and targeted tax revenues for social programs.

3. Marketing code. Detailing advertising rules (watermarks RG, age filters, hours) to maintain public support.

6) Practical strategy for operators and investors

Go-to-market: prepare dossiers for LOPD, build local payment rails and KYC/AML; plan ATL/BTL campaigns based on sports sponsorships and media.

Partnerships: LigaPro clubs, TV channels/radio, sports and e-sports influencers, government responsible play initiatives.

Product: Ecuadorian football line depth, local analytics and live margins; UX in Spanish, support 24/7, quick verification.

Compliance by design: logs, reporting for SRI/Ministry of Sports, transparent bonus T & Cs, RG limits, data protection.

7) Revision/Business Plan Risk Checklist

1. Check the relevance of the norms (activities of the Ministry of Sports on LOPD, by-laws, implementation horizons).

2. Do not mix: "sportsbook online" (already settled) ≠ "iCasino" (separate rules are needed).

3. Follow the referendum: the course in the Constitutional Court/CEC and the exact wording of the question.

Conclusion

Ecuador went through a rare cycle of "rapid whitening" online for the region: tax, license, advertising and state anchor created a predictable platform for sportsbook. If in 2026-2030 there is a neat legalization of iCasino verticals and offline tourism pilots, the country will turn from a "promising" into a mature combined LATAM market - with understandable fiscal returns and a high standard of responsible play. This login window is already open for operators; for the regulator - the moment to consolidate success with the correct detailing of the rules.