Alessandro Gherardi, Co-Founder & Director of Fomento, operates at the intersection of affiliate marketing, strategic growth, and performance optimization in today’s evolving iGaming landscape. As competition intensifies and regulatory complexity increases, success is no longer defined by scale alone, but by the ability to deliver high-quality, localized, and intent-driven traffic.
In this CasinoRank interview, Gherardi shares how Fomento bridges data-driven marketing with market-specific execution, how affiliate strategies are shifting from volume to quality, and why technology, predictive analytics, and transparency are becoming critical to long-term operator success.
Alessandro, what differentiates Fomento’s approach from other affiliate networks operating in LATAM today?
Alessandro Gherardi: Our edge lies in localized agility. While many networks apply a “one-size-fits-all” template to Latin America, Fomento understands that Brazil is not Colombia, and Argentina is not Mexico.
We operate as a bridge between European standards of data-driven marketing and the unique cultural nuances of LATAM. We don’t just provide traffic; we provide a curated ecosystem where quality and transparency are the primary currencies.
LATAM has become one of the most dynamic iGaming regions globally. From your perspective, which markets within the region are currently the most strategically important, and why?
Alessandro Gherardi: Brazil remains the undisputed “sleeping giant” that has finally woken up, given its market potential, sheer scale and the passion of its betting culture.
However, Peru and Colombia are strategically vital due to their more established regulatory frameworks. We are also keeping a close eye on Chile, as the evolution of its legal landscape presents a massive opportunity for early-mover advantage.
How is Fomento adapting its strategy to operate successfully within increasingly regulated environments?
Alessandro Gherardi: Regulation is a filter for quality. We view it as an opportunity rather than a hurdle. Fomento is shifting toward a compliance-first model, ensuring our sub-affiliates adhere to local advertising standards.
By focusing on sustainable growth and compliance-driven gaming messaging, we ensure our partners (the operators) maintain their licenses and long-term reputation.
The iGaming industry is evolving rapidly. What major shifts have you observed in affiliate marketing performance strategies over the past months?
Alessandro Gherardi: We’ve seen a shift from quantity to intent. It’s no longer just about the volume of clicks, but about the “quality of the lead.” Players are becoming more sophisticated; they look for community, trust, and added value.
We’ve also noticed a massive surge in Influencer-led acquisition, where the personality behind the recommendation matters as much as the offer itself.
With the rise of omnichannel acquisition, which channels are currently delivering the strongest ROI in LATAM markets?
Alessandro Gherardi: Social Media (specifically Telegram and Instagram) continues to dominate due to the high level of mobile penetration and social interaction in LATAM.
However, SEO remains the king of high-intent ROI. Interestingly, we are seeing a “hybrid” ROI success where streamers on platforms like Twitch or Kick drive immediate engagement that traditional banners simply cannot match.
With AI, advanced analytics, and automation reshaping affiliate marketing, how is Fomento leveraging technology to optimize performance and improve operator results?
Alessandro Gherardi: We are heavily invested in Predictive Analytics. By analyzing player behavior patterns in real-time, we can optimize which offers are shown to specific traffic segments while supporting markets as they continue to scale and evolve in response to changing user demand.
We also use automation tools to streamline the “onboarding-to-conversion” funnel, ensuring that the traffic we send to operators is already primed for the specific gaming experience and aligned with growing player demand.
Any recent launches or strategic updates at Fomento you would like to share?
Alessandro Gherardi: We are currently expanding our Proprietary Data Dashboard, which gives our partners unprecedented visibility into their campaign performance across multiple LATAM jurisdictions.
Furthermore, we are strengthening our presence “on the ground” with new strategic partnerships in Brazil to ensure our localized content remains the most relevant in the market.
With a background in digital media and a keen eye for emerging technologies, Ronaldo bridges the gap between players and platforms through clear, insightful reporting to the iGaming industry.
