Focus Gaming News CEO and founder Fernando Saffores discusses the media outlet’s 10th anniversary, the launch of the myFocus platform, and his vision for combining AI with professional journalism.
Exclusive interview.- As Focus Gaming News marks its tenth anniversary, we sat down with the person who envisioned and built the media outlet from the ground up: CEO and founder Fernando Saffores.
In this exclusive interview, Fernando reflects on the early days of the outlet, the evolution of Focus Gaming News’ mission from a global newsroom to a multi-format, technology-powered platform, and the industry transformations he has witnessed over the past decade.
Fernando also shares his views on AI, market expansion, regulation, and the future of igaming, while offering a preview of the innovations, such as the upcoming myFocus platform, that will define the media outlet’s next chapter.
When you founded Focus Gaming News in 2016, what was the specific gap in the igaming industry that you identified? What did you see that other media outlets weren’t covering?
When I founded Focus Gaming News ten years ago, I identified a clear gap between quantity and quality in gaming media. There was plenty of information available, but very little that combined professional journalism, global vision, and real industry understanding.
Many outlets focused on press releases or very localised perspectives. What I felt was missing was a trusted, international media platform that treated our industry as a serious business ecosystem, with regulation, technology, leadership, and markets at its core.
When Focus Gaming News was born, you wanted to cover the igaming industry “professionally and globally.” What did that mean to you in 2016, and how has that mission evolved?
In 2016, “professionally and globally” meant applying the same editorial standards used in top-tier business media, while covering the industry beyond Europe or a single market.
Today, that mission has evolved into something much bigger. It means having local expertise and teams with a global mindset, understanding regional nuances, and connecting them to global trends. It also means being close to the industry, at events, in conversations, and in decision-making moments, while remaining independent, credible, and respected.
Over the past ten years, you’ve witnessed major disruption. How has the industry adapted, and what lessons stand out?
The gaming industry has shown remarkable resilience. During Covid-19, regulatory changes, and rapid technological shifts, the industry didn’t stop: it adapted.
The biggest lesson has been that agility and compliance are not optional, and that technology alone is not enough without trust, responsible practices, and strong leadership.
From my perspective, companies that invested in long-term strategy, transparency, and people are the ones leading today.
AI has changed the world. How has Focus Gaming News adopted AI, and what is your vision for the future?
Artificial intelligence has undoubtedly reshaped the way industries operate, and the media is no exception. At Focus Gaming News, we see AI not as a replacement for human judgment, but as a powerful enabler that allows us to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
We have already integrated AI into several internal processes, from content optimisation and multilingual workflows to data analysis, trend detection, and audience insights. This helps our distributed team focus on what truly matters: journalism, context, relationships, and credibility.
Looking ahead, our vision is to use AI to deliver more personalised, relevant, and timely content to our readers, while maintaining the human editorial oversight that defines our brand. AI will allow media to scale, but trust will continue to be built by people. The future belongs to media outlets that can successfully combine technology with integrity, experience, and industry knowledge, and that is exactly where Focus Gaming News is positioning itself.
“The future belongs to media outlets that can successfully combine technology with integrity, experience, and industry knowledge, and that is exactly where Focus Gaming News is positioning itself.”
Fernando Saffores, CEO and founder of Focus Gaming News.
Which market do you believe will capture the industry’s attention next?
After the strong momentum we’ve seen in markets like Brazil, the consolidation across Asia, and the impressive growth throughout Africa, I believe the industry’s next focal point will be select emerging markets where regulation, technology, and demographics align.
Africa will continue to grow, but with more maturity and segmentation. At the same time, Latin America beyond Brazil (particularly countries moving toward clearer regulatory frameworks) will gain increasing attention. We’re also closely watching parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, where digital adoption is accelerating, and discussions around regulation are beginning to evolve.
What’s clear is that the next “hot market” won’t just be about size, but about sustainability, compliance, and long-term potential. Focus Gaming News is already investing editorial resources in these regions to ensure we are present early, with local insight and a global perspective.
How do you think the igaming industry will evolve in the next ten years, and how is Focus Gaming News positioning itself?
Over the next decade, igaming will become more regulated, more data-driven, and more interconnected with other forms of entertainment and technology. We will see stronger compliance standards, deeper personalisation powered by AI, increased convergence with fintech, esports, and digital entertainment, and a growing emphasis on responsible gaming.
Player behaviour will continue to evolve toward mobile-first, fast, and seamless experiences, while operators and suppliers will need to balance innovation with trust and transparency.
For Focus Gaming News, this evolution reinforces our core mission. We are positioning ourselves not just as a news outlet, but as a global reference point for decision-makers. That means deeper analysis, stronger regional coverage, more exclusive content, and new platforms, like myFocus, that bring the industry closer together.
As the industry grows more complex, the role of independent, professional media becomes even more critical. Our commitment is to remain close to the market, close to our partners, and close to our readers, delivering clarity in an industry that never stops moving.
“As the industry grows more complex, the role of independent, professional media becomes even more critical.”
Fernando Saffores, CEO and founder of Focus Gaming News.
What can you tell us about the innovations planned for this year and “myFocus”?
Our 10th anniversary year will bring several new initiatives, and myFocus is one of the most important.
MyFocus will be a personalised space for our readers and partners, offering tailored content, exclusive insights, and new ways to interact with our media. It represents our commitment to evolve with our audience and deliver more value than ever before.
What are the three priorities that will define the next years of Focus Gaming News?
Innovation in content and formats, especially video, audio, and personalised experiences. Strengthening our global presence while deepening local expertise. Maintaining trust and independence, which is the foundation of everything we do.
If you could speak to yourself in 2016, what would you say?
I would tell myself that the journey will be challenging, demanding, and sometimes uncertain, but absolutely worth it.
I would say: trust your vision, surround yourself with good people, even better than yourself, listen to the industry, and never forget that Focus Gaming News exists because of its readers, partners, and an incredible team distributed around the world. Seeing what we’ve built together after ten years is deeply emotional and something I’m incredibly proud of.
Focus Gaming News CEO and founder Fernando Saffores discusses the media outlet’s 10th anniversary, the launch of the myFocus platform, and his vision for combining AI with professional journalism. Exclusive interview.- As Focus Gaming News marks its tenth anniversary, we sat down with the person who envisioned and built the media outlet from the ground up:…
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