On August 27th, the Expo Santa Fe centre hosted the GAT CDMX Academy, a major gambling event, which served as the opening point to the GAT Expo Mexico.
Over 300 niche representatives took part in the program, including operators, associations, government agencies, regulatory bodies, and suppliers of gaming products. The format combined discussions and educational sessions, solidifying the country’s status as a key platform for forecasting the future of the Latin American entertainment sphere.
Detailed Calendar of the Academy
The meeting started early in the morning with welcoming speeches from reputable leaders.
The pool of experts included members of the following firms and institutions:
- GAT Expo;
- AIEJA (Mexican union);
- Fintech Mexico Association;
- Coljuegos (Colombian regulator);
- Bitso Mexico (crypto payment organisation).
Already at the opening, the audience was presented with a strategic mood and a clear emphasis on the main issues facing national and regional markets.
Present and Future of the Local Industry
The first panel focused on the growth trajectory of the gambling business in Mexico. Karen Sierra Hughes from Gaming Laboratories International moderated it. The section also included Alfredo Lazcano, a fintech lawyer, and David Sides, Logrand’s Director.
The participants agreed that the country is at a critical point in its development. Expectations for growth coincide with an urgent demand for regulatory reform, as current legal restrictions are holding back the segment’s potential.
Need for Updates to the Gaming and Raffles Act
The discussion focused on the topic that nowadays causes the greatest concern among Mexican entrepreneurs and their suppliers.
The following specialists joined the panel, emphasising the importance of a thorough reform:
- PR&A's Carlos Portilla;
- AIEJA’s Óscar Paredes Arroyo;
- SCCG Management’s Rosa Ochoa.
The speakers agreed that the current legislation, adopted in 1947, is outdated, complicates certified activities, and hinders AML campaigns and effective control over the shadow sector.
Gaming Machine Import and Distribution
The organisers dedicated part of the program to discussing the issues of delivering casino equipment from abroad. PR&A's José Luis Álvarez moderated the session.
Opinions of the following companies' Mexican branches were lauded:
Additionally, independent consultants presented their positions on legal aspects. The panellists noted that the state is currently undergoing a critical moment in customs regulation, with a de facto ban on the import of gambling equipment. The last deadline for deliveries was October 2024, and to date, the issue of resuming conveyances has not been considered at the political level.
Let us explore experts' central notions:
- Enrique Manjarrez, Novomatic. The local industry is forced to be inventive and is experiencing a «second pandemic.» Suppliers cannot ensure the necessary service entirely. When imports closed, distributors were forced to utilise their existing stocks, adapt hardware, modify software, and innovate to meet client requests for new products.
- Iraid Rosales, Amusnet. The segment has not received a response from the authorities, and providers are unable to inform their customers about an equipment delivery date due to legal restrictions. The expert hopes that a way out will be found soon, as the situation is negatively impacting certified enterprises and the industry as a whole.
- Luis Casamayor, FBM. In the short term, the only viable option is to establish the manufacturing process in Mexico. Nobody knows when the issue will be resolved, and in the meantime, the sector is undergoing a natural cycle of equipment renewal. Today, casinos have high demands, which must be met. Local production remains the only real alternative.
Digital Ecosystem and Affiliate Networks
Joaquín Gago, Betandeal’s CEO, curated this session. The executive gave guests an exclusive presentation on partner promotion tools. The speech was structured as a practical case, introducing a step-by-step algorithm of actions preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A panel on innovations in the iGaming and sportsbook segment followed the demonstration.
These speakers joined the conversation to consider the topic from different angles:
- Luckia’s Luis Caro;
- Playdoit’s Eduardo Villegas;
- Golden Lion’s Enrique Romero;
- Prometeo IT’s Jorge Rojas, etc.
Particular attention was paid to the growing role of artificial intelligence in the industry. Previously, technologies were mainly used to analyse large arrays of data. Now they allow firms to create gambling products from scratch and identify new player behavioural patterns.
No less significant was the discussion on the integration of digital betting with retail operations. This approach transforms the market into a truly multi-channel one, significantly expanding the user experience.
South America: Fight Against the Shadow Segment
The panel examined the experience of industry control in various regional countries and explored ways to combat the illicit sector. Representatives from multiple states shared practical strategies that they have applied in their jurisdictions.
The list of engaged countries encompasses:
- Peru;
- Uruguay;
- Paraguay;
- Colombia, etc.
Increased attention was paid to the supervision of digital transactions, as well as to issues of cross-border cooperation between regulators and professional associations.
Financial Instruments and Management Methods
Representatives of Klu, AIEJA Online, Getnet Santander, and other giants attended the discussion. It centred on the obstacles faced by Latin America, ranging from bank restrictions on opening accounts for foreign firms to the rapid rise of cryptocurrency payments in the industry.
The Academy track was concluded by a report from Amusnet’s Daniel Arias. The expert presented an OKR management methodology, enabling companies to develop effective processes and achieve specific results. This approach is quite unusual for the amusement market.
Strategic Alliances and New Collaborations
One of the key events of the day was a summit dedicated to fostering beneficial partnerships among the associations within Latin America’s gambling sphere. During the conference, representatives of leading local and international organisations discussed ways to cooperate and strengthen industry ties.
The meeting saw the official announcement of the regional Gaming Network. This initiative aims to unite guilds and other niche communities from over 18 countries across Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean. The day’s program concluded with the AIEJA Assembly and an evening reception at a luxurious Mexican casino, setting a positive tone for the GAT Expo.
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