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Latin America’s video game industry made history as the official launch of the Federación Internacional de Juegos de Azar (FIJA) was held during the GAT Expo CDMX 2025. The new federation aims to consolidate coordination between associations and trade associations throughout the region and be one voice for the sector.
Leadership and Founding Members
Evert Montero, president of Colombia’s FECOLJUEGOS, was the first president of FIJA named. Montero emphasized the importance of this initiative, citing the day as “historic” for the gaming business. He recalled that the formation of the federation was the result of communication among regional players to address similar issues and decide shared priorities for the industry.
The federation began with the main players of Latin America, offering broad representation. The most important initial members are: Miguel Ángel Ochoa, president of AIEJA (Mexico); Lorena Rojas, president of APOJA (Paraguay); Fernando Calderón, president of Sociedad Nacional de Juegos de Azar SONAJA (Peru); Elizabeth Maya Cano, CORNAZAR president (Colombia); David Moniz, president of Asociación Dominicana de Casinos de Juego; and Javier Milián, CIBELAE president (Corporación Iberoamericana de Loterías y Apuestas del Estado). Their joint participation forms a solid foundation for regional cooperation and regulatory dialogue.
Historical Relevance and Goals
Montero explained that the formation of FIJA addresses long-standing industry needs with a platform to organize, represent, and collaborate on shared challenges. “We have common challenges and useful input to provide“, he said. The federation aims to develop collaboration between member associations, advance regional standards, and strengthen contact with regulators for more responsible and sustainable gambling habits.
The members all emphasized a culture of being together and working together. Montero also outlined the dedication to a shared agenda of industry growth and operational integrity. “Today, we committed to moving common objectives forward, and with everyone standing behind us, we will move ahead. Additional associations will come on board with FIJA“, he stated.
Regional Coordination and International Positioning
FIJA is viewed as a strategic platform for the Latin American gaming associations, enabling them to have the vehicle with which to articulate industry positions in one voice. With one voice, the federation hopes to influence regional policy, impact fair and open regulation, and improve international acceptance of Latin American gaming operators.
The federation also looks to facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice sharing among members, ensuring sustainable development, risk management, and socially responsible gaming. As the group expands, it looks to expand its membership with additional associations and stakeholders in Latin America, further securing its role as the industry’s focal body.
Looking Forward
With the establishment of FIJA, the Latin American gaming sector takes a milestone in cooperation, regulatory dialogue, and integration in the region. With Montero leading it, the federation will be well on its way to becoming a strong influencer in addressing mutual challenges, promoting responsible practice, and developing the global footprint of the gaming sector of Latin America.
This milestone opens the door to a new generation of regional gaming regulation, declaring that Latin American operators are ready to collaborate, campaign, and build the industry as one cohesive unit, formalizing the market as more orderly, responsible, and globally accepted.
Source: YogoNet
