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The first edition of GAT Expo Puerto Rico came to a close with an excellent outcome for both GAT Events and the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, the joint organizers. The second day of the trade fair combined an in-depth academic program with a vibrant commercial exhibition, confirming Puerto Rico’s emergence as a strategic point in the Latin American gaming industry.
A Day Focused on Regulation, Technology, and Responsibility
The second academic day, on October 29, explored the themes of “Regulation, Technology, and Responsibility.” The day began with a panel on Responsible Gaming, with Jaime Rivera Emanuelli (Saiber LLC, former Director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission) as moderator, joined by Idalynn Ortiz (Gaming Commission) and Dr. Catherine I. Oliver Franco (ASSMCA).
Next up came the panel discussion “Regulatory Analysis: Land-Based vs. Online Gaming“, led by Lorna Huertas Padilla, Yamile Gutiérrez (G&G Studio Legal), and Evert Montero Cárdenas (Fecoljuegos).
The panel “Trends in Virtual Betting“, with María Cristina Mari García (Hipódromo Camarero), included the participation of Julio César Duque of Golden Race; Ramy Belhachmi, Mi Quinté RD; Edgardo Paredes, Raza Carreras; and Herminio Iglesias, Soll Systems.
The Latin American Online Gaming Landscape
One of the most interesting sessions was “The Scenario of Online Betting in Latin America and Puerto Rico”, led by moderator Víctor Arias (Arrise/Pragmatic Play), with participation from Sean Bishop (Latam Global Tote US) and Joe Fernández (Ballers Sportsbook PR).
This was followed by the panel “State Lotteries in Puerto Rico, Horse Agencies, and Sports Betting”, led by José Carlos Figueroa (GLI Caribe) alongside María Cristina Mari García (Hipódromo Camarero) and Grace Santana (Winln PR).
To conclude the academic sessions, participants attended the keynote presentation “Advances in AML/CFT Prevention and Control“, given by Juan Carlos Restrepo, President of Asojuegos Colombia, and the last panel “The Casino Landscape in Puerto Rico” with the presence of the moderator Alfredo Martínez, Director of the Bureau of Gaming, together with Ismael Vega (Casino Metro) and Sigfrido De Jesús (Casino del Mar).
Commercial Exhibition and International Networking
The much-anticipated commercial exhibition started in the afternoon at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, which also featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Juan Carlos Santaella, officials from the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, sponsors, international association representatives, and industry leaders.
The event afforded a good networking opportunity, attracting professionals and executives from as far afield as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United States, France, Spain, Uruguay, Colombia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Germany, Austria, Peru, Panama, and Lithuania.
The closing celebration, courtesy of Redwall, featured a live performance by the iconic El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico at the T-Mobile District in San Juan, marking a festive and memorable end to the event.
A Milestone for GAT Events and the Caribbean Gaming Industry
José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT Events, reflected upon the success of the event: “It is a great joy to say that GAT Expo Puerto Rico is now turning into a historic milestone for the GAT Events circuit and the entire gaming industry in Latin America. This was achieved by means of our alliance with the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, whose leadership and vision were crucial to this gathering.”
He went further to say that the legal and regulated gaming industry is actively contributing to Puerto Rico’s development and visibility, and thanked all the sponsors and exhibitors who believed in the project. Aguirre concluded with optimism: “We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both local and international attendees, urging that GAT Expo Puerto Rico become an annual meeting platform to drive business opportunities and integration within the sector.”
The success of the first GAT Expo Puerto Rico only underscores the ever-increasing importance the island plays in the global gaming landscape while demonstrating that regulators, operators, and suppliers can come together in a sustainable and forward-looking way.
Source: YogoNet
