Evert Montero Analyzed Colombia's Gaming Regulation at SiGMA

Colombia as a regulatory reference for Latin America

SiGMA North America brought together nearly 2,250 delegates and generated a space for exchange among representatives from different markets in the region. In this context, the president of FECOLJUEGOS highlighted the Colombian experience in terms of online gaming regulation and outlined the main lessons the country can offer to the rest of Latin America.

Regulation and competitiveness 

SiGMA North America brought together leaders from different markets in Latin America and North America. From your experience in Colombia, what differences and common points do you identify today between these markets regarding regulation and industry development?

"Colombia has been, to a large extent, a regulatory laboratory for Latin America. We were pioneers in building a clear framework for online gaming, which generated trust, attracted investment, formalized the activity, and allowed for the development of a modern and responsible industry. This experience has served as a reference for other countries in the region.

But a laboratory also provides lessons on what should be avoided. The Colombian experience shows that good regulation can lose its effectiveness when excessive tax burdens, overregulation, or decisions that are more political than technical appear, ultimately affecting the sustainability and competitiveness of legal operators.

That is perhaps the main lesson Colombia can offer today: regulating is essential, but regulating well means finding balance. A formal market must be solid and competitive enough to grow, innovate, generate employment, and provide resources for the State while, at the same time, facing illegal operations that do not pay taxes or comply with any regulation."

Evert Montero Cárdenas inducted into the Hall of Game 2026

One of the highlights of Montero's participation in SiGMA North America was his induction into the Hall of Game 2026, a recognition that the leader received as a tribute that transcends his personal career and also represents the Colombian industry.

A collective recognition 

You were inducted into the Hall of Game 2026 during the event. What did this recognition mean to you personally, and what do you think it represents for the regulated gaming sector in Colombia?

"Receiving this recognition on an international stage like SiGMA was an immense honor and one of the most significant moments of my career in the industry. I received it with gratitude, but fundamentally as a collective recognition.

I dedicate it to each and every one of the games of luck and chance entrepreneurs, those who have invested, generated employment, taken risks, and worked for years to build a formal, responsible industry committed to our countries. They are the ones who make it possible for this sector to grow, strengthen, innovate, and generate development.

That is why I consider this recognition to transcend the personal. It is also a way to make internationally visible what Colombia has built and the role our industry has played in the evolution of the regulated Latin American sector. Being in the Hall of Game is a personal honor; representing the Colombian industry there is an even greater source of pride."

FECOLJUEGOS and the sustainability challenge

The sustainability of the regulated market appears to be one of the main concerns for FECOLJUEGOS. Montero believes that Colombia must preserve the necessary conditions for legal operators to compete, invest, and contribute to the country's economic development.

Balance between regulation and industry 

FECOLJUEGOS has played an active role in defending and representing the Colombian industry. What challenges do you consider priorities for FECOLJUEGOS | PREGUNTAS SIGMA Colombia to maintain its position as one of the reference markets in Latin America?

"The great challenge is sustainability. We need to preserve a regulated market that is legally stable, economically viable, and sufficiently competitive against illegal operations.

We have high expectations for the new administration and hope to find a government that understands that protecting investment and formal businesses does not contradict the social objectives of the State. On the contrary, a sustainable industry over time generates more employment, more investment, greater formality, and more resources for the country.

From FECOLJUEGOS, we have always been open to dialogue and to technically building that balance. It is not simply about how much an industry can contribute at a given moment, but about guaranteeing the legal, regulatory, and economic conditions that allow it to continue existing, growing, and contributing for many years.

And there is a fundamental element: every time we weaken the regulated operator, we expand the space for illegal operations. That is why the sustainability and competitiveness of the legal market must also be understood as a policy of consumer protection, defense of public resources, and the fight against illicit economies."

Technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation 

Technological innovation was one of the central themes of SiGMA North America 2026, with special attention paid to artificial intelligence, data analytics, and new forms of interaction with users. For the Colombian leader, these changes highlight the need for regulatory frameworks to evolve at the same pace as the industry.

The challenge of regulating technological transformation 

After participating in SiGMA North America, what trend, idea, or conversation that arose during the event do you consider could have the greatest impact on the evolution of the gaming industry in Colombia and the rest of Latin America?

"SiGMA left a very important reflection: the industry is advancing at an extraordinary speed, and regulation must be capable of accompanying that transformation without becoming an obstacle to innovation.

Technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, responsible gaming, and new forms of interaction with users are profoundly changing our sector. But to take advantage of these opportunities, we need modern regulations, built on evidence and technical criteria, that understand both the technology and the economic reality of the companies.

It also became clear that one of the greatest regional challenges will continue to be digital illegality. There is no real protection for the player if the regulated market loses competitiveness against platforms that operate outside the regulation.

That is why I believe that the great debate for Latin America will be finding the balance between regulation, taxation, innovation, player protection, and business sustainability. Colombia has much to contribute to that conversation because our own experience has taught us precisely what we must do right and what mistakes we must not repeat."

Evert Montero Cárdenas' participation in SiGMA North America allowed the Colombian experience to be put into perspective regarding the challenges facing the regulated Latin American market. The leader emphasizes the need to combine regulation, competitiveness, and innovation to confront the expansion of digital illegality and sustain the growth of the formal industry.