José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT Events Latam and CMO of Mobadoo, tells us exclusively for SoloAza r what the new edition of GAT Expo México will be like , taking place on August 27 and 28, 2025, in Mexico City. Without a doubt, it will be an unmissable meeting point for those involved in the gaming industry.

GAT Expo Mexico will be held at EXPO Santa Fe, the epicenter of business. What does this scenario mean for the positioning of the gaming industry in Latin America?

Arriving with GAT Events at Expo Santa Fe is strategic not only for the venue, but also for Mexico City's significance as a business capital. Mexico City is a metropolis connected to the entire world, boasting first-class physical infrastructure and a hotel and cultural offering that facilitates hosting international delegations. This gives the gaming industry a high-level stage to showcase innovation, debate the future of the sector, and generate connections with local and regional impact. Mexico, due to its location in North America and its economic importance, is a gateway to the entire continent, and being here reinforces our goal of projecting legal Latin American gaming to the world.

The previous edition in Cancún marked the return of trade fairs to the country. What lessons did GAT Caribe Cancún teach us, and how will they influence the organization of this new edition?

Cancún was an extraordinary starting point for the dawn of a new era of gaming trade shows in Mexico. In fact, participants found new doors opening for them and requested that we move to Mexico City in 2025. Cancún confirmed to us that combining business and life experiences makes for much more productive events. For Mexico City, we've retained that spirit but adapted it to a more robust format: more conferences, more international brands, the Latam Association Summit, and specialized activities that integrate all industry players. Many visitors will take advantage of their stay, arriving before or after the event to explore museums, restaurants, and iconic sites. Mexico's cultural richness is magnificent.

The central axes of GAT Expo Mexico

 What will be the main themes or activities during the expo?
We will have three main pillars: First , the Institutional Academy on August 27, which will include representatives from the Mexico City Government, national and international gaming industry associations, experts from leading companies such as Pragmatic Play, GLI, Amusnet, Betandeal, FBM, and law firms with extensive experience in the industry such as Portilla Ruy-Díaz & Aguilar and Lazcano Sámano. There will be conferences on regulation, technological innovation, affiliate marketing, online gaming, sports betting, machine imports, and the fight against illegal gambling, with the participation of current and former regulators.

Second , the Latam Association Summit , a unique space where important regional associations will work together on a common agenda. For two days, entrepreneurs, operators, and suppliers will also be able to speak directly with the leaders of trade associations from Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, and Peru , receiving strategic guidance to enter or expand legal and successful operations in different gaming verticals in their respective countries. The Summit is projected as an annual meeting within the GAT Events Circuit, creating a network of cooperation and sustainable growth throughout Latin America.

And third , on August 28th, the trade show and workshops will include payment methods, artificial intelligence, eSports, virtual betting, and ML/TF prevention in a specialized workshop. All of this will be accompanied by networking opportunities tailored to a meeting of this quality.

The Mexican market

Mexico plays a strategic role in the regional gaming industry. What specific opportunities does GAT Expo seek to generate to strengthen this leadership?
Mexico is, without a doubt, one of the most dynamic and promising markets in Latin America for land-based and online gaming, with sustained growth in sports betting, iGaming, and eSports, making it a benchmark for international operators and suppliers. Our goal is to leverage Mexico's potential to build a productive network between this enormous market and the Latin American and global ecosystem, offering a platform where operators and suppliers can engage directly in academic and commercial spaces.

The Latin American Associations Summit will be one of the key events to fulfill the goal of facilitating knowledge exchange, comparing regulatory advances, and developing joint strategies to guide those seeking to operate legally, innovatively, and successfully in our various gaming verticals. We will also promote concrete investment opportunities, technological alliances, and commercial expansion, creating a meeting place where deals are closed and roadmaps are drawn up for industry growth throughout the region.

 How do you envision the future of legal and regulated gaming in Mexico after events like this?
I think this is definitely a fundamental step for the industry's development. Nothing replaces an in-person meeting at a high-level trade show that covers all verticals and players in the gaming industry in each of the GAT Events Circuit countries. Today it was Mexico City's turn, where it will have a greater impact, as there was a gap of almost 15 years in the execution of commercial showcases like this. The return has not been easy because we found a fairly dispersed sector; however, we are confident that the result will be very satisfactory and we are already preparing to respond to brands that want to participate in 2026, as we have Expo Santa Fe scheduled for May 13 and 14. GAT Expo will be a driving force for the country to consolidate itself as a regional benchmark, with an up-to-date and competitive technological and entertainment offering.