Recognizing that this industry plays a vital role in the prosperity of nations and communities, while also being significantly influenced by political and financial dynamics on a global scale, the keynote aims to reframe the industry’s narrative by positioning it within the broader context of the global economy and highlighting opportunities for the sector to enhance its value to communities.

Hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Miami, the ‘Industry In the World Economy: Beyond Betting and Gaming’ keynote will be an instrumental addition to the Leaders track, taking place on the first core day (Wednesday, November 1) of Latin America’s premier iGaming and sports betting event. 

During the keynote, Cesar Tamayo and Montero Cárdenas will be drawing from their extensive experience in the Colombian market. Discussions will evolve around Latin America’s impact on the wider industry, the complexities of navigating political and financial regulations of the region and how brands can successfully implement social responsibility and player protection initiatives. 

Julio Cesar Tamayo has been at the helm of Wplay since its inception in 2017. Under his leadership, the company entered a groundbreaking partnership with the regulatory body Coljuegos, becoming the first Colombian operator authorized to offer online betting in the region. Since then, Wplay has emerged as a formidable advocate of legal gambling and player safeguards, committing substantial resources to community welfare initiatives. 

Wplay’s meteoric rise in the industry places them as one of the largest operators in Colombia. Wplay solidified itself as a regional powerhouse, becoming the official partner to some of the most high-profile sports organizations in Colombia, including Primera A-League football teams and the Colombian Olympic football team.

Dr. Evert Montero Cárdenas has over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, specialising in health management, social organizations and management development. In 2014, Cárdenas was announced as the president of Fecoljuegos, a non-profit, union-based entity that brings together entrepreneurs, manufacturers and suppliers of games of luck and chance. 

During his time at Fecoljuegos, Cárdenas has been the driving force for promoting modernization, growth and social responsibility within the sector, collaborating closely with the Colombian government to achieve this. His significant contributions include the implementation of instrumental policies such as the Code of Good Self-Regulation Practices, a policy focused on maintaining professionalism in the industry. Cárdenas has also worked closely alongside organizations such as the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), spearheading a multitude of initiatives aimed at benefiting both players and the industry at large

As cornerstones of the sector, Cesar Tamayo and Montero Cárdenas will offer a thought-provoking and unique insight into the operations of the Latin American region. With both industry leaders promoting an unwavering focus on player protection, growth and community welfare, this exclusive keynote discussion will prove invaluable to any delegate wishing to make an impactful and sustainable entrance into the market. 

Cesar Tamayo said: “Wplay has always facilitated an environment of innovation and player safety, and therefore this keynote panel resonates very deeply with me. This will be a tremendous opportunity to explore Latin America’s role in the global economy, whilst also exploring how brands can bring value to the local communities they operate in.”

Montero Cárdenas said: “I am extremely excited to be a keynote speaker at this year’s SBC Summit Latinoamérica. As someone who has worked so closely with government bodies and local communities, I hope to equip delegates with useful insights  to not only flourish in the region but also give back to the community.” 

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “It is an honour to have two distinguished titans of the industry opening the conference at SBC Summit Latinoamérica. As the region continues to grow, there is so much for delegates to learn, including regulatory issues, player safety and brand perception. I urge all delegates seeking operations in Latin America to immerse themselves in the teachings of such informative leaders, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.”

Delegates will have the opportunity to further their discussions on a plethora of panels taking place on the first core day of the event. Alongside the Leaders track, delegates will be able to partake in sessions as part of the Sports Betting Product track and the  Affiliates and Advertising conference track.