Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez: "SBC Summit Americas is always among the events included in AIEJA's annual calendar"

Mexico as a connecting hub between the gaming markets of the Americas

Following AIEJA's participation as a panelist at SBC Summit Americas, what were the main themes and trends you identified as priorities for the future of the gaming industry in Mexico and Latin America?

"The panel I had the opportunity to moderate placed Mexico at the center of the discussion. Thanks to its geographical location, Mexico currently serves as a bridge between the North American gaming industry and Latin American markets, with which our country maintains closer ties and stronger exchanges.

We addressed several current issues surrounding the online gaming vertical, existing regulations, new tools such as the rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence, payment methods and anti-money laundering measures, as well as the growing topic of prediction markets and the challenges they pose not only for our sector, but also for regulators in general."

What lessons and collaboration opportunities emerged from AIEJA's presence at the event, and how could they translate into concrete initiatives to strengthen the development and regulation of the sector in Mexico?

"Since I assumed the Executive Presidency of AIEJA, we have based our activities around one fundamental principle: bringing the industry together to strengthen our dialogue and create a privileged space for commercial and business exchanges. I believe that was precisely the core of our participation as AIEJA. Being present to remind operators already working in Mexico, or those wishing to do so, that they are not alone.

Furthermore, the diversity of topics discussed during these days enriched the dialogue and reflections at a time when our country is in the midst of a regulatory transition period. Therefore, I return to Mexico with new insights, hoping they will help strengthen our industry."

Objectives achieved

"Personally, I had set three main objectives for myself: the first, of course, was to prepare my participation in the panel where I had been invited as moderator, focused on the main iGaming issues that concern and interest our operators; the second was to visit and greet some of our AIEJA member companies that had exhibition stands and/or participated in the conference program; and the third was to meet new stakeholders and potential new members for our association, while also updating myself on other realities and innovations. I returned with the feeling that I had achieved each of these goals and made the most of my time there."

New contacts and opportunities to drive industry growth

"I truly met with everyone. It was a very attractive and productive event. Without intending this list to be exhaustive, I met with representatives from Grupo Big Bola, Play'n GO, Logrand Entertainment, 7777 Gaming, Alternar, and Winland Monterrey, one of my partners, as well as many other friends and colleagues from countries such as Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and the United States.

Additionally, I was able to enjoy parallel activities, such as the Miami Bay tour organized by my partners at Amusnet, which allowed me to speak with numerous representatives from other companies. It was genuinely a fruitful experience for AIEJA."

Conclusions following SBC Summit Americas

"Regarding the event itself, SBC Summit Americas is always among the events that AIEJA includes in its annual calendar at the beginning of each year. Promoting a space that brings North American markets closer to those of the rest of the continent seems highly productive and enriching to me. It provides us with days of intensive networking while also offering the opportunity to enjoy numerous discussions on the most important topics of the moment within our broad industry.

I return home with new contacts and requests for information, which allow us to foresee the coming months with renewed momentum and new tasks ahead.

In general terms, and after speaking with many of my colleagues, I would draw attention to the need to avoid the multiplication of industry events which, rather than helping, are beginning to dilute their relevance. Today, more than 120 events and trade shows are organized around the world, and I believe that, at least for AIEJA, the truly important ones do not exceed ten. Rest assured: SBC Americas and SBC Lisbon are among them, as are ICE Barcelona, G2E Las Vegas and some of SiGMA's events, to mention just a few. However, it may be worthwhile to rethink objectives and target markets in order to continue enjoying events that bring together such a significant concentration of brands, companies and experts."