SiGMA North America 2026 Concludes with a Spotlight on AI and iGaming

AI and Innovation Set the Agenda at SiGMA North America

The 2026 edition brought together government representatives, regulators, investors, tech companies, entrepreneurs, and international business leaders, who analyzed the opportunities and challenges arising from the growth of the digital economy in North America and Latin America.

Among the main topics discussed were the role of AI in decision-making, responsible innovation, understanding local markets, and cooperation between public entities and private companies.

In a context of growing international interest in Mexico as a hub for technology, investment, and business, the summit placed the country at the center of the debate on regional digital transformation.

Government Representatives Highlighted Collaboration

During the summit, government and diplomatic representatives highlighted the importance of international dialogue, investment, and alliances to develop more resilient and innovative economies.

H.E. Genaro Lozano, Ambassador of Mexico to Italy, Malta, and San Marino, invited attendees to approach market opportunities with openness and ambition.

"We have extraordinary engineers, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Mexican startups have proven that companies created in Latin America can compete globally, attract international investment, and transform entire industries."

The ambassador also referred to the impact of gatherings like SiGMA North America on the host country:

"Innovation does not happen in isolation. It arises when ideas meet capital. When entrepreneurs meet investors, when governments listen to innovators, and when countries build bridges instead of barriers."

The message aligned with one of the central pillars of the summit: technological development requires not only investment in new tools but also solid links between institutions, businesses, and communities.

Artificial Intelligence Gains Prominence in the Betting Sector

Artificial intelligence was one of the main topics at SiGMA North America 2026. During panels and private meetings, participants analyzed how this technology is already changing the way companies in Mexico and other markets manage data, risks, products, and customer relations.

In the digital entertainment and sports betting sectors, discussions centered on AI applications to improve operational decision-making, including real-time analysis, trading tools, customer experience personalization, and more advanced monitoring systems.

At the same time, participants noted that human experience, transparent governance, and responsible implementation will continue to be fundamental factors as AI capabilities increase.

The discussion reflected a broader trend in the industry: AI is taking on an increasingly relevant role in business strategies, although its adoption will depend on companies' ability to implement it usefully, responsibly, and adapted to the needs of each market.

Mexican iGaming Requires Strategies Adapted to the Local Market

Another core theme of SiGMA North America 2026 was Mexico's growing role within the regional digital economy and the need for international companies seeking to expand to understand the specific characteristics of the market.

The panel "The Role of Global Operators in the Mexican iGaming Market" analyzed how international companies can develop sustainable relationships through a deep understanding of local culture, consumer expectations, languages, payment habits, and regulatory conditions.

Although the discussion focused on iGaming, its conclusions extended to other technology and digital service industries: international expansion is most effective when backed by solid knowledge of the local market.

Technology and AI in the Face of Market Diversity

Participants also pointed out that the growing use of data and AI tools to scale services should not translate into standardized strategies for all markets.

Instead, innovation must adapt to the people, communities, and systems it seeks to serve. This perspective gained special relevance for international operators and suppliers analyzing opportunities in Latin American markets.

Hall of Game 2026 Recognized Four Industry Leaders

The first day of SiGMA North America concluded with the SiGMA Awards ceremony, during which four figures were inducted into the Hall of Game 2026 for their contributions to the development of the gaming industry in the Americas.

The honorees were:

• Dr. Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez, founding president of AIEJA.
• Lic. Óscar Paredes Arroyo Velasco, president of El Palacio de los Números.
• Rebecca Graham Paul, president and CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
• Evert Montero, representative of the regulated gaming sector in Colombia through Fecoljuegos and FIJA.

Presented by Eman Pulis, the recognition highlighted their contributions to the development of the industry, regulatory dialogue, and responsible market leadership in Mexico, the United States, and Latin America.

Mexico Strengthens Its Position in the Regional Digital Market

Hosting SiGMA North America in Mexico City coincided with the country's growing prominence within the North American digital markets.

According to the SiGMA North America Market Report 2026, prepared from Blask data collected between July 2025 and June 2026, Mexico ranked third among the analyzed North American markets for estimated monthly online gaming revenue, behind the United States and Canada.

In December 2025, the Mexican market reached an estimated monthly revenue peak of approximately 227.1 million dollars. During that same period, the Blask aggregate index, which measures user interest in online gaming brands, reached approximately 9.49 million, before stabilizing at still-solid levels during the following months.

The figures point to an expanding market, although they also pose regulatory challenges. According to the report, the quality of regulation will be crucial in transforming digital demand into sustainable growth, investment, and greater consumer protection.

SiGMA North America Will Return to Mexico City in 2027

Concluding the 2026 edition, organizers highlighted that technologies capable of transforming businesses will achieve greater impact when innovation is accompanied by collaboration, responsibility, and practical knowledge of local markets.

The summit brought together perspectives from the government, technology, investment, and digital entertainment sectors, with special attention to the process of digital economic transformation in the region.

SiGMA also confirmed that SiGMA North America will return to Mexico City in 2027, reinforcing the Mexican capital's role as a meeting point to discuss the next stage of growth for the digital and gaming industries in the Americas.