INTERVIEWS
October 2026
Habanero eyes LatAm growth after key takeaways from SBC Summit
(Lisbon, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Milda Mikelioniene, Business Development Executive at Habanero, spoke to SoloAzar following SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon, highlighting the value of face-to-face conversations with operators, the opportunities emerging across Latin America and the increasingly selective approach of European operators. She also discussed Habanero’s latest games, including King Frog Feast, Battleship Strike and Jackpot Race™, as well as the company’s priorities for the months ahead.
Omnichannel: the experience is built by people
Omnichannel is transforming the way gaming organizations connect their in-person and digital channels. However, technology alone does not guarantee a consistent customer experience: it is also necessary for teams to understand their role within this strategy. In this column, Julio César Uliassi analyzes the role of people in building a true omnichannel experience.
Discovering Successful Strategies at SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon
(Lisbon, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Today marks the highly anticipated final day of the sunny and bustling SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon. SoloAzar is present on the exhibition floor to capture all the action from a vibrant closing filled with key meetings, engaging conversations, and new opportunities for gaming industry executives.
September 2026
The true size of gray or illegal gambling by companies and casinos in Mexico
The gaming and sweepstakes sector in Mexico is going through a crucial moment of consolidation and expansion. While the regulated market is experiencing steady growth driven by technological adoption and major sporting events, the industry faces a persistent challenge: the presence of the gray market and crime from illegal operations. Gerardo Ballesteros Félix Díaz, helps us to understand the dimensions of this phenomenon.
SBC Summit 2026: The Premier Exhibition for iGaming Leaders Starts Today
(Lisbon, SoloAzar Exclusive) - From September 29 to October 1, Lisbon becomes the global epicenter of iGaming and sports betting. Held at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and the MEO Arena, SBC Summit 2026 brings together industry giants in an event designed to redefine the future of entertainment, technology, and sports business.
LatAm Regulators Discussed Illegal Gambling and Innovation at SiGMA North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The panel "The Red Pen Forum: Regulators Respond to the Industry," held during SiGMA North America 2026, brought together representatives from Uruguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Honduras to analyze regulatory challenges, digital transformation, illegal gambling, and the need to adapt lotteries for new generations. The conference was moderated by Rodrigo Cigliutti, Executive Director of CIBELAE (Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting), and featured the participation of Marcelo Visconti, National Director of Lotteries and Quinielas of Uruguay; Carlos Moyano, President of IAFAS Entre Ríos, Argentina; Heidi Hernández Olivo, Deputy Secretary of the Puerto Rico Lottery; and Lissa Mencía, General Director of Lottery Operations and Games at Loto Honduras.
Affiliates and Acquisition: Keys to Regulated Markets in North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Cristopher Guzmán Reyes, Head of Affiliates at Logrand Entertainment Group; Guga Júnior, influencer and slots expert at Scalar Partners; Andrés Gómez, Head of Latin America Go-to-Market Strategy at Admattic; Yambot Aguilera, Gaming and Finance Sales Director at Google; and Paula Gabriel Jiménez, Advertising Client Growth Director for Microsoft at Aleph, analyzed the state and provincial affiliate ecosystem in North America, as well as the acquisition challenges in regulated markets.
Jordi Sendra, CEO of Alea: "Latin America is one of our most important regions"
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The CEO of Alea analyzes the company's participation in SiGMA North America, the potential of Mexico and Brazil and the growth opportunities in North America and Latin America. It also reviews the new features presented during the event, including the new sportsbook vertical and Alea Jackpot.
SiGMA North America Examines the VIP Revenue Paradox
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At SiGMA North America 2026 in Mexico City, the conference “The VIP Paradox: Emotional Intelligence vs. Revenue Pressure” brought together Beatriz Melges, Regional Director at BetConstruct AI; Rodrigo Ripol, Business Development Officer at AHIS; Erick Sapien, Country Manager at BC.GAME; and Thomas Carvalhaes, Founder and CEO of TC iGaming Advisors LATAM, to examine the balance between VIP management, revenue generation, player protection and emotional intelligence.