INTERVIEWS
July 2026
Beyond the Final Whistle: Lessons from the FIFA World Cup 2026
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 enters its final days, Matt Sahakian, iGaming consultant and advisor, shares his reflections on how the world's biggest sporting event extends far beyond the action on the pitch. In this opinion piece, he explores how the tournament has become a meeting point for sport, innovation, regulation and business, while highlighting the growing role of regulated sports betting markets across Latin America and football's unique ability to bring people together across cultures.
Regulation and the Black Market in Latin America: Challenges and Solutions
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).– As part of the Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026 conferences, gaming industry leaders analyzed one of the main challenges currently facing regulated markets in Latin America: the growth of illegal gambling. The panel "Regulation and the Black Market: Challenges and Solutions" brought together Carlos Fonseca, CEO of Gaming Law, as moderator; Neil Montgomery, founding partner of Montgomery & Associados; Tatiana Vásquez, founding partner of Vázquez Asociados; Karen Sierra Hughes, Vice President for Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain at GLI; and Vanessa Cabrera, Director of the Control and Sanction Directorate of the DGJCMT-MINCETUR, who debated the causes of the black market, the available regulatory tools, and strategies to strengthen channeling toward legal gaming in the region.
The World Cup as a Stress Test: What 90 Minutes of Live Betting Reveals About Your Platform
Drawing on his experience leading the development of technology platforms for the online gaming industry, Fernando Polti, Founder & CEO of Wizards, examines how the FIFA World Cup 2026 will put sports betting operators' infrastructure to the ultimate test. In this opinion piece, he explains why the real challenge will not be attracting more users, but responding with precision and stability to the extreme peaks in live betting activity that will determine the performance of every platform.
Fernando Polti, Founder & CTO of IAG Play, talks about everything related to Peru Gaming Show
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Fernando Polti, Founder & CTO of IAG Play analyzes the company's participation in Peru Gaming Show, highlights the expansion of its terminal ecosystem and anticipates the company's next projects to consolidate its presence in Latin America during 2026.
APADELA and the Future of Sports Betting in Peru Following Regulation
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During the Peru Gaming Show 2026, Gonzalo Rosell, President of the Peruvian Association of Online Sports Betting and Related Activities (APADELA), analyzed the current state of the Peruvian remote gaming and sports betting market following the implementation of the regulatory framework. In his presentation, “Current Situation of the Remote Gaming and Sports Betting Industry Post-Regulation in Peru,” the executive highlighted the tax challenges facing the formal industry and called for a review of the selective consumption tax.
Beyond Compliance: New Challenges in Anti-Money Laundering for the Gaming Industry
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026, Carlos Hermoza Horna, Founder & Managing Partner at CompliLab Legal Latam, delivered a conference focused on how anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in the gaming sector must evolve beyond regulatory obligations. His presentation highlighted the growing sophistication of financial crime, the importance of technology, and the need to build a genuine compliance culture across gaming organizations.
Constante Traverso and the Need for a New Regulatory Framework in Peru
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- As part of Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026, tax law specialist Constante Traverso delivered the conference "Scope and Main Challenges After 25 Years of the First Regulation of Traditional Gaming in Peru." During his presentation, he reviewed the regulatory evolution of the sector, highlighted the progress achieved in terms of formalization and regulation, questioned the current tax framework, and presented a series of proposals aimed at strengthening the industry's competitiveness and establishing a public policy for gambling.
Gecko Seeks to Expand Its Presence Across South America Following Peru Gaming Show
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Giannina Alfageme, Owner and General Manager of Gecko, highlighted the positive balance of the company's participation in Peru Gaming Show, where it presented specialized solutions for casinos and hotels, strengthened ties with operators in the region and advanced in new business opportunities that will boost its expansion in Latin America.
Building Stronger Partnerships: Belatra at Peru Gaming Show
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Florencia Mendiuk, Account Manager LatAm at Belatra Games, shared her insights on the company’s participation in the Peru Gaming Show. From strategic preparation to cultural engagement, she highlighted how Belatra is shaping its footprint in the region and building long-term partnerships.