At SiGMA North America in Mexico City, Beatriz Melges, Regional Director Brazil at BetConstruct AI, joined SiGMA News reporter Carolina Vallejo to discuss sustainable iGaming growth across Latin America. The conversation explored localisation, regulation and governance, the growing role of AI across the player journey, and why operators should focus on long-term trust, loyalty and player value.

Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

Every online player registered and every sales agent certified: Uruguay is raising the bar for its lottery sector. Speaking with reporter Maria Fernanda Arrubla at SiGMA North America 2026 in Mexico City, Marcelo Visconti, National Director of Loterías y Quinielas, the state body that runs and oversees Uruguay's lotteries, reveals how new digital registration and identity verification rules introduced in January 2026 are reshaping operations. He explains how player data strengthens compliance, why top-level World Lottery Association responsible gaming certification is now required for all agents, and why prize payments and money flows demand constant oversight under Uruguay's state-run model.

Host / Moderator Details:
Maria Fernanda Arrubla

Guest(s) Detail(s):
Marcelo Visconti, National Director, Dirección Nacional de Loterías y Quinielas (Uruguayan Lottery), Uruguay

Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

How is Puerto Rico building a gaming market that licensed operators can trust? In conversation with reporter Carolina Vallejo at SiGMA North America, Edgar Pagán, Deputy Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, outlines the Commission's oversight of casinos, horse racing, sports betting, fantasy contests, and route gaming machines, explaining why consistent regulation draws new industry interest. He describes how the Office of Investigation and Regulation inspects businesses daily to remove illegal gaming machines, giving operators the confidence to get licensed. Pagán also shares why events like SiGMA help regulators learn from other markets and adapt best practices locally.

Host / Moderator Details:
Carolina Vallejo

Guest(s) Detail(s):
Edgar Pagán, Deputy Executive Director, Puerto Rico Gaming Commission (Comisión de Juegos del Gobierno de Puerto Rico)

Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

In this executive interview, Ana Elizabeth Chung, Country Manager for Mexico at Novibet, discusses the outlook for Mexico’s online gaming market. She highlights gamification, loyalty programmes, and evolving digital products as important drivers of engagement, alongside changing payment preferences. Chung explains the continued relevance of cash deposits through OXXO Pay, the importance of SPEI, debit and credit cards, and the growing role of e-wallets. She also discusses rising user expectations for immediate payments and withdrawals. Finally, Chung outlines how regulatory compliance can provide operators with a competitive advantage by strengthening trust, security, and customer experience in an increasingly competitive Mexican market.Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

Sports data and technology are transforming the way fans watch games, place bets, and engage with their favourite teams and athletes. In this interview, Guilherme Buso, Head of LATAM at Genius Sports, discusses the growth of in-play betting, the increasing demand for customised markets and player performance bets, and the importance of fast and reliable official data. He also explores the use of real-time statistics and augmented reality in broadcasts, as well as collaboration between operators, leagues, federations, and regulators to protect sports integrity.

Host

Julia Moura, Reporter, SiGMA NewsGuest

Guilherme Buso, Head of LATAM at Genius Sports.

Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

At SiGMA North America 2026, reporter Carolina Vallejo speaks with Iliana María Pineda Echeverri, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Wplay, about how legal and compliance teams can support sustainable growth in regulated gaming markets. Pineda challenges the perception that these functions only prevent risks, arguing that understanding the business, its products and its users can provide a competitive advantage. She also examines the challenges facing Latin America, including regulatory differences between countries, the governance of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and tax policies that may push players and operators towards the unregulated market.Host / Moderator Details:
Carolina Vallejo, Reporter, SiGMA

Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

At SiGMA North America 2026, reporter Carolina Vallejo speaks with Dr Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez, President of AIEJA, about the regulatory reforms needed to support Mexico’s gaming industry. Ochoa Sánchez calls for a modern federal law covering land-based and online casinos, licensing, venue openings and relocations. He also discusses an industry-wide responsible gaming pact and the need for stronger government support for regulated businesses. Looking ahead, the conversation explores online gaming growth, payment platforms, esports, fraud prevention and artificial intelligence, including how emerging technologies could create opportunities and new risks for operators and players.

Host: Carolina Vallejo
Guest: Dr Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez, President, AIEJA

Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

At SiGMA North America 2026, reporter Carolina Vallejo speaks with Alfredo Lazcano, Partner at Lazcano Sámano, about the regulatory changes Mexico’s gaming market needs. Lazcano outlines five areas for potential reform, including an independent regulator, international technical standards, direct licensing for operators and suppliers, reasonable taxation, and responsible gaming. The discussion also examines measures to combat illegal gambling, including enforcement against payment processors, marketing companies, influencers, and gaming suppliers. Lazcano also addresses gaps between policymakers and the regulated industry, highlighting technical standards, tax policy, and consumer protection.

Guests: Lazcano Sámano

Connect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree

In this episode of Poker Face, Ivonne Montealegre sits down with Jostein Grodum, Head of Poker at Betsson, to discuss his journey from customer support to leading Betsson’s poker division. Grodum shares insights into the company’s approach to poker, his favourite live events, the challenges preventing poker from becoming truly global, and the impact of regulation on liquidity. He also discusses Betsson’s rollout of mixed games, the role of poker within its wider sportsbook offering, upcoming live events and how major sporting occasions such as the World Cup can create new opportunities for poker operators and players.

Host: Ivonne Montealegre, Poker Face podcast, SiGMA Podcast

Guest: Jostein Grodum Head of Poker, Betsson

Finland is moving away from its gambling monopoly towards a new licensing system designed to bring operators into the regulated market, increase channelisation and strengthen consumer protection. In this interview, Hon. Sinuhe Wallinheimo discusses why Finland’s existing model stopped working in the digital era, what the new framework aims to achieve, and what international operators should know about the Finnish market. He also reflects on lessons Finland can learn from Malta’s established iGaming ecosystem and previews his SiGMA World keynote in Rome, where he will explore the country’s historic gambling reform and its implications for operators, regulators and Finnish society.

Guest: Hon. Sinuhe Wallinheimo - Finnish politician and Member of the Finnish ParliamentConnect with the iGaming community: SiGMA World Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | Linktree