“This year's GAT Santo Domingo was consolidated as a central event in the Caribbean region”

Upon the conclusion of GAT Showcase Santo Domingo, a trade event that left its headquarters in Punta Cana and for the first time was held in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Yogonet had the opportunity to speak exclusively with José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT Expo, who noted that the call was very positive and had a large participation of local regulators and throughout the region.

If you had to analyze the outcome of this fourth edition of GAT in the Dominican Republic, what is your assessment of what you offered, both in your lecture series and the exhibition itself?

I think we can point out a before and an after our editions of GAT in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. Holding this event in the capital of the country was a great success, as it is very well geographically located.

In the Dominican Republic, all the operators came together and we enjoyed a large public participation, both in the Academy -with close to 200 people who came to listen to the lectures- and in the exhibition.

I would like to highlight that there was a large participation of local regulators from all over the region since we had visitors from Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and El Salvador. Logically, the regulator from the Dominican Republic was central in his visit, and even the head of the Lottery of Concepción, in Chile, came.

For all these reasons, I believe that this year the Dominican Republic consolidated its position as a central event in the Caribbean region; we have really found very solid support from the country’s operators, and we are also seeing operators from neighboring countries, who are starting to come. We have seen people from El Salvador, Guatemala, Saint Marteen, and Curaçao. This is a good sign because it shows that the objective of creating an event for the Caribbean is beginning to be reflected in this event.

And I believe that the event is gaining strength, and the regulator has invited us to continue promoting this initiative and to prepare for the next year in a better way, with more training, especially on the subject of prevention and control of money laundering. So, the balance of the event is very positive. 

Leaving this edition behind, a GAT event is coming soon to Mexico… obviously, it is a new place and a great challenge for you. What are your expectations and what are you anticipating to find in Mexico this year?

Well, in Mexico we have achieved a very special alliance with the Association of Permit Holders (AIEJA), headed by Dr. Miguel Ángel Ochoa, with whom we have drawn up a strategic plan to make Mexico an event for all of Latin America.

The decision of the Mexican industry to open its doors and with it its investment possibilities not only in the online segment but also in the land-based casino segment, makes us foresee that the event is projected solidly… not only as an event for Mexicans, but also as an event for Latin America. Why? Because the investment opportunities in Mexico are many. And precisely, this association and the businessmen who are supporting this initiative, making the decision to share their business possibilities, make Cancun an ideal meeting point to bring together a great country and a great market, with Latin American investors who wish to expand their borders.

I think this is what is most significant, and what awaits us in Mexico: a firm intention and conviction of local businessmen that Mexico needs an international trade show that brings together all of Latin America.

One last question, which is more conceptual and has to do with the role of an event organizer with a long history in the region. In the last 7 or 8 years, we have seen a huge transformation of the regional market. We always talked about gambling and thought of casinos, slot machines, and gaming tables. Today we talk about gambling, and much of the focus is on sports betting and online gaming options. After this change in the market over the last few years, what do you think could happen in a short time

I think the market has been transformed and will be transformed again in Latin America, because we see a very strong wave in Europe, in the topic of eSports betting.

I think it will be the next step that is coming in the industry in Latin America: to transform this online operation or sports betting and online casinos, with new platforms and technologies that come with a lot of attention to fraud prevention, a lot of control of user identification… I believe that Latin American operators are going to enter this line of change that comes from Europe, although it tends to arrive a little late to this region.

And regarding the land-based casino segment, I believe that things will remain more or less the same. The land-based casino does not lose its essence, it does not lose the attention or the player’s taste for social sharing. Touching the machine and feeling it, being able to play it live, is something that definitely did not disappear with the pandemic, and it is not going to disappear. 

Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2024/09/23/79625–34this-year-39s-gat-santo-domingo-was-consolidated-as-a-central-event-in-the-caribbean-region-34