GAT Events will present its 2025 calendar to the international gaming community at ICE Barcelona, featuring five events in Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, along with the announcement of its expansion to Puerto Rico and the launch of the Latin
GAT Events will present its 2025 calendar to the international gaming community at ICE Barcelona, featuring five events in Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, along with the announcement of its expansion to Puerto Rico and the launch of the Latin American Gaming Associations Summit in Mexico City during GAT Expo Mexico.
José Aníbal Aguirre and Alexandra Hernández will be available to meet with new and existing clients at booth MC42 at Fira Barcelona from January 20 to 22. As leaders of the most productive and influential events in Latin America and the Caribbean, they will share details about GAT Expo's 2025 journey across the region and the numerous participation opportunities their events offer.
GAT Events 2025 Calendar:
GAT Expo Cartagena: April 28, 29, 30, Las Américas Convention Center, Colombia
GAT Expo San Juan: June 26, San Juan Racetrack, Puerto Rico
GAT Expo Mexico: August 28, 29, Expo Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico
GAT Expo Bogotá: September 18, Marriott Salitre Hotel, Colombia
GAT Expo Santo Domingo: November 6 and 7, Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino, Dominican Republic
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GAT Expo San Juan, PR
On June 26, GAT will debut with an exclusive trade exhibition at GAT Expo San Juan, expanding GAT's reach in the Caribbean and the Antilles.
José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT, shared: “Last September at GAT Santo Domingo, we had the opportunity to exchange ideas with Juan Carlos Santaella Marchán, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission. We learned that online gaming and sports betting have been regulated in Puerto Rico since 2019, within a legal framework that ensures transparency. Currently, a regulatory update for slot machines is underway to provide greater security for both operators and players.”
Aguirre added: “Given the strong commercial ties between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, companies and brands based in the Dominican Republic, such as Raza Carreras, will be key participants at GAT Expo San Juan. Due to the region's deep-rooted passion for horse racing, we decided to host this event at a major racetrack in Puerto Rico's capital. We invite suppliers and operators interested in entering and exploring business opportunities on the Island of Enchantment to join us on Thursday, June 26, for this exclusive exhibition.”
Additionally, the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission formally announced earlier this month that the implementation process for the Regulation on the Issuance, Management, and Oversight of Route Slot Machines is underway. This will reduce the operational licensing costs for cutting-edge slot machines and facilitate license renewals. Moreover, tax revenue from this sector will be allocated to the island's police retirement fund.
GAT Expo Mexico City and the Latin American Gaming Associations Summit
In late November 2024, GAT wrapped up its events in Cancún, which marked the official launch of GAT Expo Mexico, scheduled for August 28 and 29, 2025, in Mexico City, once again in collaboration with AIEJA.
GAT Cancún significantly energized Mexico’s gaming industry, which hadn’t hosted in-person trade shows for 12 years. The sector is currently experiencing growth, driven by the digital gaming revolution and efforts to replace the outdated 1947 gaming law with a comprehensive new framework.
A key takeaway from the conference cycle in Cancún was the proposal to hold the Latin American Gaming Associations Summit during GAT Expo Mexico. The summit aims to unite industry associations across countries to engage with governments and defend operators' interests, fostering regulations with common goals for legality, sustainable growth, and the promotion of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
This initiative, led by José Aníbal Aguirre, was embraced by Miguel Ángel Ochoa, President of AIEJA; Yamile Gutiérrez, ADOBAD RD delegate; and Fernando Calderón, President of SONAJA Peru. They committed to supporting this effort and extending an open invitation to all associations in this vital economic sector across Latin America.
Aguirre recalls: “In our long history, we have held three regional association summits, with prominent representatives from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Argentina, Panama, Peru, and Paraguay. I remember in 2013 in Lima, with the extraordinary support of Cristina Sierralta of SONAJA, its board, social organizations, and Manuel San Román (RIP), the gaming authority of Mincetur at that time, we achieved a consensus that raised awareness and actions toward CSR. This will be a key focus at the upcoming summit as we aim to strengthen CSR campaigns in Mexico, following discussions at AIEJA's assembly in Cancún.”
The Growing Gaming Ecosystem
The gaming ecosystem continues to expand. Numerous companies are eager to showcase their technological and innovative solutions at GAT Events. Topics will include payment methods and platforms, cybersecurity, casino management, the impact and risks of AI, and more—enriching networking and new business opportunities.
GAT has also diversified into the esports sector for four consecutive years, hosting academic sessions and in-person and virtual tournaments for Counter-Strike and Valorant. This initiative will continue at GAT Expo Cartagena in late April, with support from the Colombian Olympic Committee and Colombian Official eSports. One of GAT’s priorities at Fira Barcelona will be attending a dedicated meeting on Esports Latam, organized by William Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming.
To conclude, José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT, stated: "The fact that ICE is being held in Barcelona this year—in Spain, a country with deep cultural ties to our Latin roots—sends a powerful and historic message. It motivates us to keep working toward the integration and legality of the gaming industry in the region. Special thanks to ICE and Liliana Costa for their hospitality and dedication to this cause."
To schedule a meeting at ICE Barcelona, contact: [email protected] | [email protected]
Website: www.gatevents.net
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