On Wednesday, SAGSE Central America & Caribbean 2026 took place at the Sortis Hotel, Casino & Convention Center in Panama City, bringing together operators, regulators, manufacturers, and suppliers from across Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Exceeding expectations in terms of attendance, the event focused on the evolving regulatory landscape of the gaming sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Against the backdrop of continued growth in online gaming across the region, Panama hosted a conference that generated strong interest even before it began: the venue reached full capacity, additional spots had to be opened, and more than 200 attendees were confirmed.
The conference centered on regulation and industry security, with particular emphasis on emerging legal frameworks in countries such as Panama, Colombia, and Brazil, as well as several markets across Central America and the Caribbean. Throughout the day, experts and industry representatives analyzed the current status and future outlook of a sector undergoing rapid transformation on a country-by-country basis.
The event attracted a broad representation of the gaming ecosystem, including operators, manufacturers, government entities, and regulatory bodies. Among the attendees were representatives connected to Panama’s Ministry of Economy and gaming authorities, highlighting institutional support for this new stage of industry development.
One of the key takeaways was the consensus around the advancement of new regulatory frameworks designed to support the expansion of online gaming across the region. Panama, in particular, emerged as a key player, strengthening its position as a hub for both land-based and digital gaming thanks to a regulatory environment aimed at attracting investment and encouraging innovation.
The overall atmosphere was one of enthusiasm and optimism. With strong attendance and an agenda packed with strategic content, the event not only met expectations but also showcased the dynamism of an industry that continues to gain momentum across the region.
Following a welcome breakfast and registration session, the conference program officially began in the Sortis Hotel’s main ballroom.
Focus on regulation and security
The first conference segment, titled “Regulation and Regional Frameworks,” opened with remarks from Panama’s Gaming Control Board (JCJ), the host country’s regulatory authority. This was followed by a presentation on “Regulatory Leadership in LATAM” and its implications for the industry.
The second segment, “Casino Security, Risk and Fraud Prevention,” featured a masterclass led by Vicente Altemir Gistau, a speaker with more than 30 years of international experience in casino security, gaming controls, and fraud prevention.
Altemir opened the session with a presentation titled “The Six Pillars of Operational Excellence in Casinos.”
He was followed by Alex Omar Garrido, who presented “The Security Landscape in Panama.” Additional sessions included John Henry Camargo’s “The Silent Enemy of Your Success” and Margarita Labrija’s “Polygraph Testing Applied to Casinos: Risks, Behaviors and Trust Profiles.” The segment concluded with Altemir summarizing common forms of casino cheating and fraud.
Following the conference, activity continued with an exhibition area that quickly became one of the event’s main networking spaces. Featuring international participation both in person and online, the expo brought together operators, technology providers, and manufacturers in an environment focused on business development, innovation, and industry trends.