The Academic Agenda at GAT Expo Cartagena 2026 opened with outstanding success, reinforcing its position as one of the most important knowledge platforms for the gaming industry in Latin America. Held at the Centro de Convenciones Las Américas, the opening day brought together authorities, regulators, operators, and industry experts from over 45 countries for eight hours of high-level content.
From early morning, Salón La Niña welcomed a strong turnout, with discussions focused on the key challenges shaping the gaming ecosystem. For the first time, the agenda incorporated an in-depth analysis of political and administrative factors at both national and regional levels, adding new depth to the industry dialogue.
The official opening featured Colombia’s Attorney General, Gregorio Eljach Pacheco, who shared the results of the “Paz Electoral” plan, which ensured transparent legislative elections across the country on March 8.
Evert Montero Cárdenas, President of Fecoljuegos and organizer of this year’s GAT Academic Agenda, highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between the public and private sectors as a key driver for effective policymaking and regulation.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, emphasized the sustained growth of the industry, its contribution to public revenues, and its social impact, particularly in funding healthcare. He also pointed to the upcoming launch of Keno on April 1, which is expected to expand the market and generate approximately COP 500 billion in tax contributions for social initiatives.
The programme also featured an international perspective, with Brian Krolicki, Vice Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, presenting key aspects of Nevada’s regulatory model and its potential application in Latin America, followed by a discussion with representatives from Zamba and Vicca Group.
Throughout the day, panels with regulators, industry associations, and legal experts addressed major topics including regulatory trends, compliance, technological innovation, and market evolution.
The academic programme concluded with a keynote by Daniel Velandia, Managing Director of Research and Chief Economist at Credicorp Capital, who provided a comprehensive overview of the economic outlook for Colombia and the global environment. His analysis pointed to stable growth driven by household consumption, while also highlighting challenges such as inflationary pressures, investment decline, and political and fiscal uncertainty in a crucial election year.
Academic Agenda strengthens its role as a regional knowledge hub
José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT, stated: “Cartagena’s Academic Agenda continues to grow in relevance. The increasing demand for content and participation confirms its position as a key knowledge hub for the Latin American gaming industry.”
The session welcomed over 300 attendees, who remained actively engaged throughout the day, reflecting strong interest in the topics discussed.
As the day concluded, networking took center stage in Cartagena Bay. On board the Bona Vida catamaran, attendees, speakers, and industry leaders connected in a relaxed setting, combining business conversations with the scenic Caribbean backdrop.
The event continues on Wednesday, March 25, with the opening of the exhibition floor at 2:00 p.m. at the Centro de Convenciones Las Américas, launching two days focused on direct interaction between manufacturers, operators, and technology providers.
