Puerto Rico welcomes the Gat Events Circuit with a High-Level Program.
The Puerto Rico Convention Center is preparing to host, on October 28 and 29, the first edition of Gat Expo Puerto Rico, organized by Gaming & Technology Expo in partnership with the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission.
Over two days, keynote conferences, specialized panels, cultural networking, and trade show exhibitions will make up the grand showcase that will present to the global gaming industry Puerto Rico’s projection and potential as a new hub for gaming in the Caribbean and Latin America.
In recent years, the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission has led a process of regulatory modernization and institutional strengthening that has made it possible to organize casino and route machine operations, regulate sports betting and fantasy contests, horse racing, and esports. This transformation has revitalized the sector, generating jobs and confidence under a solid regulatory framework that today makes the island a model of development, legality, and effective use of gaming tax revenues, which are directed toward social funds such as the police retirement fund, education, and tourism, among others.
GAT ACADEMY PUERTO RICO. Lorna Huertas Padilla, a renowned professional in the gaming ecosystem, will host Gat Academy Puerto Rico, a space that will bring together regulators, operators, associations, experts, and international manufacturers.
The opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 28 at 8:30 a.m., with the participation of Lic. Juan Carlos Santaella, executive director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission; Cristina Torres, director of advertising of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company; José Aníbal Aguirre, ceo of Gat Events; and a delegate of the Government of Puerto Rico.
Among the main topics of the first day of the Academy:
Evolution of the Legal Framework of Gaming in Puerto Rico, panel moderated by Juan Carlos Santaella with participation from the directors of the divisions for games of chance, horse racing, sports betting, and route machines of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission.
The New Era in Casino and Route Machines, featuring Novomatic and Royal Gaming Logistics.
Betting on eSports, with executives from Red Rooster Team, Betby, and Mobadoo.
Conference by Evert Montero Cárdenas, President of Fecoljuegos Colombia and the International Federation of Games of Chance (Fija), on the role of trade associations as voices of the industry.
The day will close with the Cultural Networking Tour of Old San Juan, courtesy of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, and a welcome cocktail hosted by Hipódromo Camarero, a symbol of the island’s gaming history and tradition.
On Wednesday, October 29, the second day of Gat Academy Puerto Rico will open with the Responsible Gaming Panel, moderated by Lic. Jaime Rivera Emanuelli (Saiber), followed by discussions on Land-Based vs. Online Gaming in the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Puerto Rico, Trends in Virtual Betting, Crm Applied to Land-Based Operations, and State Gaming in Puerto Rico.
Prominent participants will include José Carlos Figueroa (Gli), Daniel Arias (Amusnet), and María Cristina Mari García, general manager of Hipódromo Camarero, who will share her perspective on the evolution of regulated gaming on the island and the role of horse racing in the local ecosystem.
The day will also feature a keynote presentation by Juan Carlos Restrepo, president of Asojuegos (Colombia) and leader of Laft América, titled “Advances in Aml/Cft Prevention and Control,” highlighting compliance as the foundation for responsible industry growth.
The academic sessions will conclude with the Panel on the Casino Landscape in Puerto Rico, moderated by Alfredo Martínez, director of the games of Chance Division, with representatives from Casino Metro, Casino del Mar, and Casinos Caguas Real.
On October 29 at 2:30 p.m., the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the trade exhibition will take place in Ballroom A. Visiting entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet executives and explore products and services from brands such as: Novomatic, Prometeo Oklahoma, Raza Carreras, Red Wall, Ragnes Virtuales, Caribe Gaming, Casino Parts by Casino Garage, Easylinx, Expocaribe, Gem Solutions, Golden Race, Softquo, Spinmatic Center, Xpress, Juancito Sport, G&G Studio Legal, Casino del Mar, Ocean Casino, Kawal Real Casino, Caribbean Cage, Tropical Casino.
Platinum Sponsors: Red Wall, Raza Carreras, Ragnes Virtuales
Exclusive Sponsors: Juancito Sport, GLI
Gold Sponsor: Hipódromo Camarero
Supported by: Puerto Rico Tourism Company, International Federation of Games of Chance (Fija)
The grand finale on October 29 at 8:00 p.m. will be the Closing Party at the T-Mobile District, featuring the legendary orchestra El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, sponsored by Redwall, Raza Carreras, and Ragnes Virtuales.
The arrival of Gat Expo Puerto Rico 2025 marks a milestone for the entertainment industry in the region, positioning the island as a platform for dialogue, investment, legality, and technological development.
