Six Nations Launch Latin American Gaming Federation

Countries like Colombia, El Salvador, and Paraguay, along with Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Peru, have formed a joint authority to address illegal activity and legal gaps across the region. The International Gaming Federation, unveiled last week, will coordinate enforcement, standards, and data sharing that single regulators struggle to deliver alone. For operators, this means clearer rules across multiple markets, smoother licensing planning, and fewer disruptions from unlicensed competition.

What is on the Agenda

The federation installs Evert Montero Cárdenas of Fecoljuegos as the head for a 3-year course. This reflects Colombia’s track record in channelising offshore activity into licensed frameworks and tightening online betting rules. Members will pool intelligence on problem operators, align responses to money laundering risks, and deliver joint positions to global bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force.

Key actions include:

• shared watchlists and coordinated enforcement across borders;
• drafting common standards for online products and marketing;
• exchange of policy results and regulator training programmes.

Leadership, Expansion, and Guiding Principles

Montero signalled that the group would build a single local direction and steer growth with responsibility that derives from Colombia’s experience and its links to global anti-money laundering networks. Four more states are engaging with the project. Panama, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina have shown initial desires to join. Invitations to non-LatAm countries will also extend the reach worldwide.

The framework rests on three pillars:

• legality to move grey activity into licensed channels;
• progress to keep laws current with technology;
• social accountability to protect consumers and address problem gambling.

Early tests arrive as Brazil’s regulated sports betting rolls out and Argentina weighs broader online gaming expansion, with success hinging on real information sharing and policy alignment.