“The focus of Juegos Miami is completely different from other industry events”

Can you give us insights into Juegos Miami?

We researched the market over a 12-month period, speaking with and listening to the needs and requirements of many stakeholders in the region. Major suppliers have been asking for something that they can use across the whole region and the market has been extremely clear about the importance of attracting the key operators, the legislators, the big buyers, the business owners and their most trusted and influential decision-makers to a single prestigious event. We have received a very straightforward brief from our stakeholders and that is to create a branded event which is the 'Who's Who' of Pan-Latin American and Caribbean gaming. Not only will Juegos Miami offer attendees great products specifically designed for the Latin American market, but also training courses, networking and learning opportunities. Preparations for Juegos Miami are going extremely well and we are confident that we will deliver on the brief that we have been given by the industry.

What are the main differences between this event and G2E Las Vegas, for instance?

The focus of Juegos Miami is completely different from other industry events such as G2E and ICE Totally Gaming, which are enormous trade shows that fulfil specific roles within the gaming sector and are generally, more product-driven. We have been looking at doing an event for Latin America for over a year now, engaging with all sectors of the prospective audience and we have listened to what the market wants. We didn’t want to pick up the successful ICE or G2E template and just apply it to this part of the world but create a bespoke event that the audience would engage with. Juegos Miami will be a more intimate gathering allowing networking and relationship building for top decision makers. It will offer a mix of product, learning, training, networking and socialising. And it’s also incredibly cost effective for exhibitors, with a straightforward pricing structure and the only additional cost being shipping and flights. Being a Latin America-focused event, Juegos Miami will discuss changes in regulation, new legislation across the region, online gaming and sports betting opportunities. Clarion is looking to bring its expertise and good practices to the Latin American market.

Would you say that the G2E and ICE Totally Gaming compete against each other?

G2E and ICE are total opposites because they serve different purposes and markets. ICE Totally Gaming is the most international gaming trade show in the world with more than 150 different countries taking part in 2016 and G2E engages with more of the North America market. Both fulfil incredibly important roles on the gaming industry calendar. A successful G2E event leads to a successful ICE event so it is in our interests for both to prosper and grow.

What Latin American industry events do you compete with?

We don't see SAGSE or FADJA as competition because they cater for local markets, and our purpose is to serve the entire Latin American region. As organisers we felt that there was no event out there that actually catered for Latin American senior executives which is the rationale and purpose of Juegos Miami.

Now that Brazil's edging closer to gambling legalisation, what are your expectations for that particular market?

It's been a long road for Brazil, and there's still a long way to go. Gaming regulation is a complicated matter and it takes time to get it right. In my opinion there's nothing worse than bad gaming law, so it's always worth taking the right amount of time to do things in the best possible way. I think there's a consensus that it's time to legalise the activity in Brazil and we hope that the Brazilian Gaming Congress will provide an opportunity to debate how to proper regulate this very important gambling market.