The LatAm panel at ICE Barcelona 2026 features Aviv Sher, CEO of Codere Online; Cecilia Valdes, executive president of the Chilean Association of Casinos and Gambling; and Pedro Extremera, regional director for LatAm at Playtech. They debate where Latin America’s next wave of growth will come from, with regulatory clarity emerging as the defining theme.
Chile is repeatedly cited as the most likely “next big thing” in the region. The panel cites an incoming government, renewed parliamentary momentum and growing pressure to tackle illegal online gambling as key drivers that could unlock regulations in 2026. “I know they really want to do something about the industry,” Valdes says.
Capital, patience and regulatory clarity fuel success
Panellists stress that Latin America is not a single market but a collection of jurisdictions with distinct tax regimes, player behaviours and political risks. Replicating a successful model across borders is rarely straightforward.
Nevertheless, regulated markets such as Argentina, Colombia and Peru continue to offer upside for well-capitalised operators with long-term strategies. “You need capital, you need strategy, you need product in order to succeed,” Sher says. Sports betting, particularly football, dominates across LatAm, while casino preferences vary by country.
Despite early leaders, podium positions are not fixed. Consolidation via M&A is likely, according to the panel. Policy shifts and cultural change could reshape the competitive landscape. The panel also flags Ecuador and Uruguay as markets to watch.
Watch more ICE 2026 studio highlights on the iGB YouTube channel.
The LatAm panel at ICE Barcelona 2026 features Aviv Sher, CEO of Codere Online; Cecilia Valdes, executive president of the Chilean Association of Casinos and Gambling; and Pedro Extremera, regional director for LatAm at Playtech. They debate where Latin America’s next wave of growth will come from, with regulatory clarity emerging as the defining theme. Chile