Colombian gaming authority pushes climate-focused lottery at Ibero-American Summit

During the 9th Ibero-American Gaming Summit held in Lima on May 27–28, Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Colombia’s national gaming authority Coljuegos, proposed the creation of a regional lottery aimed at funding initiatives to combat the effects of climate change. The initiative, called the Loto Iberoamericano, would channel proceeds toward protecting ecologically vital areas such as the Amazon and Guaraní regions.

“We hope regulators will commit to the Loto Iberoamericano to secure resources that allow us to protect the Amazon and the Guaraní, two regions severely impacted by global warming,” said Hincapié during the summit, which brought together representatives from 10 countries, including Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.

The event also marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding to initiate the creation of an International Commission of Gaming Regulators. This body will foster collaboration between regulators across Latin America, particularly in areas such as combating illegal gambling and supporting nations developing regulatory frameworks.

“We managed to include our proposal to form a regional association that can fight illegal gambling and support countries that are just beginning their regulatory journey,” added Hincapié, emphasizing Coljuegos' role as a regional leader in gaming regulation and control.

Hincapié also participated in key panels during the summit, including discussions on short-term trends in Latin America's gaming market, the impact of digital transformation, and the growing interest from international operators. In a panel on RegTech and Artificial Intelligence, he highlighted Coljuegos’ achievements in fighting illegal online gambling and leveraging AI for process optimization and technological modernization.

The summit provided a collaborative platform for regulators and industry experts to exchange insights on regulatory challenges, taxation, and the evolving role of AI in gaming oversight.