Axel Antillón, Regional Director for Latin America at WA.Technology and the new President of the New Technologies Commission of AIEJA, talks about the evolution of the gaming industry in Mexico.
Interview.- Axel Antillón, regional director of WA.Technology for Latin America and the new president of the New Technologies Commission of AIEJA, shares his vision on the gaming industry in Mexico.
From fighting against unlicensed operators and promoting safer gaming environments to fostering the integration of land-based and online platforms, Antillón outlines his strategic plans for growth and collaboration and discusses how he plans to work with regulators.
Congratulations on your appointment at AIEJA. How has it been?
Thank you very much – I am very excited to take on this new responsibility of working with AIEJA – Association of Permit Holders and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Betting Games Industry in Mexico! As you may know, I have more than two decades of experience in creating, directing, and managing various igaming projects within the Mexican market.
However, Mexico has been more than a workplace for me; it has been my second home for many, many years. So I feel absolutely honored to be named president of the New Technologies Commission of AIEJA. Thanks to all the work we have done, I have forged a solid reputation as an expert in the Mexican market and I am honored to represent such a fantastic country through this organization.
The position arose during an exhibition in Colombia, where the AIEJA team proposed me to chair a new Technology Commission, as they thought I would fit well due to my experience in information and communication technologies. Of course, I gladly accepted.
With the increase in online betting, what challenges and opportunities do you foresee for Mexican operators in the digital space?
Mexico has been regulated for quite some time and has undoubtedly consolidated its position as a leader in the global igaming space. Market regulations have allowed the country to offer a safe and entertaining environment for players to enjoy a wide range of gaming products, from sports betting to casino.
For many reasons in recent years, specifically since the global pandemic, online gaming has continued to gain ground, mainly due to the rapid advancement of mobile data, the adoption of smartphones, and greater acceptance of online gaming by the public.
Of course, the key challenge facing operators in Mexico is, without a doubt, the imminent threat posed by the black market and the inferior operational practices that arise from the unregulated market. Offshore brands do not offer the necessary levels of player protection required, which means that players are at greater risk of suffering harm related to gaming.
It is essential that we do everything possible as an organization to reverse this trend. The sector - operators, suppliers, affiliates, and regulator - must collaborate closely to combat unlicensed operators and ensure that players can enjoy gaming products safely and regulated.
And how do you plan to address these challenges from your position at AIEJA?
As president of the New Technologies Commission, my task will be to provide AIEJA members and other external stakeholders with the necessary tools for growth. I will bring my vision on the technical criteria, knowledge, and tools necessary to implement best practices across the Mexican gaming sector.
This will involve supporting members on the most effective ways to combat the threat of the unregulated market through the analysis of new trends in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and business intelligence. As we have covered, this will be an incredibly important priority for us and an area where I will dedicate much of my efforts.
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How do you plan to work with government bodies and regulators to ensure that the licensing process for gambling operators in Mexico is transparent and efficient?
The work that AIEJA does, as a private organization, seeks to unite all stakeholders in the Mexican gaming industry for the benefit of the sector as a whole. The trade association continuously presses the government to promote best practices across the gaming industry.
AIEJA works with national and international operators to ensure they offer the best possible experience to players. We also work to promote both laws and possible law reforms that are fair to all parties involved and aim to combat illegal operators. All these approaches will not only serve to improve the process, but also, I have no doubt, ensure that the process is more transparent and effective over time. I am incredibly proud to represent such a prestigious body. We intend to really make a difference.
What measures do you consider necessary for physical casinos and online platforms to coexist and thrive in the gaming ecosystem in Mexico?
The needs and preferences of a growing market, added to the new trends that have emerged in recent years, have dictated the guidelines for coexistence between land-based and online operators.
Increasingly, players across Mexico have embraced new technologies, which means that the number of online players has increased. However, retail has also maintained its popularity among many bettors.
For both online and retail betting to coexist in harmony, it is necessary for there to be a synergy between their platforms. Operators must focus on offering a streamlined omnichannel solution that familiarizes players with their brand across multiple different channels. With this connected experience, both physical and electronic commerce will continue to complement each other.
What long-term impact do you expect your involvement in AIEJA to have on the gaming landscape in Mexico?
My main goal is to help modernize the gaming industry in Mexico, and there is no doubt that I am very excited to be able to contribute to this! I look forward to sharing my knowledge of the industry and bringing people together from across the sector through forums and discussions to identify the best way to shape the gaming space in Mexico.
