Cibelae marks 38 years with 87% regional market share and sets 2027 agenda

Cibelae, the Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting, marked its 38th anniversary by reporting that it brings together 27 state lotteries and operators and more than 60 companies in the sector, with a presence in 22 countries. According to figures released by the organisation, its membership grew 35% over the past two years and represents 87% of the Latin American lottery market.

Cibelae said 40% of its regular members have reached Level 1 of its Technical Standard for Anti-Money Laundering Prevention, launched in 2024, and that work continues towards Level 2. The organisation said its six technical commissions, covering legal affairs, anti-money laundering, processes, products, corporate social responsibility and responsible gaming, and technology, involve more than 90 professionals from member institutions.

On responsible gaming, Cibelae promotes the World Lottery Association (WLA) certification framework and, through an alliance with digitalRG, gives members access to digital tools for managing and tracking certifications linked to responsible gaming and anti-money-laundering prevention. The organisation also conducts studies and cooperation work on illegal gambling, and for six years has carried out periodic surveys based on information from regular members, including the Games Map and the Illegal Market Report.

Javier Milián, president of Cibelae and of El Salvador's Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia (LNB), addressed members on the anniversary. The organisation said it used the anniversary to review the technical initiatives it has developed and as a starting point for its priorities for next year.

For 2027, Cibelae plans to develop its own artificial-intelligence-based tool to provide assistance and alerts to member lotteries. It also plans to analyse new forms of betting, including prediction markets, and to seek agreements with laboratories and consultancies in the region to widen access to technical certification processes under Cibelae and WLA standards, with the aim of reducing barriers linked to cost, deadlines, distance and language.

Cibelae was founded in 1988. During 2025 and 2026 it held in-person meetings on marketing, safe and responsible gaming, lottery products, sports betting, illegal gambling and security, including marketing seminars in Buenos Aires, a meeting on lottery products and sports betting in Asunción, and activities on illegal gambling and security in San José, Costa Rica.