Ecuador’s 16 November referendum will ask voters whether to legalise gambling in five-star hotels, following approval of a revised question by the Constitutional Court. If voters approve the measure, casino operations could return within months, according to ProntoPaga gambling sales head Juan Carlos Loza Mendoza.
The referendum could determine whether land-based casino operators may enter Ecuador’s five-star hotel market.
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Five Latin American gaming-industry figures have discussed whether recent gambling tax increases strengthen regulated markets or push players towards illegal sites. Gaming LatAm chief executive Carlos Fonseca Sarmiento argued that excessive taxes can bolster the black market, while the discussion also raised concerns about offshore competition and tax design.
Industry figures are debating whether Argentina should replace its province-by-province gambling regulation with a federal framework. Ramiro Atucha, founder and CEO of Atucha Strategic Advisory, said unification would be the best outcome but faces constitutional limits. A Buenos Aires City Lottery official said regulators are cooperating on common criteria.
Elections scheduled in Peru, Colombia and Brazil could affect gambling policy in those markets, with sector representatives favouring administrations they consider more supportive of gambling businesses. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva approved a gradual tax increase to 15% of gross gaming revenue from 2028, while a proposed tax on deposits was removed from the government’s bill.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for a ban on online betting in a national address on Sunday, prompting criticism from industry representatives. Ramiro Atucha said the remarks could undermine investor confidence, while Udo Seckelmann argued that prohibition would push activity back to unlicensed operators and require a new legislative process.
Atucha Strategic Advisory (ASA) said it will lead RTG Slots’ commercial development in Latin America under a new partnership. The companies plan to work on game certification and agreements with operators and platforms, with Mexico first, followed by Argentina, Colombia and Peru; Brazil remains on hold pending regulatory clarity.