After more than three decades opening and operating gaming markets across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, SCCG Management is formally entering Latin America. The firm announces today the launch of its dedicated LATAM division and the opening of a new office in Miami, Florida.

The Miami office will serve as the U.S. base for SCCG LATAM, with a regional headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela to follow within the coming months. The new operation joins SCCG’s existing Latin American presence in Mexico City and Florianópolis, Brazil, which have supported clients across the region for years.

A purpose-built division for an emerging region

SCCG LATAM is combining SCCG Management’s three decades of global gaming expertise with deep local operational knowledge of Latin American markets, regulatory regimes, and consumer dynamics.

“Latin America has been on our radar for years,” said Stephen A. Crystal, founder and CEO of SCCG Management. “We have spent the past several months in working sessions with partners who know the regulators, the operators, and the banking infrastructure from the inside LATAM. With the right people on the ground, this becomes a region we can scale into properly.”

The structure intentionally puts SCCG’s brand at the front. Latin American gaming has historically suffered from operators without international credibility and international consultants without local depth. SCCG LATAM is built to close that gap with the operational resolve of its Founder & CEO Stephen Crystal at the helm.

Why LATAM, why now

Three forces are converging in 2026 to make this the right moment.

First, regulatory maturity. Markets long held back by ambiguity are clarifying. Venezuela is reopening its gaming sector. Chile is finalizing its online gambling framework. Argentina’s provincial regulators are accepting new entrants. Peru and Colombia have established licensing regimes attractive to international capital.

Second, banking and payment infrastructure is improving. The OFAC General License 57 issued in April 2026 authorized U.S. financial institutions to provide services to four named Venezuelan state banks, materially reducing payment friction for operators considering the market.

Third, regional convergence. As LATAM operators look to expand across borders and international operators look to enter, the gap between strategy and execution is widening. SCCG LATAM bridges it.

What SCCG LATAM does

The new division provides end-to-end advisory across the Latin American gaming and iGaming sector. Services include market entry strategy, operator partnership facilitation, regulatory and government affairs, recapitalization and M&A advisory, and trade event organization.

Active focus markets include Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia. SCCG continues to maintain its existing presence in Mexico and operates separately in Brazil where the language and regulatory specificity warrant a dedicated approach.

As a testament to the studio’s commitment to pushing casino entertainment forward, its hit title is up for a major accolade at the upcoming regional ceremony.

ELA Games is pleased to announce that its popular release, Joker Winpot, has been shortlisted for the ‘Game of the Year’ category at the 2026 SBC Awards Americas. This nomination marks an important step forward for the studio, proving that players are actively seeking the kind of distinct, interactive experiences the team loves to build.

A consistent performer in the studio’s portfolio, Joker Winpot blends a dark, character-driven aesthetic with an accessible 1×1 grid format. The main draw of the game is its proprietary Winpot mechanic, a progression-based feature that places decision-making directly into the hands of the player.

As rewards accumulate within the Winpot, players face the tension of either cashing out their current winnings or continuing to spin for larger payouts. This unique approach transforms a conventional slot format into a choice-based experience, earning widespread praise from players and fueling the title’s commercial success.

The winners will be revealed during the official SBC Awards Americas ceremony on June 10, 2026. This year, the event will take place at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bringing together approximately 600 industry professionals.

Set alongside the larger SBC Summit Americas running from June 9 – June 11, the evening will serve as a central gathering for the industry with opportunities to network and celebrate all the advancements of the past year.