With over 20 years of business leadership, this Peruvian-Chilean entrepreneur has founded and led key organizations in the gaming, energy, and digital sectors across Latin America and the United States. As the Founder and Ceo of Cgs events and Cgs Brasil, she created events such as the Peru Gaming Show and the Caribbean Gaming Show, driving regulation, innovation, and industry growth in countries like Peru, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and more recently, Chile and Brazil.
Through Cgs Events, she has organized conferences and summits that bring together leaders, experts, and companies, fostering strategic alliances and new business opportunities. She is also a board member of the Peru digital summit, contributing to the development of the region's digital ecosystem, and the H2 Latam summit, focused on renewable energy in various countries.
Her vision was to create events where structure, knowledge, and networking are essential, challenging the status quo, facilitating dialogue, and strengthening the future of target industries in Latin America. In this exclusive interview, Elizabeth Leiva Goycochea shares her deepest insights on our industry and presents a vision of its progress and initiatives in the sector.
Cgs Brasília represents a major organizational challenge. How has the planning process been, and what challenges have you faced over these months?
"Planning Cgs Brasília has been a significant challenge. It is the eighth event we have organized in Brazil, and over the last nine months, we have worked with a team of industry leaders who validated our agenda, focus, and approach. Coordinating with panelists, structuring topics, and adjusting schedules to align with legislative bodies’ agendas—while also considering public holidays—were key aspects of the planning. As with any event, there are multiple levels of complexity and coordination, but our commitment is to deliver the excellence our clients are already accustomed to."
The event agenda was developed with industry experts. What are the main topics to be covered at Cgs Brasília, and why are these discussions relevant today?
"The topics were selected with the support of key industry figures who provide their endorsement and strategic recommendations. Our content curation aims to reflect both the challenges and opportunities of the sector in Brazil while also creating a space for constructive dialogue. Cgs Brasília is not just a conference; it is a meeting point where the industry strengthens itself, shares knowledge, and envisions its future. The main topics to be addressed at Cgs Brasília include:
• Regulation, the new rules of the game, updates since January, and its future; what have been the main successes so far, and what still needs to be adjusted.
• Lotteries and the future of the sector, how the division between municipal, state, and federal licenses can shape your business.
• Protection, compliance, and financial security. How market leaders safeguard their operations against fraud, money laundering, and regulatory failures to grow without risks. Consumer protection, ensuring a responsible, transparent market with effective policies.
• International models that work, what is being done in the world's top jurisdictions and how to replicate these successful practices in Brazil.
• Casinos and tourism, and the new frontiers in Brazil. How regulation can help attract investment, create jobs, and boost tourism.
• Payments 2.0 and the future of transactions in the sector. Pix, digital wallets, cryptocurrencies, new payment solutions, and ensuring fast, secure transactions within regulatory frameworks."
The national industry has the opportunity to participate in this first convention in Brasília. Why is it important for all sector players to attend this event?
"We firmly believe that the national industry must be present at this first edition of Cgs in Brasília. It is a unique opportunity to demonstrate unity, strength, understanding, and dialogue. Throughout my years of organizing events in Latin America and the Caribbean, I have seen how differences and disputes have been overcome thanks to spaces that foster networking, knowledge sharing, and level-headed discussions in a multidisciplinary, sober, and elegant environment that facilitates the proper flow of information. Cgs Brasília is precisely that: a platform for the industry to speak transparently about its challenges, achievements, and expectations, contributing to the confirmation of a solid and beneficial industry for the country."
The gaming industry still faces barriers and prejudices compared to other entertainment sectors. How can Cgs Brasília help change this perception in Brazil?
"The gaming industry is like any other! It provides entertainment, excitement, and relaxation, faces challenges, and seeks reasonable regulations. Some people enjoy sports, smoking, dancing, food, travel, or extreme sports. All these industries operate without the same level of restrictions, prohibitions, and stigmas that the gaming sector carries. In fact, gaming is one of the most heavily regulated industries (when properly managed). To break the "taboo," we must communicate who we are, what we offer, and what percentage of problematic gambling exists (less than 7%). More importantly, we must work on ensuring that the remaining 93% do not contribute to this percentage. We need to highlight our responsible gaming policies and consumer protections (especially for minors). There is still much work to be done, but this event represents another step toward achieving what we all seek: legality and order."
Modern gaming will celebrate its 90th anniversary since its legalization in Las Vegas in 1935. What lessons can Brazil learn from this history, and how can they be applied to strengthen its industry?
"In 2025, modern gaming will mark 90 years since it was legalized in Las Vegas—a decision made to combat the Great Depression. This created the foundation for a strong, constantly evolving global industry. Brazil has the opportunity to learn from this history and develop a solid, regulated, and sustainable market. There are many examples and success stories; we just need to study them, analyze them, understand them, and assess their applicability to our jurisdiction. We have technology experts behind major brands—we must listen to them. We have lawyers, developers, and visionaries. I repeat: this industry is like any other, and its success depends on effective communication between all stakeholders. Brazil has a promising future and is on the right path to maintaining its position as a giant in the Americas, setting an example of modernity and regulatory coherence."
Finally, what message does Cgs Brasília want to convey to the industry and authorities at this crucial moment?
"Cgs Brasília represents the culmination of all the efforts made by the government to provide a legal framework for this important industry. On the other hand, the market is ready to comply with regulations and contribute to the country's economic development through tourism, investment, taxation, and job creation.
This event is a unique opportunity for dialogue, innovation, and joint efforts in building the future of the sector. We invite everyone to be part of this transformation and contribute to a more transparent and efficient regulatory environment. The future of gaming in Brazil starts now, and Brasília will be the stage for this transformation."