BETBY, the premium sportsbook supplier, continues to strengthen its global footprint with the appointment of Juan Pablo Barahona as LATAM Regional Director.

Bringing over 17 years of experience across management, administration, marketing, and sales, Barahona has built a distinguished career within the betting and gaming industry. His expertise extends into the online media sector, technology, and both hardware and software sales, catering to retail, governmental, and e-commerce channels.

Throughout his career, Barahona has successfully navigated the Latin American market, holding key roles at industry-leading organizations such as Entain or Betway Group and technology giants.  His wealth of experience and deep market knowledge make him a vital addition to BETBY’s expansion strategy in the region.

In his new role, Barahona will be responsible for driving BETBY’s regional business development, strengthening partnerships, and reinforcing the company’s position as a premier sportsbook supplier in Latin America.

Juan Pablo Barahona, LATAM Regional Director at BETBY, commented: “I am excited to be joining BETBY at such a pivotal moment in the company’s growth journey. The LATAM market presents immense opportunities, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to expand BETBY’s presence and forge strong relationships across the region.”

Chris Nikolopoulos,  Chief Commercial Officer  at BETBY, said: “Juan Pablo’s extensive industry background and deep understanding of the LATAM market make him a key asset for BETBY. As we continue our global expansion, his leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our presence and delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to our partners in the region.”

Missouri’s plan to launch legal sports betting this summer has been delayed after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected an emergency rulemaking request filed by the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC). The decision, announced on February 21, means that regulators must follow the standard rulemaking process, effectively pushing the anticipated June launch to late summer or fall 2025.

Hoskins stated that the proposed emergency rules, which were submitted to Governor Mike Kehoe on January 27, did not meet the legal requirements for emergency approval.

Under Missouri law, emergency rulemaking can only be granted if there is “immediate danger to public health, safety, or welfare” or if the rule is necessary to “preserve a compelling governmental interest that requires an early effective date.” Hoskins determined that sports betting regulations did not meet these conditions, meaning they must proceed through the standard rulemaking process, which includes a public input period.

The MGC had initially targeted June 2025 as the market’s launch date, despite the state’s legal deadline requiring that wagering begin no later than December 1, 2025. Following Hoskins’ rejection, the MGC confirmed that its proposed licensing rules, which were filed alongside the emergency request, will become effective on August 30, 2025.

CT Gaming has strengthened its footprint in the LatAm region with multiple successful installations across Mexico’s leading land-based gaming venues. Among the trusted partners are Cirsa, Golden Lion, Euromex, and Jumamex. In recent months over 70 NEXT cabinets have been installed, elevating the gaming experience for players across the region.

Designed for unmatched comfort and seamless gameplay, the NEXT cabinets feature advanced technology and ergonomic enhancements, ensuring both player satisfaction and optimized performance for operators. To maximize engagement and deliver top-tier results, most of the newly installed machines are paired with Diamond King 3, featuring the legendary Mega Jack Trio—Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol, and Champagne Party. Additionally, the Diamond King 4 multigame has made its debut at Casino Clover Aguascalientes, further expanding the company’s portfolio in the market.

“These installations play a key role in strengthening our presence in the LatAm market. We are grateful to our partners, whose trust and support have been the driving force behind our expansion. We have exciting plans for 2025, and we couldn’t be happier with the progress so far,” Gjorgi Smilanov, General Manager for Mexico, said.