It's literally impossible to ignore the state of growth in the Latin American sector, especially the region's largest economy Mexico, the fifth largest country in the Americas, covering almost two million square kilometres, and the fourteenth largest independent nation in the world with a population of around 109 million.

The Mexican economy is strongly linked to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and by GDP is the twelfth largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity. One of the country's principle sources of foreign exchange is money sent from abroad by Mexican workers overseas, which amounts to three per cent of GDP.

As the industry grows in Mexico, there is a mix of gaming salons opening up and down the country with Class II machines, as set up in the current legislation. According to Izkrah Pinto, organizer of Gaming & Amusement expo GAMMEX 2009: "Mexico is going through a transition stage, moving from small amusement rooms known locally as videoarcada to exciting large salons and entertainment parks on areas of 3,000 to 18,000 square feet."

Pinto said: "The industry service culture in Mexico is also changing, and whether they are amusement, betting, bingos or casinos, the operators understand that quality service will impact directly on the bottom line, and our expo is also geared for this. The industry anticipates opening over 400 gaming rooms within the next two years with the installation of some 200,000 gaming devices, apart from replacement units for existing operations which must upgrade properties to stay in contention".

Caliente, Palmas and Big Bola are biggest payers in Mexico

Caliente's Interlomas games salon celebrated a new anniversary last month with exciting surprises and prizes for its patrons. Players can collect tickets each day for the weekly draws called Caliente Oro, Super Premio and a never ending assortment of gifts.

Caliente is the leading gaming operator in Mexico with more than 92 years of uninterrupted service and entertainment in the industry. As a 100% owned Mexican company, Caliente operates more than 100 gaming properties, a dog track and a sports arena, and is in constant growth in Mexico, where it is one of the leaders in the entertainment and betting sector.

Over the years, Caliente has handed out billions of dollars in jackpot prizes, latest model motor cars and all sort of gifts to its patrons, and in 2008 Caliente has already given out more than 60 cars, a myriad of prizes and thousands of courtesy gifts.

In Mexico City, Palmas Group opened its first property in the country's capital called Palmas Ajusco, where more than 500 invited guests lined up in a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony on each of their gaming machines.  

Jose Manuel Cortez, Palmas Group Operations Director said: "Ever since Palmas opened its first operation in 2002 in Nuevo Leon State, the company has gained enough experience to guarantee total security for its patrons, and when someone wins a large amount of cash, our security personnel is used on a dignitary custody patrol to see them safe to their home."

Palma Group has properties in the states of Mexico, Chihuahua, Nuevo León, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Coahuila, and soon also in the cities of Aguascalientes and Cancun. With an operating policy that has as its mission to offer cutting-edge entertainment products, Palmas Group ensures that its patrons enjoy a great entertainment experience in comfortable surroundings with customized high level service by highly qualified personnel. Equipped with technologically advanced games with responsible gaming procedures, Palmas Group is at the forefront of gaming companies in the region.

Further north in the State of Sonora, Big Bola directors Luis García and Rogelio Marín met San Luis Rey city mayor Ruben Santana Espino to confirm the opening of the Mexican bingo chain's new property in March 2009, with a US$3 million investment.

After the meeting, attended by Isela Ayala, Municipal Director, the Big Bola directors donated US$2,000 to the social service fund, and promised to hand over revenue generated during the first two days of the operation, and to repeat the same exercise on each anniversary of the casino.

Big Bola also operates game rooms in the towns of Tlalnepantla, Interlomas and Metepec in Mexico State, and also gaming properties in the states of Guanajuato, Veracruz, Querétaro, and Campeche.

Pinto concluded: "We are at the forefront of industry development in Mexico and are pleased to see that we have already sold over 50% of expo space in less than six weeks since we started. One thing is for sure, we anticipate visitors to exceed 2,000 to our event, making it the largest of its kind in the country." GAMMEX 2009 is scheduled for 1-2 April, 2009 at Mexico City's world renowned Center of International Exhibitions & Congress World Trade Center.

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