CIBELAE
- Founded
- 1988-01-01
- Headquarters
- Argentina
CIBELAE (Corporación Iberoamericana de Loterías y Apuestas de Estado) is an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in October 1988. It serves as the official regional branch of the World Lottery Association for Ibero-America, uniting state-owned lottery and betting organisations from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. The association acts as the political, advisory, and training body for its members, fostering collaboration, innovation, and responsible management in the state gaming sector. Membership includes government-backed lotteries, regulatory bodies, and private-sector technology suppliers and operators as associate members. CIBELAE provides a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and advocacy on regulation, security, and player protection. Key activities include an annual congress, thematic seminars, online training via the Campus CIBELAE e-learning platform, and working groups on security, innovation, anti-fraud, and responsible gaming. The organisation is led by a President and an Executive Director, with governance from a Board of member representatives. It operates across more than 20 countries and has recorded high-impact years with hundreds of attendees at its events.
Detailed Review
History & Founding
CIBELAE was created in October 1988 as the Iberoamerican Corporation of Lotteries and Bets of State. It was established by state lottery organisations from Ibero-American countries with the aim of promoting cooperation, information exchange, and the modernisation of the lottery sector across the region. While the specific founding members are not publicly listed, the organisation has grown to encompass members from more than 20 countries, including both state operators and private-sector associate members. It is recognised as an Associated Member of the World Lottery Association, giving it a formal role within the global lottery community.
Structure & Governance
CIBELAE operates as a non-profit civil association with unlimited duration. Its highest authority is the General Assembly of member organisations, which elects a Board of Directors. The Board appoints a President and an Executive Director to oversee day-to-day operations and strategic implementation. The President is typically a senior figure from a member lottery, while the Executive Director manages the secretariat and programme execution. The current President is Javier Milián, who also serves as President of the National Lottery of El Salvador (LNB). The Executive Director is Rodrigo Cigliutti.
Membership
Full membership is open to state lottery and gaming organisations from Ibero-American countries (Latin America, Spain, Portugal). Associate membership is available for private-sector companies – such as technology providers, gaming operators, and consultants – that wish to engage with the state lottery ecosystem. Notable recent associate members include EveryMatrix and Altenar, announced in 2025/2026. Membership provides access to events, working groups, research, and advocacy efforts.
Activities & Services
CIBELAE’s work is centred on six core objectives: promoting research and studies for modernisation; encouraging integration among member lotteries; facilitating cooperation agreements; advising on homogeneous legislative policies; organising courses, seminars, congresses, and conferences; and promoting international agreements to combat illegal gambling. These are delivered through an annual congress (e.g., the XIX Congress in Asunción, Paraguay, November 2025), thematic seminars (such as the 2026 Costa Rica seminar on illegal gambling and security), the Campus CIBELAE e-learning platform, working groups on security, responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and digital transformation, and publications and research.
Impact & Reach
CIBELAE is the primary voice for state lotteries in the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world. Its network includes organisations from over 20 countries across Latin America, as well as Spain and Portugal. The organisation has reported record activity years, with multiple in-person seminars and webinars attracting hundreds of attendees. It collaborates closely with the WLA and other international bodies to set standards for security, integrity, and responsible gaming. The organisation has a strong digital presence through its website, Instagram, and YouTube channel.
Key Products
Annual Ordinary Assembly
The organization’s highest decision-making body, where members ratify key decisions, including admission of new associate members.
CIBELAE Seminars
In-person events focusing on critical industry topics such as illegal gambling, security, risk management, responsible gaming, and sustainability. Recent examples include the Costa Rica 2026 Seminar and Foz do Iguaçu Seminar.
Advisory & Consulting Services
Direct advice to member lotteries on policy, modernization, and regulatory alignment.
CIBELAE Awards
Recognition program for innovation and excellence in the lottery sector.
CIBELAE Webinars
Online training sessions covering a range of subjects including regulatory updates, technological modernization, and best practices for state lotteries.
Working Groups & Committees
Dedicated groups addressing specific areas like responsible gaming, illegal gambling prevention, and legislative harmonization.
Congresses & Seminars
Flagship events such as the XIX Congreso CIBELAE and specialized seminars on illegal gambling and security, providing networking and learning opportunities for members.
Webinars & Training
Regular online sessions covering digitalization, risk management, responsible gaming, and regulatory updates to support member development.
Advisory Services
Guidance on legislative harmonization, operational modernization, and anti-illegal gambling strategies, tailored to state lotteries.
Working Groups
Thematic committees focusing on security, technology, sports betting integrity, and social responsibility, enabling collaborative problem-solving.
Networking Platform
Facilitates collaboration among state lotteries from Ibero-America and beyond through events and the WLA network.
Campus CIBELAE
An e-learning platform offering webinars and courses on lottery-specific topics for member training and certification.
Annual Congress
The flagship event rotating among member countries, serving as the principal gathering for the Ibero-American lottery community.
Thematic Seminars
Focused events on topics such as illegal gambling, security, and technology, often held in partnership with member lotteries.