Zona de Azar® Nominated for “Industry Voice 2026” at SiGMA North America
Mexico – August 19, 2026 – Zona de Azar® has been nominated in the “Industry Voice 2026” category of the SiGMA North America Awards 2026, one of the awards that recognize companies, professionals, and innovators who are making an impact on the gaming industry, emerging technologies, and the affiliate ecosystem in the region.
The awards ceremony will take place on September 1, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Mexico City, located at Campos Elíseos 204, Polanco Chapultepec, Mexico City, as part of SiGMA North America.
The nomination represents yet another accolade for Zona de Azar®, which for more than 20 years has supported the gaming and betting industry through specialized information, coverage of major markets and international events, and a communication platform that connects operators, suppliers, regulators, affiliates, and industry executives on a daily basis.
Zona de Azar®, Nominated for “Industry Voice 2026”
In the Industry Voice 2026 category, the four nominated media outlets are:
- SoloAzar
- Yogonet
- Focus Gaming News
- Zona de Azar®
This distinction recognizes the role of specialized media as the voices of a constantly evolving industry, responsible not only for reporting on its major developments but also for raising the profile of the companies and professionals driving its growth.
For Zona de Azar®, this nomination holds special significance after more than two decades of supporting the sector and producing content in Spanish, English, and Portuguese for a specialized audience in Latin America and other international markets.
Zona de Azar® also extends special thanks to SiGMA for this recognition, as well as to its sponsors and partners, who year after year renew their trust and enable the outlet to continue being “their voice” within the industry.
Public voting will remain open until August 31, one day before the ceremony.
SiGMA North America Awards: A Celebration of Innovation
With the aim of celebrating success in gaming, technology, and digital marketing, the SiGMA North America Awards honor innovators and pioneers who are transforming the landscape of gaming and emerging technologies in one of the world’s most promising markets.
The gala will bring together industry leaders for an evening that combines the awards ceremony with fine dining, entertainment, and networking opportunities.
The event will also feature a charitable component through a live charity auction, with proceeds going to projects supported by the SiGMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the SiGMA Group dedicated to educational initiatives, training, and support for vulnerable communities.
The Main Categories and Nominees
The 2026 SiGMA North America Awards cover various segments of the industry and group their awards into broad categories.
Player Champions – The Fan Favorites
Caliente.MX, Codere, Brazino777, Stake, and Novibet were nominated for Best Casino Operator 2026 – Latin America.
For Best Operator 2026 – North America, the nominees are FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, JackpotCity Casino, Hard Rock Bet, and Caesars.
In the Best Sportsbook Operator 2026 – Latin America category, the competitors are Apuesta Total, Superbet, Betano, Caliente.MX, and Betfair.
Meanwhile, the Best Player Experience 2026 category features Caliente.MX, BetBoom, Codere, Bet365, and BetCris.
Content Masters – The Entertainers
Among the categories dedicated to content are Best Slot Game 2026, Best Live Casino Game Provider 2026, Best Game Studio 2026, Best Game Design 2026, Best Mobile-First Games Provider 2026, and Best New Game Release 2026.
Nominated companies include Playtech, Amusnet, Zitro Digital, Hacksaw Gaming, Games Global, Relax Gaming, Wazdan, Mancala Gaming, 7777 Gaming, EGT Digital, and PopOk Gaming, among others.
The Architects – Building the Industry
This section features some of the awards’ most relevant B2B technology categories.
VeliGames, Timeless Tech, and Relum are competing for Best Aggregator 2026.
For Best Casino Platform 2026, the nominees are Cometa Gaming, Blokotech, VeliTech, and Digitain.
The Best Sportsbook Platform 2026 category features Sportingtech, Digitain, BETBY, Altenar, and FIRST.bet.
For Best Emerging Platform Provider 2026, the nominees are Everest Plat, Playvium, 21VIRAL, Skilrock Technologies, and Cactus Gaming.
For Best Payment Solution 2026, the nominees are ProntoPaga, Jumio, VamosPago, Tonder, and MyPal.
This same section includes Industry Voice 2026, where Zona de Azar® is nominated alongside SoloAzar, Yogonet, and Focus Gaming News.
Innovation, Technology, and Growth
In The Pacesetters – Pushing Boundaries, the Best AI & Innovation Solution 2026 category features the following nominees: BETBY, BetConstruct AI, Optimove AI, Xtremepush, Promofy, and Betlyzer by Hub Affiliations.
Competing for Best Innovative Sportsbook Feature 2026 are BETER, Betpeek by Oddin.gg, America Simulcast, EGT Digital, and FIRST.bet.
Meanwhile, Industry Game Changer 2026 features Optimove, SOFTSWISS, Xtremepush, Playvium, and Traffic Stars.
Finally, within The Growth Makers – Driving Revenue, the awards recognize the affiliate and marketing sectors.
For Best Affiliate Program 2026, the nominees are MelBet Partners & Affiliates, Blaze Affiliate, Sportium Partners, 1xAffiliates, and Alpha Affiliates.
The Best Affiliate 2026 category features Better Collective, Betandeal, Google Mexico, Move Up Media, and Punters Lounge.
Finally, Best Marketing Campaign 2026 includes BETBY’s “Leaders Choose Leaders,” GR8 TECH’s “Team of Champions,” DraftKings Casino x Brian Christopher Slots, and MelBet’s “Beyond Limits.”
A jury of industry leaders
The 2026 edition will feature a jury composed of industry professionals and executives, including Fellipe Fraga, commercial director at Stellar Gaming; Cristhian Gomez Villa, general manager of Emerging Markets at Betsson Group; Mariano Hernandez Castillo, product director at Corporación Caliente; Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez, executive president of AIEJA; and Elizabeth Maya Cano, executive president of CORNAZAR.
The ceremony will be hosted by journalist Carolina Vallejo and Mark Anthony Borg, senior host and head of media relations.
Key Dates for the 2026 SiGMA North America Awards
Nominations and self-nominations opened on June 29 and closed on July 31. The nominees were announced on August 17, the same day public and jury voting began.
Voting will remain open until August 31, while the winners will be revealed during the ceremony on September 1, 2026 in Mexico City.
Each participant may select one option per category. If more than one vote is cast, SiGMA clarifies that only the most recent submission will be counted.
Vote for Zona de Azar® as Industry Voice 2026
After more than 20 years of reporting on, connecting with, and supporting the industry, Zona de Azar® celebrates this new nomination and thanks its entire community—readers, clients, sponsors, partners, and colleagues—for being part of this journey.
If you believe that Zona de Azar® deserves to be recognized as “Industry Voice 2026”, you can cast your vote in the 2026 SiGMA North America Awards.
🗳️ VOTE FOR ZONA DE AZAR®:
Thank you so much for always being with us!
Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com
