Arturo Chaltelt - Senior Key Account Manager at Play'n GO
Arturo Chaltelt – Senior Key Account Manager, Play'n GO
He currently serves as Senior Key Account Manager at Play’n GO, a role he took on in May 2025, focused on strengthening strategic accounts and maximizing value for online casino partners. Previously, he spent more than three years at EveryMatrix, where he held positions as Business Development Manager for the Americas and Account Manager, leading commercial expansion, portfolio presentations, negotiations, and client development in key markets. During that period, he became a key link for LatAm opportunities, coordinating with internal product and operations teams and contributing to regional growth through new accounts and upselling with major clients.
Before fully focusing on iGaming, Arturo gained experience at global consumer and services companies, including Bacardi, where he worked on brand management for Tequila Cazadores in the U.S. market, and Intermex, leading marketing plans focused on sustained growth. His career also includes market research and consulting, giving him a strong analytical foundation for performance and ROI-driven decision-making.
Arturo holds an MBA with a specialization in Marketing from Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. In this More than a Game interview, we talk about his story, his journey across industries and markets, the lessons that shaped his approach, and his perspective on building strong partnerships and sustainable results in an industry that demands speed, precision, and flawless execution.
The Origin
Where were you born?
I was born in Mexico City. There’s something very special about being born there. No matter where you live, the “chilango” in you is forever.
If you could walk today through the neighborhood where you grew up as a kid, what would you remember?
As a child, I moved to the United States with my family because of my father’s job. But during vacations I had the chance to visit that house in the neighborhood where I was born, where my grandmother lived. Without a doubt, what I remember most is playing soccer with my friends and spending time outdoors with them. I was a kid who felt the fear of moving cities and changing schools, but that place was always my happy place. My refuge, where there were kids like me who understood me and loved playing soccer the way I did. Being able to play every day, compete, get excited, and even dream during each of those “cascaritas” as we say in Mexico, made my childhood happy overall. I remember counting the days anxiously until we’d go back to Mexico and I could see my friends come down and kick a ball. That connection kept me in touch with my culture and strengthened my love for sports. Soccer was obviously our favorite, but we played everything: football, basketball, “bote pateado.”
If you could go back in time to those years, what would you like to be doing?
Without a doubt, playing one of those small street matches again, those “cascaritas” where you truly played out of love and companionship. We played on concrete, with goals improvised using stones. The adult neighbors were often annoyed because one bad shot could break a window, but for us that was part of the flavor of playing. There are two things I remember a lot: even though I lost touch with most of my friends, I remember playing soccer in the street, in the patio outside our homes, and also going for tacos with my parents, which was another happy moment as a kid. There was a taquería just steps from my house and every weekend we’d go there and eat like kings. And lastly, if I could go back, I’d love to spend time with my grandmother, who is no longer with us. She was incredibly important in my childhood and a central figure of that time.
What part of that kid is still present in your life today?
I think many parts are still alive. Sometimes I feel like an adult kid. The competitive side definitely started there, but it was a friendly and healthy competition, even though nobody wanted to lose, especially when the girls came out to watch us play. That team spirit, that sense of belonging, of being part of a group, was always important. Later I played on organized school teams, but this was the foundation. That group and team feeling applies today to the industry, especially in LatAm. I see a respectful competition, and even a friendly one. And I still keep that dreamy, imaginative side: back then I imagined I was playing at Estadio Azteca with the Mexican National Team, and I haven’t stopped dreaming or keeping that fighting spirit.
What did that kid dream of doing for a living when grown up?
I realized early that I wasn’t the best soccer player. I liked being a goalkeeper because there’s something heroic about that position and I was fairly good at it, although of course the glory of being a striker always attracts everyone. As a very young kid, the dream was to be like Pelé or Maradona. Later I started to love being a goalkeeper like Jorge Campos. Then we moved to California and I stopped playing soccer. Back then soccer in the U.S. was basically nonexistent, so I grabbed the closest link I had to Mexico: lucha libre. For a while I thought about becoming a professional wrestler, like El Santo, or like the world in Nacho Libre for those who don’t know much about it. I would play around inventing wrestling shows. One day my father talked to me about what it really means to be a wrestler and how hard that life is, and I lost the desire.
Career
What was your first paid job?
My first job on an official payroll was right after university in Mexico, working in the purchasing area for mobile phones at Grupo Salinas stores (Elektra). However, technically my first paid gig, and one I remember fondly, was the first time I got paid for a service: filming a women’s soccer match. I was in high school in New York taking a video and cinematography class. They needed someone to film the senior girls’ soccer team. I volunteered and they paid me twenty bucks. I was happy: I loved soccer, I loved the camera, and I could watch the girls play. Those were two of the best hours of my life at that time.
What was your first job in betting/gambling?
My first job was at Play’n GO seven years ago. It was my first company, my home, and that’s why I have so much affection for it. As mentioned in the intro, my background has always been marketing and business administration. Before that, I worked in other industries: retail with Grupo Elektra, spirits and beverages with Bacardi, then a startup, and later financial services in remittances. One day, my friend and MBA classmate Cristian Acuña told me they were looking for someone to handle LatAm accounts. Cristian was the rugby team captain at university. He convinced me to join the team back then without knowing anything, just by putting in effort and heart. I can say it was the same here in iGaming. I came in without knowing much, with a good attitude, and here we are seven years later. Happy and proud to belong to this industry.
What do you enjoy most about this industry?
It’s unique. It’s an industry with a lot of camaraderie and good energy. With all its nuances, it’s very easy to build connections and even friendships. There are bad apples everywhere, but for the most part I’ve experienced a high level of friendliness, professionalism, openness to share knowledge, and support across the industry. And there’s also the undeniable side: we work hard, but we also live great experiences and moments of fun. I’ve been to incredible places and events because of it. I think we’re very fortunate.
What trends will shape the future of betting over the next five years?
LatAm is consolidating into the promise it always was. At the end of the last decade, despite the region’s potential, there was still some doubt. Post pandemic there was a boom, and over the last couple of years that potential has been confirmed. What we recently experienced with Peru and Brazil was a great lesson: despite early obstacles, regulation will always be the best path for a healthy balance of fair competition, responsible gambling, and market development.
So over the next five years, I see consolidation in newly regulated markets, and we can expect other markets like Mexico and Chile to keep moving in that direction. New interesting territories may emerge, for example Venezuela, which given recent events is one to watch.
More broadly, we’ll see a growing number of tech tools that complement operations, especially for CRM and retention, which are key in highly competitive markets worldwide. This includes AI tools that, without a doubt, will need legislation at some point due to the risks they could bring.
And finally, I think prediction markets will become more relevant globally. It’s a major trend right now here in the U.S., and I believe it will gain traction worldwide in the coming years. We’ll need to define how it will coexist with iGaming and remove any regulatory advantages, as happens today.
What worries you most about problem gambling?
The stigma that affects the whole industry and generates social rejection, creating major obstacles for business development. Fortunately, I believe regulated gambling helps fight problem gambling, so the more regulation we have, the lower the risk. There’s also the individual responsibility of each provider and operator. And I think we’re moving in the right direction. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It used to be common to see clandestine casinos where players could easily fall into that spiral, and now less so. Collectively, many groups are pushing toward safer, cleaner, and more responsible play.
If you had to choose a boss who shaped your career, who would it be?
I’ve had some excellent bosses, with different styles, and it’s healthy to learn and take the best from each one. The first experience always stays with you, and in my case it was no exception. My first boss at Grupo Elektra is someone I still admire and who left a mark on me. He wasn’t my direct manager, he was the department director. He chose me, and at first I was in a situation where the rest of the group didn’t want me there: fresh out of university, no experience, from a private university, so you can imagine the scenario. But Juan Carlos Alonso trusted me, and that trust is something that can easily wobble when you’re new. He also shared very practical business ideas. He’s a master negotiator and I remember him fondly. Above all, he taught me the importance of being a leader who delegates, empowers, and builds confidence in people.
And within the industry, Magnus Olsson, current CCO at Play’n GO, is a great leader I’ve learned a lot from.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?
“Under promise and over deliver.” Manage expectations clearly from the start.
If you had to sum up your leadership philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?
The best leaders delegate, empower, correct in private, and praise in public.
What do you value most in a job beyond salary?
How you feel when you close your laptop at the end of the day. You can earn an amazing salary, but if you’re in a toxic team or you don’t enjoy what you do, you’re wasting your time.
If you hadn’t worked in this industry, what other profession would you have liked to pursue?
I really enjoyed the spirits industry, and I think it’s similar to casino. At the end of the day, both are fun industries. When I worked in financial services, I was bored to death, it’s definitely not for me. I also would’ve loved to work in an office connected to sports. At one point I applied for a sales role with an NFL team. Something like that, being part of the management side of a sports team, I’m sure I would’ve loved it.
Quick Fire
What book would you recommend? It depends, I love Latin American novels, but a very useful book for any professional is The Art of Problem Solving by Russell Ackoff.
A film that left a mark on you? Life Is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni, the story and the messages are simply beautiful.
Favorite food? Tacos and meat, a rib eye taco is heaven.
Wine or beer? I like both, it depends. Beer during the day, wine at night.
A place in the world to live? New York, forever.
A dream still pending? I’ve been dreaming for a while about getting a big gift for my parents, a beach house, something like that.
A hobby or passion outside work? I love going to the gym. Mostly lifting, not so much cardio, haha. When I lived in Mexico I was part of a theater group and we staged plays. I loved that too, maybe I’ll return to it someday.
A person you admire? Tom Brady, former NFL player. A testament to discipline. For 20 years he was the best at his position and helped his teams dominate in such a competitive league. A great lesson in dedication, discipline, and sacrifice.
Office or home? Hybrid. Sometimes it’s convenient to just open the laptop and connect from home, but human interaction is always valuable.
Beach day or countryside? Living in Miami, I have the beach close, so the countryside feels much more interesting now.
Employee or entrepreneur? I prefer being an entrepreneur with the right project.
Are leaders made or born? Most things are made, but some traits you’re born with, like leadership and charisma.
Family and Friends
If your parents had to describe you without mentioning your role or achievements, what would they say?
My parents will always tell you I’m the greatest. They always gave me that idea of being “the best”. Fortunately I’ve always been a very loved and supported son. They’d say I’m the best at everything, even if it isn’t true.
How would your friends describe you?
As someone reliable. I might not be the most present, but they know that if they’re my friend, I’m there when they need me. Also as someone who will tell them what’s right, not what they want to hear. Someone very passionate who would do anything for the people he loves.
Who is the person who still dares to tell you “you’re wrong” when everyone else says yes?
Fortunately I have a couple of people, family, friends, my wife, who can tell me when I’m wrong. I try to be brutally honest with the people I love, and I feel that opens a line of reciprocal honesty that I always look for with those closest to me.
How much has your family influenced you to be where you are today?
In everything. Everything I’ve gained, both external and internal, is thanks to the foundation they gave me and the idea they always repeated: the greatest inheritance they could give me was a good education. Money comes and goes, but training and preparation are invaluable. My parents always made sure my sister and I were in the best position to reach our full human and professional development.
Who, far away or no longer here, would you like to hug? What would you say?
My grandmother. She passed away in 2001, so it’s been a long time, but I’d give her a big hug and tell her again that I love her, and thank her for all the lessons and the values she passed on to me.
Challenges and Achievements
What would you say to your younger self who was suffering or about to give up?
“Get up you son of a bitch, ‘cause Mickey loves you.” It’s a great Rocky quote. Sometimes when things are hard, you forget there are people who love you and want to see you standing. Fortunately that idea has stayed with me when things get complicated. Rocky has some great lessons about persistence.
What was the hardest decision you made in your career and what did you learn from it?
Leaving my job in Mexico and going back to the U.S. to do my master’s degree. It was hard because I had already built my life there: family, job, girlfriend, but I knew I wanted more. The key lesson is that big wins require big sacrifice and, above all, taking risks.
What has been your biggest achievement and what did it mean to you?
For me, the biggest professional achievement will always be reaching the next goal, because that keeps inertia and progress alive. I could say X project or X result, but I don’t see it that way. Some people achieve one big thing and then stagnate, or a setback comes. I’ve always tried to maintain an upward trend, so I believe the real achievement is staying relevant and competitive.
On a personal level, after so many changes of schools, cities, and professional environments, being able to adapt quickly, learn, move between cultures easily, and keep focus, that’s a huge achievement for me. It helps not only at work but in daily life.
Legacy
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
I see myself still truly enjoying what I do and leading an important project within the industry.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who made things happen. I don’t care if the memory is positive or negative, you can’t please everyone. But I’ll feel at peace as long as there’s a general consensus that I delivered on everything I took on.
If you had to give someone a life advice, what would it be?
Be yourself. Original will always be worth more than copies, and people spot copies very easily.
What question have you never been asked in an interview but would like to answer?
I’ve really enjoyed this interview because it’s very different from the others. It touches a personal side that’s uncommon in the industry. Usually interviews and even panels at expos are repetitive: same topics, same questions. Keeping that personal tone, I could talk more about the lessons from my father, he’s a great man and has had a huge impact on me. Or maybe my ultra soft side with my dachshund Makkara. I love talking about her and showing photos. She’s definitely a joy and an important part of my life.
Which industry colleague would you like to see answering this interview?
Dr. Miguel Ángel Ochoa, President of AIEJA Mexico. With his knowledge and career, he would make for a very interesting interview.