Navigating the Future: AI, Compliance, and Collaboration at the Gaming Leaders’ Summit, London!
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At the Payments, Fraud & Compliance Gaming Leaders’ Summit (GLS), industry leaders came together to examine how artificial intelligence, payment innovation, and cross-sector cooperation are shaping the future of gambling compliance, player protection, and sustainable growth. Held at the Hilton Syon Park in London in May, the event brought together regulators, operators and technology specialists for two days of practical discussion on key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Artificial Intelligence: Promise and Caution
AI featured heavily across the agenda, with sessions exploring its growing influence on fraud prevention, payment security, risk profiling and identity verification. Speakers highlighted how AI is already improving efficiency and supporting safer gambling—particularly in identifying harmful behaviours in real time.
However, alongside the benefits came strong warnings. Concerns about misuse, bias and lack of transparency prompted repeated calls for sound data governance and human oversight. There was broad agreement that AI must be implemented responsibly, with explainability and accountability built in from the outset.
Open Banking and Smarter Payments
Open banking was widely seen as a valuable tool for enhancing responsible gambling and streamlining transactions. Although challenges remain around regulatory inconsistency and user experience, account-level data is becoming increasingly important for affordability checks and source-of-funds validation.
The concept of payment orchestration also drew attention, particularly in emerging markets where infrastructure and regulation vary. A flexible, well-integrated payment strategy was described as key to navigating global complexity.
Onboarding and Player Protection
Striking the right balance between smooth onboarding and robust fraud prevention was another central theme. New approaches to device intelligence and detecting synthetic identities were discussed, with industry-wide data sharing highlighted as a vital part of long-term fraud mitigation.
Sessions focusing on safer gambling emphasised the importance of personalisation, tighter marketing controls, and the use of technologies such as facial recognition and behavioural analytics. Delegates agreed that real progress depends not only on the adoption of new tools but also on deeper collaboration across the industry.
Regulation and Market Expansion
As operators expand into new markets including Brazil and the UAE, regulatory complexity is becoming a growing concern. Businesses must contend with a mixture of emerging rules, local expectations and existing grey-market activity.
Regulators from the UK, Netherlands and Sweden shared their experiences in maintaining high levels of channelisation while tackling unlicensed operators. Many speakers called for greater international coordination and clearer, more consistent reporting frameworks.
Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance
Anti-money laundering (AML) requirements were another focus. Conversations centred on aligning AML standards across jurisdictions and using AI to enhance identity verification and monitor transactions more effectively.
The introduction of the EU AI Act was highlighted as a key development, with a growing need for compliance solutions that are both proportionate and explainable. Speakers stressed the importance of evolving compliance teams and systems in line with both technological advances and regulatory change.
Looking Ahead
The summit ended with a shared message: innovation must be matched by collaboration. While AI and other technologies hold significant promise, their real value will come from responsible use, clear regulation and inclusive design.
By working together, operators, suppliers, regulators and policymakers can help ensure a gambling ecosystem that is compliant, customer-focused and built to last.
Author: G3 Media