Central Europe
Navigating International Regulatory Landscapes: A Guide for Expanding iGaming Businesses
Boris Pashnev, CEO of Alpha Affiliates
Taking an iGaming business global opens up vast possibilities for expansion and progress. However, along with new markets and opportunities, comes the complex regulatory landscapes of different countries. To ensure a smooth and compliant expansion, businesses must familiarise themselves with international legal frameworks and understand regulatory considerations. Still, it is much easier said than done.
As a business working closely with iGaming brands, we at Alpha Affiliates have first hand experience expanding within these new regulatory landscapes. We have helped several iGaming operators and affiliates to grow their businesses and comply with the regulations in various jurisdictions. Moreover, in the last year, we have successfully expanded our own business into new geographical markets, including France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Hungary. This expansion not only broadened our global reach but also ensured a more comprehensive and inclusive gaming experience for iGaming enthusiasts worldwide.
This is the hope for many aspiring iGaming operators looking to go global. So, how can businesses successfully navigate new regulations when expanding their business globally?
Make regulation your team’s number one priority
In the iGaming world, regulations must be the cornerstone of your business strategy to going global. You need to go in with the mindset that it isn’t just about compliance – it’s about building a sustainable, reputable business. Only with this mindset, can you successfully launch an iGaming business, and develop long-term trust and support from regulators and consumers alike.
By making regulation your foundation, you’re sure to be on track for success. Of course, for any CEO, this starts by looking to the regulatory experts, and putting together a dedicated compliance team who can manage and advise on the regulatory landscape in the region you are looking to expand into.
For instance, in the case of licensing, operators should seek assistance from their in-house legal departments who can ensure licensing application requirements to be met and the corporate structure to be set up properly. This way they can prevent making any mistakes when switching their operations to comply with the new guidelines and ensure that they set up a well equipped and responsible environment for their players.
By having a dedicated team focused on regulation, operators can confidently and consistently ensure their operations meet regulatory guidelines within new regions.
Remain flexible and embrace new frameworks
Regulation is always subject to review and change – it’s a natural part of progress to ensure consumers, and businesses are better served and protected.
We saw this most recently with Curaçao’s new regulation known as the National Ordinance for Games of Chance, or LOK, which set out new requirements for anti-money laundering, fraud prevention and player protection. The LOK framework changes brought new change, and with that new considerations for iGaming operators to address. Operators had to reflect and adjust the ways in which they disclose certain information, ensure data protection, address anti-money laundering, privacy measures for gaming and monitoring tactics.
Alongside the regulatory changes, the licensing fees also increased, in order to foster a safer and more responsible environment. And the licensing process changed too. The Gaming Control Board (GCB) opened the new licensing portal on September 1st earlier last year, leaving iGaming companies with two options – to either apply for new licences and follow the regulations outlined in the LOK, or register as sublicensees.
This is a prime example of how quickly things can change, and the need to remain flexible and ready to adapt when expanding into different regions. To stay ahead, it’s important to conduct regular regulatory assessments, budget for potential increases in licensing fees and develop flexible systems that can adapt to new requirements.
Consider creating a regulatory roadmap for each market you’re entering and operating in, from the current requirements, anticipated changes, plus your strategy for addressing them.
Take responsibility: Prioritise player protection
Remember that any international authority or regulator will want to see that player protection is not only met, but prioritised. After all, responsible gaming isn’t just a regulatory requirement, it’s a business imperative.
Ensuring your operations develop comprehensive responsible gaming policies, including self-exclusion programmes, session time limits, and staff training in identifying and addressing problematic iGaming behaviours, will be key.
At Alpha Affiliates, we encourage users to act conscientiously by providing a safe and organised platform to advertise their offerings. We are committed to ensuring responsible gaming is upheld in our services globally and make sure to follow regulations, only expanding into regions in which iGaming is properly regulated.
It’s crucial to consider how you can improve your policies to better protect players – as this will be a number one concern for regulators internationally. We implement industry-standard measures for players who want to control their gambling habits. These include applying various limits on losses, deposits and bets. In addition, we make sure to display reminders for the amount of time spent in a casino and for players to take a step back to step away and cool off. I’d encourage other operators to do the same.
Be patient and carefully lay down the groundwork
Launching abroad successfully takes a well-thought-out and well-planned strategy. It also requires a lot of patience. “Getting your ducks in a row”, and laying down the groundwork will take time and intricate planning.
Starting the process early is important. When it comes to international expansion, regulation is a huge aspect that cannot be rushed. It can be all the difference in business success, and business failure. It requires rigorous due diligence to ensure all requirements are met, and all licensing documentation is ready.
By meticulously crafting and executing a regulation-first international expansion strategy, businesses can put themselves in the best possible footing for growth globally. Regulations are important across all sectors, but in the iGaming world where adhering to tight regulation is imperative, operators must make it the foundation of all business. The path to international expansion may be complex, but with the right approach, operators can capitalise on the exciting opportunities in new markets and drive remarkable growth.
The post Navigating International Regulatory Landscapes: A Guide for Expanding iGaming Businesses appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Global crypto entertainment brand BC.GAME has been named “Best Crypto Casino 2025” at the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards, held this year in Rome. The result has been published via SiGMA’s official channels and industry media, with BC.GAME listed among the winners in the cryptocasino operator category.
As part of the SiGMA Central Europe 2025 event in early November, the B2C Awards focused on operators that have shown notable performance in online entertainment and sports betting over the past year. The “Best CryptoCasino 2025” category is specifically dedicated to platforms built around crypto assets as a core feature of their offering.
According to award-related communications and public review sources, BC.GAME’s recognition is linked to its integration of crypto payments, multi-vertical product line-up and ongoing development in Web3-oriented use cases. Several third-party reviews have highlighted BC.GAME as a representative example of a platform that supports multiple cryptocurrencies, combines casino and sports content, and designs features with on-chain users in mind.
BC.GAME noted that the award serves as a form of interim feedback on the platform’s long-term commitment to the crypto segment. The company plans to continue improving the user experience around crypto payments, cross-device product performance and content operations, while expanding sports and esports-related partnerships in markets where such activities are permitted by local regulation.
As a crypto-native operator, BC.GAME incorporates mechanisms such as provably fair verification into its product design and combines these with a native token and promotional structures to deliver an integrated casino and sports experience for crypto community users. With continued nominations and awards within the SiGMA framework and other international programmes, BC.GAME is increasingly regarded as a long-term player in the crypto entertainment vertical.
The post BC.GAME Wins “Best Crypto Casino” at SiGMA Central Europe Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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NOVOMATIC Italia played a key role at SiGMA Central Europe 2025, one of the leading international events for the gaming and digital technology industry, which was held in Rome from November 4 to 6. The Group showcased ADMIRAL Pay, the payment institution authorised by the Bank of Italy, and Quigioco, its online gaming brand, presenting an integrated and sustainable vision for the future of payments and digital entertainment.
The synergy between the Quigioco gaming platform and ADMIRAL Pay was at the heart of NOVOMATIC Italia’s presence at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 was. This integrated solution offers legal gaming operators a concrete response to the ongoing transformation of the market, particularly in terms of regulatory compliance.
The combined structure of Quigioco and ADMIRAL Pay ensures fully compliant financial flow management by providing operators with technologically advanced tools that are aligned with the latest Italian legislative requirements. This infrastructure represents an integrated payment system and a complete digital ecosystem that is designed to support operators in an increasingly regulated and competitive market. The model is complemented by B2C solutions, including APay E-Wallet and APay Card, which interface seamlessly with the B2B architecture to expand additional growth opportunities.
Driving the market with technology and security
The collaboration between ADMIRAL Pay and Quigioco marks a key milestone for the Italian market: by adopting integrated digital payment systems, online gaming platforms can now deliver increasingly personalized and secure experiences to their users.
ADMIRAL Pay technology enables rapid conversion between cash and digital currency, ensuring instant and secure transactions that meet the highest international standards. For PVRs (Punti Vendita Ricarica: venues authorised to sell recharges for online gaming) and operators, this means access to an advanced payment tool that simplifies operations and guarantees efficiency, even during peak periods.
Meeting new regulatory and market demands
The digital payments and gaming sector in Italy is now subject to increasingly stringent regulatory standards that are designed to ensure maximum security, traceability and transparency. The integration of Quigioco and ADMIRAL Pay fully meets these requirements, offering a unique solution that strengthens compliance while enhancing the customer experience. By managing financial flows in a compliant manner, operators can reduce risks and provide players with immediate and secure access to their funds. This model translates into trust and long-term loyalty, creating value across the entire supply chain.
Responsibility and leadership: the pillars of the future
SiGMA Central Europe 2025 was also an opportunity to highlight NOVOMATIC’s commitment to promoting responsible gaming and continuous product innovation. The target is to maintain industry leadership by investing in technologies that not only enhance the user experience but also ensure maximum player protection and operator transparency.
“Our goal is to extend the success and expertise that have always defined NOVOMATIC Italia in the land-based sector into the digital world. We want to offer operators and players an integrated ecosystem that combines technology, security, and innovation, reaffirming our Group’s leadership in online gaming,” said Markus Buechele, CEO of NOVOMATIC Italia.
This strategic vision was recognized when NOVOMATIC Italia received the “B2B Industry Leader Italy 2025” award at the SiGMA B2B Awards, in honour of the company’s excellence and ongoing commitment to an innovative, responsible and sustainable approach to development. The Group is not only addressing evolving market and regulatory challenges but also paving the way for a future in which innovation and sustainability move forward together.
Through ADMIRAL Pay, Quigioco and the major innovations showcased at SiGMA, NOVOMATIC Italia demonstrates how the convergence of digital payments and online gaming can drive growth, security, and long-term sustainability across the industry. By being built on innovation, responsibility and strategic vision, this model is positioning the company at the forefront of a tech-driven and sustainable future.
The post NOVOMATIC Italia Showcases Innovation and Responsible Growth at SiGMA 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Best Platform Provider
SoftGamings Wins “Best Platform Provider” Award at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome
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SoftGamings has been awarded the Best Platform Provider at the SiGMA Central Europe 2025 ceremony held in Rome. The award recognizes the company’s outstanding achievements in platform development, technical excellence, and continuous contribution to the growth of the global iGaming industry.
The recognition highlights SoftGamings’ commitment to delivering robust, scalable, and feature-rich platform solutions that empower operators to build successful online casino and sportsbook businesses. Through its unified API, the company offers seamless access to more than 300 licensed game providers, 150+ payment systems, and complete licensing and compliance support across multiple jurisdictions.
The SiGMA Awards are among the most respected distinctions in the gaming industry, celebrating innovation and quality among the leading companies worldwide.
Winning in the Platform Provider category underlines SoftGamings’ role as a trusted technology partner for operators looking to launch and scale their projects efficiently.
SoftGamings continues to set industry standards with its forward-looking approach, reliable infrastructure, and dedication to supporting clients through every stage of their iGaming journey.
The post SoftGamings Wins “Best Platform Provider” Award at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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