Latest News

Fiona Davies Joins Global Digital Identity Verification Provider OCR Labs Global As Head of Gaming

Published

3 years ago

August 18, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

OCR Labs Global, a world leader in digital ID verification, has appointed Fiona Davies as Head of Gaming to lead their strategy of focusing on improving the verification experience and fraud prevention in this vertical. Davies joins with over 15 years of experience across startups through leading commercial teams in large corporations and over seven years of extensive knowledge of the Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Identity Verification (IDV) landscape.

OCR Labs Global solves major challenges, including identity fraud and regulatory compliance, using its proprietary technology. With unrivaled identity document coverage and industry leading biometric technology there is a huge opportunity to improve onboarding in the gambling industry.

During her time at Acuris Risk Intelligence, Davies was responsible for the Gambling and Sales divisions, where she gained extensive knowledge of the landscape surrounding regulated markets and insights into making these processes more efficient. Before this role, she spent 10 years as Commercial Director for global B2B events, driving launch events at the EMAP in South America and supporting high-growth tech companies such as Google and Intel to win commercial traction in emerging markets.

Fiona Davies, newly appointed Head of Gaming for OCR Labs Global, comments: “My first introduction to Gambling was at ICE, where I was instantly fascinated by this high-growth vertical and its complexity from a regulatory standpoint. I am passionate about working with clients and offering them real solutions that will add value across the board.

Davies continued, “I am excited to build out the Gambling division at OCR Labs Global offering operators products that underpin this strict regulatory environment whilst not impinging on user experience. With such a stand-out product offering, joining them was an easy decision to make. I plan to be a real evangelist and work with operators, platforms and partners to introduce improvements that make a real difference to the verification experience, the bottom line and fraud prevention.”

“With a 100 percent automated product that helps onboard players faster and at the same time stops fraud, I know it is the right time to get passionate about making real improvements in the Gambling industry.”

Russ Cohn, General Manager International for OCR Labs Global, added, “OCR Labs Global is committed to bringing our technology to Gambling operators and their users worldwide. We are a real force multiplier for the industry, with our fully automated and user friendly and reliable ID verification process dramatically speeding up user onboarding. We welcome Fiona’s industry experience and ability to leverage our solution and elevate our efforts in Gambling. We are confident that her expertise will support global operators to take advantage of this excellent growth opportunity.”

OCR Labs Global is already supporting clients across many industries, including governments, crypto and a variety of platform-based businesses, such as SaaS providers. Customers include Cognito, HSBC, Reed, Coinmetro and many other customers and partners.

Latest News

Filippo Anzalone Joins Gamblers Connect Contributors Program

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

filippo-anzalone-joins-gamblers-connect-contributors-program

Monday 12 January: Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has announced Filippo Anzalone, Head of Sales at Odds Scanner Group, as its first official Contributor for the 2026 Gamblers Connect Contributors Program.

Anzalone is the first of 12 industry experts to join the programme, a curated selection of practitioners with true “skin in the game.” At Odds Scanner Group, Anzalone is responsible for scaling and leading a high-performing organisation of more than 10 professionals. His reputation is built on his ability to combine strong legal and analytical expertise to close complex, high-value agreements — skills that move the needle in a saturated market.

As the first of the 12 contributors, Anzalone will offer the community a behind-the-scenes perspective on building lasting partnerships and expanding across borders, drawing on his hands-on experience in international growth. Gamblers Connect readers can expect Anzalone’s first analysis piece to be published soon, setting the tone for a year of knowledge-driven content.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “One of the key reasons we selected Filippo Anzalone as the inaugural contributor is his global versatility. Fluent in Italian, English, Spanish and Portuguese, he brings a multi-jurisdictional perspective that is rare in the sector. He is already a recognised industry voice, frequently appearing at conferences and panels to discuss sustainable revenue growth.”

The post Filippo Anzalone Joins Gamblers Connect Contributors Program appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

Isle of Man Government reaffirms commitment to iGaming sector

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

isle-of-man-government-reaffirms-commitment-to-igaming-sector

With more than 20 years’ experience as a leading iGaming jurisdiction, the Isle of Man has built a strong international reputation based on robust regulation, political and economic stability, and a partnership-led approach between Government, regulators and industry.

That reputation continues to underpin confidence in the Island as a premier jurisdiction for high-quality iGaming businesses.

The Chief Minister has reaffirmed Government’s continued commitment to the iGaming sector ahead of attendance at ICE 2026, commenting:

‘For more than two decades, iGaming has been an important and successful sector for the Isle of Man’s economy and community, offering a robust, transparent and responsive regulatory environment. iGaming remains just as important today as it will be in the future.

‘In the face of a more complex and challenging global environment in recent years, Government has invested significantly in strengthening our understanding of risk and ensuring we have the right resources and frameworks in place to recognise and respond effectively to emerging threats.

‘As we look ahead to ICE 2026 and other major industry events over the next 12 months, we will continue to work across industry and all agencies to ensure the Isle of Man remains a secure, stable and trusted jurisdiction for high quality and well-regulated iGaming businesses.’

Attendance at ICE 2026 will mark the start of a coordinated programme of engagement, with Digital Isle of Man due to attend a number of key events alongside industry over the coming year to continue to promote the Island as an internationally respected jurisdiction for iGaming.

The Isle of Man Government remains committed to working in partnership with industry to support sustainable growth, meet international standards, and ensure the long-term success of the iGaming sector.

The post Isle of Man Government reaffirms commitment to iGaming sector appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Arizona Department of Gaming Awards Its First Peer Support and Recovery Contract Designed to Further Problem Gambling Assistance

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

arizona-department-of-gaming-awards-its-first-peer-support-and-recovery-contract-designed-to-further-problem-gambling-assistance

Investment in new, no-cost services to facilitate problem gambling recovery across the state

The Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling (Division) announced today that it has awarded its first peer support and recovery services program contract to Dezerve Counseling LLC, which was selected following a competitive Request for Proposal to develop, launch, and manage the State of Arizona’s first problem gambling peer support and recovery program. The award marks a significant public investment in problem gambling recovery in Arizona, where peer support services will be provided free of charge and confidentially.

“Creating an additional pathway to recovery for Arizona community members negatively impacted by problem gambling – via the peer support and recovery services program – is exciting for our agency and the people we serve,” said Elise Mikkelsen, Director, Division of Problem Gambling. “We are proud of our track record of offering timely and effective assistance to Arizonans, and we look forward to adding peer support and recovery services to enhance the comprehensive options available through the Division of Problem Gambling.”

Each client participating in the program will be paired with a Peer Support and Recovery Specialist who has deep, lived experience with problem gambling; entered the problem gambling recovery community themself or supported a loved one doing so; and has been rigorously trained in peer support practice, including through applicable professional certifications. With first-hand, lived experience in addiction, specialists can provide a non-clinician point of view with real-time, confidential advice and support.

“We at Dezerve Counseling are honored and excited to partner with the Division of Problem Gambling to launch a dedicated peer support and recovery program for problem gambling,” said Darfetta Muhammad, Chief Administrative Officer at Dezerve Counseling. “We believe, just as the Division does, that recovery begins with a single step forward. We are proud that Dezerve Counseling can now offer that vital next step to individuals and families navigating problem gambling.”

For convenience and maximum impact, peer support will be available statewide and offered in-person, virtually, and over the phone, and will be provided in one-on-one settings as well as in group settings led by a specialist. Importantly, Arizonans may access the peer support program at any stage of their problem gambling journey – this includes individuals experiencing problem gambling and reaching out for assistance for the first time, as well as individuals already seeing a doctor or clinician. There will be no fee for participants and no requirement that the participant have an insurance plan.

To drive workforce capacity to meet the demand for problem gambling support, the program will recruit and train Peer Support and Recovery Specialists who will be ready to make an immediate impact on their clients’ recovery. This workforce component is consistent with the Division’s focus on ensuring gambling treatment programs can meet future community needs while increasing system capacity. Dezerve Counseling and the Division expect the program to launch Spring 2026.

To learn more about the Division of Problem Gambling and its work providing a sustainable continuum of services that reduces the impact of problem gambling across Arizona, please visit problemgambling.az.gov. Always 24/7, free, and confidential, Arizonans who want to inquire about problem gambling services are encouraged to text NEXTSTEP to 53342 or call 1-800-NEXT-STEP.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Awards Its First Peer Support and Recovery Contract Designed to Further Problem Gambling Assistance appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.