Editor’s Take

Why this matters: “Emotion recognition” usually raises immediate red flags regarding privacy and GDPR. However, Gotcha’s differentiator—processing micro-expressions in real-time without storing biometric data—could be the key to unlocking this tech for regulated markets. The potential use cases in iGaming are massive: from detecting distress for Responsible Gambling interventions (e.g., stopping a tilt) to identifying “tells” or stress indicators in potential fraud/bonus abuse scenarios.

The Full Story

SCCG Management, the global advisory firm led by Stephen Crystal, has announced a strategic partnership with Gotcha, a technology company specializing in real-time emotional intelligence and behavioral analysis.

The deal will see SCCG spearheading Gotcha’s go-to-market strategy, introducing its proprietary “Emotion AI” platform to a network of over 100 client partners across the sportsbook, iGaming, and digital entertainment sectors.

How It Works: The Science of Micro-Expressions Gotcha’s platform utilizes advanced behavioral science to analyze facial micro-expressions—involuntary muscle movements that reveal genuine emotions—in real-time. By detecting these subconscious signals, the software enables operators to look past what a user says or clicks and understand how they actually feel.

The technology targets critical operational areas including:

• Customer Experience: Measuring genuine engagement levels.

• Fraud Detection: Identifying behavioral stress markers associated with deceit.

• Employee Performance: Evaluating service quality in support or VIP management roles.

The Privacy “Firewall” Crucially for the highly regulated gaming industry, Gotcha has designed its system with a “privacy-first” architecture. The technology delivers instantaneous emotional insights without retaining or storing biometric data. This “no-storage” approach is designed to keep operators compliant with stringent global data protection standards (such as GDPR), solving one of the biggest hurdles for biometric adoption in Europe and North America.

Management Commentary Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, highlighted the regulatory fit of the tech:

“Emotion-driven insights represent a powerful next step in how gaming and digital platforms understand trust, engagement, and user experience. Gotcha has developed a scientifically grounded, privacy-first technology that aligns well with the needs of regulated gaming markets… We’re excited to support their expansion.”

The partnership signals a broader industry trend toward AI-driven behavioral intelligence, moving beyond simple transactional data to deeper, psychological metrics for decision-making.

The post SCCG Bets on ‘Emotion AI’: New Tech Can Read Player Faces for Trust & Fraud appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Editor’s Take

Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.

The Full Story

Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.

The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.

Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.

By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.

Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.

Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.

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