Interview with Alberto Ruiz-Ocaña, Senior Business Development Manager at GLI

Ahead of HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, we speak with Alberto Ruiz-Ocaña, Senior Business Development Manager at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®), to explore how embedding compliance directly into the game development lifecycle can dramatically accelerate market entry in today’s increasingly regulated gaming landscape.

Alberto, you will be speaking on the Markets, Expansion & Forward Outlook panel at the Compliance Stage. From your vantage point, how is the role of “compliance by design” evolving as operators and suppliers scale across an increasing number of regulated markets?

Previously, gaming operators and suppliers focused primarily on designing products to meet market demand, and although this remains a vital focus point, when expanding into multiple regulated markets they face challenges dedicating significant time and resources to adapt these products to meet requirements of each individual jurisdiction.

Today, leading operators and suppliers are integrating compliance into the product lifecycle from the beginning. Compliance is no longer treated as a final checkbox, but as a core design principle that shapes workflows and feature decisions. This approach allows teams to scale faster across regulated markets, reduce rework, and empower teams to build games that are both innovative and regulation-ready.

From your experience working with operators and suppliers globally, what are the most common compliance gaps that still delay launches in regulated markets?

In my experience, the most common delays around launches are due to difficulty in understanding the technical requirements defined by the regulators, which can vary directly and in ways that are more nuanced in each jurisdiction. By consulting and engaging with our compliance specialists upfront, it allows teams to clearly define all technical and regulatory prerequisites before applying changes to products. This proactive approach avoids rework and reduces uncertainty, enabling teams to launch faster.

GLI is widely recognized for its pre-compliance and certification services. How does early engagement with testing partners change the speed and efficiency of market entry for new products?

Early engagement with a testing partner is a key accelerator for successful market entry, especially when planning to launch across multiple markets. When GLI is involved at the very beginning, visibility into technical constraints, certification requirements, and market specific expectations are provided. This full life-cycle compliance approach allows operators and suppliers to build strong, scalable platforms, while clearly separating the elements that must be adapted for each jurisdiction.

As regulated markets continue to multiply, how should development teams balance innovation speed with the growing complexity of jurisdiction-specific technical standards?

Consult with GLI early and often. There are more opportunities than ever before, and that is exciting for suppliers. With that also comes the need to be mindful of regulations which can also evolve quickly. Because of our global network, GLI can provide the most up-to-date information available so that suppliers can build their innovative products with compliance in mind right from the beginning of their development process.

Many emerging jurisdictions are introducing new regulatory frameworks. What practical steps should suppliers take today to future-proof their products against evolving compliance requirements?

After testing and certification, it is equally important for suppliers and operators to stay closely connected with GLI. Ongoing collaboration ensures that teams remain informed about regulatory updates, emerging requirements, and market-specific changes before they become obstacles.

Another practical step is to design products using well-established GLI Standard Series as the framework. These industry standards reflect global best practices and provide technical guidelines that suppliers can use during development, helping them align with many regulatory expectations from the start.

When suppliers build their platforms around these widely recognized standards, they create a strong and compliant foundation that already aligns with the majority of regulatory principles. From there, adapting to specific jurisdictional requirements becomes significantly easier and more efficient.

Beyond technical approval, how does strong compliance strategy contribute to long-term commercial success, trust with regulators, and smoother global expansion?

Having a strong compliance strategy is essential to suppliers of all sizes, and utilizing the global GLI network of technical and compliance experts is the best tool in anyone’s toolbox. One of the most meaningful outcomes we hear from clients who tap into our expertise is that, after completing certification, their product is stronger from a quality and reliability perspective. Doing things properly shows trust and quality, which is one of the keys to success.

GLI is the Grand Quality & Compliance Sponsor at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026. What key conversations are you looking forward to having with operators and suppliers during the event, and where do you see the biggest compliance challenges — and opportunities — emerging next?

I am excited to hear what the other panelists will share, but also very interested in the questions from the public, as we need to know the different points of view of all shareholders in the gaming sector. My main goal is to meet new people and support with our knowledge on any projects they will have moving forward.

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