Latest News
iGaming payments and identity firm Yaspa opens Leeds tech hub to serve as engine room for global growth
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Fast-growing fintech plans to recruit 20 software engineers
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Teams to be led by former William Hill Head of Development David Turner
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Yaspa last month received $12m investment to fuel expansion
Yaspa, a hyper-growth UK fintech specialising in iGaming payments and identity, has announced the opening of a new tech hub in Leeds.
The award-winning company plans to build an initial squad of 10 senior software engineers in the next few weeks to fuel its global growth into new markets, in particular the US.
Yaspa already has an office in Shoreditch, London, and is now recruiting staff for its team based in Platform by Bruntwood in Leeds city centre. The ambition is to grow the team of backend Java developers to 20 before the end of 2025.
Teams at the Leeds office will be led by David Turner, who has joined Yaspa as Head of Engineering. Turner spent more than seven years at William Hill and played an instrumental role in introducing automated sports trading, eventually becoming Head of Retail Development. Turner was also previously Chief Technical Officer at Glean, where he built a cross-functional delivery team based in Leeds, growing the headcount from five to 40.
Yaspa leverages open banking technology and AI to help regulated businesses elevate customer intelligence – and cash flow – via its proprietary real-time payments solution, Intelligent Payments. Its products are particularly suited to online gambling companies, which are able to use the technology to meet compliance requirements, facilitate responsible gambling and optimise their customers’ payments experience.
Yaspa, which last month announced an investment of $12m led by Discerning Capital, currently serves partners in the UK and Europe and has now incorporated a US entity in Atlanta, Georgia, with plans to open an office there.
Yaspa is led by CEO James Neville, who co-founded the company in 2017 after having previously served as a CTO at Worldpay. The company has grown from 15 to 70 people in the past 18 months.
Leeds is home to several major gambling companies, including Flutter Entertainment’s Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power and Betfair, and Evoke’s William Hill brands – a factor in Yaspa’s decision to open an office in the city.
Yaspa’s Chief People Officer Chris Watkins said: “We see Leeds as the ideal location to open our second UK office, with access to a strong pool of software engineering talent. It also has a strong reputation for talent with experience in iGaming, thanks to the companies that are also located there.
“Our office is at a premium address, just a few metres from Leeds train station. It’s a serviced office, with stunning views across Leeds centre from our sixth-floor office, coupled with amazing services to ensure Yaspa employees have the best experience possible when working onsite.
“We’re growing quickly but we’ll walk before we can run. The immediate goal is to get a squad of mid to senior level engineers on board. They will focus on building the US product for us. As soon as that squad is at full capacity, we’ll hire for a second squad, taking us up to 20 within the year.
“Although we’re open to remote working, we’ve noticed a hybrid working model offers the best collaboration for success and employee growth. At Yaspa, we’re really big on culture, collaboration and transparency, so we want people regularly working together in-person.”
Yaspa’s Head of Engineering David Turner said: “When I heard about the opportunity to join Yaspa, it felt like the perfect role for me. I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where engineers can do their best work and this role allows me to do exactly that – building a talented team in Leeds while delivering the technology to support Yaspa’s next stage of growth.
“What excites me most is that Yaspa has already done the hard part. It has found its value proposition, proved it works and is now scaling. My focus will be on growing the engineering team rapidly, with the aim of having two strong squads in place by the end of the year, initially dedicated to the US proposition, while making the most of the chance to apply best practice from the start.
“Yaspa has the momentum, the vision and the team culture to make a real impact, and I am looking forward to helping take that even further.”
The post iGaming payments and identity firm Yaspa opens Leeds tech hub to serve as engine room for global growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Alea
Alea Leads Brazil iGaming Talks in São Paulo
Alea is set to take a leading role in São Paulo as the Headline Partner for NEXT.io Focus Brazil, returning for a second straight year to one of the most important gatherings in the country’s regulated iGaming calendar.
The invite-only event takes place on Monday, 6 April at Palacio Tangará and brings together around 100 senior industry decision-makers to examine how Brazil’s market is evolving beyond its launch phase.
The agenda will center on the market’s new reality, including changing player behavior, regulatory maturity, and the long-term sustainability of Brazil’s iGaming sector. Alea CEO Jordi Sendra will open the afternoon by joining the panel “Brazil 2026: The New Reality of Regulated Gambling,” where leaders from TQJ Bet, Esportes, and Stake Brazil will discuss how operators can stay competitive in a more structured environment.
Alea says its renewed partnership reflects the company’s growing commitment to Brazil and its deeper local presence. Over the past year, the company has invested in building a stronger on-the-ground structure to support partners across the market, with Sendra describing Brazil as a fast-changing but increasingly organized industry where open dialogue remains valuable.
The São Paulo appearance also connects directly to Alea’s wider South American push. After NEXT.io Focus Brazil, the team is shortlisted for Best Aggregator at the SiGMA South America Awards, before continuing discussions at SiGMA South America from 7–10 April at Booth N145, where the company will showcase its localized portfolio and technical support for operators navigating Brazil’s evolving market.
The post Alea Leads Brazil iGaming Talks in São Paulo appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BIG Cyber
BMM Showcases Gaming Tech at BiS SiGMA
BMM Innovation Group is set to reinforce its leadership in compliance testing, cybersecurity, and professional training at the BiS SiGMA Americas, taking place from April 6–9 in São Paulo. Exhibiting at Stand F147, the company is doubling down on its long-term commitment to Brazil’s rapidly evolving regulated gaming ecosystem.
As one of the most dynamic gaming markets globally, Brazil presents both opportunity and complexity. BMM Innovation Group, through its specialized brands, is positioning itself as a critical enabler for operators, suppliers, and regulators navigating this fast-changing environment.
A Three-Pillar Approach to Gaming Compliance
Operating through its globally recognized divisions—BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training—the group delivers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to regulated gaming markets.
- Testing & Certification: BMM Testlabs ensures that gaming products meet stringent regulatory standards, enabling smoother market entry.
- Cybersecurity Solutions: BIG Cyber strengthens digital resilience, a growing necessity as gaming platforms become increasingly interconnected.
- Compliance Training: RG24seven Virtual Training provides certification programs designed to equip employees with the knowledge required to meet regulatory obligations.
Strategic Focus on Brazil’s Gaming Boom
With more than 40 years of industry experience, BMM Testlabs continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Brazil’s regulatory framework. Its investment in local infrastructure, including a dedicated test lab in São Paulo, signals a strong, long-term commitment to the region.
According to Marzia Turrini, Global President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, Brazil stands out as one of the most promising regulated markets worldwide. She emphasized that ensuring integrity, compliance, and cybersecurity readiness is essential for sustainable growth in the sector.
This localized approach allows BMM to help stakeholders confidently launch products while adhering to evolving regulatory requirements—an increasingly important factor as Brazil formalizes its gaming laws.
Driving the Future of Regulated Gaming in Latin America
Attendees at BiS SiGMA Americas will have the opportunity to engage directly with BMM’s experts and explore how the company’s integrated solutions support the future of regulated gaming not only in Brazil but across Latin America.
From certification to cybersecurity and workforce training, BMM Innovation Group is positioning itself at the intersection of trust, technology, and regulation—three pillars that will define the next phase of growth in the global gaming industry.
Industry professionals interested in learning more or scheduling meetings with BMM representatives are encouraged to connect during the event to explore tailored solutions for their operational and compliance needs.
The post BMM Showcases Gaming Tech at BiS SiGMA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA
New approvals in U.S. states and applications in Canadian provinces drive Catalist Sports’ latest expansion across regulated North American markets
Catalist Sports, a leading licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. marketplace, has continued to expand its regulated market footprint with new supplier licenses secured in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside recently submitted Canadian applications in Ontario and Alberta.
Arkansas’ regulated sports betting market is set for significant growth, with major operators including DraftKings and FanDuel entering the state in March 2026. In addition to Arkansas, Catalist Sports has successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska.
Following the approval of its supplier license in Missouri, the latest state to regulate online gambling, in December, Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with two Canadian provinces expected to follow.
These license updates reinforce Catalist Sports’ commitment to serving both U.S. and Canadian regulated betting markets with compliant, high-quality content and services.
“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory standing is fundamental to serving as a trusted, key supplier to our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President & General Manager of Catalist Sports.
“Arkansas represents an exciting next step for us, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. At the same time, our licenses in Nebraska, along with applications in Ontario and Alberta, and ongoing license upgrades, position Catalist to continue delivering scalable, compliant, and differentiated services to our partners.”
Catalist Sports’ expanding North American footprint supports the company’s broader strategy to provide licensed operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping partners maximize in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth in regulated markets.
Catalist Sports distributes official data and live streaming rights from a vast portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks. This includes top-tier tennis properties such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, as well as events across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey, which power year-round engagement for sportsbooks seeking continuous, high-frequency, high-quality live betting content.
The post CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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