Gerardo Prieto, Chief Information Security Officer at The Mill Adventure, explores how the rise of generative AI is forcing a total paradigm shift in iGaming security and player verification.

Online gambling’s traditional identity stand-off has reached a breaking point. For years, operators walked a tightrope, balancing rigid AML/KYC regulations against the player’s desire for frictionless onboarding. But as we move through 2026, the ground has shifted substantially. The modern fraudster is no longer a manual actor relying on basic tools like Photoshop, but a 24/7 automated threat, utilising adaptive AI to evolve faster than most development sprint cycles.

For operators, the cost of losing this arms race is staggering. Identity fraud and money laundering have converged as the predominant risks, with 64.8% of businesses citing them as their primary threats. However, the real wake-up call is the point of entry. Recent market analysis reveals that the financial threshold is now the most vulnerable vector, with 41.9% of fraud attempts occurring specifically during the deposit stage. This is now the absolute frontline of defence.

The death of seeing-is-believing

We have moved well beyond the era of scripted attacks. The new frontline is defined by AI-driven abuse, where generative models create synthetic identities and high-fidelity deepfakes. Using real-time FaceSwap and lip-sync algorithms, bad actors can now bypass standard KYC protocols with ease. The traditional liveness check – asking a user to blink or turn their head – is increasingly obsolete against sophisticated generative adversarial networks (GANs).

The nightmare scenario for the modern CISO is the rise of camera injection. In these attacks, fraudsters bypass the device’s physical camera sensor entirely, feeding AI-generated content directly into the verification stream. Because the software believes it is receiving a direct feed from hardware, it misses the red flags of a digital overlay. In this landscape, the human eye has become a vulnerability, and pixels alone can no longer be trusted to verify a soul.

Biology vs. Algorithms: The new verification

To defend the perimeter, operators need to shift to a verification model rooted in physics and biology, not just image recognition. This requires advanced countermeasures like Remote Photoplethysmography (rPPG). This technology analyses minute light absorption patterns to track blood flow changes invisible to the naked eye. An AI deepfake might have perfect skin texture and flawless movement, but it does not have a pulse. By detecting the heartbeat in a video stream, we can distinguish between a living human and a digital mask.

We must also utilise 3D geometry and lighting physics to validate that a user’s environment is a physical reality. While a deepfake can simulate a face, it often fails to replicate the complex interaction between environmental light and the 3D topography of human skin. If the light source doesn’t wrap around the subject correctly, or if the depth map detects a planar surface, the system exposes the image for what it is: a flat counterfeit. We are essentially moving toward a proof-of-presence model that demands physical consistency.

The lifecycle defence

Resilience in 2026 requires a ‘shift left’ strategy. This means intercepting fraud at the absolute earliest stage. However, security cannot simply end at the front door and needs to evolve into a lifecycle defence system.

At onboarding, the priority is stopping synthetic identities. At the deposit stage, operators must employ multi-signal matching to validate KYC names against cardholders, dismantling muling rings before they can load funds. During gameplay, behavioural AI is essential to analyse betting patterns for bot signatures. Finally, at withdrawal, we must replace simple passwords with biometric step-up checks to prevent Account Takeover (ATO) fraud.

The operational standard is now risk-based authentication. Instead of rigid ‘allow or block’ rules, operators must move toward dynamic risk profiles for every session. By ingesting over 100 different signals, including biometric, IP, and device data, a system can apply friction only where it is explicitly needed. Low-risk users on trusted devices enjoy a seamless experience, while medium-risk anomalies trigger a passive biometric scan. Only overt threats are blocked immediately.

In this new reality, survival is about agility and not budget. Annual audits and static policies are relics of the past. If your security strategy is static, you are effectively opening the door to attackers. It is time to cultivate an adaptive immune system that evolves faster than the threat.

The post Confronting the age of AI-driven fraud appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

The Investments team at RedCore held dozens of meetings at ICE Barcelona with projects from MarTech/Traffic, iGaming, AI/ML, and RegTech. We share our observations on the direction of the market and changes in the approach of startups.

Technology is the main trend

The products at the conference focused on offering fundamentally new solutions rather than competing head-on. There were a huge number of game providers, but the ones that attracted attention were those betting on technological innovation.

“The trend is clear: products are trying to offer something completely new, rather than just competing in their niche,” notes Andrei Alexandrov, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

The influx of incoming applications confirmed this: even without a targeted search, most projects fell within the fund`s priority areas — MarTech/Traffic, iGaming solutions, AI/ML, and RegTech.

AI and data are changing the traffic game

At iGB Affiliate, which ran parallel to ICE, AI solutions for traffic were everywhere: trackers, predictive models, player behavior analysis panels. This reflects the maturity of the market — traffic optimization is no longer possible without ML/AI approaches.

The main competitive asset today is data and segmentation. Those who segment more deeply, personalize, and truly understand the behavior of their audience will win. Granular data, behavior by micro-segments, is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a necessity.

“Affiliates are increasingly acting not just as CPA traffic partners, but as full-fledged marketing experts who use data and content to improve engagement,” notes Iryna Yeromenko, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

Startups have become more mature

Just a few years ago, conferences were often attended by teams with raw ideas. Now the situation has changed: founders come with well-developed pitches, clear business models, and a clear understanding of the market.

“Startups are particularly impressive this year: everyone comes prepared and tries to present themselves in the best way. There was almost no one who came with just an idea,” says Andrei Alexandrov. “Some said that we are their priority fund. This level of trust confirms that we are moving in the right direction.”

Record dealflow, but quality is more important

The volume of incoming applications for ICE Barcelona exceeded the total for all other events last year. But a large flow also means risk: without clear selection criteria, it is easy to waste time on irrelevant projects.

“There are a lot of introductions, pitches, and “let`s talk”. At the same time, it is important to remember that quantity does not equal quality. ICE reinforces the need for strict investment filtering, as without clear criteria, it is easy to get lost in the noise,” explains Oleksandr Briukhovetskyi, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

This principle also works in traffic: the best affiliates focus on data strategies, mobile-first and video-first content, as well as player behavior patterns. Affiliates get access to more metrics, which lets them buy better traffic.

Long-term value instead of quick deals

ICE Barcelona isn`t about closing deals on the spot. The main value of the conference lies in the opportunity to create the foundation for partnerships for the next 6–12 months.

“Conferences bring strategic value. In terms of the density of quality contacts, long-term deals, and relevant contextual conversations, they are confidently ahead of most other channels,” — notes Oleksandr Briukhovetskyi.

Industry boundaries are blurring

ICE attracts a large number of cross-industry projects that are not formally related to iGaming but seek to integrate into this market. This creates new opportunities for investors who can see synergies between different verticals.

“ICE is a rare case where all elements of the iGaming chain are gathered in one space: operators, providers, payments, RegTech, AI, traffic, media buying, crypto, Web3. The boundaries of the industry are blurring right in front of our eyes,” Oleksandr sums up.

Where is the market headed

The market is moving towards consolidation. The trend towards aggregators and super apps is growing stronger, and now AI has joined the mix. The greatest potential lies in automated management systems, data aggregators, big data products, and predictive analytics.

In iGaming, there is growing demand for infrastructure solutions: tools for Retention, Customer Support, Antifraud, Responsible Gaming, and regulation. There is particular interest in products that allow operators to independently create loyalty systems, custom games, and analytics.

The focus of investors has shifted. Previously, they pursued ideas, but now expertise and team stability matter more. The number of startups has grown, as it is easier than ever to create an MVP in the AI era. Therefore, Due Diligence is critical: how well does the product solve a real market problem, and whether the team is ready to develop and monetize it.

Are you building a product in MarTech, iGaming, AI/ML, or RegTech? Tell the Investments team at RedCore about your project: https://redcore.group/lets-cooperate/

The post Investor`s perspective: highlights from ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

The investment division of international business group RedCore is joining AIBC Eurasia to connect with ambitious founders and tech teams. The summit runs February 23–25 at Dubai Festival City — find the team at booth 3D.

Investments at RedCore focuses on ventures in MarTech/Traffic, FinTech, RegTech, Web3, Gaming software vendors, and AI/ML. The team is especially interested in meeting game content suppliers, RegTech solution providers, and creators of AI-driven digital products.

RedCore’s investment philosophy centers on M&A and strategic partnership rather than traditional venture funding. The business group steps in as an active partner, not a passive investor. Portfolio companies gain access to experienced specialists, legal and operational support, technology infrastructure, proven marketing channels, and a broad industry network. Often, RedCore becomes a startup’s first customer — shortening the road to market validation. Where other founders spend years chasing product-market fit, RedCore-backed teams can land their first paying clients within three to six months.

The ideal project has a working MVP, early commercial traction, transparent unit economics, and global scaling ambitions. In exchange, RedCore offers not just capital — but a long-term strategic partnership built on shared expertise and active involvement in business growth.

Interested? To schedule a meeting with the Investment Portfolio Manager simply approach the reception desk and use the touchscreen available at the booth 3D. Or pitch your project here: Apply to RedCore

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