Dr. Aftab Rizvi on Compliance, AI, and the Future of Global iGaming Regulation
At a recent SiGMA Group panel in Rome, moderated by Shirley Polus, Head of News, the conversation brought together leading regulatory voices to explore how global gambling frameworks are evolving.
While the discussion covered multiple jurisdictions and perspectives, Dr. Aftab Rizvi, CEO of Gaming Associates, brought the conversation into focus with practical insights on navigating multi-jurisdictional compliance.
This article captures Dr. Rizvi’s key responses from the interview, highlighting how compliance, technology, and regulation are converging.
“Compliance Is the Third Reality”
When asked about global best practices, Dr. Rizvi reframed the conversation immediately:
In response to the interviewer’s question on emerging operator practices and persistent pitfalls, he emphasized that compliance is no longer a support function it is the core of the entire iGaming ecosystem, influencing:
- Licensing outcomes
- Payment integrations
- Platform architecture
- Market expansion strategies
From a regulatory standpoint, authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) increasingly expect operators to demonstrate ongoing compliance not just initial certification.
Interview Insight: Why “Compliance by Design” Is No Longer Optional
Addressing how operators can adapt across jurisdictions, Dr. Rizvi highlighted a critical shift:
This directly answers the interviewer’s question on global best practices.
What This Means in Practice:
Operators must:
- Embed AML (Anti-Money Laundering) controls at system level
- Integrate KYC (Know Your Customer) workflows from the start
- Align with technical standards required by regulator-approved testing laboratories
In today’s fast-evolving iGaming landscape, certification extends far beyond initial approval it is a continuous process that must keep pace with regulatory change. Systems must be purpose-built to endure ongoing scrutiny, ensuring long-term compliance across multiple jurisdictions rather than simply meeting requirements at a single point in time.
The Interview Highlight: A Critical Industry Pitfall
When discussing persistent challenges, Dr. Rizvi pointed out a common operational mistake:
This directly addresses the interviewer’s question on compliance pitfalls.
The Risk:
- Fragmented system design
- Increased certification costs
- Delays in entering regulated markets such as:
-
- New Jersey (Division of Gaming Enforcement – DGE)
- United Kingdom (UKGC)
A strategic approach for operators is to develop a baseline compliance framework that can be effectively adapted across multiple jurisdictions, rather than addressing regulatory requirements independently. This requires aligning with the broader regulatory intent beyond simply meeting individual rules to ensure consistency, scalability, and long-term sustainability. Partnering with an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing laboratory, such as Gaming Associates, is critical in this process, as it provides independent validation, supports regulatory acceptance, and ensures systems meet the technical and compliance standards required for entry into regulated markets.
AI in Gaming: “Not New, But Now Powerful”
During the panel’s discussion on emerging technologies, Dr. Rizvi clarified a common misconception:
Responding to the interviewer’s question on AI, blockchain, and compliance, he explained that:
AI is already being used for:
The Regulatory Gap: Who Evaluates AI Systems?
A key concern raised during the interview was regulatory readiness, as highlighted by Dr. Aftab Rizvi:
This underscores a critical shift in the industry, where the focus is moving beyond adoption of AI toward its proper evaluation and regulatory oversight. From a testing laboratory perspective, this introduces the need for structured assessment frameworks to ensure that AI-driven systems meet required standards of fairness, transparency, and integrity.
Key Areas for Evaluation
- Algorithm transparency and explainability
- Data integrity and accuracy
- Decision-making logic and consistency
- Risk of behavioral manipulation and user impact
Relevant Frameworks
- EU AI Act (European Union Artificial Intelligence Regulation)
- ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management Systems)
These frameworks are becoming increasingly important in guiding how AI systems are assessed, certified, and monitored within regulated iGaming environments.
Gaming Associates, as an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing laboratory and ISO/IEC 17065 certification body, supports the industry through:
- Independent validation of AI-driven systems
- Certification aligned with evolving regulatory expectations
- Ensuring systems meet the required standards of fairness, transparency, and integrity
Innovation vs Regulation: Closing the Gap
When the interviewer explored whether regulation is slowing innovation, Dr. Rizvi provided a balanced view:
Rather than viewing this as a limitation, he positioned it as an opportunity for more structured and proactive engagement
His Recommended Model:
- Clearly define the system and its functionality
- Identify and assess potential risks
- Implement and demonstrate effective mitigation controls
This structured approach not only strengthens transparency but also facilitates smoother regulatory evaluation. It closely aligns with how leading regulators, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), assess new gaming products and technologies during the certification process.
Harmonization: “There Is Alignment in Intent”
In response to questions around global fragmentation, Dr. Rizvi offered a nuanced perspective:
While regulatory frameworks may differ in their implementation across jurisdictions, the core objectives remain largely consistent, including:
- Player protection
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance
- Game fairness and integrity
These shared principles form the foundation of regulatory oversight worldwide, even if the specific requirements and processes vary.
Strategic Advantage
Operators who understand and align with this underlying regulatory intent can benefit significantly by:
- Reducing duplication in compliance efforts
- Streamlining certification and approval processes
- Designing systems that are adaptable across multiple regulatory environments
This approach ultimately supports more efficient market entry and long-term operational scalability within regulated iGaming markets.
Looking Ahead: Real-Time Compliance by 2026
Closing the discussion, Dr. Aftab Rizvi offered a forward-looking perspective on the evolution of regulatory oversight:
This reflects a significant shift in how compliance is expected to be monitored and demonstrated across the iGaming industry, including:
- Transition from periodic reporting to real-time monitoring
- Adoption of continuous compliance frameworks
- Increased reliance on AI-driven regulatory oversight and data analytics
This evolution highlights the growing expectation for operators to maintain ongoing visibility, transparency, and control over their systems, ensuring compliance is continuously demonstrated rather than retrospectively verified.
Final Interview Takeaway
For operators entering regulated markets, success now depends on building systems that are designed for multi-jurisdictional compliance from the outset, supported by independent validation and capable of meeting ongoing regulatory scrutiny. In an environment where expectations are constantly evolving, those who treat compliance as a strategic foundation rather than a final step will be best positioned to achieve sustainable growth and long-term market access
Gaming Associates: Global Compliance Experts
Gaming Associates is a globally accredited testing laboratory with over 30 years of experience, supporting operators, regulators, and technology providers across regulated iGaming markets. Its services include independent testing and certification, regulatory compliance across 50+ jurisdictions, and validation of AI and emerging technologies.
Accredited under internationally recognized standards ISO/IEC 17025 for testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection, and ISO/IEC 17065 for certification Gaming Associates provides independent assurance that systems meet the technical, fairness, and compliance requirements expected by regulators worldwide.
Gaming Associates plays a critical role in enabling a secure, transparent, and scalable gaming ecosystem, ensuring that all stakeholders meet ongoing compliance and regulatory standards.
