Navigating regulated markets: how Delasport helps to ease the pain

During the past few years Delasport has been embarking on an intense crusade of global expansion, with a vast array of regulated markets subsequently targeted.

As major regulatory shifts become increasingly evident on a global scale, the challenges associated with negotiating such difficulties has reached heights never seen before.

This is where Delasport steps in, says Chief Compliance Officer Filippo Ferri, who speaks to SBC News to share key parts of his knowledge and insights gained over a 21-year period across the online gaming industry.

As a range of major regulatory shifts are evidently developing worldwide, Brazil, Denmark, the dilemma of choosing the correct partner and compliance developments are all placed under the spotlight.

SBC News: Filippo, Brazil just entered the regulated market landscape and Delasport is among the first B2B suppliers to obtain sportsbook certification. What are your next plans for this exciting jurisdiction?

Filippo Ferri: Our sportsbook is now available for operators in Brazil, and we couldn’t be prouder. Brazilian players are some of the most passionate football fans in the world, so I am certain that they will love the number of betting markets they now have access to.  

The sportsbook comes with its proprietary features as well: My Sportsbook personalisation, My Event Builder, My Combo, Live Personal Trader, Double My Winnings, and much more.

Next, of course, is getting a certification for our turnkey solution, so that our Brazilian partners can also benefit from DelaCasino and our comprehensive player account management platform.

I can confidently say that those solutions are up to par with our sportsbook and offer a competitive edge everywhere they’re available.

For example, personalisation, similar to ‘My Sportsbook’, is available with ‘My Casino’ and this is just the beginning.

SBCN: Delasport has been compliant with Denmark’s requirements for a long time and have recently successfully addressed the latest set of regulations there. What’s next for Delasport in the Nordic iGaming scene?

FF: Indeed, we complied with the latest set of regulations there and we did so in less than two months after starting the process. The Nordics are an important and very interesting region for iGaming, so we continue our expansion there.

We have licenses (where needed) and certificates for Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Estonia, so our job is to keep solidifying our presence with more and more new local partnerships. We are looking with interest at Finland, who is updating local regulations and moving from a gambling monopoly to a licensing system. 

As soon as technical requirements see the light, we will be working hard to make sure our platform complies with them. We expect to have a fully certified Finnish turnkey platform solution in place well ahead of the market opening in 2026/2027.

SBCN: How do you choose the right partners when it comes to compliance?

FF: As a B2B company it is important to pick the best products for compliance in order to be able to give our partners the best tools available. This choice will be driven by many different factors. The main one would be a change in regulations or a new market opening. 

We would then be immediately scanning the market for any new technology that can help us achieve optimal compliance. Usability is equally a determining factor: over time we have come to prefer products that have been at the service of the gambling industry for some time or that have been developed by gambling industry professionals trying to address real pain points. 

Choosing a new external supplier is always done in partnership with the final internal stakeholders. They must be able to understand how to use the service and how to truly benefit from its use. We also need to think of the use our operator clients will make of the tool in their specific jurisdiction of choice and how we will train them.

SBCN: Why is Delasport the smart choice for operators looking to expand into more regulated markets this year?

FF: Navigating regulated markets isn’t an easy task as it requires expertise, adaptability, precision and a strong knowledge of regional nuances. Delasport is the smart choice, because we’re in a position where we cover all the things mentioned above and we have a strong team of experts who are ready to help navigate even the most complex jurisdictions. 

We uphold excellent product compliance, which allows our partners to enter regulated markets with ease. Delasport stays ahead of the evolving regulatory landscape by providing tailored solutions that ensure a smooth, hassle-free expansion. 

However, the real differentiating factor is our extensive suite of Managed Services, especially those that relate more closely to compliance. A current lack of harmonisation among anti-money laundering regulations and very distinct local approaches to safer gambling make it very difficult for operators to train and maintain their own teams. 

Delasport offers off-the-shelf AML and RG solutions that guarantee total compliance with local regulations. I am talking about teams of trained professionals that can operate our state-of-the-art tools on behalf of the licensee and interact with players as needed. 

Similarly, as regulators appear to have developed a thirst for real-time data about all aspects of a licensees’ operations, a compliance team that can make sense of data gathered through BI tools from all corners of the business truly goes a long way to solve the headache of operating in a highly regulated market.

SBCN: What is the most exciting topic in the iGaming compliance field for you in recent years?

FF: For me personally, one of the most exciting developments in the field is the development of AI and how it has impacted the industry. Artificial intelligence is becoming an indispensable tool for enhancing efficiency. From identity verification to advanced fraud prevention.

AI excels in monitoring user behavior for red flags, such as signs of gambling addiction or fraudulent activity, allowing us and our partners to prevent any harm or misconduct. Machine learning models analyse gameplay patterns, deposit habits, and withdrawal activity to detect anomalies that might indicate high-risk behavior.

AI also enhances AML processes by automating the detection of suspicious financial activities. By analysing transactional data and identifying irregularities, these systems help operators meet stringent AML regulations while minimising operational inefficiencies.

From multi-accounting to bot activities, fraud remains a significant challenge in iGaming. AI-driven fraud detection systems learn from historical data to spot patterns and preemptively block fraudulent activities, safeguarding both operators and users.

Of course, we do not take AI’s word at face value, there’s always the human touch that goes through all of the information and makes the final decision. As mentioned, AI is a tool to streamline the process and provide insights, but the ultimate responsibility and judgement remains firmly in our and our partners’ hands.