Zuhair Rizvi, Director of Operations at Gaming Associates, works at the intersection of iGaming certification, testing, auditing, and regulatory compliance. Gaming Associates operates as an ISO-accredited testing, inspection, and certification body, supporting operators, suppliers, and regulators across more than 50 regulated jurisdictions with technical assessments and market-entry compliance services.
In this CasinoRank Interview, Rizvi examines why Europe remains commercially attractive but increasingly complex for iGaming operators. The discussion looks beyond licensing to the operational realities shaping 2026: fragmented national rules, longer approval timelines, stricter responsible gambling expectations, cybersecurity scrutiny, and the need to treat compliance as an embedded business function rather than a final-stage requirement.
From your experience at Gaming Associates, how would you describe the current state of the European iGaming market?
Zuhair Rizvi: Europe is still one of the strongest iGaming markets globally, but it’s definitely not as straightforward as it used to be. It’s highly competitive, and more importantly, it’s becoming more regulated year by year.
What I’ve noticed is that operators aren’t just chasing new markets anymore — they’re being forced to think long-term. Regulators are tightening things up, especially around player protection and compliance, so you can’t just enter a market and figure things out later. You need to get it right from day one.
What are the most common challenges or misconceptions you see operators face when entering or expanding within Europe?
Zuhair Rizvi: The biggest mistake I see is people thinking Europe is one market — it’s not. Every country has its own rules, its own regulator, and its own way of doing things.
A lot of operators also underestimate how long things take. Licensing and certification, approvals — none of it is quick. And even if you’ve already got a licence somewhere like Malta or the UK, that doesn’t really make entering another country much easier from a regulatory standpoint.
It helps with credibility, but that’s about it.
Regulation varies significantly across European jurisdictions. How does local expertise help operators navigate these differences more effectively?
Zuhair Rizvi: This is where local knowledge really makes a difference. It’s not just about reading the regulations — it’s about understanding how they’re actually applied.
Two markets might look similar on paper, but the regulatory expectations can be completely different. If you’ve got people who’ve worked in those markets before, you avoid a lot of back and forth, delays, and unnecessary costs.
In our case, we spend a lot of time helping clients get things right before they even submit anything — that alone can save months.
Beyond licensing, what operational or compliance issues tend to surprise new market entrants the most?
Zuhair Rizvi: Honestly, most people think once they get the licence, they’re good to go — but that’s when the real work starts.
There’s ongoing reporting, system monitoring, audits, updates… and regulators expect you to stay on top of everything. It’s not something you can set and forget.
Cybersecurity is another big one. A lot of operators don’t realise how seriously it’s taken in Europe now — and how often systems need to be tested and reassessed.
Also, small changes to platforms or games can trigger new certification requirements, which catches people off guard.
Looking ahead to 2026, what key trends or regulatory shifts do you believe will have the biggest impact on iGaming operations in Europe?
Zuhair Rizvi: A few things stand out to me.
First, regulation isn’t slowing down — if anything, it’s getting stricter, especially around responsible gaming. Affordability checks, player monitoring, advertising rules — all of that is only going to tighten.
Second, cybersecurity is becoming a major focus. Regulators want to see that operators are actively managing risks, not just ticking boxes.
And finally, I think operators are going to have to become a lot more structured in how they operate. The ones that treat compliance as part of their core business — not just a requirement — are the ones that will do well.
With a background in digital media and a keen eye for emerging technologies, Ronaldo bridges the gap between players and platforms through clear, insightful reporting to the iGaming industry.
