Betaland: Continuous AML Supervision Transforms Compliance and Adds Commercial Value
The CEO of Betaland explains how continuous anti-money laundering supervision redefines risk management and provides marketing intelligence in light of the new AMLA requirements in the European Union.
Key Takeaways
- Continuous AML supervision is leading a regulatory transformation in gaming across the European Union since July 2025.
- Betaland uses AML data not only for compliance but also to enrich segmentation and marketing.
- Human judgment remains essential in the final decision on suspicious activity reports.
- Accuracy, breadth, and flexibility are indispensable when selecting regtech providers for transaction monitoring.
- The SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon will focus on the revolution of continuous supervision and its cross-cutting impact on business processes.
The implementation of continuous anti-money laundering (AML) supervision in the gaming industry represents a profound transformation for operators like Betaland. According to Carmelo Mazza, CEO of Betaland, this regulatory change under the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) of the European Union not only reinforces risk management but also turns compliance data into an asset for marketing strategies and customer insights. This new dynamic places technological adaptation and human judgment at the center of the agenda for operators and regtech providers, especially ahead of the upcoming SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon.
Continuous AML Supervision: A Revolution in Compliance
Since July 2025, with the commencement of operations of the AMLA, the 27 member states of the European Union, including Italy, operate under a standardized and proactive model regarding anti-money laundering compliance. According to Carmelo Mazza, this change moves away from one-time reviews at the beginning of the commercial relationship, forcing operators to systematically address the legal risks involved in their activities.
The key to this 'revolution,' in Mazza's words, is the potential of the generated data. It is not just about mitigating risks but also about expanding the KYC perimeter and leveraging AML supervisory intelligence to segment and personalize customer relationships. "We must learn to handle this data with the same precision we apply in traditional marketing," emphasizes Mazza.
Decision-Making in Selecting Regtech Partners: Accuracy, Breadth, and Flexibility
When addressing collaboration with regtech and fintech solution providers for real-time transaction monitoring, Mazza identifies three fundamental criteria:
- Accuracy: Operators need error-free information and first-hand analysis to meet strict regulatory requirements.
- Breadth: The more relevant data that can be provided, the greater the ability to understand and segment risks and opportunities.
- Flexibility: The ability to modularize what data to analyze avoids information overload and focuses efforts on what is relevant.
No single criterion is sufficient on its own. "The true challenge is to ensure that all three elements work together," warns Mazza. Experience shows that excellence in just one of these aspects is not enough for a regulated and highly competitive environment like Europe.
Automation vs. Human Judgment in AML Reporting
Despite advances in automation and reports generated by digital systems, the final decision on suspicious activity reports remains in human hands at Betaland. Mazza compares the process to photography: the automated report provides the clear image, but it is the analyst who detects what is out of focus or invisible. "No matter how precise the report is, there are always elements that escape the main frame," he asserts.
This balance between technology and human judgment allows for addressing the unexpected and reduces the risk of overlooking atypical behaviors that only experience can identify. The focus, according to Mazza, is on using the best available technology without sacrificing professional analysis in critical decisions for the operator.
Friction, AML Controls, and the Experience of Legitimate Customers
The reinforcement of AML controls raises a daily debate about friction in the legitimate user's experience. Mazza notes that regular customers are already accustomed to similar procedures from banks or digital wallets.
The market trend suggests that most users have normalized the presence of controls, although he acknowledges that perceptions may vary by market. The real risk, according to Mazza, lies in excessive zeal that could unnecessarily hamper operations. "Accuracy, breadth, and flexibility" are useful for guiding controls where they truly add value.
Perspectives on AML Compliance and the Agenda of SBC Summit 2026
Looking ahead to the SBC Summit 2026, which will take place in Lisbon from September 29 to October 1, 2026, bringing together 40,000 industry professionals, Mazza anticipates that the dominant discussion will be the revolutionary nature of continuous AML supervision. This model impacts not only money laundering prevention but the entirety of business and management processes in regulated markets.
"We live in a globalized compliance society; regulated markets will internalize all the demands of this society," predicts the CEO of Betaland. Compliance departments face increasing pressures to adapt policies and procedures that integrate internal governance with comprehensive customer management. According to Mazza, the industry's very legitimacy hinges on its ability to align with social demands for control and transparency.
Conclusion
The new era marked by the AMLA demands from operators like Betaland a comprehensive approach that incorporates technology, data analysis, and human judgment in AML supervision. The sector must prepare for a deep transformation that transcends regulatory aspects and affects all layers of the business, reaffirming the role of international events like the SBC Summit in the discussion and adaptation of the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does continuous AML supervision imply for gaming operators?
Continuous AML supervision requires ongoing review of transactions and customer profiles, replacing one-time controls with constant management. This evolution, implemented by the AMLA in the EU since July 2025, redefines the compliance operation for operators like Betaland.
How does Betaland select its regtech providers for transaction monitoring?
Betaland applies three key criteria: accuracy in data and analysis, breadth of the information provided, and flexibility in adapting the supervisory approach. It is essential that a provider meets all three, not just one of them.
Does Betaland automate the reporting of suspicious activities or maintain human intervention?
Betaland keeps the final decision in the hands of human analysts. While automated reports are used, expert judgment is crucial for interpreting aspects that may be outside standard analysis.
Does the intensification of AML controls negatively affect the experience of legitimate users?
For most clients in mature online markets, AML controls are already a common practice and rarely generate rejection. However, Betaland emphasizes the need for balance to avoid creating undue friction.
What topics will dominate the AML agenda at SBC Summit 2026?
The focus will be on the revolution of continuous AML supervision and how operators must adapt all their internal and management processes to the new regulatory environment promoted by the AMLA and European markets.
Tags
About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
More from Miguel Sandoval
