Redefining Compliance: Isabelle Zanzer on Balancing Ethics and Profit in Gambling: The Gambling Files RTFM 179

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Today’s guest is Isabelle Zanzer, a Regulatory Compliance Specialist and Sustainability Integrator with CompliancePlay, a regulatory consultancy firm for the iGaming industry. 

Isabelle discusses her unique approach to compliance, focusing on solutions rather than simply saying no, and how her team works to help businesses thrive while meeting regulatory requirements.

In a nutshell:

* Jon and Fintan yabber on about Jon’s new persona, the so-called “seagull effect” (which relates to a boss coming in, making a lot of noise, sh!tting over everything, and leaving), and whether they should get Cobra Kai tattoos. . 

* Isabelle shares her insights on "health washing," where companies pretend to act responsibly without addressing the core issues. She highlighted her research into this phenomenon within the gambling industry, discussing how gambling companies might be masking issues under the guise of responsible gambling.

* Isabelle shares insights from her ongoing PhD research on problem gambling in Ukraine during times of conflict, highlighting the impact of war on gambling behavior. 

* Can self-regulation work effectively in the gambling industry? Isabelle argues for a balanced approach that includes open dialogue between operators and regulators.

* There’s a need for companies to adopt proactive measures to stay ahead of regulatory changes and maintain good standing within the industry.

Choice quotes:

* Fintan Costello on proactive compliance in the iGaming industry:“You travel to where the puck is going, not to where it is. You need to be scanning the regulatory landscape, looking ahead to what’s coming next.”

* Isabelle Zanzer: “In times of war, every recognized comorbidity for gambling is increased massively. There's so much stress and uncertainty; it’s like a super magnifier for gambling problems.”

* Isabelle Zanzer on working in compliance: “I always tell clients, I’m not your mom, I’m not your wife. I’m not going to be like, ‘you have to do this, you have to do that.’ [But we are] here to help you.”

* Jon Bruford on self-regulation in the iGaming industry: “No industry is going to unilaterally agree to make changes across the board that it doesn't have to.”

Thanks to Isabelle Zanzer for being on the show! 

Connect with Isabelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-zanzer/ 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s astonishing.

The Gambling Files podcast delves into the business side of the betting world. Each week, join Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello as they discuss current hot topics with world-leading gambling experts.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

Jon Bruford