Exclusive Interview: Allwyn’s Mickael Latapie on AML, AI, Crypto and the Future of Financial Crime Compliance in iGaming
As the global iGaming industry grows, financial crime compliance is becoming a critical priority for operators navigating fraud risks, money laundering threats, evolving payment methods, and stricter regulation.
In this exclusive interview with iGaming News Today, Mickael Latapie, Group Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Allwyn, shares expert insights on AML strategy, AI, crypto exposure, regulatory change, and what the future may look like for operators.
Q. Let’s start with your journey – alongside Allwyn’s global presence and leadership vision, what key experiences have shaped your approach to financial crime compliance today?
Mickaël :
I started my career over a decade ago as a financial crime investigator at Amazon, which gave me a strong operational foundation.
Since then, I’ve worked across fintech, advisory, and the gambling sector. At Flutter International, I was the French MLRO, leading regulatory engagement, managing complex escalations, and designing the local AML framework.
.Today, at Allwyn, I lead financial crime compliance at Group level, overseeing multiple jurisdictions, driving the development of Group-wide frameworks, and strengthening governance, risk assessment, and escalation processes to support a consistent and scalable approach across operating companies. I also established an AML Community to bring together our subsidiaries, enabling the sharing of best practices and experiences, and aligning them under a cohesive Group Financial Crime framework.
Overall, these experiences have shaped a pragmatic, risk-based approach, grounded in real operational risk and focused on building scalable frameworks in complex environments.
Q. How is financial crime risk evo lving in the iGaming industry compared to traditional financial services?
Mickaël :
Financial crime risk in iGaming evolves much faster than in traditional financial services, mainly because innovation moves quicker than regulation.
In financial services, the frameworks are well-established. In iGaming, new products like daily fantasy sports or prediction markets can emerge with limited regulatory oversight at the start. A similar shift toward interactive engagement models can be seen in Formula 1’s partnership with Allwyn. That creates opportunities for criminals, who are always quick to identify and exploit gaps.
The reality is that if a product is new and not yet fully regulated, it can become an easier entry point for misuse whether for money laundering or fraud.
That’s why operators need to think ahead and apply robust, risk-based controls from day one, rather than relying solely on what regulation currently requires.
Q. What are the biggest AML and financial crime challenges gambling operators face today?
Mickaël :
The biggest challenges remain fraud and money laundering but the complexity is constantly evolving.
Criminals are always looking to circumvent transaction monitoring or exploit new typologies, so static controls quickly become ineffective.
The key is really understanding your customer base and how your products can be misused. From there, you need to design tailored, risk-based rules that can actually detect suspicious behaviour not just rely on generic monitoring.
This becomes even more critical as operators strengthen product leadership and portfolio strategy, as seen in Allwyn’s appointment of Katie Harbron as Director of Games.
In this space, one-size-fits-all simply doesn’t work.
Q. How can iGaming companies balance strong compliance frameworks while still ensuring a seamless player experience?
Mickaël :
It’s really about breaking down silos. Compliance, product, and marketing need to work together from the start, not in isolation.
There’s always a tension between robust controls and a seamless player experience, but a lot of it comes down to smart design. For example, if you’ve already collected a document from a customer, you shouldn’t be asking for it again just because they use another product.
Connecting systems and having a unified view of the customer, through a centralised case management approach, can significantly improve both compliance effectiveness and user experience.
This aligns with broader industry transformation efforts such as Allwyn’s £450M digital overhaul of the UK National Lottery.
Ultimately, good compliance shouldn’t be a barrier; it should be built into the journey in a way that feels natural to the player.
Q. What role do AI and data analytics play in detecting and preventing financial crime today?
Mickaël :
AI and data analytics are becoming central but it all starts with data quality.
Without strong data foundations, AI risks becoming more noise than insight. The priority is to ensure reliable data flows and meaningful management information first.
Once that’s in place, AI can significantly enhance efficiency, whether it’s improving risk assessments, identifying patterns, or even pre-populating suspicious activity reports for analysts to review, rather than building them from scratch.
Used properly, it’s not about replacing human judgment, but augmenting it and allowing teams to focus on higher-value analysis.
Q. How are cryptocurrencies and alternative payment methods impacting AML strategies in gambling and fintech?
Mickaël :
Cryptocurrencies and alternative payment methods are increasing complexity, often in ways firms don’t fully see.
Even if an operator doesn’t directly offer crypto, they can still be exposed indirectly. For example, payment providers like PayPal now integrate crypto wallets, meaning funds can originate from crypto without the operator having full visibility.
That creates challenges around source of funds and risk assessment. Not all payment methods carry the same level of risk, so it’s critical for firms to properly assess and differentiate them.
Ultimately, AML strategies need to evolve to reflect this reality, understanding not just the customer, but also the underlying payment flows. This is where many firms underestimate their exposure.
Q. What key regulatory developments should operators be prepared for in the coming years?
Mickaël :
One of the key developments is the creation of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) at EU level. While its primary focus is on high-risk financial institutions, it will set the tone for regulators across member states and the gaming industry will inevitably feel that impact.
We’re also seeing a strong push towards a more harmonised, single EU rulebook. That should improve transparency and cross-border cooperation, which is critical for tackling financial crime.
However, it will also raise the bar. For smaller operators in particular, meeting more consistent and potentially stricter requirements could be a real challenge.
Q. How do you see financial crime compliance evolving by 2026, especially with the rise of AI, crypto, and stricter regulations?
Mickaël :
Financial crime compliance will continue to evolve alongside technology but criminals will always adapt just as quickly.
AI and advanced analytics will significantly enhance detection and efficiency, but they will also introduce new risks and new typologies. The same applies to crypto and increasingly complex payment ecosystems.
Ultimately, the fundamentals remain the same, understanding your products, your customers, and how they can be misused. Firms that stay agile and continuously adapt their controls will be best positioned to keep pace.
In this space, standing still simply isn’t an option.
Q. What personal principle has guided you while leading financial crime compliance in such a complex and regulated industry?
Mickaël :
For me, it comes down to collaboration and constant vigilance.
Financial crime risks can’t be managed in silos, compliance needs to work closely with the business to be truly effective. At the same time, you have to stay proactive through continuous horizon scanning and always be prepared for emerging threats.
I tend to think in terms of “what could go wrong” and ensure the framework is robust and flexible enough to respond. In this environment, it’s about being both compliant and ready to adapt at all times.
Final Takeaway
As iGaming grows more complex, compliance is no longer just a regulatory necessity. It is becoming a strategic advantage.
Operators that combine innovation with strong controls, smart systems, and agility are likely to lead the next phase of industry growth.
