Q&A with Yuliia Akhaladze, Head of Legal
Introduction
In this latest edition of Leading the Charge, we’re excited to feature Yuliia Akhaladze, our Head of Corporate, Legal & Regulatory. Yuliia’s role involves navigating the complexities of global gaming laws, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and tackling the legal challenges that come with an ever-evolving iGaming industry. In this interview, she shares her career journey, insights into the future of iGaming regulation, and what it’s really like working on the legal side of this fast-paced sector.
Question Time
1. What led you to specialise in iGaming law, and how did your career path bring you to White Label Casinos?
My career has taken me through various areas of law, but the excitement of iGaming truly captured my interest. Joining White Label Casinos was an easy choice, as they offer a unique opportunity to tackle complex legal challenges and help shape the industry’s future.
2. If you had to explain your job in one sentence to someone outside the industry, what would you say?
To protect the business legally and guide it safely through the complexities of regulations.
3. The iGaming industry is heavily regulated—how do you keep up with the constant changes in global gaming laws?
Yes, this is a headache, I personally bear the heavy burden of networking and staying updated through industrial newsletters and Telegram channels. And in my fantastic team, we have a dedicated officer, who keeps an ear to the ground by monitoring regulatory updates and leveraging compliance software.
” In my fantastic team, we have a dedicated officer, who keeps an ear to the ground by monitoring regulatory updates and leveraging compliance software.”
Yuliia Akhaladze, Head of Legal
4. How do you see the future of iGaming regulation evolving, and what major changes do you predict in the next five years?
Regions like Latin America, Asia, and Africa are stepping into the spotlight by introducing formal regulations. This trend will likely continue, with nearly every country developing its own gaming laws. These regulations may include more restrictions, safeguards, or even total bans.
GovTech will play a pivotal role in assisting with AML, CTF, KYC, and RG, making compliance unavoidable for operators, as operators may not be able to provide services without integrating Digital Government Services.
However, human nature tends to rebel against enforced care, so customers will still seek more freedom of choice and vibrant experiences, so technologies such as AI, VR, and blockchain will rise, creating decentralised gaming environments. As always, laws and regulations will be playing catch-up with technological advancements, striving to keep new innovations in check and combat the rise of the shadow market.
5. With AI becoming more prevalent in the industry, what legal concerns should companies be aware of?
As AI becomes more prevalent in the industry, companies must face the reality that many employees are already using AI tools. It’s crucial to establish a dedicated department or committee to oversee the use of these tools and prevent unauthorised usage, as “shadow AI” poses significant risks of data leaks and intellectual property issues.
Compliance professionals should collaborate on data protection, developing policies and procedures for AI use, as well as conducting employee training. However, they should enjoy their roles while they last, as AI is set to transform this field dramatically. The role of compliance professionals is likely to shrink substantially, with AI taking over many tasks currently performed by humans.
“Regions like Latin America, Asia, and Africa are stepping into the spotlight by introducing formal regulations. This trend will likely continue, with nearly every country developing its own gaming laws.“
Yuliia Akhaladze, Head of Legal
6. If you could have any fictional lawyer as your legal assistant, who would it be and why?
I would choose Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He is a brilliant professional, because of his resourcefulness, charisma, deep legal knowledge, adaptability, determination, and empathy. His on-screen journey was filled with challenges, pushing him toward unconventional methods and morally ambiguous decisions, often leading to misunderstandings about his true character. At White Label Casinos, he would thrive in a more supportive work environment, allowing his talents and creativity to be used for positive purposes, ultimately leading to a drastically different and far better life for him. Quite an impact on employee’s life.
7. What’s the most unexpectedly fun part of working in the legal side of iGaming?
Working in iGaming gives the fun thrill of finding the best solution under pressure — much like solving a high-stakes puzzle, as the industry operates within a constantly evolving regulatory landscape, where each jurisdiction presents its own unique complexities. In legal and compliance, staying ahead of regulatory changes is essential, whether it’s adapting to new AML requirements, virtual asset policies, or licensing frameworks.
Beyond that, the industry itself is fast-paced and filled with diverse personalities, from regulators and operators to tech innovators.
Another enjoyable aspect is the strategic problem-solving involved in helping operators find compliant yet commercially viable solutions when advising on risk mitigation strategies for new markets. There’s a lot of creativity in making compliance work without stifling business growth.
So yes, it’s like solving a puzzle, except the puzzle is on fire, you’re on fire, and everything around you is on fire.
Quickfire Round:
A big thank you to Yuliia for sharing her expertise and giving us a glimpse into the world of corporate, legal and regulatory at White Label Casinos.
Stay tuned to learn more from White Label Casinos‘ leaders.
