During ICE Barcelona 2026, which drew record attendance from both industry leaders and regulatory bodies, Yogonet caught up with James Boje, Managing Director EMEIA at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), to discuss the company’s participation at the event and the trends shaping global gaming.
Boje shared insights into the strong turnout, the evolving demands of land-based and online operators, and the growing importance of regulatory engagement across jurisdictions. He also discussed how GLI is addressing concerns around compliance, market fragmentation, and the need to stay ahead in a rapidly expanding sector.
What are your impressions of the show? Has it lived up to your expectations in terms of how busy it’s been and the kinds of conversations you’ve had?
I think it has exceeded our expectations. It’s been very busy from day one. Overall, the show has been very positive. Our customers have been optimistic, and in every meeting we’ve had, the message has been consistent: they see us as ready to support them as they continue to grow.
Growth has been a major topic of conversation on the customer side, and that means we need to make sure we’re well-equipped to deliver the services they’re looking for, which is exactly why we’re here.
What are some of the main inquiries you’re hearing from your partners? What are the biggest topics for them right now?
We’re seeing our land-based customers talking about expansion, perhaps in a measured, strategic way, but they are still looking at growth. That’s a good sign for us, especially since land-based has historically been a major part of our industry.
Online, of course, is moving at a much faster pace. The growth there is exceptionally strong in some jurisdictions, particularly in markets that haven’t allowed it yet. We’re actively working with operators and regulators as these new markets emerge.
That said, one of the biggest concerns we hear from operators is regulatory clarity: understanding what is permitted, what isn’t, and how frameworks differ from one jurisdiction to another.
In response, we’ve made a major investment in strengthening our gaming governance and regulatory affairs function, especially in EMEIA. We’ve expanded the team, added new resources, and deepened our expertise so we can work more closely with regulators and further support our customers globally.
It’s essential for us not just to keep up, but to stay ahead.
This edition had a record number of regulators attending. Was it the perfect setting for discussions about where things are heading on the regulatory side?
Yes, it was. But it’s important to remember that we don’t wait for the ICE show to have regulatory meetings. Our teams are out there year-round, making contacts and building relationships.
The goal is to stay ahead of regulatory developments and help our customers understand whether what they’re developing will meet the technical requirements of different jurisdictions — whether that’s online, land-based, sports betting, or otherwise. ICE is a valuable touchpoint, but the work happens year-round.
One major topic we often hear about, especially from larger companies operating in multiple markets, is regulatory fragmentation. Are you seeing any tendency toward a common point of reference between jurisdictions?
We actually just published an article where I talked about how challenging it is. If you look at the U.S. market, for example, it’s very different from others, and even within that market, you have states with quite distinct regulations and technical standards.
So yes, fragmentation is definitely an issue. That said, I think regulators are starting to look at ways to work more closely together and create greater synergy. What we’re trying to do is understand what those synergies could look like and help promote them, to make things easier for operators and our customers.
At the same time, it’s important to keep responsible gaming at the core of all this and ensure that we meet the expectations of the regulators we work with.
GLI Access has also been a notable topic at this year’s show. Can you tell us more about the interest you’ve seen?
It is essentially a gateway to certification for our customers, and we’ve recently revamped it to make it more user-friendly and intuitive.
The key value is access to real-time information. Customers no longer need to rely on phone calls or intermediaries; they can log into a portal and immediately see updates related to submissions, products, and certification progress.
We’ve been excited to showcase the refreshed version here, particularly as this is just the beginning. This will be an ongoing process of improvement, driven largely by customer feedback. As usage grows, we’ll continue refining the platform to make interactions with us as seamless as possible.
So the updated version is already live?
Yes, it’s live. The platform has always existed, but it’s now been refreshed and improved to better meet customer needs. We’re actively encouraging feedback — from both customers and our internal teams — because that’s the only way we can identify challenges and continue improving the experience.
Looking ahead, what’s next for the company over the coming year?
One of our major milestones, achieved last year and built upon this year, is the GLI Security Framework. It’s the first of its kind, and we’re extremely proud of it.
The framework was shaped by extensive market research and direct industry feedback, and we believe it adds real value not just for our customers, but for the industry as a whole. Security has been a major area of focus for us, and we’re excited to see how this initiative evolves.
Ultimately, though, our top priority remains our customers. We aim to meet — and where possible exceed — their expectations as they continue to grow and expand. That’s not always easy, given how high those expectations are, but it’s what drives everything we do.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/02/10/117440-gli-were-actively-working-with-operators-and-regulators-as-new-markets-emerge-34
