20 Years in iGaming: Why Experience Is the Only Shortcut

Twenty years in iGaming teaches you lessons no manual could ever convey. We are EM Group, an independent service provider that provides since 2005 licensing, compliance and corporate services to iGaming businesses. Not as passive observers, but as trusted experts on whom businesses rely on for integrity, transparency and operational excellence. Our experience spans every major regulated jurisdiction, including Curaçao, Malta and the Netherlands. It is shaped by firsthand involvement in every pivotal evolution the industry has undergone – not just merely its most recent changes.

An industry that never stands still

When EM Group started in this industry, the regulatory landscape looked nothing like it does today. Online gaming was largely unregulated, licensing processes were informal by today’s standards, and compliance was not yet the operational priority as it has since become.

That has changed fundamentally. The global iGaming industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar business today — but the most important story is not the size of the market. It is how the regulatory architecture underneath has been completely rebuilt.

In the formative years of iGaming, as the internet itself was taking shape, most domestic markets remained firmly anchored to land-based gaming, offering little in the way of comprehensive frameworks for online operators. This regulatory void catalysed the emergence of modernising international licensing jurisdictions attuned to industry’s evolving needs. Curacao was the earliest and most accessible of these options, providing a pragmatic, globally recognised framework at a time when alternatives were scarce. Malta subsequently elevated international standards, introducing a more robust, highly structured and government-backed regulatory framework- one that would go on to become a significant contributor to the country’s GDP and a gold standard to the industry, particularly as the European Union began to modernize its approach to online gaming regulation.

Over time, domestic markets matured. Regulatory frameworks became more robust, more assertive, and increased specific with local legal requirements. The shift towards locally regulated environments required operators to meet significantly higher and unique levels of compliance, tax and operational discipline than international licensing alone had demanded. For operators, this is both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity is a more uniquely supervised industry that protects the interests of its citizens and taxable revenues. The challenge is navigating through a landscape that demands expertise across multiple frameworks simultaneously — and that does not forgive those who treat compliance as an afterthought.

What Twenty (20) Years in the Industry Reveals

We were among the first corporate services providers in Curaçao to recognize that operators needed more than a license. They needed a partner who understood the full picture — the corporate structure, the compliance obligations, the regulatory relationships, and the operational realities of running a licensed iGaming business.

Over the years, we have supported operators through every significant shift the industry has seen. In Curaçao, we witnessed the transition from the master license model to the introduction of the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) — a modernization that brought Curaçao’s licensing framework in line with international standards and positioned it as a more credible, transparent jurisdiction for operators worldwide. We helped our clients navigate through that transition smoothly, because we understood what it meant for our clients. Learn more about our Curaçao gaming license services.

In Malta, we established our presence as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) was cementing its position as the gold standard in iGaming regulation. We built a team with deep knowledge of the MGA’s requirements — from license applications and company incorporation through to Key Function Services and ongoing compliance management. Learn more about our Malta gaming license services.

Once the Netherlands opened its markets, we developed expertise in one of Europe’s most tightly regulated markets, supporting operators through the requirements of the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) and helping them build compliant operations from the ground up.

The result is a team with compliance knowledge that covers the full regulatory landscape — not just the jurisdiction you are in today, but also the ones that you may need to understand tomorrow.

The cost of getting it wrong

Experience means knowing where the complications tend to arise before they become problems. It means asking the right questions at the start of an engagement, structuring things correctly from day one, and staying ahead of regulatory changes rather than reacting to them. That is not something you can replicate quickly — it accumulates over time through every client engagement and every regulatory development you have been present for.

What this means for your business

Working with an experienced iGaming corporate services provider means you are not the first operator we have helped through your situation. Whether you are applying for your first license, expanding into a new jurisdiction, managing ongoing compliance obligations, or restructuring your corporate setup, we have navigated that territory before.

That translates into practical advantages. Faster onboarding, because we know exactly what is needed. Fewer surprises, because we have seen where the complications tend to arise. And a team that can give you a clear, honest picture of what your situation requires — not because we are telling you what you want to hear, but because we have the experience to know the difference.

We take care of the details so you can focus on the big picture.

Experience is not something you put on a slide. As regulation intensifies, compliance costs rise, and supervisory authorities become more assertive, the operators who build long-term resilience are the ones who chose alignment over avoidance — and chose their partners carefully. We have navigated every stage of this industry's evolution. That is what we bring to the table every time a client needs it most.

Meet us at SBC Malta

Our very own specialists, Arran McCarthy and Julie Courte will be at SBC Malta from 28 to 30 April 2026. If you are attending and want to talk about licensing, compliance or corporate services — or simply want to understand what working with us looks like — we would be glad to meet. Get in touch to arrange a conversation.

FAQs

What services does EM Group provide in iGaming?
EM Group offers licensing, compliance and corporate services tailored to iGaming operators, covering company setup, regulatory approvals and ongoing compliance management.

Which jurisdictions does EM Group specialise in?
The company has extensive experience in Curaçao, Malta and the Netherlands, along with knowledge of other major regulated markets.

Why is compliance important in the iGaming industry?
Compliance ensures that operators meet legal, tax and regulatory requirements, helping them avoid penalties, protect players and maintain business continuity.

How has iGaming regulation evolved over the past 20 years?
The industry has shifted from loosely regulated environments to strict, locally governed frameworks requiring higher standards of transparency and accountability.

What is the benefit of working with an experienced corporate services provider?
An experienced provider reduces risk, speeds up licensing processes and helps businesses anticipate regulatory challenges before they arise.

What is the Curaçao LOK reform?
The National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) modernises Curaçao’s licensing system, improving transparency and aligning it with international standards.

How does Malta stand out in iGaming regulation?
Malta is known for its structured and government-backed regulatory framework, making it one of the most respected jurisdictions globally.

What challenges do operators face in regulated markets?
Operators must manage complex compliance requirements, taxation rules and operational standards across multiple jurisdictions.

How can EM Group support new market entry?
EM Group assists with licensing applications, regulatory approvals and operational setup to ensure a smooth and compliant market entry.

What can businesses expect when working with EM Group?
Clients benefit from faster onboarding, fewer regulatory surprises and expert guidance based on two decades of industry experience.