Antonio Zanghi: Compliance Claims and Unpaid Debts

Antonio Zanghi and the compliance sector:

A timeline of company dissolutions, outstanding debts and corporate management questions…

A compliance career under scrutiny

Antonio Zanghi is publicly recognised within the iGaming industry for his regulatory and compliance expertise. His professional history includes roles as CEO of Maxima Compliance, founder of ComplianceOne Group and, most recently, as a partner at the newly launched Compliance Outsource platform. Interviews and profiles in industry publications such as EGR and NEXT.io depict him as providing strategic guidance for companies navigating regulatory environments.

However, public records and ongoing legal cases reveal several unresolved financial issues related to companies he has directed. These matters raise legitimate questions regarding corporate management practices.

Company dissolutions and unresolved filings

Documents available from Companies House UK show Mr Zanghi associated with directorships in approximately 16 companies. Many of these have been dissolved or entered liquidation, including Maxima Compliance Europe Ltd, ComplianceOne Software Ltd and Diligence in Gaming Ltd. Public records indicate several entities dissolved shortly after formation, sometimes following non-submission of statutory filings.

Other related companies, such as Maxima Compliance Ltd, are currently in liquidation, while DZ Invest Ltd faces a pending strike-off. ComplianceOne Group Ltd itself is also undergoing compulsory strike-off proceedings. At the time of writing, the official Maxima Compliance website remains offline.

Recorded County Court Judgment

Public records confirm a County Court Judgment (CCJ) issued against Maxima Compliance Europe Ltd on 14 March 2024. This judgment, for £694.50, represents an unpaid debt claim from Remco Bosch.

Since early 2023, several former employees and associates have publicly detailed similar concerns about delayed payments and unresolved obligations.

Statutory demand involving Counsel on Demand Ltd

A statutory demand, filed under the Insolvency Act 1986 against Maxima Compliance UK Ltd, claimed unpaid obligations amounting to £24,668.43. The creditor, Counsel on Demand Ltd, represented by Ms Paola Menachem, reached a settlement agreement with Maxima Compliance Ltd dated 31 January 2024. The agreement acknowledged an outstanding sum of £22,841.13 plus an additional agreed compensation of £2,500 payable by Antonio Zanghi.

As confirmed by Ms Menachem, as of July 2025, this amount remains unpaid. Ms Menachem also noted experiencing repeated payment delays during her engagement with the company.

Concerns raised by former commercial lead Mike de Graaff

Mike de Graaff, formerly of Maxima Compliance and now Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer at BetComply, shared his experience with delayed payments and unpaid contributions. According to Malta-Media's editor Michael Schmitt, Mr de Graaff is “one of the most knowledgeable compliance professionals in the industry.” Mr de Graaff stated he experienced significant payment delays in 2022 and again in 2023.

After consulting his accountant, he alleges discovering unpaid taxes and social security contributions. Subsequently, he initiated legal action to terminate his contract due to alleged breach by Maxima Compliance.

Following his departure, Mr de Graaff confirmed involvement in legal actions initiated by Mr Zanghi. One case was dismissed due to jurisdictional issues, while another was reportedly discontinued shortly after it began. Mr de Graaff stated his associated legal expenses remain outstanding and expressed concern over wider financial implications for employees and partners involved, estimating total unpaid obligations exceeding £1 million.

Pension contributions questioned

Several former employees, including Martin Hodges and Alec Cudworth, have publicly stated that pension contributions deducted from their salaries were allegedly not paid into their pension funds. Formal complaints were submitted to the UK Pensions Regulator, with some cases escalated to the Pensions Ombudsman.

Additional accounts exist but are not published here due to ongoing legal proceedings involving Mr Zanghi in multiple jurisdictions. Respect for active judicial processes dictates their omission at this time.

All allegations referenced in this article were reviewed carefully, with personal details anonymised where required. Mr Zanghi has been offered the opportunity to comment or respond, but refused to participate in this article.

Insolvency proceedings and management questions

On 12 July 2024, industry publication NEXT.io reported ComplianceOne Group had entered formal insolvency proceedings. Public statements from the proceedings noted “substantial cash flow issues” and acknowledged the group's inability to meet existing obligations.

The appointed insolvency practitioners later identified concerns regarding corporate governance practices. Employees reportedly served across multiple entities without clear contracts or understanding of their official employer. Some former employees have indicated periods of unpaid work during product development and client onboarding.

Multiple formal complaints have reportedly been lodged with relevant regulatory and taxation authorities.

Clarification issued by EM Group

Following earlier LinkedIn coverage, EM Group clarified via legal representative Ms Pippa Bonavia:

“Mr. Zanghi is engaged as a consultant through his consultancy firm and is not an employee of EM Group. His assistance, experience and knowledge, contribute to better and timely compliance.”

The statement issued by EM Group explicitly clarifies the company's position regarding its relationship with Mr Zanghi. It distinctly separates EM Group from direct employment responsibilities, emphasising that his role is solely as an external consultant engaged through his own consultancy firm.

This clarification serves to formally distance EM Group from any direct legal or employment liabilities concerning Mr Zanghi.

Launch of Compliance Outsource

In June 2025, after ComplianceOne Group’s insolvency, Mr Zanghi launched Compliance Outsource in partnership with compliance specialist Helen Amy Stewart. This new entity offers outsourced compliance officer services, particularly targeting Curaçao operators navigating recent regulatory changes.

At present, Compliance Outsource lacks clear corporate registration details on its website. A generic Gmail contact address and combined Austrian phone number and Amsterdam office listing appear unusual for a compliance services provider.

Such lack of clear corporate transparency may understandably raise concerns for potential clients and regulatory bodies.

Ongoing industry engagements

Despite the documented financial issues and unresolved company obligations, Mr Zanghi remains featured in industry publications and events. Platforms such as EGR and NEXT.io regularly reference his professional commentary without addressing these broader financial concerns.

Credibility and regulatory oversight

Trust is central to compliance-related activities. Outstanding obligations or recurring issues with timely payments potentially undermine this trust. Relevant authorities, including the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), UK Gambling Commission, Dutch Chamber of Commerce and Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), may wish to consider further scrutiny of these business arrangements.

Stakeholders are encouraged to share information regarding experiences with entities connected to Mr Zanghi through Malta-Media's whistleblower form available at: https://malta-media.com/whistleblower/.

FAQs

Who is Antonio Zanghi?
Antonio Zanghi is a well-known figure in the iGaming compliance sector, previously CEO of Maxima Compliance and founder of ComplianceOne Group.

What legal issues are associated with Antonio Zanghi’s companies?
Several companies linked to Zanghi have faced liquidation, unpaid debts, and statutory demands, with public records confirming ongoing financial issues.

What was the outcome of the statutory demand from Counsel on Demand Ltd?
A settlement was agreed upon, but as of July 2025, the debt of £22,841.13 and £2,500 compensation remains unpaid by Zanghi.

Which of Zanghi’s companies are in liquidation or dissolved?
Companies such as Maxima Compliance Europe Ltd, ComplianceOne Software Ltd, and Diligence in Gaming Ltd are dissolved or in liquidation.

What is Compliance Outsource and who launched it?
Compliance Outsource is a newly launched compliance service provider co-founded by Zanghi and Helen Amy Stewart, aimed at Curaçao operators.

Are there concerns about pension contributions under Zanghi’s leadership?
Yes. Former employees reported that pension deductions were not paid into pension funds, with some cases filed with the UK Pensions Regulator.

What does EM Group say about its link to Antonio Zanghi?
EM Group stated that Zanghi is not their employee but a consultant, formally distancing themselves from any legal responsibilities involving him.

What did former Maxima Compliance commercial lead Mike de Graaff allege?
He reported delayed payments, unpaid taxes, and unresolved legal actions initiated by Zanghi after de Graaff’s resignation.

How has the industry responded to Zanghi’s ongoing presence?
Despite controversies, Zanghi continues to appear in industry media and events, though many of the financial concerns remain unaddressed.

What are the main concerns raised about Zanghi’s business practices?
They include unpaid obligations, poor corporate governance, lack of transparency, and repeated financial mismanagement across several entities.