Q&A: Luis Carlos Pérez emphasises AML judgment for gaming clients

As the iGaming industry faces intensifying anti-money laundering (AML) scrutiny, Luis Carlos Pérez has highlighted the importance of sophisticated judgment in applying AML frameworks to gaming operators. Speaking ahead of the SBC Summit Lisbon (September 29 – October 1, 2026), Pérez emphasized that continuous AML oversight and strategic use of payment data have become central to how compliance teams identify high-risk customers and detect fraudulent activity within gaming environments.

The gaming sector presents distinctive AML challenges compared to traditional financial services. Gaming operators handle rapid transaction flows, manage multiple payment methods, and operate across jurisdictions with varying regulatory standards. This complexity demands that AML teams move beyond mechanical rule-based screening toward judgment-driven analysis that contextualizes payment patterns within gaming-specific risk profiles. Pérez's emphasis on judgment reflects a maturing understanding that effective AML compliance requires both technical sophistication and human expertise.

Payment data has emerged as a critical intelligence source for AML teams. By analyzing transaction patterns, velocity, geographic origins, and correlations with player behavior, compliance professionals can identify anomalies that suggest money laundering, fraud, or other illicit activity. However, raw data analysis alone is insufficient; interpreting findings requires domain knowledge about gaming operations, player demographics, and legitimate high-value gaming patterns. This interplay between data analytics and expert judgment defines modern AML practice in gaming.

For operators, Pérez's perspective underscores that AML compliance is no longer a back-office function but a strategic business capability. Regulators increasingly expect operators to demonstrate proactive, sophisticated AML programs rather than reactive compliance. The SBC Summit discussion will likely address how operators can balance compliance rigor with operational efficiency, and how technology and human expertise can be optimally combined. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve and enforcement actions increase globally, operators investing in judgment-driven, data-informed AML capabilities will be better positioned to manage regulatory risk and maintain market access.