Alec Gehlot: How Player Care Can Save the Regulated iGaming Market

Alec Gehlot, CEO and Founder of PlaySignal, has a clear vision for the future of the regulated iGaming market. Inspired by the rapid decline of the UK industry following a 40% tax increase, a doubling of the black market, and a 40% jump in self-exclusion among young adults, Gehlot set out to create a solution that prioritizes player care.

PlaySignal focuses on helping players better understand changes in their gambling behavior and risk. Gehlot believes that giving players greater visibility and awareness into their own patterns is crucial for responsible gaming. He argues that the industry's traditional approach to responsible gaming, which often relies on generic information and compliance, is ineffective.

Gehlot also emphasizes that player protection is the only way regulated operators can compete with the black market. He points out that the black market matches or beats regulated operators on bonuses, game selection, odds, and payout speed. However, the black market will never prioritize player protection, making it a key competitive advantage for regulated operators. Gehlot believes that the iGaming industry excels at getting players to spend more but falls short in cooling players down, treating it as a compliance problem rather than an engineering challenge.