In an era marked by rapid digital transformation, the gambling industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Damien Raymond, the Chief Operating Officer of Sharp Vision, shares his insights on the industry’s regulatory landscape, emerging technologies, and the critical role of innovation in driving operational efficiency.
With over two decades of experience in tech and regulation, Damien discusses Sharp Vision’s commitment to helping operators navigate compliance challenges while embracing growth opportunities. From AI-driven fraud prevention to the increasing prominence of mobile money in Africa’s gambling ecosystem, Damien offers a forward-thinking perspective on the industry’s trajectory in the years to come.
iGaming AFRIKA: In your own words, how would you describe Sharp Vision as an entity? What would you say are some of your main driving forces as a brand?
Damien Raymond: Sharp Vision is a solution provider dedicated to providing regulation solutions to government agencies.
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We are a cutting-edge SaaS company specialising in providing software solutions tailored to meet regulatory compliance needs. As a brand, we are driven by innovation, customer-centricity and a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions that streamline complex processes for our clients.
Our engagement and experience across multiple jurisdictions confirm that gambling boards around the globe are facing the same challenges and have a similar desire to become proactive ahead of rapidly evolving technological changes.
Whilst we seek to bring on board our strong market knowledge, we are also cognisant that some challenges in each engagement are unique to specific environments. Our team therefore seeks to have a holistic understanding from the grassroots level by engaging in a design thinking approach.
iGaming AFRIKA: What trends do you currently observe in the gambling and IT industries? What emerging technologies are playing significant roles in this evolution?
Damien Raymond: The gambling industry is experiencing significant digital transformation, with mobile-first gaming, live dealer platforms, and esports betting gaining momentum.
In IT, trends like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, and cloud computing are becoming critical for enhancing operational efficiency and player experiences.
iGaming AFRIKA: What predictions do you have for the gambling industry in 2025? Are there particular areas or technologies that stand out as critical?
Damien Raymond: In 2025, I believe the gambling industry will start seeing greater adoption of personalised gaming experiences through AI. There might also be a shift towards immersive experiences using augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) given the evolution of bandwidth.
We might also see an evolution in payment methods as the mobile money market is still maturing, and actors like the payment scheme are starting to show more interest in the gaming industry.
Regulatory frameworks are likely to also become more standardised, particularly in emerging markets. It is encouraging to see the tremendous effort being made by some regulators across multiple jurisdictions to ensure the right structures and policies are implemented and enforced.
iGaming AFRIKA: With the recent regulations, particularly concerning data privacy & safety in a couple of countries, how do you see this impacting the gaming industry? Do you believe this is a growing trend across other markets in Africa?
Damien Raymond: Data privacy regulations like GDPR and local equivalents compel gaming operators to prioritise cybersecurity and transparent data management. In Africa, this trend is growing, especially as digital adoption increases. Compliance will require investments in secure platforms and customer education about personal data usage. Well-established standards like ISO are important to give confidence to the regulator and the consumer in the integrity of their data. We are proud to be certified ISO 27001:2022 for our information systems.
iGaming AFRIKA: What role do you envision recent developments such as artificial intelligence playing in fraud prevention and anti-money laundering efforts? How are operators adapting to the evolving regulatory landscape?
Damien Raymond: AI is revolutionising fraud detection and AML by identifying suspicious patterns in real-time, automating compliance checks, and ensuring faster reporting to regulators. Operators will need to integrate AI-driven tools to further comply with evolving regulatory landscapes while minimising risks.
iGaming AFRIKA: Cash payments & Mobile money are by far the most preferred channels for payment to sportsbooks and casinos across Africa. Can you elaborate on the growing trend of alternative payment methods in gambling? How are traditional operators adjusting to accommodate these changes?
Damien Raymond: Within the gaming ecosystem, cash is rapidly being replaced by alternative and varying forms of digital payments, such as mobile money, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency. These digital payments are gaining traction as they offer convenience, accessibility, and lower transaction fees. Traditional operators are adapting by partnering with fintech companies to integrate these methods into their platforms seamlessly.
The International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) has set up a new committee dedicated to payments in 2024. The Payment Standards Committee (PSC) is charged with identifying and developing standards designed to create a payment framework whereby the security of payment transactions is protected, and traceability of payment transactions is enhanced, in the Global Gaming Industry.
iGaming AFRIKA: There have been calls for increased collaboration amongst African regulators in the gambling sector. What do you think is driving this shift? How can operators and regulators work together to improve governance in the gambling sector?
Damien Raymond This is a fast-growing industry that continues to attract an equal measure of opportunities and risks – hence requiring an ever-greater need for ecosystem-based engagement and collaboration.
The call for collaboration stems from the need to standardise regulations, share best practises, and tackle cross-border challenges like fraud and illegal gambling. By working together, regulators and operators can no doubt enhance governance, create fair competition, and protect consumers. We are encouraged to see the Gaming Regulator Africa Forum (GRAF) is active within the continent.
iGaming AFRIKA: How do you perceive the shift towards more lenient regulations in religious preferent countries regarding gambling? What challenges or opportunities do you foresee in this space?
Damien Raymond: This is a very interesting milestone. Once again, it shows that regulation makes more sense than forbidding gaming. Lenient regulations in such countries open opportunities for introducing regulated gambling products while respecting cultural sensitivities. Challenges include ensuring adherence to ethical practices and addressing feedback. The key is to find a balanced approach that benefits all stakeholders.
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