Compliance technology and consultancy Gaming Compliance International (GCI) has announced the acquisition of marketplace intelligence platform Yield Sec.
As part of the agreement, the full Yield Sec platform, including the technology and team, will be integrated into GCI’s operations. Founder and CEO Ismail Vali will also move into the role of president of GCI.
Yield Sec operates an intelligence platform which utilises player data to assess the size and impact of illegal gambling markets. The company works with operators, policymakers and other stakeholders on mitigating black market leakage and improving channelisation.
GCI’s AI-driven platform provides in-house player protection, advertising and
media content monitoring. It provided black market mitigation efforts prior to the deal, but the combined operation is expected to build scale and support even more stakeholders.
GCI pledges ‘unprecedented’ market awareness with Yield Sec
Matt Holt, CEO of GCI, said clients would have “actionable awareness” of the iGaming market with Yield Sec’s technology.
“Yield Sec’s innovative platform for effective and efficient disruption will become a cornerstone of our offering, enabling regulators and operators to gain unprecedented awareness and actionable awareness across the total online gaming marketplace,” he said.
“This acquisition accelerates our mission to deliver transparency, integrity, player protection and certainty for regulated jurisdictions worldwide.”
Holt has held a number of prominent roles within the compliance technology space. Prior to joining GCI he led integrity and anti-fraud services supplier IC360 (formerly US Integrity) as CEO.
Vali continues fight against black market proliferation
As CEO for Yield Sec, Vali has been a prominent voice in the sector’s fight against the growing black market. Yield Sec’s data has painted a concerning picture of illegal gambling’s proliferation globally. He has long called for stronger enforcement against illegal sports streaming and illegal sites that target vulnerable players.
“All legal stakeholders should be involved in the fight against black market operators,” Vali wrote in a September 2024 op-ed for iGB. “Legal online gambling can only stamp out the black market once every stakeholder takes action and acts in their own best interest.”
At GCI Vali will lead a global team in monitoring polices and optimising marketplaces across online gaming, streaming, crypto and consumer goods. This will ensure they are adequately protected from the threat of the black market.
Yield Sec’s integration is expected to help deliver awareness-and-action solutions for clients, without impacting their gaming operations. GCI said this offering will be available for marketplace monitoring and black market mitigation, as well as compliance and auditing.
In a statement announcing the deal on Tuesday, Vali said joining GCI was the “next stage” in Yield Sec’s mission.
“Yield Sec was founded to help regulators and operators see the entire online marketplace – legal and illegal – and act with certainty,” he added.
“GCI strengthens that foundation, expanding our ability to serve clients across commerce, community and consumers. The purpose remains the same: to secure a sustainable, compliant and fair marketplace that benefits everyone.”
Yield Sec’s platform, processes and team will be fully integrated into GCI’s operations.