Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago

---

🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #263 with Kevin Mullally, CEO, International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR)

In this episode, Pierre sits down with Kevin to break down the current state of the UAE's iGaming market, the global battle against the black market, the fracture inside the American Gaming Association, and why prediction markets may be gambling's next regulatory crisis.

Kevin Mullally built one of the most closely watched new gaming regulators in the world from scratch, in under six months. As the former CEO of the UAE's General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) and now CEO of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), Kevin brings a rare perspective on what modern regulation should look like and what the global industry is getting dangerously wrong.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:42 - Sponsor messages
02:01 - Introduction: Kevin Mullally & UAE market overview
02:59 - Building the UAE regulator from scratch
05:31 - Rethinking regulation: compliance vs enforcement
08:46 - Policy goals: why the UAE regulates gaming
10:13 - UAE strategy: ecosystem over revenue
13:43 - Land-based market structure (Emirates approach)
16:47 - Licensing progress: Wynn, lottery & early milestones
18:32 - Online market structure & licensing model
22:25 - B2B opportunity: “technology should lead”
25:02 - Case study: Yolo & entering the UAE market
30:14 - Relationship-first approach to market entry
33:29 - IAGR: global regulation & role of collaboration
37:06 - The black market problem (global perspective)
39:14 - Regulation vs illegal markets: growing tension
44:43 - What works in fighting the black market
46:04 - Need for global collaboration
48:25 - Prediction markets vs regulation
50:01 - State rights, consumer protection & policy conflict
53:03 - Future of regulation: need for global dialogue
56:00 - Closing thoughts

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333

CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO
✩ Website: next.io

This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology
https://pragmatic.solutions/

Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider
pragmaticplay.com/en

Sponsored by:
Hard Rock Games: hardrockgames.com