In an exclusive interview with Casino Rank News, Ondrej Lapides, CEO of Tom Horn Gaming, shares his insights on navigating the increasingly complex regulatory landscape of European iGaming. From balancing compliance with creativity to making strategic decisions about market focus, Ondrej discusses how Tom Horn Gaming adapts to evolving rules without losing sight of innovation, quality, and player experience. The conversation highlights the company’s commitment to responsible growth, sustainable partnerships, and a collaborative approach to shaping the future of regulated online gaming.
Q: Recent regulatory developments in key European markets, like Italy, have introduced new licensing fees and advertising restrictions. How do these changes influence Tom Horn Gaming’s approach to product development and market strategy?
The regulatory landscape in Europe is becoming increasingly complex, and these changes certainly have an impact on how we operate. As a company active in multiple regulated markets, we constantly evaluate where our resources can bring the greatest value.
In cases where the regulatory burden outweighs the business opportunity, we make strategic decisions to withdraw and focus our efforts elsewhere. Our approach has always been to work with regulators and operators in markets that are stable, transparent, and supportive of sustainable growth. We want to collaborate in environments where our products can thrive and where the rules foster innovation rather than stifle it.
We believe in building long-term partnerships in jurisdictions that share our commitment to responsible and balanced gaming experiences. That’s where we can bring the most value to both our partners and players.
Q: As a provider of gaming content across multiple regulated markets, how do you ensure that your games meet diverse compliance standards without compromising on player experience or innovation?
Compliance is always a key pillar of our game development. However, we are very selective about the markets we’re present in. We prefer to operate in jurisdictions where regulations are clear, consistent, and do not fundamentally compromise the player experience.
If regulations prevent us from delivering entertaining, high-quality content, we simply step back. Our philosophy is that compliance should coexist with innovation, not override it. We develop our games to meet the highest technical and ethical standards, but we will never sacrifice entertainment value or core gameplay to meet overly restrictive or unclear requirements.
Q: Do you see evolving compliance requirements as a limitation on creativity, or do they push your team toward more innovative and responsible game design?
Evolving compliance requirements often introduce additional layers of complexity that don’t necessarily translate into better outcomes for players, operators, or game suppliers. While some degree of regulation is essential, excessive or poorly designed measures tend to weigh the industry down with red tape rather than drive true innovation.
Regulation should focus on empowering players through education and promoting fair play, not simply restricting features or limiting engagement. When the rules are too rigid, players leave for unregulated markets, where they face unfair conditions and less protection.
Responsible regulation should aim to create a safer and more transparent environment, not one that drives players away. Innovation thrives best in open, positive, and collaborative frameworks that balance compliance with creativity. Only through cooperation between regulators, operators, and game suppliers can we shape a truly sustainable future for iGaming.
Q: How is Tom Horn Gaming adapting its portfolio or market focus in response to shifting regulatory environments and player preferences?
We continuously assess market dynamics and adjust our portfolio accordingly. Our focus is on developing content that aligns with both regulatory standards and local player preferences. This often means collaborating closely with operator partners to create bespoke solutions or tailored content for specific jurisdictions.
At the same time, we strategically prioritise markets that offer room for sustainable growth and a fair regulatory climate. Rather than spreading ourselves thin across highly restrictive territories, we concentrate on those where our products perform well and deliver real value.
Q: What challenges do you face when tailoring games to different markets with varying regulatory restrictions, and how do you overcome them?
Each regulated market comes with its own set of technical standards, game limitations, and certification processes. We address these challenges through robust internal processes, modular product design, efficient certification workflows, and close cooperation between our compliance and development teams. This ensures that while localised products may differ in technical details, the core entertainment experience remains consistent across all jurisdictions.
Q: From a leadership perspective, how do you balance the demands of regulatory compliance with maintaining a competitive edge in a crowded market?
It’s about allocating resources wisely. We invest in scalable solutions that allow us to maintain multiple game versions efficiently, without compromising quality. Compliance can be costly, but it’s a necessary part of operating responsibly.
Our goal is to stay agile so we can respond quickly to new requirements while continuing to innovate and deliver compelling content. Agility, supported by strong technical foundations, helps us remain competitive in such a dynamic environment.
Q: Has there been a specific market or regulatory hurdle that has prompted a significant change in your company’s strategy or operations?
Yes, there have been several instances where new regulatory conditions forced us to reconsider our market presence. In some cases, we decided to exit markets where the operational costs and administrative hurdles outweighed potential returns.
While such decisions are never easy, they allow us to redirect resources into areas where we can grow sustainably. It’s about focusing on long-term growth rather than short-term presence.
Q: Leading a game development company in a rapidly changing environment can be challenging. How do you personally navigate those pressures and keep your team motivated?
Tom Horn Gaming is a relatively small but highly agile company. This flexibility allows us to respond swiftly to change and seize new opportunities as they arise. The iGaming industry still offers plenty of room for innovation, especially in markets where regulation is transparent and supportive.
My approach is to ensure our team sees challenges as opportunities and uses their creativity and expertise to build something meaningful. When people understand that their work contributes to the company’s success and to fairer, more innovative products, motivation comes naturally.
Q: Can you share an example of a difficult decision you’ve made as CEO that had a major impact on Tom Horn Gaming’s direction?
One of the toughest decisions we’ve made involved withdrawing from markets where we had already invested significant time and financial resources. It’s never easy to walk away from a market, but sometimes it’s the right decision.
We prefer to focus our efforts where our products align with the regulatory climate and operator needs. There’s little sense in staying where bureaucracy outweighs business potential. Our energy is better spent creating value for players, operators, and ourselves in markets that encourage innovation, transparency, and fair play.
Q: Looking ahead, what new game features, themes, or innovations are you most excited to bring to market in 2026?
We have several exciting developments coming in 2026. Without giving too much away, we’re working on new features that will enhance player experience and bring tangible business value for operators.
We’re also expanding our live casino offering with new tables and tailored solutions for operators in global markets. Our focus remains on delivering technically strong, responsible, and entertaining products that meet the expectations of both players and operators and stand out in a crowded marketplace.