Following Yolo Group’s transition to pivot away from its unregulated crypto casino operations and focus solely on regulated markets, CEO Lara Falzon sheds light on the company’s new direction. Instead of chasing short-term profits from unregulated grey markets, Yolo is investing in building a resilient, high-value proposition that emphasizes long-term growth. Yolo Group’s Transition
“As a group, we’re deliberately shifting away from that short-term cash mindset,” Falzon explains to iGB. She emphasizes that the company’s “truly unique” technological platform is central to this transformation. The platform’s agility enables Yolo to swiftly enter new markets and tailor offerings to meet customer demands precisely. It’s highly agile, allowing us to enter new markets quickly and deliver exactly what customers want,” Falzon states. “We believe that, combined with our ecosystem of live studio, slots, and aggregation products, this agility gives us a strong advantage”.
“In the regulated space, this means we can move faster than competitors, adapt to local requirements efficiently, and provide a superior, compliant experience for players.” In September, Yolo announced a consolidation of its brands Sportsbet and Bitcasino under the single Yolo.com umbrella. This unified brand aims to target Tier-1 regulated markets, signaling a strategic shift towards more formalized, compliant gaming environments. Furthermore, Yolo has secured two gaming-related vendor licenses for its subsidiaries, Hub88 Holdings and Live Online Gaming Services, in the UAE. These licenses will enable the company to supply iGaming content within the UAE’s regulated framework.
While Yolo enjoyed significant success operating in unregulated markets, this move toward regulation has raised questions about how the company plans to manage this major transit .In its official announcement, Yolo underscored its responsibility to bring the crypto casino experience into regulated domestic markets. This shift has involved a profound cultural change within the company. Falzon describes the transition to a heavily regulated environment as “by far the biggest hurdle.”
“In terms of changes, I think the biggest one is mentality,” she notes. “I’m not saying we’re done yet. “Historically, our business has operated at a pace of speed, let’s get the money, let’s move fast. But when you’re dealing with regulators, it’s a completely different world. “There’s a lot of paperwork, processes, and procedures that we have had to implement. It requires patience and discipline, and it changes how people think some initially resist because it doesn’t feel immediately revenue-generating. But that’s part of the regulated environment, and embracing it has been a major shift for us.”
Falzon also touches on the impact this strategic shift might have on margins. Industry expert Stefan Kovach previously suggested to iGB that Yolo’s transition could “significantly impact” its short-term profitability. However, Falzon emphasizes that the company is aware of this challenge and has incorporated it into its broader strategy. “I believe it’s about more than just margins, it’s really instant cash versus long-term valuation,” she explains. “It’s the million-dollar question that many business owners ask themselves: do you prioritise immediate cash and dividends, or focus on building sustainable, long-term value? “We’d rather invest in creating a robust, high-value proposition that positions Yolo for growth, stability, and leadership in regulated markets over the long term.”
Yolo’s transition has not gone unnoticed by regulators. The company acknowledges that domestic authorities “are not keen” on operators continuing activity in pre-regulated markets. Elizabeth Dunn, a partner at UK law firm Bird & Bird, pointed out that Yolo’s history as a crypto-first, grey-market operator might attract regulatory concern. “Regulators in most Tier-1 markets continue to struggle with the idea of operators directly accepting cryptocurrencies and/or being funded through cryptocurrencies,” Dunn told iGB. “Yolo’s history as a crypto-first operator is, therefore, likely to come under scrutiny when regulators are assessing its suitability to hold a licence.”
Read also: GR8 Tech Sets New Sales Record at SiGMA Central Europe 2025
Falzon admits that the path to regulatory compliance has been challenging but stresses that ongoing collaboration with authorities has eased the process. “I believe proactive engagement, transparency, and collaboration is paramount,” she says. “We are not shy of our crypto origins; it defines who we are. However, at the same time, we want to collaborate closely with regulators, educating them about our platform while learning about their concerns.
“By working together as a team, we can find a middle ground that ensures player protection, transparency, and compliance, while allowing our technology and ecosystem to deliver the best possible experience for our players.” Recently, UK Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes highlighted the importance of regulation, warning that the government cannot ignore crypto gambling. However, he stopped short of suggesting that licenses for crypto-based betting are imminent, emphasizing instead that the government must take steps to regulate the activity. Yolo Group’s Transition
