Global Gaming Solutions has launched a new Internal Audit and Assurance service for the online gambling sector, appointing Hannah McCune as Head of Internal Audit and Assurance to lead the initiative.
With tighter regulations and more rigorous compliance checks being imposed on the iGaming sector in recent years, financial penalties for non-compliant firms now run into the millions, and license suspensions and revocations are rising. The launch of the Internal Audit and Assurance service comes after increasing demand for not only comprehensive advice, but also practical support to help clients identify and remediate compliance failings.
Hannah McCune is a former Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (IOM GSC) Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Counter Terrorist-Financing (CTF) Inspector and during her time, she worked on some of the Commission’s highest profile cases. Before this, she worked in the private sector for over seven years providing compliance support to licence holders in various jurisdictions.
Hannah’s experience allows Global Gaming Solutions to offer a unique service that will assess through a regulator’s lens whilst understanding the pressures of meeting regulatory expectations and therefore able to offer clients balanced advice and guidance for remediation.
Internal Audit and Assurance service includes:
- Provide a rigorous review of existing policies against every applicable regulatory requirement.
- Test whether risk assessments and procedures are followed in practice and not just on paper through player data sampling.
- Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of a firm’s controls.
- Conduct mock inspections to set the tone and expectations for a real regulatory inspection.
- Produce a clear, board-ready report of findings, recommendations and priority actions.
- Provide practical remediation support to close identified gaps.
- Provide ongoing support in relation to ad-hoc compliance queries.
The launch of the internal audit and assurance services comes at a particularly important time for the Isle of Man, as the island has seen an influx in enforcement cases as the IOM GSC continues to tighten its enforcement strategy, similar to what has been seen in the UK and Malta.
As an example, the IOM GSC issued its largest civil penalty in 2025, of £5.6 million discounted by 30% to £3.9 million. This year the IOM GSC announced the introduction of the Gambling (Civil Penalties) Regulations 2026 to strengthen its powers to impose civil penalties on individuals. The new regulations will allow the IOM GSC to impose civil penalties up to £50,000 on those holding key roles such as Directors, senior management, the MLRO and AML/CFT Compliance Officer.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has also strengthened its enforcement framework. In October 2025, they introduced percentage-based penalties that could reach 15% or more of an operator’s gross gaming yield. Tying fines directly to revenue. The UK GC’s approach continues to intensify, with a £10 million financial penalty imposed in 2025, and another operator forced to exit the market entirely over AML failings.
In 2025, the Malta Gaming Authority issued its highest total of issued penalties since 2021, further contributing to the increasing trend of regulatory fines and penalties.
Mark O’Neill, Managing Director of Global Gaming Solutions, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Hannah to the team and offer a practical solution that helps operators manage their compliance issues with real-world regulatory experience and practical, ongoing support. The service embodies our view as a business that independent assurance is no longer good governance; it is an essential safeguard for protecting licenses, reputation, and long-term success.”
“I’m very excited to be working alongside such a talented group of professionals at Global Gaming Solutions,” shared Hannah McCune, about her new role as Head of Internal Audit and Assurance at Global Gaming Solutions. “The business is well established in the sector, and I’m pleased we’re able to meet the ongoing demand of our clients. My experience at the Gambling Supervision Commission has reaffirmed the importance of taking a proactive approach to compliance and has given me the tools to offer a framework that is comprehensive but practical. I believe the new Internal Audit and Assurance service stands alone in being able to offer a regulatory perspective and ongoing practical support for clients.”
