What compliance is NOT

24/09/2025 49 min Episodio 37
What compliance is NOT

Listen "What compliance is NOT"

Episode Synopsis


Why "compliance" might be the worst job title in iGaming — and what it should really be called instead.In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo chats with Alex Henderson, VP of Compliance at Midnite and co-host of Compliance Chronicles. From financial investigations at the UK National Crime Agency to scaling compliance teams across multiple markets, Alex reveals the hidden realities of leadership in regulated industries.What You'll Discover:Why shifting from "every customer is a criminal" changes everythingThe million-dollar mistake that taught Alex his biggest leadership lessonHow to build trust-based teams that can take calculated risksReal strategies for supporting teams without burning them outWhat to do when leadership decisions backfire publiclyWhy making mistakes is essential for growth (even expensive ones)This isn't your typical compliance conversation — it's raw, practical leadership advice for anyone managing teams in complex, regulated environments.🎧 IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 – Why "compliance" is the worst possible name for the role04:00 – Shifting mindset: not every customer is a criminal07:00 – Leadership by trust: enabling teams to take risks10:00 – When quick decisions backfire and cost millions14:00 – Customer experience in gambling: speed dating or lost forever15:00 – Building a compliance team from 1 to 30+ people17:00 – Hard leadership lessons: overwork, burnout, and compassion28:00 – Losing respect publicly and how to recover trust36:00 – When things go wrong and you're blamed unfairly40:00 – Handling redundancies and supporting people afterwards44:00 – What makes a "great leader" and the role of mistakes💡 KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE "The whole role of working in compliance is protection.""I'd rather go full-flat being innovative than follow mediocracy.""I cost the company a lot of money there… fantastic for compliance, but commercially a massive impact.""I was told early on: don't build relationships with your team because you'll have to fire them. I learned the hard way that's exactly what you should do.""I'll never stop making mistakes. They're the biggest lessons I've had in leadership."🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOWAlex Henderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanda-h-114911145/Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/ABOUT THE GUEST Alex Henderson brings extensive experience in compliance, regulatory affairs, and operational risk within the gambling sector. His career spans work with leading operators, law enforcement agencies, and advisory firms, giving him a unique perspective on both commercial and regulatory challenges. He co-hosts The Compliance Chronicles, a podcast helping peers navigate complex regulatory environments.SUBSCRIBE for more leadership insights from iGaming's top executives and innovators!