Yaspa Triumphs at SBC Awards 2026: Recognition for AI-Driven Payment Solutions

The global iGaming industry turned its focus to Lisbon on October 1, where the SBC Awards 2026 concluded the SBC Summit. In the prestigious MEO Arena, approximately 1,000 guests gathered to honor excellence among operators, affiliates, and suppliers. The spotlight shone brightly on Yaspa, a fintech company that emerged victorious in the competitive Payment Solution of the Year category. Founded in 2017 by a former Worldpay CTO, Yaspa has specialized in bridging the gap between Open Banking and artificial intelligence.

The victory in Lisbon is not an isolated event but part of a successful series of accolades for Yaspa in 2026. Earlier in the year, the company was recognized at the SBC Awards Europe in May and secured two trophies at the EGR B2B Awards in June for AI Solutions Provider and Safer Gambling Supplier. This run of success indicates a strong market demand for solutions that combine transactional speed with robust player protection mechanisms. James Neville, CEO of Yaspa, expressed his pride following the ceremony.

“We’re thrilled to be named as Payment Solution of the Year by the SBC award judges and congratulate all the other winners and shortlisted companies. This recognition from the iGaming industry after a successful Summit in Lisbon is a huge honour for everyone involved with Yaspa.” - James Neville, CEO of Yaspa

Numbers and facts

The economic momentum driving this success is substantial. Over the past 18 months, Yaspa has experienced sustained growth, supported by a $12 million investment round led by Discerning Capital. This funding enabled the company to expand its physical footprint, including a technology hub in Leeds, UK, which opened in August 2025, and an office in Atlanta, USA. Regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Yaspa’s core product suite features real-time "Pay by Bank" payments integrated with verified customer data and account verification services.

Background

The SBC Awards, now in their thirteenth year, serve as a barometer for technological innovation in the betting and gaming sector. The gala in Lisbon was hosted by broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher and Dutch football legend Edgar Davids. While major operators like Betsson Group and Kaizen Gaming dominated the operator categories, Yaspa’s win reflects the growing complexity of the underlying infrastructure. Utilizing AI for risk assessment and identity verification is no longer a luxury but a necessity to comply with strict European anti-money laundering (AML) directives.

Why it matters for German players

For German players active in casinos licensed by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), innovations like Yaspa’s are of direct relevance. The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) imposes high standards for identity verification and payment processing. German players are subject to a cross-provider monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, monitored by the LUGAS system. Open Banking solutions can facilitate these mandatory verifications in seconds, replacing the days-long wait for manual document reviews. Furthermore, the AI-driven approach helps detect problematic gambling behavior, aligning with German player protection goals.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German whitelist operators must ensure every transaction is fully traceable. The one-euro stake limit for online slots requires highly efficient systems to maintain profitability under heavy taxation and regulation. By utilizing award-winning solutions like Yaspa, operators can offer a seamless user experience without compromising on strict KYC (Know Your Customer) processes. In an environment where the GGL actively enforces payment blocking against illegal entities, licensed providers using FCA-regulated services gain essential legal certainty for their German operations.