How Banks Really Think: Inside Payments, Compliance & Risk in iGaming | Viktoria Soltesz

Welcome to the show. Today we’re joined by Viktoria Soltesz to discuss the complex intersection of banking, payments, and the iGaming industry. Viktoria, let’s start with the big picture. How has the banking landscape changed over the last several years?

It’s been a seismic shift, really starting with the 2008 financial crisis. Following that, we saw massive regulatory pressure and a surge in risk aversion. Banks moved away from relationship-based lending and shifted their focus toward strict compliance. For startups trying to get a foothold today, that transition has made everything significantly more difficult.

That certainly sets a challenging stage. How did you personally get involved in helping businesses navigate this environment?

My own journey took me from a traditional corporate employee role to becoming a specialized consultant. I realized there was a real need for someone to help companies decode these complex financial waters and bridge the gap between their business needs and what banks actually require.

You’ve developed what you call the ‘Soltesz Payment Framework’ to help with this. Could you explain what that is?

It’s a methodology I developed specifically to help operators streamline their financial architecture. The goal is to minimize friction in payment processing, which is vital when you are dealing with the rigid systems banks have in place today.

Why do iGaming companies, in particular, face such heavy compliance hurdles?

Traditional institutions often label iGaming as high-risk. This is largely due to the jurisdictional complexities inherent in the industry, combined with the stringent anti-money laundering requirements that banks must enforce. It creates a very difficult environment for operators.

Are there any specific red flags that companies should watch out for when trying to secure banking services?

Yes, there is a critical danger regarding unregulated payment introducers. They might promise easy access to banking, but they often lead companies into very precarious situations. You have to be very careful who you trust in this space.

For our listeners who are founders, what is your best advice for selecting a payment provider?

My advice is to look beyond the marketing promises. Instead, focus entirely on transparency, the long-term stability of the provider, and their depth of industry expertise. You need to build a resilient payment infrastructure, and that only comes from choosing partners who truly understand the industry.