Karine Hakobyan, a legal professional at SoftConstruct, has been admitted as a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), a globally recognised association of gaming attorneys and professionals. The appointment strengthens both Hakobyan’s individual standing in the iGaming legal community and SoftConstruct’s broader regulatory profile. IMGL membership is typically reserved for practitioners who have demonstrated sustained expertise in gaming law across multiple jurisdictions.
What Hakobyan’s IMGL Membership Signals for SoftConstruct
Membership in the IMGL carries weight in the gaming industry because the organisation operates on an invitation and application basis, vetting candidates for their depth of experience in regulatory and legal matters. Before diving into the specifics, here are the strategic takeaways from this development:
- Regulatory credibility boost: Having an IMGL-recognised legal professional on staff reinforces SoftConstruct’s positioning as a compliance-forward operator in a sector under increasing regulatory scrutiny.
- Cross-jurisdictional reach: IMGL members often advise on licensing and regulatory frameworks across dozens of markets, which could expand SoftConstruct’s ability to navigate complex multi-market operations.
- The appointment may also serve as a recruitment signal, attracting legal talent who want to work alongside recognised industry peers.
- Industry networking: IMGL conferences and working groups give members access to regulators, policymakers, and senior legal practitioners globally, a channel that benefits the companies they represent.
Who Is IMGL and Why Does It Matter?
The International Masters of Gaming Law functions as a professional body connecting gaming lawyers, regulators, and compliance specialists across the world. Its membership roster includes attorneys from major law firms, in-house counsel at gaming operators, and former regulators. What sets it apart from broader legal associations is its narrow focus: gaming law, and nothing else.
That specificity matters. In a sector where regulatory landscapes shift rapidly (and where a single licensing misstep can shut down operations in an entire market), having legal professionals embedded in this network gives companies a structural advantage. IMGL members regularly participate in panels at ICE, G2E, and other major gaming conferences, shaping the discourse around responsible gambling, anti-money laundering compliance, and emerging technology regulation.
SoftConstruct’s Growing Regulatory Footprint
SoftConstruct, the technology and gaming group behind brands like BetConstruct and FeedConstruct, has been expanding its presence across regulated markets in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The company operates a broad ecosystem spanning sportsbook platforms, casino solutions, and esports infrastructure. And while its technology stack has been a primary differentiator, legal and regulatory readiness increasingly determines which markets a B2B gaming supplier can realistically enter.
Hakobyan’s recognition by IMGL fits within a pattern. Companies operating in the iGaming supply chain have been investing heavily in legal talent over the past three years, driven by tightening regulations in markets like the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and several US states. The cost of non-compliance has risen sharply, not just in fines but in reputational damage and lost licensing opportunities.
The Broader Trend: Legal Talent as Competitive Infrastructure
There was a time when gaming companies treated legal departments as back-office functions. That era is over.
Today, in-house legal teams at major gaming suppliers and operators are expected to do far more than review contracts. They shape market-entry strategy, manage relationships with regulators, and increasingly sit at the table during product development discussions, particularly around AI-driven personalisation tools and responsible gambling features that carry regulatory implications. The companies that attract and retain top-tier legal professionals arguably gain a measurable edge in speed-to-market and regulatory resilience.
Hakobyan’s admission to IMGL reflects this shift. It is not merely an individual accolade; it signals that SoftConstruct views legal expertise as a front-line capability rather than a support function. Whether that translates into faster licensing approvals or smoother regulatory audits remains to be seen, but the direction is clear.
How IMGL Membership Benefits Gaming Companies
| Benefit | Practical Impact |
|---|---|
| Peer network access | Direct relationships with gaming attorneys and former regulators across 50+ jurisdictions |
| Conference participation | Speaking and panel roles at major industry events, raising company visibility |
| Regulatory intelligence | Early insight into legislative changes and enforcement trends |
| Professional credibility | Third-party validation of legal expertise, useful during licensing applications and due diligence processes |
Strategic Framing: What This Means in Practice
When a company’s legal representative gains recognition from an external body like IMGL, it reframes how regulators and partners perceive that organisation. In licensing hearings, the credentials of key personnel are scrutinised closely. Having IMGL-affiliated counsel can, at least on paper, smooth the path through suitability reviews and background investigations that are standard in jurisdictions like Malta, Gibraltar, and several US states.
Still, credentials alone do not guarantee outcomes. What matters is how this recognition translates into operational decisions: which markets SoftConstruct targets next, how it structures compliance frameworks for new product verticals, and whether Hakobyan’s expanded network accelerates any of those timelines. The appointment is a building block, not a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IMGL?
The International Masters of Gaming Law is a professional association of attorneys and legal professionals specialising exclusively in gaming law. Members are selected based on demonstrated expertise and contribution to the field.
How does IMGL membership benefit a company like SoftConstruct?
It provides access to a global network of gaming law specialists and regulators, enhances the company’s credibility during licensing processes, and gives its legal team early visibility into regulatory developments across multiple jurisdictions. In practice, these connections can shorten the time it takes to understand and respond to new compliance requirements.
Is IMGL membership open to anyone in the gaming industry?
No. Membership requires a demonstrated track record in gaming law and is subject to review by existing members.
