Massive transformations are underway within the iGaming landscape this year, driven mainly by technological advancement, more demanding user behavior, and increasing global access. So far this year, the iGaming industry has seen a few notable victories. For instance, the UK Gambling Commission reduced the deposit thresholds from £500 to £150 and banned operators from sending marketing content to gamers, unless they give their consent. Meanwhile, some U.S. states, including Illinois and New York, have advanced deposit limits, advertising restrictions, and micro-betting caps. When it comes to Europe, operators in countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany have stricter AML/KYC requirements to meet starting this year. Lastly, companies in countries within the Eastern Union and Africa, particularly South Africa, Nigeria, and the Balkans, are developing and releasing their own iGaming tools, tailored for local users.
As you’ll see below, a powerful combination of tighter regulation, technological innovation, and new business models is setting the stage for a transformative year, bringing changes that could define 2026 and beyond.
Market expansion and emerging regions
An increasing number of regions are making iGaming legal for the first time in history, thanks to tightening regulations and advancing technology. Opportunity thus expands with innovation and protection.
The U.S. has every state determine on its own whether and how it’ll legalize and control online gambling. True to form, entertainment-advanced states like Michigan and New Jersey already have online casinos, while Illinois and New York are still debating how and if the legalization will take place.
More Latin American countries have opened the doors to legal iGaming. Brazil has been emerging as a significant iGaming hub, with a mobile-first, fervent player base in formation, local payment integration, and considerable revenue prospects. At the same time, Peru’s new licensing regime has opened the door for numerous, weighty operators to launch their products for the population. While not exactly there, Mexico is making progress in this direction and is expected to follow in the footsteps of Brazil and Peru, potentially offering its large consumer base a regulated iGaming market.
Crypto, blockchain, and web3 integration
Blockchain’s integration in iGaming is growing, with almost 60% of transactions in some crypto casinos now being conducted in BTC (Bitcoin) or ETH (Ethereum). These two, along with a few other well-established cryptocurrencies, are solidifying their positions as the most reliable coins for sportsbooks and casinos.
Provably fair gaming and smart contracts ensure trust and transparency by proving that the games are fair, automating transactions, and eliminating doubt or manipulation, helping online casinos earn user trust. One of the most notable emerging trends among gamers is pool betting—and it’s quickly gaining attention.
Unlike traditional fixed-odds betting, where the payout is established when the bet is placed, pool betting collects all the stakes into a single fund. It distributes the winnings among those who bet correctly on an event’s outcome after the result is known. This model is made possible by the collective and is gaining significant traction, especially on crypto-enabled platforms, where pooled bets are mixed with blockchain-based settlement. This results in a faster and more efficient system that’s verifiably fair. In light of the growing demand for transparency and innovation in iGaming, pool betting is quickly becoming a standout feature for operators seeking to outshine their peers in today’s highly competitive market.
Personalized UX
User experiences (UX) are becoming increasingly customer-centered and tailored to each one’s different goals and needs. Personalized activity is an integral component of the majority of online experiences today – yet, the online gambling landscape hasn’t explored this aspect much until recently. The iGaming sector used to fall short when compared with other e-commerce sectors. But the time for a change has come. As we progress into 2025, expect to see a shift in how experiences are tailored, a transformation that’s led mainly by artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is helping online casinos become smarter, safer, and more personalized, which keeps players engaged while protecting the platform from fraud. It’s a major factor in shaping the future of iGaming.
The trend has naturally led to another development, namely the B2B loyalty system in iGaming. iGaming companies, like casino operators and tech platform providers, are increasingly utilizing B2B loyalty systems to strengthen relationships with key business partners, such as affiliates, agents, and other operators.
Mobile-first dominance
Mobile leads other devices in user penetration by a significant margin, with over 75% of bets now originating from smartphones as of early 2025. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and native apps with biometric authentication, instant push updates, and modular front-end designs are no longer optional – they determine the success of an operator.
Many operators are investing in the hybrid infrastructure, blending traditional betting systems with blockchain layers and serverless hosting, to ensure high availability and scalability when demand explodes. This hybrid model enables platforms to maintain the familiarity and reliability of legacy systems while benefiting from the security, automation, and global accessibility offered by decentralized technologies.
What to expect in 2026?
The seeds planted this year in the iGaming landscape are shaping the expectations for next year. For instance, it’s predicted that experiences like pool betting and tokenized rewards will become more common. Mature AI ecosystems will enable full personalization, from VIP journeys to onboarding bonuses—all while reinforcing responsible gaming safeguards.
Cloud-first platforms make super-responsive and immersive experiences real, hosting environments that can support massive activity without compromising platform reliability. And the evolution of these trends only continues.
A transformative mid-year moment
The iGaming landscape has undergone colossal shifts from early 2025 to the middle of the year. The trends discovered above aren’t just trends—they’ve laid the foundation for 2026’s iGaming revolutionary ecosystem. Stay close if you want to learn how the market’s changing in real-time. Currently, you can expect operators to invest more in user-centric design, protection, and engagement retention, among other areas.