Experts Share iGaming Trends Predictions for 2025

Not with operators and game designers working so hard to keep pumping out new ideas, new innovations, new ways to elevate progressive jackpots and make slot bonus rounds exciting, new live-dealer games and bespoke titles. I don’t believe, even in a relatively mature online gaming state like Jersey, that iCasino is finished finding its audience. There was a time when $100 million in online casino revenue in a single state in a single month seemed impossible. Then came COVID lockdowns, and $100 million months became the norm in New Jersey. Three times in 2024, New Jersey crossed $200 million, includingNovember’s record $214 million.

High tax is no barrier to a strong regulated market, it just means the operator pool thins out quickly, but restrictive regulations are. Brazil is a very crypto-savvy market, and while a lot of licenses have been awarded there will be a number of very effective black market operators happily sat outside taking advantage of all the things regulated operators are not allowed to do. Equally operators who have been making hay in the grey market now saddled with tax and operating restrictions won’t be jumping for joy. As 2024 draws to a close, key figures in the casino industry offer their perspectives on the year’s developments and share predictions for 2025. Their insights provide valuable foresight into the ever-changing world of gambling. This is reminiscent of the 1919 Black Sox scandal that almost brought baseball betting to a halt.

• The live dealer segment has evolved significantly, incorporating 4K streaming capabilities and dynamic camera systems that allow players to view games from multiple angles, creating an authentic casino atmosphere from remote locations.
• The surge in mobile gambling has been particularly noteworthy, driven by the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets that enable users to place bets at any time and location.
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• Government campaigns notwithstanding, casino gaming, poker, and sports betting demand is on the rise.
• Germany’s online gambling industry is rapidly growing due to the enactment of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStV) in 2021, which fully legalized online sports betting and casino games.

Leaders in blockchain, digital assets, Web 3.0, regulation and AI gathered to shape the future of DeFi (decentralized finance) and the internet. Consensus 2025 – the flagship event of a major crypto company – brought together over 14,000 attendees from 102 countries at Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre this May. As development for the 2025 iGaming Trends Report intensifies, SOFTSWISS remains devoted to capturing the most significant shifts and trends in the industry through expert feedback. These gathered insights will be foundational in crafting a meaningful and resourceful document, aiding decision-makers in navigating the evolving iGaming terrain. Participation in this initiative not only broadens the collective knowledge of the sector but assists in shaping a resource essential for future strategic planning.

Big Predictions For The Gambling Industry In 2025

Yet most players use VPNs and cryptocurrencies to access offshore gambling websites, which are still challenging to control. Government campaigns notwithstanding, casino gaming, poker, and sports betting demand is on the rise. The government has ramped up fines and cybersecurity efforts to stifle unauthorized platforms, but the availability of global online gambling websites points to enduring demand in the nation. For instance, in January 2024, Lucky Block diversified its portfolio of online casinos by adding more than 150 live and interactive games with improved user engagement options. Also, the addition of cryptocurrency as a form of payment and round-the-clock customer support is further increasing the popularity of online casinos to facilitate secure and uninterrupted gaming sessions.

Conversely, trends in gambling industry, such as Virtual Reality (VR), which started off slower, is now becoming a more and more creative component in many different fields, including iGaming. Virtual reality has brought virtual lobbies and social areas where users may investigate new games, interact with others, and find ones they might not have otherwise come across. These lobbies offer consumers a customized experience in addition to a means of marketing games. Actually, VR generates bespoke lobbies fit for specific gamers when coupled with artificial intelligence, thereby improving the whole gaming experience.

The iGaming Trends 2025 Report presents a unique opportunity for industry professionals to voice their insights to a global audience. SOFTSWISS encourages participants to share forecasts and predictions that will define the iGaming landscape over the coming years. Experts are invited to follow a specific link provided by SOFTSWISS to submit their input. While anonymity is an option for contributors, those who wish to be credited can include their contact details in their submissions. Furthermore, SOFTSWISS is recognizing selected contributors with exclusive gifts, shipped at no cost to them.

Although the industry, including the American Gaming Association, and the online interactive business trade association iDEA (iDevelopment and Economic Association), have pleaded for the U.S. Department of Justice to address the problem of the illegal market, we predict that we will not see a federal crackdown within the next year. Perhaps we will even see some state regulators working together to investigate and crackdown on unregulated offshore gambling sites.

The online lottery and online bingo segments complete the online gambling market landscape, each serving distinct consumer preferences and gaming experiences. The online lottery segment continues to benefit from the digitalization of traditional lottery systems and the introduction of instant-win games on mobile platforms. Meanwhile, the online bingo segment has evolved beyond its traditional demographic, attracting younger players through social gaming features and community-based gameplay elements. Both segments have embraced technological innovations, including mobile-first approaches and social integration features, to enhance player engagement and retention. The implementation of responsible gaming measures and regulatory compliance has also helped these segments maintain their position in the market while ensuring sustainable growth.

Though harsh laws and religious constraints restrict gambling across most countries in the Middle East, online betting is on the rise in some areas via offshore sites and cryptocurrency-based betting. In Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa in Africa, the market is recording robust growth on account of mobile-based betting, growing digital payment systems, and football betting popularity. Nonetheless, regulatory risks 22bet casino and gambling addiction concerns remain driving market dynamics.

By 2025, we expect deep integration of popular payment apps like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay into iGaming platforms, offering players a wide range of familiar payment options. With advancements in payment infrastructure and the adoption of technologies like Ripple’s XRP, cross-border transactions in iGaming will become nearly instantaneous by 2025. This will open up new markets for operators and provide a smoother experience for international players. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms will revolutionize fraud detection in iGaming payments. These technologies will analyze vast amounts of data in real time, identifying suspicious patterns and preventing fraudulent transactions before they occur, significantly reducing financial risks for both operators and players.

Regional Insights

The mobile gambling market has emerged as the dominant force in the online gambling market, commanding approximately 57% of the total market share in 2024. This segment’s supremacy can be attributed to the rapid technological advances in mobile devices, which have transformed gambling into a more immersive and accessible experience. The increasing number of vendors accepting cash alternatives (virtual money) has significantly contributed to the segment’s growth. The surge in smartphone penetration, with over 275 million mobile devices in circulation across the United States alone, has exponentially increased the market potential for the mobile gaming market. The segment is experiencing robust growth at nearly 15% annually through 2029, driven by faster internet connectivity that enables operators to stream various events worldwide, allowing consumers to bet from their mobile devices. Major players like Betfair, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, Ladbrokes, and Unibet are heavily investing in mobile platforms to enhance user experience and expand their consumer base.

Countries like Malta and the UK have established comprehensive frameworks that balance consumer protection with industry growth. These markets serve as blueprints for emerging regions, demonstrating how regulated online gambling can generate substantial tax revenue while maintaining high operational standards. The Rest of the World market, encompassing South America and the Middle East & Africa, presents diverse opportunities and challenges. South America is witnessing progressive regulatory changes, with countries like Colombia leading the way in establishing regulated online gambling frameworks.

The Middle East & Africa region shows varying levels of market development, with some countries maintaining strict restrictions while others are gradually opening up to online gambling activities. South America emerges as the largest market in this region, while also demonstrating the fastest growth potential due to increasing internet penetration and regulatory reforms. The Rest of Asia-Pacific region demonstrates the highest growth potential in the region. Countries like the Philippines and India are emerging as significant markets with increasing internet penetration and smartphone adoption. The region is witnessing growing interest in sports betting, particularly in cricket and football. The market is characterized by rapid technological adoption and increasing disposable income among the young population.