This special feature brings together voices from across the iGaming ecosystem — from operators and affiliates to technology providers and studios — to uncover how the industry’s leaders are preparing for what’s next.
In an industry as dynamic as iGaming, standing still is not an option. Rapid technological shifts, changing player behaviours and an increasingly complex regulatory environment are forcing brands to rethink what it means to be future-ready. As we look ahead to the next five years, success will hinge not on incremental improvements but on bold, forward-looking strategies that can withstand the volatility of a fast-evolving global market.
This month’s iGaming News feature brings together voices from across the iGaming ecosystem — from operators and affiliates to technology providers and studios — to uncover how the industry’s leaders are preparing for what’s next. Moving beyond familiar narratives, we’ve invited each contributor to share their unique vision: how they are leveraging innovation, sustainability and resilience to not only survive but thrive in the face of change.
Kate Marsden, CMO at Yaspa:
“At Yaspa, we’re helping iGaming operators future-proof their payments strategies by combining the transformative potential of open banking with the power of AI. Our Intelligent Payments solution uses real-time open banking data and advanced AI analytics to assess player affordability, spending behaviours, and risk signals at the point of deposit. This proactive approach enables operators to meet responsible gambling obligations seamlessly, while alsobuilding player trust and loyalty in a safer, more transparent gaming environment.
“Open banking already provides players with fast, transparent and secure payment methods. When supercharged by AI, this technology offers smarter fraud detection, more personalised experiences, faster onboarding, and adaptive payment processes – all of which enhance the player journey. For iGaming operators, this means not just better compliance and security, but also higher conversion and retention rates.
“Of course, adopting these innovations comes with responsibilities – ensuring data privacy, consent, regulatory compliance, and a human-centric approach are all essential. But done right, AI and open banking promise a future where payments are more efficient, intelligent, and user-friendly than ever before.
“In iGaming, where competition is fierce and player trust is paramount, embracing this technology isn’t just about staying ahead – it’s about setting a new standard for player experience and operational excellence, built on the synergy of AI and open banking.”
Dr. Eyal Loz, Chief Product Officer at RubyPlay:
“The two big words in iGaming right now are branding and gamification, and for a good reason! The industry is awash with two types of businesses; new operators and content providers.
Operators compete with each other on the limited attention of players, and content providers compete on the limited slots in the release roadmap of operators. In this challenging landscape, how can existing businesses protect and grow market share? Where do we see alignment between operators and content providers, and where do they differ?
Operators want to create evergreen brands. After they establish brand loyalty with players, they need to continually maintain this brand or perish – losing market share to newcomers. Operators can do so by creating a constant flow of branded content and features that will distinguish them from their competitors. That is, branded content creates a strong comfort zone for players who align with that brand, where they are willing to try new features, and trust new experiences. Gamified feature flows and branded content can go a long way in keeping players engaged and entertained. Not only that players will trust the brand, but they will also come back daily to see what’s new.
Suppliers are on a similar mission – identify evergreen mechanics and create brandable opportunities for their clients. It’sno secret, top performing mechanics are few and far between, so creating gamified branded flows can bring a lot of value.Players will come back to the slot asking, what is new and exciting with my favourite game?”
David Lovell, Director at DragonBet:
“Future-proofing at DragonBet is about staying true to our roots while evolving with the industry. Compliance and regulatory awareness are fundamental, but they’re just part of the equation. We’re continuously investing in platform updates to enhance the customer journey and introducing innovative offers that reflect how our players’ needs are changing.
Crucially, we believe the brands that will succeed are those that can balance progress with brand authenticity. For us, that means not only keeping pace with technology and regulation but maintaining a deep understanding of our customer base. Knowing who our players are allows us to grow without losing the identity and trust that define DragonBet.”
CEO of the VentureMax Group, Justin Anastasi.
Future proofing in iGaming isn’t about chasing momentary trends but rather about building a holistic, adaptive infrastructure, both technically but also culturally. Which is why we are focused on modular, interoperable tech that has the potential to evolve with the market and not simply just respond to it.
Today AI, machine learning and automation tools aren’t just buzzwords but rather tools we’re using to refine things like player segmentation, personalise experiences, and optimise operations at pace.
Although I must say, technology alone isn’t enough. Regulatory complexity, shifting demographics, and ESG expectations ultimately mean that now resilience requires a new level of strategic depth. So to me, in an industry that isbeing redefined by speed and scrutiny, the winners will ultimately be those who build with intention today for long-term success tomorrow.
Sam Jones, CEO and Founder of 155.io:
Our philosophy at 155.io is that the future of iGaming content must be dynamic, not solely digital. We’re creating content for a mobile-first generation that expects livestreams, fast swipes, and unpredictable outcomes. ducks.io is the latest real-world, 24/7 live racing game to join our portfolio – bringing the next wave of chaos to the industry.
This is a real-world entertainment experience that runs 24/7 from our 10,000-square-foot warehouse, where eight plastic ducks cascade down a custom-built lazy river. Think Twitch meets sport meets slot – always live, always chaotic.
For us, future-proofing gaming revolves around real-time entertainment. Players today won’t settle for static content as they want evolving content. With ducks.io, races run every five minutes, with layered influencer commentary, social features, and a simple, sticky UX that grabs the attention of next-gen players.
We’re not just curating our portfolio with more of the same, we’re flipping the table completely, and the potential is massive. The next five years will be dominated by creators who can truly build experiences that feel alive. That’s why 155.io isn’t just developing games – we’re producing a live content stream that adapts as fast as the market does.
Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero:
At Habanero, future-proofing means staying ahead of the game, both in how we build our games and how we operateacross diverse markets. Our early adoption of HTML5 has been key to ensuring technological agility, allowing us to deliver mobile-optimised experiences that perform seamlessly across all devices, which is especially important in mobile-first regions like Latin America and Africa.
We have always taken a measured, local-first approach to market expansion. Rather than rolling out a one-size-fits-all product, we focus on operational excellence through localisation and a true understanding of what content engages players in each region. This enables us to tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of each market, supporting our steady growth across Europe and emerging markets while preserving the gameplay and features that define Habanero’sbroad appeal.
We are now live in over 27 regulated markets, with regulation remaining a cornerstone of our business approach. By embedding compliance into our processes from the outset, we have established a reputation for reliability and long-term partnerships, supporting sustainable growth across multiple jurisdictions.
Looking ahead, player engagement remains at the heart of our roadmap. Our trademark Jackpot Race™, a real-time, shared jackpot mechanic transforms the traditional prize pot into a dynamic, social competition, and has proven effective in driving player engagement and retention. Habanero continues to invest in customisable tournaments and promotional tools that give operators greater flexibility to connect with players.
The industry is evolving rapidly, but by combining our expert insight and creativity, Habanero is well-positioned for long-term growth.
Slotegrator:
The industry we work in was never about improving the quality of existing products. It involves technology, and what involves technology heavily depends on innovation.
Five years can be life changing! Think about it. Desktop computers entered a market in the 1990s, and the first online casino was launched in 1996. The transition between an online casino and the first mobile casino happened in 9 years between 1996 and 2005, just a few years after smartphones became common in the 2000s.
Gambling companies endure if they are ready for the future. Accurate predictions are almost impossible, but we can still analyze current technological trends and the market demand to understand what deserves attention.
We at Slotegrator notice several shifts that can shape a future industry progress:
- Socialization, communication, personalized contact, and a human touch
- Security, transparency, proved fairness, and compliance
- Accessibility, mobility, and high game speed
- Demand in all payment options and all gaming verticals available today
Knowing all that and having technologies at hand allows companies to find solutions — we integrated AI into the Business Intelligence module of its platform to optimize processes and give a clearer picture of the companies’performance. However, only unique ideas, like unusual betting options, let the companies stand out.
When it comes to regulations and emerging markets, the only thing we can do is keep ourselves updated about the latest news and surround ourselves with professional lawyers and reliable partners. Slotegrator provides consultations and assistance to let operators adapt easier.
The Conexus Group & Pentasia
As the iGaming industry accelerates into an era defined by innovation and unpredictability, futureproofing is no longer optional, it’s essential.
At The Conexus Group, we see leading operators embedding AI deep into operations, beyond front-end CX enhancingfraud detection, workforce planning, and decision-making to protect margins and scale intelligently. Meanwhile, market expansion hinges not just on regulation, but cultural fluency. Success belongs to brands that reflect local values from day one, and we help embed that cultural intelligence into market-entry strategies.
Operators are also shifting ESG from obligation to opportunity. Brands that earn real trust from regulators and communities are turning ESG into a growth lever, not just a compliance exercise. And as automation reshapes workforces, we’re helping clients build future-ready teams, reskilling talent and redesigning leadership for agility.
At Pentasia, we’re seeing clients adopt cutting-edge tech to stay ahead. AI and now machine learning power personalisation, fraud detection, and safer gambling tools. Blockchain and crypto are adding trust and speed to payments. And immersive experiences via VR, AR and live gaming are redefining how players engage.
Mobile-first strategies, gamification, and social features are transforming engagement, while emerging markets like Brazil and Africa offer exciting growth, if approached with strategic intent.
The next five years will reward the bold. Future-ready iGaming brands aren’t just reacting to change; they’re building for it.
Gamzix:
As the iGaming landscape evolves, Gamzix is future-proofing through innovation, reliability, and a proactive strategy. The next five years will be shaped by increasing regulation, higher player expectations, and a growing demand for localizedcontent. Our team is aligning with these trends – expanding into new markets, obtaining additional licenses, and fine-tuning its portfolio to meet regional tastes.
A cornerstone of our approach is mobile-first development, ensuring every game delivers a smooth, fast, and engaging experience on any device. Game engine enhancements and advanced optimization are key. We’ve introduced major upgrades in graphics and performance with our new game engine – and now, we’re pushing even further.
Every title is crafted with intent – merging timeless mechanics with modern, handcrafted design. Our in-house sound producer creates immersive audio environments that elevate player engagement. Looking ahead, real-time personalizationand AI-driven features will further tailor gameplay to each user, redefining the player experience.
We don’t just create great games – we build intelligent experiences. Backed by business intelligence tools, our data-driven strategy connects player behavior to commercial goals, creating a feedback loop that keeps our products relevant and resilient.
At Gamzix, we empower casinos to thrive with unique tools, optimized games, and a seamless experience, requiring minimal managerial effort. One thing is clear: we’re more than just a provider – we’re a strategic partner, committed to long-term success and to actively shaping the future of iGaming.
Strong Affiliates
What Do You Build When You Know the Ground Will Shift?
Permanence is a myth in iGaming. Every feature, mechanic, and market edge will one day dull. Markets open, close, and fracture. Regulations evolve. Players vanish as quickly as they appear. And still, companies build, some out of habit, others out of hope.
But the ones who endure don’t build for comfort. They build the way sailors do: watching the sky more than the shore. They don’t expect the Earth to stay still. They lay foundations knowing that one day, it won’t.
You can see it in how Strong Affiliates’ brands are shaped.
A sportsbook like PowBet that bends to user rhythm: bonuses, limits, and engagement designed to flow with the player, not control them.
A dual-world like Spinsy, where sports and slots are not separated by tabs, but stitched into a single experience.
Or Casinoly, perfectly fluent in the languages of new markets and gamified UX.
And Cashed: a vault of over 5,000 titles, yes, but arranged like a playlist, not a warehouse.
Still, the question remains… What if none of this is enough?
“You can’t outrun change, but you can outbuild it. The difference is knowing what matters when the ground does shift, as well as making sure your partners aren’t standing on sand,” says Maddison Newton, Head of Affiliates at Strong Affiliates.
Maybe that’s what future-proofing really is. Not prediction. Not panic. Just the discipline to build with change in mind,and the nerve to welcome it when it comes.
Stars Partners
AI as Infrastructure, Not Just a Tool
In leading iGaming companies, AI is no longer treated as an add-on—it’s becoming embedded into the core of operations. We see brands use machine learning to optimize player segmentation in real time, automate A/B testing of content, and dynamically adjust risk models for fraud prevention. This shift reduces manual load and accelerates decision-making, enabling lean teams to manage increasingly complex portfolios.
Modular Platforms for True Scalability
The move toward modular architecture isn’t just about speed—it’s about control. Operators are demanding platforms that allow independent deployment of game engines, CRM, compliance modules, and third-party tools. This microservices approach means brands can pivot quickly when entering new markets or adjusting to local regulatory changes, without disrupting their global infrastructure. We’re working with partners who now launch in multiple jurisdictions simultaneously—something that would have been operationally impossible five years ago.
Hyper-Personalization as a Default Standard
Player expectations are rising fast. Generic lobbies and one-size-fits-all bonuses no longer drive retention. Forward-looking brands are integrating real-time behavioral data into their engagement engines—offering adaptive game recommendations, dynamic bonuses, and even UI personalization per user segment. This level of targeting, powered by AI and real-time data, is proving essential for increasing lifetime value across both casual and VIP segments.
The next five years will reward those who don’t just digitize, but reinvent how they build and scale value.