iGaming News: Industry Hits New Heights in 2025 - Record Revenue Growth and Major Market Expansions

The iGaming industry continues its remarkable growth trajectory in 2025, with major operators reporting strong Q1 earnings and new markets opening their doors to regulated online gaming. Several key developments are reshaping the landscape, from Brazil's historic market launch to advanced player protection technologies gaining ground across the globe.

Major Operators Report Strong Q1 2025 Performance

The first quarter of 2025 delivered impressive results for many leading iGaming companies. OPAP posted 8.2% revenue growth in Q1 2025, driven primarily by a surge in iGaming and sports betting activities. Online gaming revenues at OPAP surged 19.8% to €84.9 million ($96.95 million), comprising nearly half of the company's total online revenue for the quarter.

Betsson Group started 2025 with positive momentum, posting Q1 results with €293.7 million in revenue. When compared to Q1 2024, this represents an 18% increase, demonstrating the continued strength of the European iGaming market.

Light & Wonder also reported steady growth, with Q1 2025 revenue rising 2% to $774 million, marking the company's 16th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth. Gaming revenue rose 4%, while iGaming revenue increased by 4%, though their SciPlay division declined by 2%. The company's adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $311 million, with adjusted NPATA growing 11% to $117 million.

Brazil's Historic Market Launch Transforms Global iGaming 

Brazil's regulated iGaming market officially launched on January 1, 2025, following the passage of Law No. 14,790/2023. This historic moment marks the beginning of a new era for what industry experts expect to become a top-three global market.

The launch has already generated significant economic impact, with well over BRL2 billion (£272.4 million/€326.1 million/$352.1 million) paid in online license fees. The regulatory framework requires that only companies headquartered or incorporated in Brazil are eligible for licenses, with at least 20% of share capital required to be Brazilian-owned.

However, land-based casino gaming remains in legislative limbo. Despite the Brazil Justice and Citizenship Committee approving PL 2,234/2022 to legalize land-based casinos, bingo, jogo do bicho and betting on horse racing in June last year, the senate vote was postponed on numerous occasions. The election of pro-gaming Davi Alcolumbre as senate president in February has renewed industry confidence that land-based legalization will finally move forward this year.

Ontario's Market Continues Strong Performance

Canada's Ontario market has maintained its competitive edge, with over 70 licensed operators as of Q1 2025, generating significant tax revenue and offering a competitive market environment. Ontario allows private operators to enter the market, subject to meeting strict regulatory standards.

The province's approach has created pressure on other Canadian provinces to follow Ontario's lead by opening their markets to private operators. Discussions are currently underway regarding a potential federal framework for harmonizing standards across provinces.

Emerging Technology Trends Shape 2025 iGaming

Mobile-First iGaming Dominance

Mobile gaming continues to dominate the iGaming sector, with approximately 75% of online casino players preferring to use mobile devices for their gaming activities. This trend has pushed developers beyond simple website optimization toward designing exclusively for mobile platforms.

Expect faster, more responsive gaming environments and fewer barriers to entry for casual players, with smooth sign-up processes, mobile wallets, and one-tap betting becoming the industry norm.

Virtual Reality Gaming Growth

The virtual reality gaming market is experiencing significant expansion, with the global VR gaming market size projected to grow from $22.63 billion in 2024 to $189.17 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 30.4%. North America dominated the global market with a share of 37.42% in 2023.

In February 2024, Alphabet's venture capital arm, GV, invested in StatusPro, a sports VR startup, in a $20 million funding round. Other investors included JDS Sports, Dream Sports, Wise Ventures, and celebrity backers such as LeBron James and NFL stars Bobby Wagner and Myles Garrett.

Live Dealer Games Market Expansion

The live dealer games market reached over $2 billion in value in 2023, with forecasts showing significant growth as more players pursue interactive gaming experiences. This movement is driven by innovations in streaming technology and the increasing demand for interactive gaming.

Evolution Gaming opened a new live dealer studio in New Jersey in 2023, catering to the growing U.S. market. This location enables players to experience classic games like blackjack and roulette with real dealers in real-time, creating a more authentic casino environment.

Responsible Gaming Takes Center Stage

Advanced Player Protection Technologies

The industry is witnessing significant advancements in responsible gaming tools for 2025. New technologies leverage players' data to recommend tailored spending and time limits. AI-powered systems can now detect gambling addiction signs through consumer behavior analysis, though questions remain about operator intentions regarding these tools.

Self-exclusion and limit tools powered by user data represent a major evolution in player protection. These systems can identify behavioral patterns and intervene before problematic gaming escalates.

Regulatory Focus on Player Safety

A 2024 meta-analysis published in The Lancet revealed that North America has the highest prevalence of risk in online gaming. However, in the U.S., there is currently a lack of standardized markers of harm, and regulations vary from state to state.

Unlike Europe, where operators are required to run affordability checks when a player deposits more than £200, the U.S. has no standardized approach to player monitoring. Most European countries require players to set deposit limits when registering, whereas in the U.S., relatively few players set deposit limits voluntarily.

Sports Betting Market Outlook

The sports betting market shows strong momentum, with projections indicating growth from $114.2 billion in 2024 to $124.39 billion in 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. Strong expansion is expected over the next few years, with projected growth up to $153.71 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.4%.

Key trends for the forecast period include concentrated efforts on integrating augmented and virtual reality, mobile betting offerings, implementation of artificial intelligence within betting platforms, escalating investments, strategic partnerships, application of blockchain technology, and the introduction of live streaming-integrated mobile sportsbooks.

Regional Market Developments

Emerging Markets Growth

Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly attractive markets due to smartphone adoption, growing internet penetration, and regulatory progress. These regions represent significant opportunities for iGaming expansion beyond the traditional North American and European markets.

European Market Stability

The European market continues to demonstrate stability and growth, with established regulatory frameworks providing clear guidelines for operators. Enhanced regulatory oversight and compliance expectations are driving operators to invest in adaptable compliance infrastructure.

The Future of iGaming Technology

Gamification mechanics continue to prove essential for boosting retention and session times. Achievement badges, loyalty points, spin-the-wheel features, and mission-based tasks borrowed from the mobile gaming world make users feel like they're progressing in a larger narrative.

This strategy is evolving in 2025 to include seasonal quests, interactive challenges, and tiered membership levels, offering users more reasons to stay engaged on platforms.

Smartico.ai: Pioneering Unified Gamification and CRM Automation

In the ever-changing world of iGaming, Smartico.ai stands out as the first and leading unified Gamification and CRM Automation software in history. The platform combines deep CRM automation with advanced gamification tools, creating a single solution that drives both operational efficiency and customer engagement.

What sets Smartico.ai apart is its unified approach. Instead of managing separate CRM and gamification systems, businesses get everything integrated in one place. The platform offers real-time campaign management, personalized messaging, and automated reward systems designed to maximize customer retention and lifetime value.

Smartico.ai includes advanced features like behavioral segmentation, RFM analysis, AI-powered predictive modeling, and comprehensive tournament systems. For iGaming operators, the platform provides specialized tools including affiliate management, bonus engines, jackpot systems, and free-to-play games.

It manages unlimited brands without additional costs, making it perfect for multi-brand organizations seeking scalable solutions. With dedicated success managers, comprehensive training, and ongoing support, Smartico.ai helps clients maximize their investment from day one.

Rather than retrofitting game elements onto existing CRM systems, Smartico.ai built both components to complement each other perfectly. This approach delivers measurable improvements in customer engagement, retention, and revenue growth for businesses across the iGaming industry.

As the iGaming industry continues its rapid evolution in 2025, companies that combine operational excellence with engaging customer experiences are positioned to capture the greatest market opportunities. The convergence of technology, regulation, and player protection creates a foundation for sustainable growth across all major markets.

Did you find this article helpful? If so, please consider sharing it with other professionals such as