2026 iGaming Trends Report
2026 iGaming Trends Marathon by SOFTSWISS – A Sneak Peek with Ivan Bilash, Director of Partner Operations
EEG sat down with Ivan Bilash, Director of Partner Operations at SOFTSWISS, after the SiGMA Central Europe Summit, where the company launched its 2026 iGaming Trends report. With over eleven years of experience in project and product management, Ivan brings a practical yet visionary understanding of operational excellence and partnership building. In this conversation, we explore key iGaming trends for 2026, the importance of data-driven insights, and how SOFTSWISS uses technology and collaboration to help operators improve player acquisition and build stronger relationships with affiliates.
Interview by Maria Emma Arnidou for EEG, HIPTHER.
The SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends report has become a highly anticipated annual playbook for industry professionals. What inspired this initiative, and how has it evolved into a vital resource over the years?
When we released the very first edition four years ago, the idea was to bring together everything the industry was experiencing but hadn’t structured yet. There was a lot of noise in the market – regulatory changes, new technologies, shifts in player behaviour, and so on. But there was no single place that connected all these dots.
Over time, the report has evolved into a tool that helps the market understand where things are actually heading. And that’s why it is so anticipated by both iGaming professionals and newcomers. It’s not just ‘trends for the sake of trends’ – it’s grounded in real data and clear patterns we observe, supported by our experience in analysing them.
For us at SOFTSWISS, it’s also a way to share what we see from the inside. We work with hundreds of operators, so we naturally spot early signals before they become global trends. The report is a way to turn all of that into something useful for the entire industry.
This year’s 2026 edition gathers insights from over 350 experts and applies AI analysis to more than 120,000 media headlines. From your perspective, what are the most striking or transformative findings emerging this year?
To be honest, there are many, which is why the report is over 100 pages long. But let me highlight the key points.
The first thing that jumps out is how quickly the industry is maturing. As we note in the report, the industry has outgrown its ‘Wild West’ phase. We see this in regulation, taxation, responsible gambling, and advertising. Many markets are tightening rules, but they are also becoming more predictable. That’s a good sign of a sector moving towards sustainable growth.
Another big takeaway is the scale of M&A activity. It’s no longer just large companies buying smaller ones. It’s about building ecosystems and obtaining technologies that help acquirers prepare for a world where efficiency is as important as market share.
And last but not least, of course, there is AI – not as a buzzword, but as infrastructure. Companies have moved past experiments, and now expect AI to deliver real value. This primarily concerns fraud detection and player protection. But I think it’s fair to say that AI has permeated all areas of business, from coding to marketing, and this shift is happening fast. In the report, we call this the industrialisation of AI.
When you combine all these trends, you realise that iGaming is becoming more mature and more structured, but also far more competitive. And with that comes a new reality: the industry is now much more demanding operationally.
The report presentation launched alongside the iGaming Trends Marathon at SiGMA Central Europe. What role do live discussions and community dialogue play in shaping industry progress?
I strongly believe that conversations matter more than slides. Trends only become useful when people challenge them and connect them to their own experience.
During the marathon, we saw something important: different parts of the industry – operators, suppliers, tech companies, media – are finally speaking the same language. Everyone understands that the next stage is about taking responsibility and making smarter decisions.
Events like SiGMA create that space. When you place 200+ people in one room and let them debate AI, regulation, M&A, and marketing, you get insights you would hardly get from reading a report alone. These discussions help operators understand why acquisition is becoming more complex and why working closely with affiliates, rather than treating them as a separate layer, is increasingly important.
For me, as someone responsible for partner operations, this is invaluable. These events show what operators are truly concerned about and what they expect.
Speaking of acquisition, how do you see the role of affiliates changing within the iGaming ecosystem?
This is an important topic that frequently arises in conversations with operators. Traditional acquisition channels are becoming increasingly expensive, more restricted, and in some cases simply unavailable. Naturally, this pushes the industry to rely much more on affiliates.
But affiliates today are no longer just traffic suppliers. Many have grown into strong, independent ecosystem players with their own strategies, data, and long-term goals. They understand user behaviour extremely well and often have deeper insight into acquisition funnels than anyone else in the market.
We also see another interesting shift: some large affiliate groups are moving into direct operations. This changes the dynamics. On one hand, there is less traffic available on the open market. On the other, new operators emerge with very strong marketing expertise from day one. That naturally increases competition for the end player.
Budgets are no longer the only decisive factor. Operators’ success now also depends on the quality of partnerships, transparency in working with affiliates, and having a product and strategy capable of converting and retaining high-quality traffic. From our perspective, this is a long-term trend that will shape the industry’s growth in the coming years.
The 2026 iGaming Trends report builds on years of data, but also integrates new analytical layers powered by AI and expert research. What makes this edition stand out, and how can professionals best use its insights?
This edition stands out because it explains why certain trends are emerging. AI helped us process more than 120,000 media headlines, and confirmed what operators tell us privately: the market is recalibrating. Responsible gambling rules are strengthening, cybersecurity is becoming a board-level topic, and compliance is now part of product design.
If you’re an operator or a supplier, the best way to use this report is as a planning tool. We’ve done all the heavy lifting and distilled each business area down to the most important insights. We have also introduced ‘Adaptation Paths’ at the end of each chapter. It’s a kind of checklist that operators can refer to when building their strategy.
Of course, the report won’t make decisions for everyone, but it gives a very clear map of the road ahead.
Finally, as Director of Partner Operations, what do you see as the most valuable trait in industry partnerships going into 2026?
I’d say consistency. Everyone talks about innovation, but in practice, what partners value most beyond stable operations is predictable communication and support they can rely on.
This year’s report shows that growth will depend on how well companies adapt to the new reality of increased speed and stricter regulations. In 2026, the best partners will be those who can combine flexibility with discipline: reacting quickly when needed while also thinking long-term.
For SOFTSWISS, this approach is in our DNA. We work side-by-side with operators through technical support, risk management, and daily operational guidance. When the market becomes tougher – which it inevitably will – this kind of partnership becomes a competitive advantage.
As SOFTSWISS continues to pioneer data-driven growth across the global iGaming ecosystem, the 2026 iGaming Trends report reaffirms the company’s commitment to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation.
The 2026 iGaming Trends report is available – download it now!
The post 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon by SOFTSWISS – A Sneak Peek with Ivan Bilash, Director of Partner Operations appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
2026 iGaming Trends Report
SOFTSWISS CMO Valentina Bagniya Reveals How to Lead in 2026 Before it Starts
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SOFTSWISS, a leading international technology provider with over 15 years in the iGaming sector, shares a video that addresses a key challenge every business faces in 2026: building a winning strategy. Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS, has outlined concrete steps to identify the signals and trends, drawing on insights from the 2026 iGaming Trends report.
Valentina emphasises the growing importance of strong and data-driven market research and explains how the 2026 iGaming Trends report helps professionals take a closer look at the key trends shaping the year ahead. CMO answers the main questions defining 2026, including AI role in the tech industry, the most effective marketing channels and the real impact of responsible-gambling communication.
SOFTSWISS approaches research with clarity and precision, aiming to give businesses a foundation they can confidently rely on when shaping their own strategies. That’s why each trend in the report is supported by clear adaptation paths and practical, actionable steps that show how companies can respond to market changes in real operations, not just observe them from the sidelines.
“Trends themselves don’t change industries – people do. A trend only becomes valuable when you can translate it into real decisions, actions, and measurable results. The sooner you see trends as tools for foresight rather than reaction, the closer you are to leading the market instead of chasing it,” says Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS.
Video: https://youtu.be/2–F2iNqDWY?si=fqn0c9kNIxc4nI9_
The 2026 iGaming Trends report is the fourth edition of SOFTSWISS’ annual flagship ebook. Its third release earned strong industry recognition, with over 13,000 downloads and features across more than 100 pages. The 2026 edition continues to meet a clear market demand – less speculation and more actionable, data-backed substance.
The 2026 iGaming Trends report is based on in-depth interviews with more than 350 iGaming professionals, two waves of quantitative market research conducted by Kantar, and extensive market analysis covering over 120,000 media headlines. Presented at SiGMA Central Europe and discussed during the 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon, the report has already attracted strong industry attention.
Being named Marketer of the Year at the EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards and leading the Marketing Team of the Year, with several Best Marketing Campaign wins, Valentina stated that the report focuses on what is real, what is proven, and what is already creating value in the market.
Watch Valentina’s video to learn how to distinguish empty hype from real progress, and shape the future in the most effective way.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS CMO Valentina Bagniya Reveals How to Lead in 2026 Before it Starts appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
2026 iGaming Trends Report
Presenting Industry Trends and Celebrating 100 Brands: SOFTSWISS Shines at SiGMA Central Europe
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SOFTSWISS, a global tech leader in iGaming solutions, has wrapped up a remarkable showcase at SiGMA Central Europe 2025. From the launch of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report to the live-built Alfa Romeo 4C handover, the company once again demonstrated why it stands as the industry’s leading technology provider and creative pioneer.
One of the main highlights of the event was the official release of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report. The fourth edition offers a data-driven overview of the macro- and microtrends shaping the future of iGaming – from the industrialisation of AI to regulatory shifts, cybersecurity evolution, and the rise of brand trust.
To mark the launch, SOFTSWISS hosted the 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon, a four-hour live event featuring global thought leaders. In the opening panel discussion, Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, Heathcliff Farrugia, COO of SiGMA, and Pierre Lindh, CEO of NEXT.io, arranged the ‘Ultimate Forecast Duel,’ exploring which trends will define the industry’s next chapter.
Another key moment was the Alfa Romeo 4C gifting, organised to celebrate the launch of the 100th brand powered by SOFTSWISS software in 2025. The sports car, assembled live during the expo at the SOFTSWISS stand, became a symbol of the company’s engineering precision and team spirit.
During a special ceremony, Ivan Montik handed over the keys to one of SOFTSWISS’ valued partners, Lottu, represented by Hugo Baungartner, Chief Business Officer, marking another milestone in a long-standing partnership based on trust and shared success.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 36,700 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post Presenting Industry Trends and Celebrating 100 Brands: SOFTSWISS Shines at SiGMA Central Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
2026 iGaming Trends Report
AI, Regulation, and Brand Power: SOFTSWISS 2026 Trends Report Reveals Where Industry is Heading
Reading Time: 3 minutes
SOFTSWISS, a global tech leader in iGaming solutions, has released its 2026 iGaming Trends Report, developed in partnership with NEXT.io. The fourth edition of this annual study provides a data-driven roadmap for operators, suppliers, and industry stakeholders as they prepare for the next phase of industry evolution.
The report is based on a survey of over 350 iGaming professionals and the AI-driven analysis of more than 120,000 media headlines, making it one of the most comprehensive overviews of the global iGaming landscape to date. It combines qualitative and quantitative research methods, including independent analytics from Kantar, one of the leading research agencies, and internal insights from 30 SOFTSWISS experts.
Covering key global regions and industry domains, including marketing, regulation, technology, responsible gambling, cybersecurity, and AI, the 2026 iGaming Trends Report offers an in-depth look at the factors driving market transformation:
- AI Goes Operational: The perceived importance of AI scored 8.41/10 in 2025, up from 8.15 the previous year, with 56% of surveyed companies listing AI integration as one of their top three business priorities.
- Brand Over Bonus: Influencer marketing dominance has dropped by 10 percentage points since 2023, while brand reputation and trust now play a bigger role than bonuses in player acquisition.
- Marketing Reinvented: Operators are shifting their focus from performance-only tactics to brand-led ecosystems. iGaming companies are now tracking brand equity metrics, such as Top of Mind and Purchase Intent, as strategic KPIs.
- Regulation Reshaped: New markets, including Brazil, Finland, and France, are transitioning to competitive licensing models, while countries such as the UK and Lithuania are introducing tighter advertising controls.
- Responsible Gambling 2.0: AI-based tools are being deployed to identify at-risk player behaviour in real-time, a step now expected by regulators in jurisdictions, including Ontario and Greece.
- Cybersecurity as a Core Metric: Phishing incidents have increased by 180% since 2023, while 35% of smaller operators report inadequate cyber resilience, highlighting the growing connection between trust, compliance, and player retention.
This year’s edition introduces a new Microtrends section, exploring early-stage shifts and emerging ideas with near-term potential. This dedicated chapter highlights the smaller signals shaping tomorrow’s market opportunities.
Each microtrend is supported by real-world examples and regional case studies, illustrating how forward-looking operators and suppliers can capitalise on these developments before they reach mainstream adoption.
The report also includes a regional outlook developed by NEXT.io, covering Europe’s recalibration, North America’s measured growth, South America’s compliance-driven execution, and Asia’s controlled innovation model.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, comments: “In recent years, the sector has moved into maturity. What now matters is disciplined profitability, operational resilience, and the ability to deliver durable player value. This fourth edition reflects that shift. We examine the macrotrends reshaping the sector, the micro-level tactics and technologies that improve performance, and a regional outlook developed in partnership with NEXT.io. Taken together, these chapters provide a structured view of what will shape 2026 and the decisions it asks of operators, suppliers, and partners.”
In support of its ebook, SOFTWISS will present the 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon at the SiGMA Central Europe Summit on 5 November 2025. A four-hour event will take place from 12:00 to 16:00 on the People, Partners & Performance Stage, featuring keynotes and panels with leading global industry experts.
Last year’s edition of the Trends Report attracted significant industry attention, with over 13,000 downloads, confirming its value as one of the sector’s most respected analytical resources.
Operators and industry professionals can download the 2026 iGaming Trends Report here.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post AI, Regulation, and Brand Power: SOFTSWISS 2026 Trends Report Reveals Where Industry is Heading appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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