The current decade is proving truly transformative for the whole global gaming industry, given the rollout of new licensing regimes and major upgrades to already established frameworks. Many of the latest frameworks have emerged offshore, with jurisdictions such as Nevis and Tobique using low taxes, a remote application process, lower licensing fees, and light-touch oversight to secure additional budget inflows.

On the other side, “onshore” hubs, especially in Europe, are doubling down on ever-stricter oversight, making it more complex and expensive to run a gambling business from there. Quite unexpectedly, therefore, a jurisdiction where gambling has historically been prohibited by religion and criminal law moved to introduce a comprehensive licensing regime. This was literally a shock for many; only one in a million industry enthusiasts would have predicted that this country would be the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Two years ago, the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the first-in-history federal regulator in the Gulf to oversee gambling across all emirates. Since then, the GCGRA is rolling out gradually, brick by brick, issuing the first few B2B vendor licenses to a select few of internationally recognized suppliers while setting B2C licensing aside and approaching it with caution.

Today, the UAE gambling regulator is authorized to grant licenses for gaming operators (a B2C gambling license issued for a casino, sports wagering, land-based gaming facilities, lottery, and lottery retailers), gaming-related vendors (B2B gambling license), and key persons (affiliates, stakeholders, and employees). Even though the GCGRA has laid down an essential foundation ahead of B2C license issuance, however, the actual B2C regulations are still developing and unavailable to the public, apart from certain provisions on responsible gaming and anti-money laundering (AML) obligations.

As of this second, just a single B2C online gaming license has been issued. Detailed rulebooks on license conditions and the scope of onsite and online gaming activities, however, are still under development and remain subject to ongoing discussion. In essence, while the sector is gradually progressing toward a formal B2C licensing regime, the key details and timing are largely unclear.

In contrast, the B2B regime is already in full swing, with over fifteen UAE gaming licenses already granted to date. The regulator made it clear to everyone that its first priority is to establish a robust B2B ecosystem of technology, payment, content, and other aggregators before opening the door for B2C companies. Considering this, early GCGRA-licensed gambling aggregators get a rare first-mover advantage: legal setup in a business hub like the UAE with privileged access to serve the first wave of B2C UAE gaming license holders (B2C) and secure an unmatched level of trust among banks, investors, and other stakeholders for meeting rigorous regulatory expectations.

With the largely untapped market potential, many industry analysts argue that the UAE gambling license could become the single most valuable license to get in the next year.

The assumption is based on the fact that the UAE always plays the long game. The country’s goal is not merely closing fiscal gaps, as is often the case with offshore jurisdictions, but to drive meaningful economic diversification, expand tourism, and compete with other global entertainment hubs – all reinforcing confidence for entering the market. What’s more, even though the framework is relatively new, the country has an impeccable track record in building high-end regimes, namely in crypto, setting a benchmark for operators and aggregators.

Yet, what truly stands out is the license scarcity: the current GCGRA framework foresees only a limited number of approvals per emirate granted to B2B operators that meet stringent regulatory, operational, and integrity thresholds. The combination of high demand and limited supply significantly amplifies the license’s commercial value, given that the future B2C operator market – projected to generate billions in annual revenue – will be exclusively served by a select pool of qualified B2B vendors.

Beyond this, the UAE’s combination of robust economy, attractive taxation, political stability, and high consumer trust sets it apart from offshore jurisdictions launching gambling licensing regimes.

Taking all factors into account, the UAE gaming license could become the new “golden standard” as one of the most respected regulatory regimes worldwide, turning into the license every operator wants to add to their portfolio. Unsurprisingly, therefore, aggregators are already preparing to move ahead with licensing, bracing for what may become one of the most scrutinized application and approval processes of all time.

With this in mind, joining the ranks of the select few UAE gambling license holders (B2B) will hinge on early, meticulous preparation of necessary documentation and specialized region-specific professional advice. Among these are qualified consultants at Inteliumlaw, a UAE local law firm with on-the-ground representatives in the country and extensive experience in supporting gambling businesses. Having spent years navigating gambling frameworks and establishing relations with regulators, Inteliumlaw is emerging as a top legal partner for operators looking to capitalize on what is set to become the most valuable licensing opportunity of 2026: the UAE gaming license.

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The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook celebrates its fifth anniversary, marking a major milestone in its journey from MVP to a fully mature, internationally recognised B2B product. Over these five years, the team has achieved standout results, from launching a project in just 14 days to delivering a mobile-first experience that generates over 90% of GGR.

Since its debut in 2020, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook has expanded its sports and esports catalogue, introduced premium cricket, launched a mobile app, added a customisable betting interface, unique bonuses, and various gamification tools for player engagement and retention. It has also introduced seamless integrations with the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator and Jackpot Aggregator. 

An important milestone was reached ahead of UEFA Euro 2024, when the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team delivered 22 new projects across 11 casino platforms, including the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, within a single month. A breakthrough record was also set when the team launched a project in just 14 days from contract signing to the first bet.

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is engineered for smooth, platform-agnostic integration, enabling fast rollouts on both proprietary and third-party platforms. Delivering a strong player experience and supporting business growth, the Sportsbook seamlessly integrates into any iGaming operation with flexible launch options to meet diverse needs. Recent updates further enhance its efficiency, including API 2.0 for more scalable integrations and a renewed CMS with deeper content control.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “Five years ago, we set out to build a modern Sportsbook – flexible, scalable, and ready for the future of betting. Today, we have a stable architecture, powerful engagement tools, a strong risk management layer, and a team that knows how to move fast without compromising quality. The product has matured, and we are ready to push forward with even greater ambition.”

Delivering 2,000+ betting markets across 200+ sports and esports, with all Sportradar official leagues included, the Sportsbook supports 100,000+ monthly live events and a mobile-first experience that generates over 90% of GGR. Clients also highlight its intuitive CMS, robust risk management, and 24/7 technical assistance, reinforcing the Sportsbook’s position as a reliable B2B solution.

Anton Eshtokin, CMO of Boomerang Partners, shares: “The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is an ideal choice for any iGaming operator looking to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its competitive position in the market. On behalf of our entire team, I’d like to congratulate the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook on reaching this remarkable five-year milestone. As a partner, you’ve consistently demonstrated innovation, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the industry’s evolution. We wish you continued growth, bold ideas, and the drive to keep setting new standards in the iGaming market. May the next five years bring even more success stories and breakthroughs that inspire the entire industry.”

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook’s achievements have been acknowledged across the industry, earning accolades such as Best Online Sportsbook Provider at SiGMA South Asia Awards 2025, Innovative E-sports Product of the Year at SPiCE South Asia Eventus Awards 2024, Best Sports Betting Provider in the Baltics at BSG Awards 2023, and Rising Star in Sports Betting at SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2022.

In 2025, the sports betting solution entered a new phase, focusing on architectural upgrades to support faster feature delivery. The team plans to release a new API Tester in December and is preparing for the upcoming launch of virtual sports. The Sportsbook platform also covered urgent Brazilian and Bulgarian regulatory requirements. These strategic moves will allow the solution to maintain momentum and scale to meet the growing expectations of operators in diverse markets.

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 The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook at Five: From MVP to Award-Winning Global B2B Solution appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Aggregator’s customisable feeds extend sportsbook provider’s offering across 110+ different sports

Sports aggregation platform Odds88 has secured a partnership with sportsbook technology provider Betinovio, expanding the brand’s coverage with unrivalled odds data streams.

As part of the deal, Odds88 will provide its award-winning modular data services to take Betinovio’s offering to the next level. Its operator partners can now gain access to customisable feeds, extensive betting content from more than 110 different sports and 4,000 daily events, and proven BetRank risk management tools.

Odds88 has also delivered its new 50/50 betting product, which promises to attract both casual users and savvy bettors with its low barrier to entry and a new layer of interaction of sports fans.

The aggregator’s data-driven platform uses AI algorithms to analyse behavioural data and tailor odds, promotions and offers to each individual player.

The agreement underpins Odds88’s position as an unparalleled source for trusted and comprehensive odds data, empowering global operators to create their most optimised sportsbooks yet.

Mike Forslund, Head of Sales and Business Development at Odds88, said: “We’re excited to build something truly exceptional in partnership with Betinovio. By combining the provider’s top-class sports betting technology with our unbeaten selection of data, we are introducing a proposition that will reshape the betting experience.

“Betinovio’s partners can now truly raise their game, enabling players to write their own event narratives.”

Marinos Eliazed, CEO at Betinovio, said: “By integrating Odds88’s data feeds, we are future-proofing our technology for operators. Players expect an interface that flexes to their needs and Odds88’s feeds offer endless possibilities for customisation.

“We look forward to seeing what we can create together.”

The post Odds88 integrates award-winning sports data feeds with Betinovio appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.