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The Impact of Regulatory Changes on Media Buying in iGaming
How legislative shifts influence media buying strategies and adaptation in a rapidly evolving industry
The iGaming industry is one of the most heavily regulated digital sectors, constantly adapting to new compliance frameworks worldwide. Regulatory changes affect not only operators but also media buyers, who must rethink their advertising strategies, creatives, and audience engagement approaches. While regulation enhances player safety, it also fosters challenges such as increased costs, creative limitations, and the rise of unlicensed operators.
Experts from the media buying agency RockApp have conducted an in-depth analysis of how regulatory changes impact the entire iGaming ecosystem.
How Regulations Shape Ad Creatives in iGaming
One of the most immediate effects of regulation is the restriction on advertising creatives. The UK, for instance, is one of the most tightly regulated markets, where media buyers must comply with strict guidelines:
- No mention of currency in ads: According to the UK Advertising Codes regulated by the ASA, there is no direct ban on the use of currency in gambling advertisements. However, advertisers must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure they do not mislead customers regarding potential winnings.
- No misleading claims or exaggerated expectations: Ads should not mislead users by exaggerating the chances of winning or implying that gambling can be a solution to financial concerns.
- No streamers or influencers with significant underage audiences: Featuring individuals who are, or appear to be, under 25 years old is prohibited. Additionally, using celebrities or influencers who have a strong appeal to under-18s is not allowed.
- Strict moderation of creatives before approval
- Social Responsibility: Advertisements must not portray gambling as indispensable or as a way to achieve financial security. They should not suggest that solitary gambling is preferable to social gambling.
These regulations necessitate careful consideration during the creation of advertising content. For instance, the prohibition on content that strongly appeals to under-18s means avoiding the use of animated characters, certain color schemes, or themes associated with youth culture. Additionally, the restriction on featuring individuals under 25 limits the selection of brand ambassadors and influencers, requiring brands to choose representatives who not only resonate with the target audience but also comply with age-related guidelines.
According to AppsFlyer’s “State of Gaming App Marketing – 2024 Edition,” global app user acquisition ad spend grew by 5% in 2024 to $65 billion, with a significant portion allocated to gaming apps. This increase underscores the importance of adhering to advertising regulations to ensure that marketing efforts are both effective and compliant.
In summary, the UK and other regulated countries’ stringent advertising regulations significantly influence the development of ad creatives in the iGaming industry. Advertisers must navigate these rules carefully to create content that is engaging yet compliant, ensuring that their marketing strategies uphold the principles of social responsibility and consumer protection.
Licensed media buying agencies can effectively adapt by integrating disclaimers and legal notices without compromising user engagement. While these additions reduce creative space, they don’t hinder performance significantly.
The Paradox: Regulation Enhances Safety but Fuels the Gray Market
Regulation is designed to protect players, but in some markets, it has also led to a surge in unlicensed casinos. For example, France, Poland, and the Netherlands have all experienced an influx of offshore operators who can acquire players at lower costs compared to licensed brands.
In Poland alone, nearly 50% of the gambling market operates in a gray zone, leading to an estimated annual tax loss of over $247 million. In 2023, transactions through unlicensed platforms reached $8.6 billion, prompting industry experts to call for urgent regulatory reforms by 2026 to curb further market deterioration.
Why does this happen? Strict regulations often limit marketing avenues for legal operators, making it difficult for them to compete with unlicensed platforms that operate without restrictions. As a result, players may turn to black-market casinos that offer more aggressive promotions, unrestricted gameplay, and fewer account verification hurdles.
For media buyers, this creates a complex landscape – navigating between compliance, profitability, and market demand.
The Value and Strategic Advantage of Media Buying in Regulated Markets
Operating under a license means adhering to an extensive list of requirements:
- Adhering to jurisdiction-specific advertising laws
- Complying with responsible gambling policies
- Avoiding blacklisted traffic sources
- Implementing strict user verification processes
While these regulations add complexity, they also bring long-term benefits. Running campaigns in a legally compliant manner allows for sustainable business growth, fostering trust among players and partners. Although user acquisition costs in regulated markets are higher, the quality of users significantly improves due to the absence of low-quality creatives with miss-promises, exaggerated expectations, and outright scams, which are prevalent in unregulated markets.
Advertisers appreciate this shift, as the traffic quality far exceeds expectations. This, in turn, improves lifetime value (LTV) and fosters long-term relationships between brands and agencies. Here’s a comment from a representative of HighRoller Casino, one of RockApp’s key clients:
“Stricter regulations in the iGaming industry have significantly increased operational demands and social responsibility for businesses. While compliance creates a more structured and reliable market, it also adds layers of complexity that companies must navigate. There are both advantages and challenges. On the one hand, licensed operators benefit from greater stability and credibility; on the other, the regulatory burden requires continuous adaptation. Finding the right balance is key to ensuring sustainable growth without restricting innovation.“– HighRoller Casino, CEO.
And a perspective from Soft2Bet:
“Choosing the right traffic partner is crucial in today’s iGaming landscape. RockApp has proven to be a reliable partner, delivering high-quality traffic and seamlessly adapting to the regulated market with the right approach. They don’t just follow trends – they anticipate changes and optimize processes to ensure outstanding results. The strategies that worked in the past are no longer effective, but RockApp excels at evolving, refining, and elevating performance to an entirely new level.” – Soft2Bet, CEO.
In contrast, grey and black market operators often have lower operational costs since they bypass licensing fees and may evade taxes. This cost advantage allows them to offer more attractive odds or bonuses to players. However, these operators face significant risks, including legal actions, lack of access to reputable payment processors, and challenges in establishing trust with players due to the absence of regulatory oversight.
A 2024 report by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) highlighted concerns that overly stringent regulations in some European countries are inadvertently driving players towards black market operators.
This trend is further reflected in Sweden, where a report by AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) revealed that traffic to unlicensed gambling operators has increased tenfold since 2019. The study estimates that the gross gaming revenue (GGR) of illegal operators now reaches 13 billion SEK ($13.64 billion) annually, with users reportedly spending 10-20 times more in unlicensed online casinos. ATG’s CEO has criticized Sweden’s current gambling laws, stating that excessive restrictions on licensed operators are creating an unfair playing field and driving users toward unregulated alternatives.
While licensed operations bring stability and quality assurance, excessively restrictive regulations can inadvertently push players and advertisers toward unregulated markets. This paradox is evident in markets like Sweden and Poland, where overly stringent policies have led to a surge in black-market activity. Thus, the key lies in finding a balance – ensuring robust consumer protection without stifling the competitive landscape for licensed operators.
In summary, while operating in the white market entails higher compliance costs, it ensures legal security and fosters player trust. Conversely, grey and black market operations may offer short-term financial gains but come with significant legal and reputational risks.
For media buying agencies, working within legal frameworks unlocks significant advantages:
- Access to bigger clients: Major iGaming brands prefer licensed agencies.
- Better partnerships: Large ad networks and platforms favor advertisers that comply with regulations.
- Higher-quality traffic: Compliance reduces fraud, improving traffic efficiency.
Many traffic sources, including Google, Facebook, and premium programmatic platforms, enforce strict iGaming policies. This means agencies that operate in compliance gain preferential access, while black-market operators struggle with bans and restrictions.
In contrast, working with unlicensed brands often leads to short-term gains but long-term instability. Black-hat media buying comes with high risk, including frequent account shutdowns, payment delays, and loss of advertiser relationships.
The Impact of Regulations on Influencer and Streaming Marketing
Strict regulations have also affected influencer marketing. In countries with tight restrictions, streamers can no longer serve as direct brand ambassadors for casinos. For example, while streamers in Tier 3 markets (regions with lax regulations) aggressively promote gambling to younger audiences, this is strictly forbidden in Tier 1 markets like the UK and France.
To adapt, agencies have found creative solutions:
- Using AI and deepfake technology to modify streamer appearances
- Replacing copyrighted music with royalty-free alternatives
- Carefully curating influencer partnerships to avoid compliance risks
These strategies help agencies continue leveraging influencer marketing without violating legal guidelines.
Conclusion
Regulation is an unavoidable reality in iGaming media buying. While it presents challenges, it also creates opportunities for agencies that know how to navigate the landscape effectively.
For media buyers, working within legal frameworks is no longer an option – it’s a necessity. The future belongs to those who can play by the rules while still outperforming the competition. Recently, RockApp has secured licenses in all regulated states across the United States, further solidifying its commitment to compliance and long-term growth in the iGaming industry.
The post The Impact of Regulatory Changes on Media Buying in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
An engaged, mobile-first audience represents one of the biggest revenue opportunities in the global sports betting market.
Optimove, the #1 player engagement platform for iGaming and sports betting operators, today released its LATAM 2026 World Cup Betting Intentions Report, revealing that 86% of Latin American bettors plan to place bets on the tournament.
The study was conducted by Optimove Insights, the company’s research and data analytics division.
The report positions Latin American audiences as mature, highly engaged, and mobile-focused bettors. The combination of strong interest, confidence, and continuous engagement, even after their national team is eliminated, creates a significant opportunity for the industry.
Among bettors planning to participate, 75% have already bet on a previous World Cup, including 20% who bet in both 2018 and 2022.
The remaining 25% will be betting on a World Cup for the first time, driven by the expansion of legal sports betting across the region.
At the same time, 94% describe themselves as moderately or highly confident in their betting knowledge, reinforcing that this is an experienced audience that expects precise and relevant communication.
The LATAM 2026 World Cup Betting Intentions Report is based on a survey of 882 bettors worldwide, conducted in early 2026, including 264 respondents from Latin America.
Research highlights
- High confidence and year-round engagement. 60% of Latin American bettors rate themselves as highly confident in their betting knowledge, while another 34% consider themselves moderately confident—totaling 94%. Additionally, 35% bet on football several times per week, and another 26% do so weekly.
- Strong loyalty to national teams. 90% support a favorite national team during the World Cup. When their team plays, 50% say they will definitely bet, and another 37% are very likely to bet. Even after elimination, 78% will continue betting.
- Live betting and multi-betting behavior. 77% plan to bet live during the tournament. For 33%, this is the preferred format, while 44% combine pre-match and live betting.
- Push notifications dominate communication. 38% prefer push notifications as their main communication channel, far ahead of email, which is preferred by only 14%.
- The World Cup as an engagement accelerator. 91% will continue betting on football after the tournament. Among their preferred destinations, 72% will move to the Copa Libertadores, 62% to the UEFA Champions League, and 34% to the Premier League.
- Use of multiple betting operators. 65% plan to use two or more platforms during the tournament. The main selection criteria are ease of use (59%), promotions (52%), and a trusted, familiar platform (46%).
“This is one of the most engaged sports betting audiences in the world. Nearly nine in ten Latin American bettors will follow the World Cup through betting and remain active year-round, mobile-first, and demanding personalization, not generic promotions.
Operators that succeed in LATAM will be those able to match this level of intensity with equally precise communication.
This is what Positionless Marketing enables,” said Optimove Founder and CEO Pini Yakuel.
To the full report here.
Optimove
Optimove is the creator of the Positionless Marketing concept and the #1 player engagement platform for iGaming and sports betting operators.
Positionless Marketing frees marketing teams from fixed-role limitations, empowering every marketer to execute any task instantly and independently.
Positionless Marketing has been proven to improve campaign efficiency by 88%, enabling marketing teams to drive more personalized engagement with existing customers.
For the second consecutive year, Optimove was named a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Marketing Hubs, recognized for its AI-driven decisioning, prescriptive insights, and ability to orchestrate thousands of real-time personalized campaigns across channels.
AI-driven marketing is a hallmark of Optimove’s leadership.
By embedding AI directly into its platform since 2012, Optimove helped establish today’s Positionless Marketing standard.
Its platform includes Optimove Engage and Orchestrate for cross-channel campaign decisioning and orchestration; Optimove Personalize, a digital personalization engine; and Optimove Gamify, a loyalty and gamification platform.
Today, its full AI-powered suite is at the forefront of enabling marketers to streamline workflows from insight to creation and optimization.
Optimove delivers industry- and use-case-specific solutions for leading consumer brands worldwide.
Optimove insights
Optimove Insights is Optimove’s analytics and research arm, dedicated to delivering valuable market insights and data-driven research to empower B2C businesses.
The post Optimove report reveals: 86% of Latam plan to bet on the FIFA World Cup 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
apuestas deportivas
OKTO destaca el crecimiento de nuevos apostadores en Argentina rumbo al Mundial 2026
La Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 se perfila como el mayor evento de apuestas que la industria haya visto, no solo por el formato ampliado del torneo, sino porque el perfil del apostador ha cambiado fundamentalmente desde Qatar 2022.
Una encuesta ealizada por OKTO PAYMENTS, el proveedor líder de servicios de pago diseñado para el comercio digital de alto rendimiento, revela que la próxima ola de crecimiento de las apuestas en Argentina estará impulsada por usuarios casuales, primerizos y altamente sensibles a la experiencia, lo que genera tanto una gran oportunidad de adquisición como un importante desafío operativo para los operadores de iGaming.
En 2022, la Copa del Mundo se disputó durante la madrugada y las primeras horas de la mañana en los husos horarios sudamericanos, con transmisiones concentradas en la televisión lineal y un mercado de apuestas fragmentado donde las transferencias bancarias y las tarjetas de crédito eran los métodos de pago dominantes.
En 2026, los partidos se emitirán en horario prime time, con cobertura multiplataforma y alianzas oficiales con YouTube y TikTok.
El impacto comercial de este año podría ser significativo. Según un estudio del banco multinacional británico Barclays, el Mundial de Qatar 2022 generó 35.000 millones de dólares en apuestas deportivas. Esta cifra fue un 65 % superior a la registrada en Rusia 2018.
Las proyecciones para 2026 son, naturalmente, aún mayores, según los analistas de mercado.
Este crecimiento se está produciendo en toda la región, aunque a diferentes velocidades: mientras Brasil reguló el sector e implementó sus normativas en 2025, Argentina ha avanzado de forma más gradual en la creación de marcos legales para las apuestas deportivas.
Sin embargo, según la encuesta, el cambio más importante podría venir del comportamiento del consumidor, incluso más allá del aspecto regulatorio.
Casi la mitad de los consumidores encuestados en la región (43,8%) afirma que normalmente no realiza apuestas, pero planea hacer una excepción durante el Mundial.
Este apostador ocasional es predominantemente femenino, ya que el 57% de las mujeres encuestadas indicó que solo apostará durante el torneo, y además tiende a tener más de 35 años.
Cuanto mayor es el grupo etario, mayor es la proporción de consumidores que planea apostar exclusivamente durante la Copa del Mundo: entre los mayores de 56 años, la cifra alcanza el 57,1%.
“La Copa del Mundo crea un entorno completamente diferente para la adquisición de usuarios por parte de los operadores”, afirma André Boesing, gerente general de OKTO para el Cono Sur.
“Una gran parte del volumen de apuestas en 2026 provendrá de usuarios que interactúan con una plataforma de apuestas deportivas por primera vez.
Evaluarán toda la experiencia de la plataforma —registro, velocidad de depósito, verificación y retiros— en cuestión de segundos”.
Un fan argentino sabe exactamente lo que significa ganar algo que parecía perdido.
En los últimos 40 minutos de la final del Mundial 2022, Argentina ganó, sufrió el empate, volvió a ponerse arriba y nuevamente empate, incluso estuvo cerca de perderlo (de no ser por aquella atajada salvadora del arquero argentino).
Luego llegaron los penales, más de 20 minutos de tensión, y el alivio solo llegó con el penal final de Montiel. Ese día, nadie apagó el televisor. Nadie se fue.
El resultado valió cada segundo de sufrimiento.
Cobrar una apuesta ganadora también vale la pena, pero ahí termina la tolerancia.
Ese jugador que acaba de vivir toda esa intensidad no quiere atravesar otro proceso que lo haga esperar. Cada minuto de demora para retirar sus ganancias se convierte en el punto máximo de frustración con la plataforma.
La encuesta también destaca la creciente importancia del comportamiento de apuestas en tiempo real. Casi la mitad de los encuestados (42,3%) afirma que espera momentos clave durante el partido —como penales, revisiones VAR o tarjetas rojas— antes de realizar una apuesta.
Al mismo tiempo, más de un 50% asegura que planea apostar por Argentina independientemente de las cuotas, generando picos altamente predecibles de tráfico y volumen de transacciones durante los partidos de la selección nacional.
Esto reduce significativamente la ventana operativa para los operadores.
Es poco probable que un apostador que reacciona a un evento en vivo espere largos procesos de KYC, depósitos demorados o experiencias lentas de retiro.
El impulso emocional del partido queda directamente ligado al rendimiento de los pagos.
Los fanáticos pueden tolerar esperar el anuncio de una alineación o el desenlace dramático de un partido.
Lo que no tolerarán es esperar para acceder a sus ganancias.
El aumento esperado en la actividad de apuestas también trae consigo un desafío paralelo.
Más del 70% de los operadores encuestados reporta incrementos significativos en el riesgo de fraude durante grandes eventos deportivos, y alrededor del 40% cree que este riesgo será aún mayor durante el Mundial 2026.
La llegada masiva de nuevos usuarios sin historial previo en las plataformas incrementa ese riesgo y, al mismo tiempo, vuelve más críticos los procesos de verificación, ya que los apostadores ocasionales tienen poca tolerancia hacia procedimientos de onboarding extensos.
Casi la mitad de los operadores reconoce que la fricción en estos procesos perjudica activamente las tasas de conversión.
Mientras los operadores se preparan para el ciclo de la Copa Mundial 2026, los resultados refuerzan la creciente importancia de contar con infraestructuras de pago capaces de soportar depósitos y retiros en tiempo real, onboarding sin fricciones, prevención inteligente de fraude y un rendimiento resiliente de las transacciones durante los momentos de mayor demanda de apuestas.
Andre Boesing, gerente general de OKTO para el Cono Sur, afirmó: “La Copa Mundial 2026 no solo será más grande en cantidad de partidos.
También traerá un tipo de usuario que el mercado de apuestas nunca había visto a esta escala: alguien que abrirá una cuenta en una plataforma por primera vez, probablemente durante el entretiempo, desde su celular y sin ninguna paciencia para procesos burocráticos.
Nuestra investigación muestra que alrededor del 40% de los que normalmente no apuestan planea hacer una excepción durante el mundial. Eso cambia por completo lo que la infraestructura necesita ofrecer”.
OKTO PAYMENTS apoya a los comercios con capacidades integradas de pagos, tesorería, banca y liquidez, diseñadas para ayudar a los operadores a maximizar la conversión, simplificar operaciones y escalar de manera confiable durante eventos deportivos globales de alta demanda y más allá.
The post OKTO destaca el crecimiento de nuevos apostadores en Argentina rumbo al Mundial 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
The leading iGaming aggregator Alea has announced a new partnership with FAZI, the internationally recognized gaming provider with more than 30 years of experience delivering casino entertainment across more than 60 markets worldwide.
Through this collaboration, FAZI’s portfolio of nearly 300 games will become available to Alea’s global operator network through a single API integration, supporting the company’s expansion across regulated markets in Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
The agreement brings a selection of FAZI’s best-performing titles to the Alea platform, including Wild Hot 40, Golden Crown, Wild Hot 40 Free Spins, Very Hot 5, and Wild Hot 40 Blow.
“We’re happy to welcome FAZI to the Alea platform,” said Eduard Verdaguer, Partnerships Manager at Alea.
“They have a strong portfolio with games that already perform well in different markets, and we’re looking forward to making their content available to our operators.”
“Alea’s strong operator network makes them a valuable partner in scaling our distribution globally,” said Bojan Mitic, CEO of FAZI.
“This collaboration allows us to reach new markets more efficiently and strengthen our position across key regions.”
The partnership further expands the range of content available through Alea’s aggregation platform, giving operators access to a wider variety of games through a single integration while continuing to simplify distribution across global markets.
Alea
Alea is a leading iGaming aggregator, offering a customizable platform that provides operators worldwide with seamless access to over 23,000 games from 170+ top-tier providers through a single API integration.
Known for its innovative technology, Alea simplifies the integration journey and delivers a flexible, scalable solution designed to enhance game variety, player experience, and operational efficiency.
Alea is highly committed to a security-first infrastructure, ensuring reliability and trust at every level.
In addition to game aggregation, Alea has introduced Alea Pay, an exclusive payment gateway that further optimizes financial transactions.
With a strong focus on security, compliance, and ongoing support, Alea continues to empower operators with cutting-edge tools to thrive in the evolving iGaming market.
The post Alea expands global content offering through partnership with FAZI appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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