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What are the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023? SOFTSWISS shares expert industry report

Published

3 years ago

January 26, 2023

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Local regulation, metaverse gaming and data privacy as a priority – these are some crucial industry trends for the current year according to SOFTSWISS, a leading innovative tech provider for iGaming with 10+ years of expertise. The company has analysed the results and market changes in 2022 to share a data-driven report on the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023.

The report covers the trends related to payments and licensing, player behaviour, operations, gamification, and security. The insights are based on the data from 600+ SOFTSWISS clients, expertise of the key company specialists, and industry experts survey results.

PAYMENTS AND LICENSING

60% of the third-party experts surveyed by SOFTSWISS named Payments and Licensing as the most crucial category influencing the iGaming industry.

In 2023, more markets worldwide are expected to become locally regulated. This trend is strengthening as certain countries, including Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, are withdrawing from their registrations with international gaming authorities.

In terms of payments, operators need to ensure:

Abundance of well-established payment options
Localisation of financial modules

The integration of Apple Pay and Google Play could serve as a sound springboard to boost an online gambling business on the go.

As for digital coins, even non-pro crypto adopters are expected to continue to offer them as a payment option to tap into new audiences and attract crypto-oriented gamblers. On the whole, cryptocurrencies see a wider recognition, as many countries are beginning to recognise and integrate them into their financial systems. The latest example is Ukraine launching e-hryvnia issued by the NBU.

Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, comments on the future of crypto:

“The SOFTSWISS Crypto Casino Solution statistics demonstrate that Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin remain the most demanded among crypto players. We also expect USDT to be an upcoming trend in the next few years. Despite the fact that the crypto market is going through turbulent times, operators recognise the importance of crypto payments and their influence on the project attractiveness for the audience and the final casino choice. That explains why in 2023 operators will seek to integrate alternative currencies and reinforce their portfolio with new digital coins.”

PLAYER BEHAVIOUR

When it comes to the player behaviour trends, operators are predicted to shift their focus from product-centric to user-centric business models. The commitment and effort to solve players’ issues will pay off through improved player retention metrics and increased loyalty.

Another sage move is launching mobile and smartwatch versions of casino and sports betting projects to win over new audiences seeking easy and quick access to the online gaming functionality.

One more player trend outlined based on the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform clients’ data is the increasing popularity of live dealer games with crypto users. The market will give preference to this type of games, considering it as a more valuable proposition.

As for sports betting projects, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook statistics demonstrate that 66% of bets are placed during live events against 34% of those placed in advance. This adds weight to the technical sustainability of platforms and drives the need for high quality live broadcasts.

OPERATIONS

The data-driven decision-making approach will make operators seek ready-made software products offering real-time access to clear and transparent data on their projects.

In 2023, operator will redirect their attention from such exclusively financial KPIs as the first deposit, GGR, and NGR towards the game session length and bet count metrics. Prudent operators will invest to diversify their game portfolio, integrate new bonuses and use free-to-play games to improve loyalty, increase conversions, and establish long-term relationships with players.

Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS comments: “To run a profitable iGaming business operators need to know what their target audience is concerned about: be it integration of top-performing titles and new game mechanics to diversify their content portfolio, or availability and seamless performance of different payment methods including crypto, or technical sustainability of web and mobile project versions. At SOFTSWISS, we develop technologies allowing our clients to stay one step ahead and keep track of their project progress 24/7 in great detail. To achieve these goals, in 2022 we launched three Business Intelligence tools housed by the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform – BM3, Event Streaming and iGAP.”

GAMIFICATION

In 2023, gamification, being one of the main player engagement growth directions, will continue to proliferate in the industry, bringing in a number of related trends.

Cryptocurrency and NFT are expected to underpin the financial systems in meta-casinos to simplify withdrawing and depositing from different countries. At the same time, the market will be limited to crypto users.

This year, operators are expected to rely more on jackpot campaigns to attract, reactivate and motivate players to engage in the desired type of gameplay. According to the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator’s clients, 49.6% of jackpot players increased their average bet sum in response to a global jackpot campaign, boosting the operator revenue.

Besides being a player engagement booster, in 2023 bonuses will also find their use in regulating at-risk gambling activities and protecting overspending players. To achieve these, operators will opt for new innovative bonuses with flexible mechanics meeting various player needs. Overall, casino and sports betting projects will have to leverage different engagement tools to deliver outstanding results.

Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS adds: “However, it is not the innovative technologies only that are capable of engaging the audience. The inclusion of retention and reactivation practices in project operations also affects the growth of key casino metrics. By treating each player as a VIP bettor, we not only maximise the player LTV, but also increase the overall audience loyalty. For example, in 2022 the SOFTSWISS Reactivation team discovered that their outgoing interactions reduced player churn rate by 50%. ”

SECURITY

Following the iGaming industry growth, players want to understand what data operators are collecting about them, and how it will be used.

In the context of GDPR and data security, the main Data Privacy as a priority trend will develop in several sub-trends further detailed in the report.

In 2023, the emphasis will also be laid on the Responsible Gambling practices. Preventing affective behaviour, dealing with already problematic players, and managing marketing activities will allow having a healthy gaming experience free of economic and social risks or traumas.

In addition to the player care security trends, 2023 will see improved fraud prevention with advanced ML-powered tools. The SOFTSWISS Anti-Fraud department, which saved 15+ bln EUR for the company clients in 2022, shares that the most widespread types of fraud look like:

Bonus abuse – 69.9%
Money laundering – 9.9%
Payment system fraud – 5.9%

In 2023 operators will be protecting their reputation and income by strengthening the verification quality with the help of additional analytical tools and services for checking documents and identifying destructive patterns.

Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS summarises the report trends: “The fast-growing iGaming market generates plenty of trends stemming from various business areas. And it’s rather a challenge to monitor and follow each of them. To be a leading casino or sports betting operator, we suggest leveraging all existing business opportunities. In 2023, that starts with the integration of innovative solutions for deep project analytics, and player engagement tools. Another thing is to choose a reliable software provider who offers deep data-driven market expertise, flexible products, top-level service, and is capable of ensuring security.”

SOFTSWISS will be showcasing at ICE London 2023 on 7–9 February. Visitors are encouraged to meet with the company experts and Business Development Managers at stand N8-231, where they will be presenting SOFTSWISS technology solutions and product updates.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international iGaming company supplying certified software solutions for managing gambling operations. The expert team, which counts 1,500+ employees, is based in Malta, Poland, Georgia, and Belarus. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

Brazil

Brazil advances integrity agenda amid strong market growth

Published

3 days ago

April 3, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

brazil-advances-integrity-agenda-amid-strong-market-growth

Brazil’s regulated betting market continues to gain structure and momentum, as the country balances regulatory consolidation, integrity safeguards, and commercial growth.

Over the past week, key developments, from federal policy implementation to strategic partnerships and product innovation, highlight how the ecosystem is maturing ahead of major global sporting events.

Government launches national policy to combat match-fixing

A major regulatory milestone was reached with the creation of the National Policy for the Prevention and Combating of Sports Manipulation (PNPEMR). Established through a joint ordinance by the Ministries of Sports, Finance, and Justice, the policy introduces a comprehensive national framework designed to address integrity risks in sports.

The initiative is structured around four central pillars: regulation, prevention, monitoring and enforcement, aiming to protect the credibility and unpredictability of sporting competitions in Brazil.

The policy emphasizes interinstitutional cooperation, bringing together public authorities, sports organizations, betting operators and international bodies.

Among its key measures are:

Standardization of reporting flows for suspicious betting activity
Continuous education programs for athletes, referees and sports officials
Protection mechanisms for whistleblowers
Strengthening of criminal investigations targeting organized match-fixing networks

Under the framework, the Ministry of Sports will coordinate implementation, while the Ministry of Finance will oversee betting regulation and operator compliance. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security, alongside the Federal Police, will lead intelligence-sharing and enforcement efforts, particularly in cases with interstate or international scope. See DOU

A multi-stakeholder governance committee will be responsible for monitoring progress and proposing adjustments, ensuring that the policy evolves alongside the market.

This move reinforces Brazil’s intention to align regulatory oversight with global integrity standards, particularly relevant as the country prepares for high-volume betting scenarios during major international competitions.

Sportradar expands iGaming strategy with Playradar launch

On the corporate front, Sportradar announced the launch of Playradar, a new brand dedicated to its iGaming vertical, signaling a strategic shift toward more integrated and immersive betting experiences.

The new offering is built around hybrid gaming concepts, combining real-time and historical sports data with live streaming and casino content.

Among the key features is a 24/7 live experience hub, where users can engage simultaneously with sports events and interactive gaming formats.

The initiative will be led by Edo Haitin, a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in live gaming and product development.

The company plans to roll out Playradar starting in 2026, initially targeting regulated markets in the UK, North America and Latin America.

According to CEO Carsten Koerl, the move represents a natural evolution of the company’s capabilities, leveraging its existing infrastructure in data, streaming and user behavior analytics to enhance engagement and monetization across the player lifecycle.

Haitin also emphasized the strategic vision behind the launch, highlighting the ability to combine technology and content in line with evolving market demands, particularly as operators look for differentiated and immersive user experiences.

Importantly, Playradar will operate exclusively in regulated environments, maintaining a strong focus on responsible gaming and integrity, aligning with broader industry and regulatory trends.

Playson strengthens Brazilian footprint through Betnacional partnership

Further reinforcing Brazil’s position as a high-growth market, Playson expanded its regional presence through a new partnership with Betnacional, a leading local operator owned by Flutter Entertainment.

The agreement will see a portfolio of Playson’s top-performing titles integrated into Betnacional’s platform, including 4 Pots Riches, Diamonds Power, and Sugar Teddy x1000, all recognized for their strong performance in regulated markets and engaging gameplay mechanics such as Hold and Win.

The partnership reflects a broader industry trend toward localization and mobile-first strategies, as operators seek to better align content with regional player preferences.

Cristhian Zito, Head of LatAm at Playson, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal:

“Partnering with Betnacional is an important milestone for us in Brazil. It is a highly respected local brand with a deep understanding of its audience, and we are confident our content will resonate strongly with its players.

This launch further strengthens our position in the market and reflects our commitment to delivering engaging, high-performing games to operators across Latin America.”

From the operator’s perspective, Frederico Cunha, Head of Commercial at Betnacional, also emphasized the value of the collaboration:

“We are delighted to welcome Playson’s portfolio to Betnacional. Their games are recognised for their quality, strong mechanics, and consistent performance, making them a valuable addition to our offering.

We look forward to working closely together and bringing an enhanced entertainment experience to our players.”

A market balancing integrity and growth

Taken together, this week’s developments illustrate a clear dual trajectory in Brazil’s betting sector: strengthening institutional and integrity frameworks while simultaneously attracting investment, innovation and international partnerships.

As regulatory structures become more sophisticated and collaboration between stakeholders deepens, Brazil is positioning itself not only as a compliant and secure market, but also as a central hub for growth in Latin America’s gaming industry.

SportyBet appoints DJ Khaled as global ambassador to expand connection between sports, culture and entertainment

SportyBet has announced DJ Khaled as its new global ambassador, strengthening its positioning at the intersection of sports, music, and contemporary culture.

He joins a global roster that includes José Mourinho and Éder Militão, reinforcing the company’s strategy of connecting with audiences through entertainment. The partnership will roll out across key markets such as Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and parts of Africa, supporting SportyBet’s expansion as an experience-driven platform.

According to Elias Gallego, Vice President of Sporty Group, the collaboration reflects the company’s focus on partnering with culturally relevant figures to engage diverse audiences, particularly in markets like Brazil where sports and lifestyle are closely linked.

Deeper push into music and entertainment

The move also signals a broader effort by Sporty Group to integrate music into its entertainment ecosystem. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Burna Boy on the “For Everybody” project, blending music, football, and global culture.

In this context, DJ Khaled’s appointment further strengthens a strategy centered on storytelling and fan engagement, especially in regions where sports and music are deeply connected.

Global mindset and brand evolution

DJ Khaled highlighted the shared vision behind the partnership, emphasizing mindset, authenticity, and global connection with fans.

The agreement reinforces SportyBet’s evolution beyond sports betting, positioning the brand within a broader entertainment ecosystem. In Brazil, it aligns with the company’s ongoing growth and its focus on delivering integrated experiences that combine content, culture, and user engagement.

The post Brazil advances integrity agenda amid strong market growth appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

affiliate automation

ReferOn Shortlisted for “Best Affiliate Software 2026” at SiGMA Awards South America

Published

3 days ago

April 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

referon-shortlisted-for-“best-affiliate-software-2026”-at-sigma-awards-south-america

ReferOn, the next-generation affiliate management platform, has been shortlisted for the “Best Affiliate Software 2026” category at the upcoming SiGMA Awards South America.

The nomination recognises ReferOn’s continued growth and the platform’s ability to support operators with scalable, transparent, and efficient affiliate management solutions in increasingly complex markets.

ReferOn has become a trusted foundation for businesses worldwide looking to scale their operations. With rapid adoption across the globe, the platform is now the go-to choice for companies that need to scale quickly and reliably. Because the platform handles large volumes of data with ease, it is a vital tool for teams that need speed and precision. In such a competitive market, we provide the accuracy and simplicity required to stay ahead, allowing our users to focus on their goals without the technical stress.

A New Chapter: The Era of “Refie”

This nomination arrives at a defining moment for the company, after the 2025 launch of Refie, the latest evolution of ReferOn. We have humanized B2B software with Refie, an integrated assistant that acts as a helpful navigation layer for our users. This milestone completely removed the struggle of getting started on the platform by visually guiding people through complex steps, making sure everyone can find their way without any stress or confusion.

Refie transforms repetitive daily tasks into an engaging experience that actively minimizes human error. It was specifically designed to eliminate the manual bottlenecks affiliate managers have traditionally faced, making their daily operations much faster and more efficient.

Alex Bukin, General Manager at ReferOn, commented: “Being shortlisted for the SiGMA Awards South America is a strong recognition of the progress our team has made. We are focused on building technology that simplifies affiliate management and gives operators clearer, faster access to the data they need to grow. With Refie and our upcoming developments, we’re continuing to move in that direction”.

Ambitious Plans for 2026

In 2026, ReferOn will upgrade Refie with sophisticated gamification to boost user engagement and streamline daily tasks for affiliate managers. These updates will introduce personalized, smart features, establishing a new industry benchmark for affiliate technology.

Cast Your Vote

We invite all industry peers and partners to support the work we’re doing. If you are a registered delegate attending SiGMA South America 2026, your voice matters.

Award Category: Best Affiliate Software 2026
How to Vote: Voting is open exclusively to delegates who hold valid event tickets. Please visit the official SiGMA Awards portal to cast your vote for ReferOn.

The post ReferOn Shortlisted for “Best Affiliate Software 2026” at SiGMA Awards South America appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

ELA Games Contributes to Discussions on Scalable iGaming Ecosystems and Studio Innovation at HIPTHER Prague Summit

Published

3 days ago

April 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-contributes-to-discussions-on-scalable-igaming-ecosystems-and-studio-innovation-at-hipther-prague-summit

ELA Games recently took the stage at the HIPTHER Prague Summit, joining top industry leaders to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of the iGaming sector. Represented by Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development, the studio participated in a forward-looking panel focused on building a more scalable iGaming ecosystem and advancing game innovation for 2026 and beyond.

Rather than just looking at incremental changes, the panel challenged speakers to envision an ideal, universal platform of the future before tackling everyday industry challenges. From there, the conversation shifted to real-world strategies, exploring how enhanced operator-supplier collaboration, gamification, and advanced platform architecture will shape the next generation of iGaming.

One focus of the session was the ongoing evolution of game development and distribution. The group highlighted the necessity of building bespoke, trust-based relationships with operators to secure the best visibility in increasingly crowded game libraries. Tied to this was the critical importance of early operator feedback and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) testing, with panelists noting that smaller studios often have a distinct advantage in implementing operator-driven changes faster than larger competitors.

The topic of artificial intelligence was also raised, with the point made that some studios already have proof-of-concept for fully AI-generated slots. This led the panelists to tackle the relationship between AI and traditional game design, weighing the balance between mass-produced, AI-generated content and the slower, human-led craftsmanship required to build higher-value games.

Addressing the realities of market distribution, the panel discussed how operators are becoming much stricter about the number of games they release to prevent market oversaturation. They also examined how rigorous testing rules in regulated regions can significantly delay product launches. Weighing in on these challenges, Soloshenko brought ELA Games’ forward-thinking perspective to the table, advocating for the ideal of a single global license to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate market entry.

During the session, Soloshenko emphasized the necessity of uniting departments to achieve complete, A-to-B game design. He stressed the fundamental alignment required between product and business teams, noting that because the business division operates on the frontline of the market—tracking industry changes and operator demands—they must actively help guide the product’s direction. To achieve this, he advocated for transitioning away from a factory-line style of production in favor of a “boutique” approach, where all teams collaborate intimately from the initial project kick-off all the way to release day.

“Participating in the HIPTHER Prague Summit gave us a great opportunity to explore how development strategies must adapt to current industry realities,” said Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development at ELA Games. “The foundation of our approach is continuous collaboration, both internally and externally. By working as closely as possible with operators to share early MVPs, we gather invaluable feedback. When those insights are handed directly to a unified development team, it allows us to consistently develop titles crafted exactly for what the market needs at any given time.”

Being a part of these high-level industry talks is part of ELA Games’ strategy to remain closely aligned with operator needs and player expectations as the market evolves.

Play the demo and other games here: www.elagames.com/our-games

The post ELA Games Contributes to Discussions on Scalable iGaming Ecosystems and Studio Innovation at HIPTHER Prague Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.