What you need to know:
Compliance is catching up with the user experience.
Operators are using gamified steps to make sign-up smoother and faster.
Players want personal experiences
Today’s users expect games, payments, and support to be tailored to their preferences.
Smart use of data is key
Real-time data helps operators make better decisions, improve player safety, and boost engagement.
The iGaming industry is accelerating and the 2025 iGaming Next Summit in Malta made that crystal clear.
Held in one of the sector’s most influential hubs, this year’s event brought together operators, fintech leaders, regulators, and investors to explore what’s next for online gambling.
From evolving player expectations to smarter compliance and fast-growing frontier markets, the message was clear: the industry is entering a new phase of innovation and regulation. The numbers tell the same story. Europe’s online gambling market reached €13.5 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2024, up 15% from the previous year. Global iGaming revenue is projected to reach $95.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $131.9 billion by 2027.
For operators and payment platforms alike, it’s an essential read on how to prepare for what’s coming. This article explores the key trends and predictions discussed at the 2025 iGaming Next summit, enriched with external insights.
iGaming next- Top 3 trends.
Let’s take a look at what’s shaping the future of iGaming.
Trend 1: gamification of compliance is gaining ground.
Traditional AML and KYC processes, which include long forms, document uploads, and wait times are starting to feel outdated.
Increasingly, forward-thinking operators are turning these mandatory steps into smoother, more interactive experiences. The goal is simple: reduce friction, lower abandonment, and improve onboarding.
By introducing gamified elements like progress bars, real-time verification, or reward-based onboarding, operators can reframe compliance as part of the user journey instead of a barrier to entry. With customer acquisition costs rising, reducing drop-off during sign-up is now a competitive edge.
Trend 2: hyper-personalization is the new baseline.
One-size-fits-all is out. Players now expect journeys that adapt to their preferences, whether faster withdrawals, preferred payment methods, or tailored content.
Hyper-personalization is not just a nice-to-have anymore. It’s fast becoming a core expectation. From onboarding flows to in-game experiences, operators who can leverage behavioral data to personalize interactions will see better retention and lifetime value. According to a McKinsey report, 71% of consumers now expect personalization, and 76% get frustrated when they don’t receive it.
Hyper-personalization must extend beyond games to payments, responsible gambling tools, and customer service. Players want experiences that feel intuitive, not generic.
Trend 3: more data = better decisions.
Personalized journeys at scale are powered by smart, intentional and responsible data collection. This includes everything from player behavior and transaction patterns to device usage and response to marketing campaigns.
Operators that invest in data infrastructure will be better equipped to build adaptive systems that respond in real-time. This is especially important in regulated markets where responsible gambling and fraud detection must be built into the platform from the ground up.
At iGaming Next, many PSPs emphasized how real-time payment data can inform compliance and customer experience strategies. Expect more partnerships between operators and fintechs specializing in real-time analytics and behavioral profiling.
The iGaming Next 2025 Summit made one thing clear: operators must adapt quickly to stay competitive. From gamified compliance to hyper-personalized journeys and smarter data use, the future of iGaming is all about seamless, user-centric experiences.
As a trusted payment partner, Zimpler is helping operators lead this transformation by delivering fast, compliant, and intuitive payment solutions that enhance every step of the player journey. In a market where speed, trust, and personalization matter more than ever, Zimpler is built for what’s next.
The information contained in this post is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon for professional advice of any kind. Zimpler does not make any representation or warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of the information, and assumes no liability or responsibility that may result from reliance on such information.
