Aytan Eminova, our expert UX designer, was on the ground at SiGMA 2024. With her ability to spot emerging trends and a deep understanding of the fast-moving iGaming scene, she’s here to break down her event takeaways – blended with insights from hands-on experience with iGaming clients and end-users in her everyday work.

With my experience in the fast-paced iGaming industry, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things evolve. Attending SiGMA Europe 2024 confirmed many trends shaping the future while offering fresh perspectives from across the industry. Here’s what I think stood out.

1. The industry will focus on increasing the sense of community via social iGaming.

Social iGaming took center stage at SiGMA this year, and it’s easy to see why. A sense of community has always been at the heart of the game – players connecting, competing, and sharing the thrill of the experience. This isn’t a new phenomenon. Traditional games – like bingo in Brazil, for example – have long brought communities together, turning gaming into more than just a pastime. Families would gather to play, creating moments that felt as much like a reunion as a game night. These cultural roots show how deeply embedded the social element is in gaming, carrying a rich heritage into the digital age.  While online casinos have often struggled to recreate this, advancements in AI, machine learning, and VR are redefining the experience, bringing that community spirit into the digital space.

From real-time multiplayer tournaments and chat features to immersive VR experiences and AI-powered personalization, the future of social online casinos looks both engaging and community-driven. With the market projected to grow from $31 billion today to nearly $90 billion by 2031, staying ahead means keeping up with both tech innovations and evolving regulations.

Social gaming isn’t just a trend – it’s the next evolution of online casinos, blending innovation with the human connection players crave. The opportunities are immense for those ready to adapt and lead the way.

2. There will be new markets – and regulatory fragmentation.

The constantly evolving regulatory landscape is one of the biggest challenges for iGaming providers. With the industry growing from a global value of $27.56 billion in 2014 to a projected $133 billion by 2029, governments are adapting their approach to online gaming. Factors like the rise of mobile devices, casual games, and the massive revenue generated by iGaming have made regulation an unavoidable priority. User penetration is expected to grow from 6.1% to 7.6%, with a CAGR of 6.46%.

2025 is shaping up to be transformative, with legislative changes in the U.S., France, South Africa, and New Zealand poised to open up significant new markets. Latin America, particularly Brazil, is also emerging as a major growth opportunity. Industry discussions – confirmed by insights shared at SiGMA Europe 2024 – highlight the need for operators to stay ahead of evolving regulations to remain competitive and unlock these markets’ potential.

However, navigating new markets successfully is about more than just meeting regulatory requirements; it’s about knowing how and where to connect with your audience. It’s not about pushing harder but getting creative with the way brands show up. In a fast-moving industry, you have just 2-3 seconds to catch a user’s attention, making it critical to avoid strategies that are too vanilla. Bold, localized campaigns supported by in-depth market research and cultural understanding will be key to standing out and winning in these emerging markets.

3. Brazil is set to become a major player in iGaming

Big changes are on the horizon for iGaming in Brazil, and 2025 is set to be a game-changer. Since 2021, Brazil’s online gambling market has grown by an incredible 734%, with the number of iGaming companies increasing by 203% between 2021 and 2022 – and that momentum hasn’t slowed, with many more businesses launching in 2024.

With over 210 million people, an internet penetration rate of 84.71% (projected to reach 98% within five years), and a growing appetite for gaming and sports betting, Brazil is emerging as one of the most promising iGaming markets globally. According to the Brazilian government, since online gambling became somewhat authorized in 2018 (although the law didn’t pass until 2022), approximately 52 million Brazilians have taken up online betting.

Despite the massive popularity of online gambling in Brazil, the industry has been poorly regulated. One study found that only 24% of gamblers cared whether or not the online casinos they used were legal or regulated. In total, Brazilians spend about US $3.5 billion on gambling each month. Some industry analysts predict that the online betting market in Brazil will expand by 50% by 2028.

At the end of 2023, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies finally approved long-awaited legislation to regulate online gambling. But as with any type of bureaucracy, changing things is a slow process. It is only now that Brazil is set to introduce sweeping changes to its online gaming laws.

This pivotal moment emphasizes how crucial it is to design user-centric solutions that go beyond compliance. Building trust between players and operators will be key – ensuring that users feel secure while still enjoying engaging, fun experiences. Creating this balance will not only help operators meet regulatory requirements but also foster a loyal player base in a competitive market.

From what I’ve observed, everyone in the industry – from operators to payment providers and marketers – is eager to see how these regulations will shape the market. The focus now is on analyzing these changes and understanding their impact on user behavior and engagement. It’s an exciting time for iGaming in Brazil, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.nd sharing the excitement with others.

Some final thoughts.

The iGaming industry is constantly evolving, shaped by new technologies and regulatory shifts. It’s exciting to see how advances like AI, VR and social gaming are fostering a stronger sense of community among players, while new regulations are opening doors to emerging markets and helping the industry mature.

For operators, staying ahead means adopting the latest innovations and offering seamless experiences to their customers. 

Some regions and countries still rely heavily on cash, making land-based casinos a more natural fit for their populations. Many people are unfamiliar with or hesitant to trust digital wallets, and shifting from a known payment method to something new is a significant hurdle – it ties directly to how people manage their money, and change doesn’t come easily. The more reliant a system is on technology, the more uncertainty it can introduce. That’s where Zimpler comes in. Our payment solutions empower iGaming businesses to provide safe, simple, and instant transactions, keeping both players and operators ahead of the curve.

The future of iGaming is about being connected, compliant, and ready to embrace change. Together, we can shape a more innovative and profitable industry.

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.