Roundtable: iGaming’s emerging tech trends

Betbazar’s Karyna Sirbiladze, Fincore’s Dominic Le Garsmeur and Wiztech’s Yoni Sidi cast their eyes over iGaming’s emerging tech trends in 2024, with each unsurprisingly highlighting AI as having the biggest impact.

In your opinion, what technology has had the greatest impact on iGaming in 2024?

Karyna: I think the increased adoption of AI for both analytical and automation purposes has played an important developmental role not just in iGaming, but in all major industries. We’ve already seen this year that the technology can offer myriad benefits to businesses, with enhanced efficiency and improved user personalisation being just two of the most striking use cases.

As AI algorithms can detect complex patterns in customer behaviour that are far beyond the scope of what an average human operator would be able to detect, the insights they provide are now empowering companies to offer better content recommendation and a much more tailored player experience.

Dominic: Whilst there has been a huge buzz around Machine Learning and AI, I think 2024 is the year where we start to see a real impact of these technologies. At Fincore, we are pioneering the use of predictive models to drive player segmentation and rewards.

This will enable operators to radically boost the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns as they are able to be more precise with who they are targeting, with what and at exactly the right time. As a result, this creates an increasingly engaging experience for players and increases their lifetime value.

Yoni: In 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) has had the most significant impact on iGaming. AI enhances personalisation, optimises game recommendations, improves customer support through chatbots and strengthens both fraud detection and responsible gaming measures.

Its ability to analyse vast amounts of data at speed and provide real-time insights has revolutionised the player experience and operational efficiency, giving operators the chance to quickly tailor their offering to individual player preferences.

As mobile gaming continues to grow, what innovations are necessary to enhance mobile user experiences and ensure seamless integration across multiple devices?

Karyna: The increased prevalence of mobile gaming coupled with the changing preferences of how players consume their games and media has led us to a point where convenience really is king. As such, I believe all innovations in mobile technology should be underpinned by a desire to streamline the betting process and make the whole experience as accessible as possible for the end user.

In practical terms, this can mean basic things like adding swipe functionality and one-tap wagering to your lobbies and bet slips to improve navigation and ease-of-use respectively, but more advanced concepts such as adding mobile-friendly betting widgets are also important.

Dominic: Mobile gaming is still very much an HTML5 content business, even if the content is wrapped up in a snazzy iOS or Android app, and studios have become pretty good at delivering rich experiences with that technology.

But there is a world of richness unavailable to them, from high performance Unity-driven 3D graphics to haptic experiences in game. Will someone crack the challenge of delivering real native content within the complex delivery pipelines and content ecosystem we currently live in? There could be rewards if someone can, but it’s hard to see how this can be done at scale.

Yoni: To enhance mobile user experiences, innovations such as improved user interfaces, faster loading times and cloud gaming capabilities are essential. Cross-platform play ensures seamless integration, allowing players to switch between devices without losing progress. Additionally, advancements in mobile payment solutions and enhanced security measures are crucial to provide a smooth and secure gaming experience.

How can the iGaming industry stay ahead of regulatory changes and ensure compliance while still fostering innovation and growth?

Karyna: At the end of the day, both online gambling regulators and operators are on the same page when it comes to protecting players and safeguarding the long-term sustainability of our industry, but I do believe having a more open dialogue would help. In the past we’ve seen that overly stringent restrictions can have an adverse effect on player safety by driving them to unregulated sites, so it’s important regulators and operators work together to ensure a balance is struck that protects customers without stifling innovation.

I also think there should be more of a focus from both sides on educating users instead of simply setting out the rules they have to follow, as this way they’re empowered to make their own decisions and choose the level of protection that best suits them.

Dominic: The iGaming industry needs to embrace some of the bigger changes coming to the world of government-based digital identity. Individual states in the US are looking at creating digital identities for their citizens, there are groups in the Federal Congress also looking at this, and the EU has its own initiatives in this area.

This has huge implications for regulation and responsible gaming, with the ability of governments to implement complex RG requirements across whole jurisdictions. Ultimately, RG makes our whole industry more sustainable, and we need to be involved in these conversations and lead early on.

Yoni: The iGaming industry can stay ahead of regulatory changes by adopting a proactive approach to compliance, leveraging advanced technology for real-time monitoring and reporting as well as maintaining transparent communication with regulatory bodies.

By investing in compliance training and staying informed about global regulatory trends, operators can quickly adapt to new regulatory developments. Fostering innovation while ensuring compliance can also be achieved by integrating flexible, scalable solutions that allow for rapid adjustments to regulatory requirements.