SOFTSWISS has released the fifth edition of its yearly iGaming Trends Report, produced with WorldGaming and including input from Amazon Web Services. It puts gross gaming revenue for 2026 at €305bn and gives the sector a Digital Maturity Index of 4.67 out of five. The study treats regulatory change, competitive pressure and changing player behaviour as important considerations for sports betting operators planning their next moves.
Market size relative to other digital industries
The authors compare iGaming with online retail, sports, cinema, video games, streaming, e-pharmacy and cryptocurrency, measuring each by revenue scale, growth, rule-making and digital capability. SBC News reports that, according to chief marketing officer Valentina Bagniya, the €305bn figure makes iGaming the fourth-largest category in the benchmark after e-commerce, sport and film. The same comparison places iGaming at the highest possible regulatory load of five, matching crypto and online pharmacy.
Digital maturity score and what drives it
The 4.67 index is calculated from metrics such as AI adoption, mobile-first products, digital acquisition, payments, RegTech and data-based decision-making. Bagniya told SBC News that this places iGaming at a technological level close to advanced e-commerce and fintech operators. She said the mix of heavy transaction volumes, modern systems and strict compliance means the industry is much more than a gambling vertical and instead works as a highly developed digital ecosystem. SBC News
Regulatory pressure and UK tax changes
According to Bagniya, regulatory attention is unlikely to ease, particularly in mature jurisdictions. The report uses the UK to illustrate the trend: Remote Gaming Duty rose from 21% to 40% in April 2026, and the levy on most remote betting is scheduled to climb to 25% from April 2027. Authorities are focusing more on taxation, player protection, advertising, anti-money laundering and how gambling products are built and run, she said. These issues apply directly to sportsbook operators operating across regulated markets.
Cybersecurity, fraud and black market risks
SOFTSWISS identifies cybersecurity and fraud as a separate headwind. In the first quarter of 2026, fintech, ICT and betting were the three sectors most frequently hit by DDoS attacks, according to the company. Bagniya said anti-fraud, AML and payment defences need to behave as one system and respond in real time. The report also points to the danger of over-strict rules: after Brazil introduced a new betting ban, identified unauthorised betting operations increased from 331 to 575 within a day, a 74% jump based on Bet Legal monitoring. Over five days, the rise reached about 464%, which Bagniya said shows how quickly demand can move away from licensed operators.
Competition, player behaviour and the 2027 outlook
A press release published by Focus Gaming News says the report lists regulatory changes, competition and shifts in player behaviour among the main factors influencing market opportunity. SOFTSWISS will distribute the study at SiGMA World 2026 in Rome from 3 to 5 November and discuss how operators can use products such as its Sportsbook. Bagniya said in the release: 'Operators are finalising their strategies and budgets, and everyone wants to know which markets are worth investing in next. But the more useful question is whether those markets make sense for their business.' The company said operators need reliable market information to assess opportunities and make informed choices. Focus Gaming News
