Best iGaming trends of 2025

SOFTSWISS, the Malta-based iGaming software development company, has released an updated version of its third annual iGaming trends report for 2025. From regulatory updates to financial oversights, it covers pivotal changes happening across the iGaming industry up until June 2025.

Brazil

As of January 1, 2025, fixed-odd sports betting and online casinos are legalized in Brazil. Additionally, to improve public finances, the Brazilian government sought to increase Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from 12% to 18%. This pending provisional measure has 120 days to get approval from the National Congress. Lastly, a new Ordinance by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting on March 21, 2025, urges payment firms to monitor and report transactions from unauthorized operators. 

Chile

Chile’s progress towards acquiring regulations for online betting and iGaming has slowed and almost stagnated, despite the bill being approved by Chile’s Chamber of Deputies in December 2023. 

Curaçao 

Curaçao has shifted towards an EU-centric, report-focused framework, by conducting on-site inspections, strict ad-code compliance, and compulsory pre-affiliate approvals.

Dominican Republic 

A new regulator, DGJA, is expected to oversee online gambling, including creating new licenses and collecting taxes. The proposed regulator also demands a 10% GGR tax on online operators.

Germany 

As of February 2025, Germany has a state monopoly on online table games like Roulette and Blackjack. The new state operator has also introduced a new tax regime that further restricts the frameworks of online gambling in Germany.

Ghana 

Ghana has reversed a controversial tax policy that was withholding 10% of tax on all gambling and lottery wins.

India 

The Supreme Court has taken measures to prevent the Indian government from collecting roughly €11.5 billion in back taxes from gaming companies. Meanwhile, regulators are ramping up efforts to shut down illegal gambling ads.

Ireland 

Ireland is getting a new gambling licensing system under the Gambling Regulation Act. Applications for online and retail licensing will open in late 2025, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has announced.

Italy

The tender for Italy’s new licensing regime concluded on May 30, 2025. The license for this 9-year-long scheme requires a fee of €7 million and 3% of net revenue from selected regulators.  

Additionally, the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has introduced a new strategy that uses real-time transaction monitoring and automated compliance tools to strengthen AML enforcement.

Kenya

In June 2025, Kenya’s government reduced the excise duty from 15% to 5% to make gambling more affordable. However, it also imposed several restrictions on gambling, including a nationwide ad blackout in May. 

Lithuania

Gambling ads have been banned in Lithuania since July 1, 2025, with the only exception being the sports sponsorships and event broadcasts until 2028. Additionally, the minimum legal age for gambling has been increased from 18 to 21.

Malta

 In June 2025, the European Commission initiated infringement proceedings against Malta’s Gaming Act (Article 56A, or Bill 55), which protects Malta’s licensed operators from court rulings of other EU states. 

The government has acknowledged the formal notice from the European Commission and will formally respond within the allotted time.

Netherlands 

The Netherlands' new policy framework aims to limit gambling advertisements, increase the minimum legal gambling age to 21, and universalize operators’ spending limit. Additionally, the country is taking measures to combat illegal operators.

New Zealand 

In New Zealand, online gambling will be legalized by 2026. In July 2024, the government announced a competitive process to award 15 licenses to potential operators. The legislation will conclude in early 2026. 

Nigeria 

Earlier this year, the Nigerian government reformed taxes on all gambling services. Furthermore, it launched a Remote Operator Permit to allow offshore licensed operators to provide services to Nigerian players. 

In other news, Google has removed all gambling advertisements in Nigeria. The Supreme Court followed it up by dismantling the federal National Lottery Act.

Paraguay

In May 2025, Paraguay introduced a new law that enables private operators to earn a gambling license. To oversee the licensing process and ensure player protection, the government also established a national regulator called the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar).

Philippines

On June 18, 2025, the Philippine government launched the PAGCOR Guarantee website. It provides players direct access to licensed operators. PAGCOR also reduced GGR tax from 35% to 30% in hopes of supporting local operators.

South Africa

The Parliament is reviewing the Online Gambling bill, which, when enacted, will legalise online gambling in South Africa. The bill seeks to increase regulation standards by blocking unlicensed gambling websites and ensuring player protection.

Spain 

The Spanish government has intensified its efforts to combat unlicensed gambling operators and enhance player protection. Aside from charging a fine and enacting bans on thirteen unlicensed operators, the government also targeted a licensed operator, Codere Online, for running ads on Facebook that were reportedly targeting minors.

Sweden 

Online Gambling will not use credit cards from April 1, 2026. It’s part of an initiative to reduce financial risk and improve player protection.

Sweden is also closing its last state-run casino, Casino Cosmopol Stockholm, by January 2026, as the country gears up for an online-only gambling market.

United Kingdom

The UK’s Gambling Commission (UKGC) is making a series of regulatory changes to strengthen online gambling. This includes online slots and deposit limits, bonus and promotion restrictions, and a mandatory levy introduction for first-time depositors.

USA

The USA has taken steps to ban 26 sweepstakes casinos across the country. Additionally, a new bill has been passed to ban similar business models and impose fines up to $100,000.

These are all the notable happenings around the world for iGaming in the first half of 2025.

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