SOFTSWISS and WorldGaming Expand Scope of 2027 iGaming Trends Report

Portugal.- 23 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com SOFTSWISS has partnered with WorldGaming for the fifth edition of its iGaming Trends Report 2027, which will be unveiled on 29 September during SBC Summit Lisbon.

The new edition significantly expands the research methodology and, for the first time, examines iGaming within a broader digital economy by comparing it with other technology and consumer industries.

Fifth Edition of the Report

The project reaches its fifth edition after first launching in 2022.

Since then, SOFTSWISS has developed the report into an annual study focused on identifying technological, commercial, regulatory and behavioural trends across the international iGaming market.

Launch at SBC Summit Lisbon

The report will be officially presented on 29 September 2026 at SBC Summit Lisbon.

SOFTSWISS will exhibit at stand B501 and use the event to discuss the findings with operators, suppliers and other industry stakeholders.

WorldGaming as Strategic Partner

WorldGaming, formerly known as Clarion Gaming, joins this edition as strategic partner.

Its contribution will focus particularly on:

• Regional analysis.
• Market perspectives.
• Regulatory development.
• Commercial evolution.
• Jurisdiction-specific trends.

ICE, iGB and GGB

WorldGaming will also contribute insight developed through platforms and brands including:

• ICE.
• iGB.
• GGB.

The partnership is intended to provide a broader view of how different markets are developing.

More Than 500 Industry Professionals

The 2027 report draws on responses from more than 500 industry professionals.

This represents almost twice the number involved in previous editions.

Participants include professionals working across operations, technology, regulation, product, marketing and corporate management.

480,000 Media Headlines Analysed

The research also includes analysis of more than 480,000 media headlines.

This dataset is used to identify:

• Narrative trends.
• Changes in perception.
• Emerging themes.
• Industry sentiment.

The volume represents another substantial increase compared with earlier editions.

New “Beyond iGaming” Chapter

A central addition is the new “Beyond iGaming” chapter.

For the first time, SOFTSWISS will compare gaming with other major digital industries.

Cross-Industry Comparison

The analysis includes sectors such as:

• E-commerce.
• Cryptocurrency.
• Streaming.
• Sport.
• Film.
• Other digital industries.

The objective is to assess iGaming’s maturity against sectors that have experienced comparable processes of digitalisation, regulation and rapid growth.

iGaming Within the Digital Economy

The report positions iGaming among the major digital sectors when factors such as market size, growth, regulatory burden and digital maturity are considered together.

The 2027 edition therefore aims to place gaming within a wider economic framework rather than studying it in isolation.

Amazon Web Services Contribution

Amazon Web Services, AWS, will provide analysis of artificial-intelligence adoption across gaming.

Areas covered include:

• Compliance.
• Fraud detection.
• Personalisation.
• Customer support.
• Automation.

AI as a Core Trend

Artificial intelligence remains one of the industry’s most significant trends.

The report will examine both the opportunities created by automation and the operational and regulatory considerations associated with deploying AI systems.

Compliance and Fraud Detection

Fraud prevention and regulatory compliance are among the areas where automation is gaining traction.

Operators increasingly use technology to identify anomalous patterns and support monitoring processes.

Personalisation

AI is also being applied to customise player experiences.

Applications can cover recommendations, communications, promotions and customer-support interactions.

H2 Gambling Capital

The report will also include data from H2 Gambling Capital.

Its contribution covers areas including:

• Market sizing.
• Forecasts.
• Regional development.
• Performance across different verticals.

Pentasia and the Workforce

Pentasia will provide labour-market data.

The research will examine:

• Hiring trends.
• Retention.
• Talent shortages.
• Roles experiencing particularly strong demand.

Talent as a Strategic Challenge

Access to technology, regulatory and commercial expertise remains an important factor in industry growth.

The report aims to identify which skill sets are becoming more difficult to recruit and retain.

Regulation as a Competitive Advantage

One question explored by the 2027 edition is whether regulatory compliance can increasingly become a commercial advantage.

As markets mature, licensing, security and compliance can function not only as legal requirements but also as competitive differentiators.

Responsible Gambling and Commercial Performance

The study will also examine the relationship between responsible gambling and business performance.

It asks whether stronger player-protection frameworks can be incorporated into sustainable commercial strategies rather than treated solely as compliance costs.

Gaming as an Economic Driver

Another theme is the role regulated gaming can play within national economies.

The report considers areas including:

• Employment.
• Taxation.
• Technology.
• Investment.
• Professional services.
• Market development.

Case Studies

The Beyond iGaming section will also include case studies covering:

• Operator growth.
• International expansion.
• Market development.
• Corporate performance.

The intention is to connect aggregated research with real-world industry examples.

More Than 32,000 Downloads

Since the first edition launched in 2022, the report has generated more than 32,000 downloads.

The growth of its audience contributed to SOFTSWISS expanding the research scope for the 2027 edition.

Dedicated Lisbon Panel

On 29 September, SOFTSWISS will also host “2027 iGaming Trends Report | Five Years of iGaming: Which Trends Endured, Which Faded, and What Comes Next?”.

The session will examine which trends from the past five years became structural and which proved temporary.

Five Years of Industry Evolution

The panel will revisit themes that dominated earlier market cycles.

Discussion will seek to distinguish lasting structural shifts from short-lived trends and consider what may shape the next stage of iGaming development.

Alexandra Kavelich on the Expanded Scope

SOFTSWISS Deputy CMO Alexandra Kavelich said growing complexity and stronger cross-sector influence prompted the company to widen the research framework.

The 2027 edition nearly doubles both the number of professionals surveyed and the volume of media content analysed.

Industry Context

iGaming is entering a more mature phase characterised by tighter regulation, corporate consolidation, wider use of artificial intelligence and stronger links with the broader digital economy.

The report is intended to reflect that transition through a larger dataset and cross-industry comparison.

Next Steps and Impact

SOFTSWISS and WorldGaming will reveal the full findings in Lisbon on 29 September.

For operators and suppliers, the report is intended to serve as a strategic planning tool for 2027, highlighting regulatory, technological, commercial and workforce changes that could affect future strategy.

Contributions from AWS, H2 Gambling Capital, Pentasia and WorldGaming make this fifth edition the project’s broadest research effort to date.

Editó: @fonta