Industry predictions: More start-ups and break-outs and live sports games to make a mark

Tony Ure, head of egaming, Isle of Man Digital

Use of tech to meet compliance rules

I think one of the biggest trends that will emerge is the use of technology to fulfil compliance requirements. As more jurisdictions embrace regulation, I hope that we will start to see regulators align on international standards to make it easier for operators and suppliers to enter multiple markets while still ensuring the highest levels of player protection.

If regulations can be better aligned, tech suppliers will be able to meet global requirements and make the player acquisition and onboarding process much easier for operators with tools that satisfy the multiple regulators they are reporting to. This ultimately benefits all stakeholders – operators, suppliers, regulators and also players.

I also believe that Covid will be with us for a long time to come but I do believe we will get to a point where we can get back to some form of normal life and interact face to face with our friends and colleagues around the world.

Simon Field, director of commercial operations, OnAir

Continued innovation

The drive for innovation in live casino will persist, but it will be difficult for anyone other than the top providers, given the competencies required. Competitors will attempt to catch up by adding a spin to what we’ve seen before, but it’s unlikely they’ll overtake the market leaders in the short term. I do hope that all suppliers in our space will continue to push boundaries, keeping the overall quality on a par with other verticals.

More growth and market consolidation

The global appetite for live casino continues to grow and, with the US being the hot topic, more M&A activity is surely on the cards for 2022. The purchase of Authentic was likely to be a US-facing decision and we know others are going there aggressively, so I expect to see ambitions mounting throughout 2022.

More start-ups and break-outs

Alongside consolidation, we’ll see more start-up suppliers slipping into the marketplace due to the margins, but what’s unclear is how that will impact the industry. Many people think they can ski until they put on skis – I believe this realisation will see many new market entrants delaying business and product launches.

Vladislav Artemyev, co-founder, CEO, SportGames TV

Live sports games to make a mark

I believe 2022 will be the year that live sport games will be widely embraced by operators and players alike. Just like live casino, which is set to account for 50% of the market by 2025, live sports games have the potential to become a significant vertical in their own right. This is because of the interactive nature of these games, and the ability for players to bet 24/7.

Consumer preferences are changing with entertainment, interactivity and shared social experiences becoming increasingly important. Live sports games provide this, as well as the ability for players to bet on the outcome of contests and games. The fast-paced nature of live sports – from bet placement to completion can take just 30 seconds – makes them perfect for mobile play.

While live sports are unlikely to account for 50% of the total sports betting market by the end of 2022 – or indeed 2025 – I do believe live sports will take the industry by storm in the coming 12 months.