Emerging markets opening up away from the UK as regulations continue to hit the casino industry

When an entertainment avenue enjoys such a meteoric rise into the limelight, it can be easy to be swept along with the success of it. For the iGaming industry, the past years have proved extremely fruitful for activities such as online casino play, online sports betting, and Esports. However, as popularity grows and these arms of iGaming gain more followers and users, the priority list often needs to be reevaluated.

Producing supremely interactive and engaging games is the main priority, but with a greater number of players logging into online casino accounts and exploring the vast number of online blackjack, roulette, and online slots options, the level of risk also increases. For leading markets in the online casino industry that possess a wealth of experience in the operation and regulation of such platforms, the increased level of risk elevates the amount of responsibility to protect loyal customers from potential dangers such as gambling addiction and large financial losses.

This is where one of the leading online casino markets currently finds itself. The United Kingdom has been leading the online casino movement since the mid 1990's, but the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) along with the UK government feel that now is the time to reassess their responsibilities and duty to protect players on UK-licensed online casinos.

Limits and Checks

With the benefit of a thriving gambling industry that is projected to reach £5.20 billion in revenue in 2025 already established, the UKGC feel that now is the moment to take stock and assess the overall impact of online gambling. As a result, limits on online slots games were introduced in September 2024 to place a cap on the maximum amount an online slots player could wager. This limit differed depending on age with a maximum of £2 for 18-24-year-old players, which increases to £5 for those 25 and above.

However, the new regulations did not stop with online slots. A broader check of players and their financial losses was put under the microscope which resulted in "invisible background checks" being introduced in August 2024. The initial threshold to trigger a check comes if a player deposits £500 or more in a month. From the end of this month, this amount will drop to £150.

The white paper continues to divide opinion in the UK with many regarding the "invisible affordability checks" as an invasion of privacy. Meanwhile, the more experienced online casino players are not content with the wagering limits that are capping potential winnings. And this all after bonus buy slots were banned in the UK in 2019.

New markets looking to take advantage

With the online casino industry in the UK in a state of flux, there is the potential for other emerging markets within the industry to take advantage of the situation. With technology and software also advancing at a rate of knots, players are able to use Virtual Private Networks (VPN) nowadays to explore international options away from the UK. Outside of the UK, more markets are making a push to claim a slice of the online casino revenue pie, with Ontario (Canada), the U.S, Brazil, and Germany ramping up their iGaming activity.

The revenue numbers posted by markets worldwide cannot be ignored, and coupled with the accessibility, convenience, and portability offered by online casino play, more providers are filling an increasing popular space. Of course, the UK has played their role in setting an example of how successful iGaming can be in the current digital era.

But while the UK assesses the state of online gambling within its borders, competitors will be looking to concretise regulations and legislation and even take learnings from the current situation in the UK. For many emerging markets, the online casino journey is only beginning and with the world becoming more digital, there will be more markets to keep an eye out for in the iGaming space.