Global iGaming expansion is accelerating in 2026, with emerging markets now accounting for a growing share of industry revenue driven by mobile-first adoption, regulatory liberalisation, and digital payments. From experienced markets, including operators like Vegastars at online casino AU, the United Kingdom, and the U.S, to markets slowly getting to grips with online gambling regulation such as Italy, Ireland, and Brazil, the iGaming industry is becoming increasingly competitive.

As mobile technology improves and regulations evolve, millions of new players are entering the online gambling ecosystem for the first time. According to market analysts at Statista and H2 Gambling Capital, global online gambling revenue is expected to exceed $130 billion within the next few years, driven largely by smartphone adoption, digital payment innovation, and regulation in developing regions. And emerging markets will contribute significantly to that revenue projection.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34678230

Alt text: Image of roulette table with segment of roulette wheel and angled view of the roulette gaming cloth with a stack of chips next to the wheel and chips placed around the betting section.

The Importance of Emerging Markets in iGaming

The emergence of markets looking to strengthen their positions in the iGaming industry is important for the evolution of online casinos and online sportsbooks. Across the world, there are hundreds of licensed iGaming operators with various levels of regulation. The global hierarchy of iGaming markets has the likes of the UK, Australia with operators such as Vegastars, and the U.S at the top, in terms of experience and revenue produced. 

However, these markets are being pushed ever harder by countries such as Germany, South Africa, and Ontario (Canada), prompting decision-making bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and individual state and territory governments in the U.S and Australia to keep driving their own standards.

While individual markets constantly look to evolve to stay ahead of the competition, the growth of emerging markets is also important to set overall standards in the industry on a global scale. With the rise of online casino play and online sports betting coinciding with the growing digital movement, more emphasis is placed on regulation to ensure that secure, safe, and responsible processes are implemented in the less visible online world.

The topic of responsible gambling especially has taken on greater meaning in recent years for online operators such as Vegastars, with its licensing approved by the Tobique Gaming Commission and the Anjouan Gaming Authority. Vegastars commits to working hard to ensure that players are protected and that they are empowered with as many safety measures as possible to implement limits and boundaries on game play.

Responsible Gambling Advisory

Players should always gamble responsibly and only use licensed, reputable platforms. Gambling should not be used to generate income. If gambling begins affecting finances, relationships, or mental health, seek support through professional organisations and national gambling helplines such as Gambling Therapy.

Players can also find the following safety measures to practice responsible gambling:

• Deposit and spending limits
• Self-exclusion tools
• Reality checks including online timers and automatic account log out
• Access to support and help organisations

Where are the Top Emerging Markets? 

Across the world, the established markets belong to a league of their own. The UK, U.S, Australia with operators such as Vegastars have demonstrated over a long period that they can handle the rigours of the online gambling sector and the testing challenges to regulation posed. However, other markets are starting to find their way. Here are a few of them.

1. Latin America

Latin America has quickly become a source for emerging markets in iGaming. Countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico are leading the charge due to growing internet penetration and stronger frameworks established for the activity. 

Below are some other key growth drivers:

• Rapid smartphone adoption
• Expanding digital banking services
• Sports betting popularity
• Government interest in taxation revenue

Brazil, in particular, stands out following major regulatory developments surrounding online gambling legislation. Specialist betting lawyer, Udo Seckelmann, believes there will be many changes in regulations and a period of consolidation as the new rules take effect:

“We can expect a lot of changes and consolidation in Brazil this year, consolidation of the understanding or the interpretation for the SPA (Secretariat of Prizes and Betting) of what is going to work, what is going to be allowed, what is not going to be allowed.”

- Udo Seckelmann, Specialist Betting Lawyer

2. Africa

Africa represents a unique long-term opportunity for iGaming companies. While desktop infrastructure remains limited in many regions, mobile penetration has exploded, especially in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana. Sports betting, especially football, dominates the African market, but online casinos are steadily gaining traction.

3. India

India’s online gaming ecosystem has experienced explosive growth thanks to affordable mobile data and a thriving digital economy. Although gambling regulations remain determined by individual states, fantasy sports, poker, and skill-based gaming platforms continue attracting millions of users. Cricket betting continues to retain the most interest for the millions passionate about the sport in India.

The challenge for operators in India remains legal uncertainty, but industry analysts widely consider India one of the most promising long-term opportunities in iGaming. However, competition is expected in all corners of the planet.

The following countries have also been tipped by Altenar to continue gaining momentum in 2026:

• Poland
• Italy
• Philippines
• Finland
• United Arab Emirates

While the countries listed above represent markets that are at the beginning of their regulatory cycles, the following table provides a broader summary of key emerging markets in each continent as well as the factors that are driving the online gambling industry in their region:

What we can take away from this section is that there are many markets that are emerging in the industry. With different factors driving iGaming activity in each market, the variation shows the diverse ways countries can access the iGaming industry.

The Rise of Mobile-First Gambling

One of the common threads that is driving the growth of emerging markets is the rise of mobile gaming. Advances in technology have enhanced the processing power and overall performance of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and even smart watches to provide enough power to drive quality online casino play and online sports betting. 

The ability to support more innovative, processing-intensive features such as live casino play and live betting and real time odds has allowed emerging markets and operators such as Vegastars to seamlessly translate the gaming experience onto a portable device that offers new levels of convenience and practicality. In an article on the Forbes website, it was reported by Sensor Tower that around “50 billion mobile games were downloaded in 2025.”

That incorporates all types of games but for the online gambling, the trend is the reason why more markets are emerging on the scene. Amid the wider digital transformation, the smartphone has become an essential item for people worldwide, which has automatically given markets entering the industry an audience that is becoming more accustomed with mobile gaming. 

Vegastars is one such operator that has created a mobile app for its users that aims to replicate the desktop experience on handheld devices. With a growing user base, experiences can then be tailored to suit the various shapes and sizes of devices, without losing any quality.

Source: https://egt-digital.com/blog_article/igaming-business-in-the-united-states/

Alt text: Image of mobile phone with online casino related graphics jumping out of the screen.

Emerging Technologies Shaping iGaming Markets

For emerging markets in the iGaming industry, they are arriving at a good time. Technology has progressed rapidly in recent years and has given birth to innovations and new digital entities that are proving beneficial to the online gambling sector.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Although it has been around for years already, AI has now reached a stage where it can help emerging markets and operators within them operationally. Licensed operators in regulated markets, including platforms such as Vegastars are collaborating more with AI to enhance the overall experience, on and off the virtual gaming floor. 

From personalised game recommendations, the identification of fraudulent activity connected to the personal data of players or their financial information, and customer support, AI is helping operators such as Vegastars keep up with player’s evolving expectations in the digital era. 

Cryptocurrency

For key emerging markets currently entering or trying to establish themselves in the iGaming world, they are having to deal with the arrival of a new payment method that could potentially be the future of finance. Institutions around the world, including the Deutsche Bundesbank, are contemplating what a future with digital currency looks like. In a keynote speech at OMFIF “Future of Payments Forum,” Fritzi Köhler-Geib remarked on the potential of cryptocurrency.

“Even though the crypto market is still relatively small at present, it is growing rapidly.”

• Fritzi Köhler-Geib, Member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank

With banking institutions considering the implications of cryptocurrency, it is only natural that operators in the iGaming industry will do the same. Vegastars is one operator that already includes cryptocurrency as a payment method and benefits from the blockchain advantages associated with cryptocurrency transfers. The topic of cryptocurrency is likely to grow in years to come as the world continues to digitalise further.

The Final Word

In a world where online entertainment is gaining greater recognition, there are more emerging markets in the iGaming industry looking to evolve alongside society. With new players joining the industry from continents across the world, there are countries that can continue to drive competition and standards within the industry. 

Those that prioritise player safety, localisation, and mobile-first innovation will likely be best positioned to succeed. The iGaming movement is expected to continue gathering speed into 2027 as the activity expands its outreach on a larger, global scale.

• Samuel K. is a Special Contributor to the Gambling911.com website

Samuel has been writing on the iGaming industry for over five years and through his work, has kept up to date with the latest developments and innovations emerging out of the industry. With the landscape of the iGaming world constantly shifting, the pure aim is to keep readers as informed as possible about new topics and arrivals within the industry.