A wave of regulation and market expansion

Alberta prepares to open its iGaming market

Canadian province Alberta is poised to join Ontario in launching a regulated iGaming market. In January the provincial government introduced the iGaming Alberta Act and created the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) to oversee the new framework. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will serve as the regulator, and operators must complete a three‑part application process before signing an agreement with the AiGC. Alberta will retain 20 % of iGaming revenue; 2 % will go to First Nations and 1 % will fund social responsibility initiatives such as research and treatment for problem gambling. Advertising rules prohibit targeting minors or high‑risk individuals, and celebrities or athletes are banned from promotional campaigns. With the province boasting Canada’s youngest adult population and the highest per‑capita gambling spend, analysts expect commercial operators to jump at the chance to enter once the market opens later this year.

Mexico’s reform momentum

South of the border, Mexico is on the cusp of major changes. iGaming Business notes that the Mexican gambling sector faces regulatory upheaval and could cement itself as a key Latin American jurisdiction if upcoming reforms are delivered with clarity and efficiency. The government is preparing new legislation to modernise licensing and taxation, and international operators and investors are watching closely. Although details remain scarce, market intelligence reports promise regulatory analysis and operator insights that could influence investment strategies. Until the final framework is revealed, uncertainty will continue to shadow the world’s most populous Spanish‑speaking country.

Paraguay liberalises and records a revenue high

Paraguay’s gambling industry enjoyed a record year after lawmakers passed Law No 7348/2025. The law scrapped the state monopoly and established a regulatory framework for private operators. Gambling revenue reached PYG 215.9 billion (US$32.6 million) in 2025, up 22.9 % on the previous year and the highest figure on record. A tender for two additional sports betting licences could be issued later in 2026. The National Gaming Commission (Conajzar) has been placed under the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT) to improve tax collection and oversight. According to Conajzar president Carlos Liseras, Paraguay’s low tax burden makes it highly attractive to private companies and foreign investors.

Nevada cleans house after AML scandal

In the US, Nevada regulators are attempting to close the chapter on a high‑profile anti‑money‑laundering case involving Resorts World Las Vegas. The Nevada Gaming Control Board recommended granting a licence to a new board member and permanently banning convicted illegal bookmaker Matthew Bowyer. This follows an earlier US$10.5 million fine imposed on Resorts World for AML violations. Regulators emphasised that a new compliance‑focused board structure, including independent audit and training, is intended to create a culture of transparency and accountability. The actions signal the state’s desire to demonstrate that it can address integrity issues without federal intervention.

Financial results and tourism headwinds

Okada Manila’s GGR slump

In Asia, the Philippines’ largest integrated resort, Okada Manila, reported a 34 % year‑on‑year decline in gross gaming revenue for Q4 2025. The resort’s VIP segment fell 78.9 %, while mass‑market tables and gaming machines declined 10.8 % and 8.8 % respectively. The slide is attributed to a tourism slowdown following the suspension of e‑visa issuance for Chinese nationals; the programme was paused amid concerns over illegal online gaming workers and only resumed in late 2025. Tourism officials warn that it will take months to rebuild lost visitation. As casinos across Southeast Asia depend on cross‑border travel, Okada’s experience underscores the fragility of VIP revenue streams and the importance of diversified demand.

Artificial intelligence meets regulation

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is drafting the gaming industry’s first dedicated AI governance framework. In an interview with iGaming Business, MGA CEO Charles Mizzi explained that the voluntary framework aims to give licensees clarity at a time when AI systems are rapidly moving from experimentation to core operations. It will align with the forthcoming EU AI Act, outlining principles such as transparency, fairness, data protection and human oversight. The MGA emphasises that AI can boost fraud detection, reduce false positives in AML monitoring and identify signs of gambling harm, but warns that biased or opaque systems could harm players. The regulator encourages early adoption, saying operators who engage voluntarily will help shape standards and build trust. Malta’s leadership is significant because the island hosts many of Europe’s leading online operators, and its regulatory direction often influences broader industry practices.

Instant payments reshape the player experience

Fast and frictionless payments are emerging as a competitive necessity. According to Paymix Pro COO Mina Mitkova, 82 % of European online gamblers consider fast payouts important when choosing a platform, and 79 % value the speed of deposits. More than half of players would switch to a site offering instant withdrawals. The adoption of SEPA Instant payments and the Instant Payments Regulation (IPR) in Europe has enabled near‑instant euro transfers—within 10 seconds, 24 hours a day. This improves operators’ liquidity management and reduces reliance on card‑clearing cycles. Open banking and account‑to‑account (A2A) transfers further reduce failed transactions, card declines and chargebacks, creating a smooth payment journey. Instant payments not only enhance player satisfaction but also help operators meet compliance requirements through verified bank‑level data and real‑time monitoring. Mitkova stresses that strong partnerships between operators, payment service providers and open banking platforms are essential to build resilient payment ecosystems.

Crypto payments accelerate conversion

Cryptocurrency continues to gain ground as an alternative payment method. G&M News reports that early adopters of GR8 Tech’s Crypto Turnkey solution are seeing 1.6× higher conversion on first and second deposits, up to 3× lower transaction costs versus traditional methods and up to 2.5× faster withdrawal processing. GR8 Tech’s chief product officer, Denys Parkhomenko, argues that crypto removes payment provider dependencies and attracts high‑value players who already use digital assets. With settlements completing within minutes rather than days, operators are experiencing better margins and improved player experiences. The company plans live demonstrations at ICE Barcelona and positions crypto payments as a must‑have for operators targeting digitally savvy audiences.

Responsible play and digital wellness

As technology becomes omnipresent, a digital detox movement is influencing consumer behaviour. A G&M News analysis notes that players are reassessing their relationship with screens and seeking more balanced lifestyles. Responsible gambling features such as session reminders, time limits and cooling‑off periods align with this trend by introducing moments of pause and reflection. Instead of viewing these tools as regulatory burdens, operators are encouraged to frame them as part of a wellness‑oriented brand narrative. Clear UX design, educational content and proactive communication can normalise limits and help players see breaks as essential to long‑term enjoyment. The article suggests that embracing digital detox is not a threat but a strategic lens for responsible growth.

Sports integrity under scrutiny

In the US, federal prosecutors unsealed a sweeping indictment against 20 former college basketball players involved in a point‑shaving scheme covering nearly 30 games across 17 NCAA Division I teams. The ringleaders placed millions of dollars in bets on fixed games and paid players to underperform. The indictment is described as the largest college basketball gambling scandal in 75 years. Authorities emphasised that such corruption undermines public confidence in sports and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. The case highlights the importance of robust integrity measures as legal sports betting expands.

Conclusion

January 2026 has already delivered a series of significant developments for iGaming stakeholders. Alberta’s new framework signals another major regulated market opening in Canada, while Mexico and Paraguay move towards modernisation and growth. Compliance remains a central theme—from Nevada’s crackdown on AML failures to Malta’s pioneering AI governance initiative—and underscores the industry’s commitment to transparency and player protection. Payment innovation continues to accelerate, with instant transfers and crypto solutions reshaping the user experience and enabling operators to reduce friction. Meanwhile, cultural shifts such as digital detox and heightened scrutiny around match integrity remind operators that responsible play and fair competition are integral to sustainable success. As the year unfolds, staying attuned to these evolving trends will be crucial for operators, affiliates and investors looking to thrive in the global iGaming ecosystem.