The global iGaming industry is entering a new phase of expansion, powered by clearer regulation and next-generation technology, according to the newly released 2026iGaming Trends report by SOFTSWISS.
The report finds that common-sense regulation, focused on transparency, player protection, and compliance has become a catalyst for industry growth rather than a constraint. As governments provide clearer frameworks, companies make plans for the longer term, investors gain confidence and players increasingly turn to trusted, licensed operators.
The global iGaming market is projected to reach $169 billion by 2030, up from $103 billion in 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.44%. Regulation is moving beyond voluntary guidelines, with many countries making responsible gaming (RG) standards, advertising limits, and spending checks a legal requirement.
Industry participants are responding by investing in AI-driven compliance tools, real-time player monitoring, and data analytics to detect and prevent risky behaviour. Traditional Responsible gamingmeasures such as deposit limits and self-exclusion tools are now viewed as a baseline, not a differentiator, says the report, based on a survey of over 350 industry players, investors and regulators.
The relationship between iGaming and its regulators is also changing. Survey respondents were asked to rate the sector’s current legal and regulatory environment on a scale from 1 to 10 – the higher the score the more positive the view, according to research by SOFTSWISS. Nearly half of the respondents chose ratings of 7 or above, with the average rating increasing to 6.36 in 2025 from 6.06 a year earlier, the survey found. This underscores that regulation is viewed in an increasingly positive light, bringing clarity and being mostly supportive of sustainable industry growth.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, commented:
“Regulation is not always the enemy of growth. When done right, it becomes the foundation for it. Just as crypto markets are maturing with the introduction of regulations such as the GENIUS Act, lowering risk and encouraging participation, iGaming is now entering its own ‘GENIUS moment’. Transparent rules level the playing field, protect players, and create confidence that drives sustainable expansion.”
The iGaming sector is now entering a new stage of maturity, comparable to the cryptocurrency industry in the United States, which is using new legislation such as the GENIUS Act to bring stablecoins into the mainstream. Similar to the GENIUS Act, which seeks to transform the crypto space, and stablecoins in particular, into safer and more predictable financial assets, iGaming is experiencing similar regulatory trends. New and evolving regulatory frameworks around licensing, player protection, and advertising standards are working towards creating a more transparent, accountable, and sustainable global industry.
The iGaming Trends Report highlights 2025 as a transformative year, with governments worldwide introducing or tightening frameworks that combine market liberalisation with greater accountability.
Key developments include:
Finland: The Gambling Reform Bill ends the Veikkaus monopoly, introducing a competitive licensing model and creating a new Licensing and Supervision Authority alongside a national self-exclusion registry.
Austria: The government launched its first competitive tender for online casino licences, ending Casinos Austria’s decades-long monopoly and inviting private operators under stricter compliance and tax rules.
Brazil: Implementation of Law No. 14,790/2023 formally regulates sports betting and iGaming, requiring local servers, tax transparency, and responsible gambling programs.
United Kingdom: The Gambling Act Review introduces stake limits for online slots, affordability risk checks, and data-sharing mandates between operators to enhance player safety.
United States: States such as New York and California move closer to legalising online casinos, adopting frameworks inspired by New Jersey and Michigan, with embedded responsible gaming technology.
Philippines: The PAGCOR restructuring bill separates the regulator’s commercial and oversight functions, increasing transparency and improving investor confidence.
Regulatory changes mark the emergence of a global iGaming framework, where regulation and innovation evolve hand in hand. By creating safer, transparent, and competitive environments, governments are reducing the appeal of bad-faith operators and laying the groundwork for sustainable industry expansion.
About SOFTSWISS:
SOFTSWISS is a global tech company, supplying award-winning software solutions for iGaming since 2009. Supported by a team of more than 2,000 experts, SOFTSWISS serves more than 1,000 global brands through its comprehensive product ecosystem. In 2013, it revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. Today, SOFTSWISS continues to leverage the latest technologies and champion responsible gaming across the globe from its offices in Malta, Poland and Georgia.
The intersection of animation technology and business transformation is creating unprecedented opportunities for Irish tech companies
The animation industry is undergoing a technological revolution that extends far beyond entertainment. Belfast-based Educational Voice is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging cutting-edge animation technologies to solve complex business communication challenges for Ireland’s thriving tech sector. Their innovative approach combines traditional 2D animation expertise with emerging technologies like AI-assisted production, real-time rendering, and data-driven personalisation.
As Irish tech companies scale globally, they face increasing pressure to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders—from investors and partners to end-users and internal teams. Educational Voice has positioned itself as the crucial bridge between technical complexity and visual clarity, developing animation workflows that integrate seamlessly with modern tech stacks whilst delivering exceptional creative output. Their Belfast studio has become a hub for animation innovation, attracting tech companies from across Ireland and the UK seeking to transform how they communicate.
The convergence of animation and technology represents more than aesthetic evolution—it’s fundamentally changing how businesses approach knowledge transfer, product demonstration, and user onboarding. Michelle Connolly, founder and director of Educational Voice, observes: “We’re not just animators; we’re communication technologists. Our role is to harness animation technology to solve real business problems, whether that’s explaining complex SaaS platforms, visualising data architectures, or creating interactive training systems that scale across global organisations.”
The Technical Architecture Behind Modern Animation Production
Modern animation production has evolved into a sophisticated technical discipline requiring expertise across multiple technology domains. Educational Voice’s production pipeline integrates cloud-based rendering farms, version control systems, and collaborative platforms that mirror the workflows used in software development. This technical infrastructure enables rapid iteration, parallel production streams, and seamless integration with client systems.
The studio employs JSON-based animation frameworks that allow for programmatic control of animation elements, enabling dynamic content generation based on real-time data inputs. This approach proves particularly valuable for tech companies requiring animations that adapt to user segments, product versions, or market conditions. API integration capabilities mean animations can pull live data from client systems, ensuring content remains current without manual updates.
Render optimisation technologies reduce production timeframes by up to 60% compared to traditional methods. GPU-accelerated rendering, distributed processing, and intelligent caching systems enable Educational Voice to deliver enterprise-scale animation projects within aggressive tech industry timelines. The studio’s technical team includes specialists in shader programming, particle systems, and procedural animation—skills typically associated with game development but increasingly vital for business animation.
Version control and asset management systems borrowed from software development ensure animation projects maintain consistency across large-scale deployments. Git-based workflows enable multiple animators to collaborate on complex projects whilst maintaining creative coherence. Automated testing frameworks verify animation compatibility across devices and platforms, crucial for tech companies deploying content globally.
AI and Machine Learning: Transforming Animation Workflows
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising animation production in ways that particularly benefit tech sector clients. Educational Voice’s advanced animation services incorporate AI tools that automate repetitive tasks, enhance creative possibilities, and dramatically reduce production costs. Machine learning algorithms analyse existing brand assets to generate style guides automatically, ensuring animation consistency with established visual identities.
Neural networks trained on motion capture data enable realistic character animation without expensive mocap sessions. This technology proves invaluable for tech companies creating avatar-based training systems or virtual presenters for product demonstrations. The AI-generated base animations maintain natural movement patterns whilst allowing for creative modification, striking the perfect balance between efficiency and artistic control.
Natural language processing capabilities transform script development and localisation. AI systems can analyse technical documentation and automatically generate animation scripts that maintain accuracy whilst improving accessibility. For Irish tech companies expanding internationally, automated translation and lip-sync adjustment reduce localisation costs by up to 70% whilst maintaining quality across language versions.
Predictive analytics inform creative decisions by analysing engagement data from previous animations. Machine learning models identify which visual styles, pacing patterns, and narrative structures resonate with specific audience segments. This data-driven approach ensures animations achieve maximum impact whilst minimising revision cycles—crucial advantages in fast-moving tech markets.
Real-Time Rendering and Interactive Animation Technologies
The shift towards real-time rendering engines traditionally used in gaming is transforming business animation capabilities. Educational Voice leverages Unreal Engine and Unity to create interactive animations that respond to user input, enabling personalised learning experiences and dynamic product demonstrations. This technology particularly benefits software companies requiring interactive tutorials that adapt to user proficiency levels.
WebGL implementation enables browser-based interactive animations without plugins, crucial for SaaS companies prioritising frictionless user experiences. These animations can track user interactions, providing valuable analytics about engagement patterns and comprehension levels. Tech companies use this data to optimise onboarding flows and identify areas where users struggle with product features.
Real-time rendering also enables live animation streaming for virtual events and webinars. Instead of pre-recorded content, presenters can manipulate animation elements dynamically, responding to audience questions and adjusting explanations based on real-time feedback. This capability has proven invaluable for Irish tech companies conducting global product launches and training sessions.
The computational efficiency of modern real-time engines allows complex animations to run on mobile devices without performance degradation. This democratisation of access ensures enterprise training content reaches all employees regardless of device capabilities—particularly important for companies with distributed workforces across varying technological infrastructures.
Blockchain and NFT Integration in Corporate Animation
While consumer NFT markets have cooled, blockchain technology offers intriguing possibilities for enterprise animation applications. Educational Voice explores blockchain integration for animation asset verification, ensuring authenticity and preventing unauthorised modifications of critical training or compliance content. Smart contracts can automatically manage licensing and usage rights for animation assets across complex organisational structures.
Decentralised storage solutions provide redundancy and global accessibility for animation libraries, particularly valuable for multinational tech companies requiring consistent content delivery across regions. IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) integration ensures animations remain accessible even if centralised servers fail, crucial for mission-critical training materials.
Tokenisation mechanisms enable granular tracking of animation usage and engagement, providing unprecedented insights into content effectiveness. Tech companies can identify exactly which animation segments drive desired outcomes, informing future content strategies with precision previously impossible. This data granularity particularly benefits companies operating in regulated industries requiring detailed training compliance documentation.
The DevOps Approach to Animation Production
Educational Voice applies DevOps principles to animation production, creating continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines that accelerate delivery whilst maintaining quality. Automated build processes compile animation assets, run quality checks, and deploy to distribution platforms without manual intervention. This approach reduces human error whilst enabling rapid updates in response to product changes.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles ensure animation production environments can be replicated instantly, enabling parallel production streams for large projects. Containerisation using Docker ensures consistent rendering regardless of underlying hardware, whilst Kubernetes orchestration manages resource allocation dynamically based on project demands.
Monitoring and logging systems track every aspect of production pipelines, from render times to asset utilisation. This telemetry data informs capacity planning and identifies optimisation opportunities. For tech clients accustomed to data-driven decision-making, this transparency provides confidence in production processes and timeline estimates.
Automated testing frameworks verify animation functionality across target platforms before deployment. Visual regression testing ensures frame consistency, whilst performance testing validates smooth playback across device specifications. This rigorous testing approach mirrors software QA processes, ensuring enterprise-grade reliability for business-critical animation content.
Measuring Animation ROI Through Advanced Analytics
Educational Voice implements sophisticated analytics frameworks that quantify animation impact with precision tech companies expect. Beyond basic view metrics, advanced analytics track micro-interactions, attention patterns, and completion funnels. Heat mapping reveals which animation elements capture attention, whilst session recording shows how users navigate interactive content.
A/B testing frameworks enable systematic optimisation of animation elements. Different versions can be served to user segments with automatic winner selection based on predefined success metrics. This scientific approach to creative optimisation ensures animations continuously improve based on real-world performance data rather than subjective preferences.
Attribution modelling connects animation engagement to business outcomes through integration with CRM and analytics platforms. Tech companies can trace how animation exposure influences conversion rates, support ticket volumes, and user retention. Multi-touch attribution reveals animation’s role throughout complex B2B sales cycles, justifying investment through clear ROI demonstration.
Predictive modelling uses historical animation performance data to forecast likely outcomes for new content. Machine learning algorithms identify patterns linking animation characteristics to engagement metrics, enabling data-informed creative decisions. This predictive capability particularly benefits tech companies planning large-scale animation investments requiring board-level approval.
Future-Proofing Animation Strategy for Tech Evolution
As technology continues evolving at breakneck pace, Educational Voice helps tech companies develop animation strategies resilient to change. Modular animation architectures enable component reuse across projects, reducing costs whilst maintaining consistency. Parametric animation systems allow for easy updates when products evolve, avoiding complete reproduction requirements.
The studio anticipates emerging technologies like spatial computing and mixed reality becoming mainstream, preparing animation assets that translate across traditional screens to immersive environments. This forward-thinking approach ensures today’s animation investments remain valuable as consumption platforms evolve.
Michelle Connolly emphasises the importance of strategic planning: “Tech companies need animation partners who understand not just current requirements but anticipate future needs. We design animation systems that grow with organisations, adapting to new technologies whilst maintaining creative excellence.”
Educational Voice (https://educationalvoice.co.uk) continues pushing animation technology boundaries from their Belfast base, helping Irish tech companies communicate complex ideas with clarity and impact. As Ireland’s tech sector continues its remarkable growth trajectory, animation emerges as essential technology for maintaining competitive advantage in global markets. The future belongs to companies that harness animation’s power to transform how they communicate, educate, and engage.
Owning property has always been a staple of wealth generation and a traditional marker of financial stability. Yet, the conventional approach to property ownership is fraught with challenges. High entry costs, extensive paperwork, and legal limitations can deter potential buyers and investors from entering the real estate market. Fortunately, technology is revolutionizing this landscape. Tokenized platforms offer a novel solution, enabling fractional ownership and enhancing accessibility in the property market. This guide explores how secure, tokenized platforms are reshaping property ownership and provides actionable steps for interested investors.
The Concept of Digitized Real Estate Ownership
To fully grasp how tokenized platforms can improve property ownership, it’s crucial to understand what tokenization entails. Tokenization converts physical assets into digital tokens that can be easily traded on blockchain networks. These tokens represent shares in the underlying asset, allowing multiple investors to own fractions of a property. This system leverages blockchain technology to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency throughout the investment process. Unlike traditional real estate, which requires substantial capital and can involve complex legal frameworks, tokenized real estate lowers ownership barriers. Investors can now gain exposure to premium properties without needing to invest a large sum of money upfront.
The rise of platforms specializing in digitized real estate o streamlines transactions. Smart contracts ensure that agreements are executed seamlessly and transparently. As properties are listed as tradeable tokens, transaction costs decrease significantly, making property investment more appealing to a broader audience. By allowing diverse investment opportunities, from residential properties to commercial developments, these platforms cater to the evolving wants and needs of modern investors.
Benefits of Tokenized Property Ownership
The advantages of embracing tokenized platforms in real estate are manifold. For one, they enhance liquidity in a traditionally illiquid market. Real estate transactions often take weeks or months. Tokenized assets can be traded quickly on secondary markets, allowing investors to convert their holdings into cash without lengthy selling processes. This enhanced liquidity is particularly advantageous for those who seek quicker returns on their investments. Another benefit is the potential for increased returns on investment. Tokenized platforms often feature lower fees and expenses, which maximizes profits for investors.
The ability to diversify investments across various properties mitigates risks as well. Instead of betting on a single high-value property, investors can own slices of multiple properties, balancing their portfolio and protecting against localized market downturns. Finally, tokenized platforms strengthen investor trust. With all transactions recorded on an immutable blockchain, transparency and accountability are elevated. Investors can access transaction histories and ownership details without involving middlemen. This aspect is crucial for fostering confidence among new investors who may feel apprehensive about entering a market traditionally associated with opacity and fraud.
How to Get Started with Tokenized Property Investment
Beginning your journey into tokenized property ownership starts with research. Familiarize yourself with the leading digitized real estate ownership platforms available today to understand the property offerings and their unique selling points. Reliable platforms incorporate robust security measures, such as two-factor authentication or multi-signature wallets, to safeguard your investments.
One notable option for investment is genuine property-backed tokens like those found on platforms facilitating fractional real estate tokens for everyday investors. Here, you can explore various properties available for tokenization. Make sure to thoroughly analyze these options and assess their respective market values, potential returns, and risk profiles.
Once you’ve selected a platform, the next step is to create your account. This process typically involves registration, identity verification, and funding your investment account. Many platforms accept traditional bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, or various payment methods. Conduct thorough due diligence before investing any sizable amount. Understand the terms of investment and the risks involved, ensuring you comprehend how the platform handles liquidity, fees, and potential exit strategies.
Understanding the Regulatory Landscape
As with any investment, understanding the regulatory landscape is vital when dealing with fractional real estate tokens. Regulations surrounding real estate and cryptocurrency vary widely depending on the country or region you operate in. To avoid pitfalls, consult legal experts or advisors familiar with local regulations to ensure your investments comply with necessary laws.
Ongoing regulatory developments in the cryptocurrency space can impact the legality and functionality of tokenized platforms, making it vital to stay informed about changes that may affect your investment strategies. Navigating these regulations can seem daunting, but good guidance will bolster your confidence as you take on this innovative investment route.
Future Trends in Tokenized Property Ownership
Looking ahead, the evolution of tokenized property ownership seems promising. Mastering data analytics and artificial intelligence can streamline investments even more by providing insights into market trends, property valuations, and buyer behaviors. This integration will allow property investors to optimize their strategies and make more informed decisions.
As awareness of tokenization continues to grow, more institutional players may enter the market, increasing legitimacy and customer trust in tokenized platforms. Collaborations between traditional real estate companies and fintech startups are likely to emerge, merging the best practices of both worlds for the benefit of investors. As more properties transition to tokenized formats, we can expect to see novel financing options arise. Crowdfunding efforts can be more effectively structured, giving a broader base of investors access to exclusive real estate opportunities that once required considerable capital.
Secure tokenized platforms are transforming property ownership by making real estate investment more accessible, transparent, and efficient. By leveraging blockchain technology, these platforms reduce barriers to entry, increase liquidity, and empower investors to diversify their portfolios with greater ease. While navigating regulatory frameworks remains important, the ongoing advancements and growing acceptance of tokenization signal a promising future for real estate investment. Embracing this innovative approach offers individuals the opportunity to participate confidently in the evolving property market and unlock new pathways to financial growth.
In the last 12 months, there has been a notable jump in the number of financial services firms in Ireland implementing guidelines to ensure the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). New research reveals that twice as many compliance experts as last year now report that their firm has adopted such measures.
This is according to the results of a new survey by Ireland’s professional body for compliance professionals, the Compliance Institute, which polled 144 compliance experts working primarily in Irish financial services organisations nationwide.
The survey, which examined trends around AI, found that this year, 16pc of compliance professionals said that an AI governance framework (an infrastructure with clear guidelines and standards to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly) was in place in their organisation – up from 7pc in 2024
However, the Compliance Institute survey also found that there has been a fall in the take-up of AI tools in the financial services sector over the last year, with the number of compliance professionals saying their organisation is actively trialling and/ or using AI tools falling from almost four in ten (37pc) in 2024 to just over one in four (26pc) in 2025. This suggests a more cautious approach towards the use of AI within organisations.
Commenting on the survey findings, Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute said:
“AI is a rapidly evolving technology that has advanced at a pace few anticipated. While there are many benefits, including its ability to detect illnesses and diseases as well as weather patterns and extreme storms, its fast-growing capabilities and increasingly widespread use have raised concerns – such as privacy and misinformation issues, the potential of the technology to lead to job displacement, or even the risk of AI-altered images and videos disrupting the democratic process. While many believe AI should be embraced for the benefits it delivers, it is important too that AI is used in a safe and transparent way, and that the use and adoption of the technology is overseen so that harmful outcomes are prevented.
The increase in the number of financial services firms that have put guidelines in place to ensure AI is used responsibly in their organisation shows that there is a strong awareness in the sector of the risks of AI and a determination to ensure the technology is used responsibly.”
Groundbreaking Legislation
The Compliance Institute survey also found that three times as many compliance experts as last year are aware of the groundbreaking piece of legislation that aims to tackle the risks of AI and ensure AI is used safely and transparently – the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.
Almost one in four (23pc) compliance professionals are familiar with the legislation today compared to only 7pc in 2024. However overall, awareness of the rules is still low with just over two-thirds (67pc) of compliance experts having either limited or no knowledge of the new legislation. The poll found there has been a substantial decrease in the number of experts with limited knowledge of the new rules – down from 58pc in 2024 to 29pc in 2023. However, almost three in ten (28pc) said they were not familiar with the legislation.
Mr Kavanagh added:
“It is important that there is strong regulation of AI and this is why the new EU AI Act is so important. This regulation should ensure that AI systems are designed, developed and deployed in an ethical and trustworthy manner and that the fundamental rights, health and safety of the individual are protected while promoting responsible innovation.
While our survey shows there’s been a notable increase in familiarity with the AI Act over the last year, it is worrying that only one in four (23pc) are familiar with the legislation and that almost three in ten are not. The reasons for this lack of familiarity could simply because many compliance experts work in smaller organisations or in a specialist area that doesn’t deal with AI. All the same, given that the AI Act entered into force on August 1, 2024 and will for the most part be fully applicable across the EU on August 2, 2026, it is important that all compliance experts get up to speed with these new rules. Non-compliance with the Act’s provisions could result in hefty fines ranging from €7.5m to €35m depending on the severity of the infringement and the company’s size.”
Other headline findings to emerge from the Compliance Institute survey include:
Almost seven in ten (67pc) compliance professionals say their organisation is not adopting AI tech “so far” – an increase on the 60pc who said this was the case when a similar survey was conducted in 2024.
While numbers were small, more than twice as many compliance professionals as last year believe that their organisation will not be using AI tools in the near future (7pc versus 3pc).
The percentage of organisations actively developing AI frameworks has fallen from 24pc in 2024 to 17pc in 2025.
The number of organisations planning to develop AI frameworks remains stable (40pc in 2025 versus 39pc in 2024).
The percentage of organisations that have no plans to implement AI governance frameworks has largely remained the same over the last year (27pc in 2025 versus 30pc in 2024).
Mr Kavanagh concluded:
“The findings of our survey reflect a growing awareness and action on the governance of AI across the financial services sector, though progress is still in its early stages for many organisations.”
