What is ahead for iGaming in 2025: global trends and advertising regulations

The global iGaming market is heading toward significant growth, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting consumer behaviors. In this dynamic environment, the American iGaming sector — spanning the established U.S. market and Brazil's emerging gambling industry — is expected to play a central role.

In this scenario, evolving advertising regulations and potential international tariffs could reshape the industry’s global landscape.

The global gaming market could face significant disruptions due to proposed U.S. tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and BRICS countries. These tariffs would increase the cost of essential gaming hardware such as servers, VR headsets, and computing components, driving up operational expenses for gambling operators.

As a result, companies might delay expansion plans, pass costs on to consumers, or scale back on innovation, limiting the market's overall growth.

Cloud gaming, which depends on large-scale server infrastructure, would likely be among the hardest hit. With most servers and networking equipment sourced from China, tariffs could raise hardware costs and force companies to increase subscription fees or slow global rollouts.

This could make cloud gaming services less affordable and accessible, particularly in emerging markets where pricing is essential for adoption.

Additionally, tariffs could impede the adoption of next-generation gambling technologies like blockchain and AI-powered platforms.

Blockchain infrastructure and AI development rely heavily on specialized hardware imported from tariff-affected regions. Higher production costs could deter investment, reducing the pace of innovation in decentralized gaming ecosystems, personalized betting services, and immersive igaming experiences powered by AI.

Global trends for online casino and bets

As smartphone adoption continues to rise and internet connectivity improves, more players will access gambling services through their mobile devices. Enhanced mobile apps and payment systems are likely to drive mobile betting, solidifying its position as the leading format in the industry.

By 2025, these decentralized mobile platforms are expected to become mainstream, fostering in-game economies and creating new revenue for both players and developers with NFT games and betting. This personalized approach will improve user engagement while ensuring safer and more transparent environments, strengthening customer trust and loyalty.

As the industry grows, responsible gambling technology will play an increasingly important role as an evolving trend. Concerns about gambling addiction have prompted the development of AI-driven tools that can assess players' risk levels and enforce mandatory breaks.

According to data from KTO bet house, a Brazilian iGaming platform, 2.5% of users have already actively used responsible gambling tools. Of these, 2.1% are currently self-excluded or have permanently closed their accounts, while 0.4% requested a temporary break, with "indefinite" being the most selected self-exclusion period, followed by six months.

These figures align with data from more developed gambling markets like Sweden, where 0.5% of players face gambling problems and 1-3% are considered at some level of risk.

The Brazilian iGaming market and advertising rules

Brazil's regulated gambling market is rapidly evolving, guided by a new law and CONAR's stringent advertising rules. The country's regulatory framework, combined with growing interest in sports betting and online casinos, positions Brazil as a future iGaming powerhouse.

Key CONAR advertising rules:

• Transparency: Ads must clearly indicate that they promote gambling services. Companies must display their licensing information and responsible gaming messages.
• Responsible messaging: Gambling should not be portrayed as a guaranteed way to achieve success or solve financial problems.
• Age restrictions: Content must be age-appropriate, avoiding themes that appeal to minors and including clear warnings such as "18+" labels.
• Consumer protection: Ads cannot promise guaranteed winnings or suggest that outcomes are predictable.

The push for stricter gambling advertising laws isn't confined to Brazil. In Australia, proposed restrictions could ban gambling ads online, on social media, and during family-friendly TV programming by mid-2025. However, the exclusion of print advertisements has sparked controversy, with advocacy groups calling for more comprehensive reforms.

The evolving international regulatory environment highlights the balancing act between promoting market growth and protecting consumers from gambling-related harm. Brazil's iGaming sector, with CONAR’s firm advertising rules, is set to emerge as a major player and a reference.

However, balancing business expansion with responsible gambling practices will remain a central challenge.

As gambling operators, policymakers, and tech companies navigate this complex ecosystem, one thing is expected: those prepared to adapt to both market demands and regulatory frameworks will probably thrive in the 2025 gambling landscape.