Why Regulated Markets are the Future of iGaming

iGaming is one of the most innovative, fast growing and exciting industries in the world. Significantly contributing to tax revenues, employment opportunities and entertainment value across Africa, Latin America, North America, Europe and the UK, iGaming platforms are entering a new phase of growth and contraction, regulation and liberalisation and changing consumer habits. Andy Huang, CEO, TaDa Gaming, discusses how trust is the key driver of sustained growth and why this means regulated markets are the future.

Online casinos are a critical driver within the iGaming industry. In 2023, the global online casino market alone was valued at $17.13 billion and is predicted to rise to $38.66 billion by 2030.

Even more striking, the total market value was estimated at $296.31 billion in 2024, with projections potentially reaching a monumental $1,107.22 billion by 2034. Asia, the Americas, Europe and the UK are all significant contributors to revenue and growth, with the UK setting the industry standard for regulated frameworks.

Through technological developments including AI and Blockchain and the universal dominance of mobile gaming, the perception of iGaming has significantly shifted from niche to a global entertainment industry with all the legal, financial and personnel safeguarding issues of any other mainstream industry.

Player Protection and Trust

The customer is king is an old adage but one worth remembering. Without players, there is no business. Ensuring that operators are licenced, games are audited for fairness and winnings are guaranteed is only the first step. 

Effective frameworks deliver protection for everyone. However balance is key: over regulate and you risk stifling innovation and growth but inadequate enforcement is easy to circumnavigate. 

Regulators must show they have teeth by removing licences, shuttering grey or black businesses and visibly applying the law to ensure that their licence maintains its value.

The most successful jurisdictions offer balance through strict compliance and business flexibility.

Mature markets such as the UK have set the standard for regulation and player protection, meaning those providers like TaDa which hold a UKGC licence have more credibility with both operators and players.

Players are also consumer aware. They will research licencing, other player reviews, and both operators’ and providers’ reputations before committing to spending.

With younger demographics who live online now discovering iGaming, company ethics and brand transparency are critical. Adhering to responsible gaming standards and data protection rules reassures players that every experience is safe and enjoyable. 

In terms of creating industry viability and long-term player loyalty, the regulated markets are showing a clear advantage for future proofing business and protecting players.

Regulated Markets Drive Growth and Income

Consumer trust drives retention and the positive example of successful mature markets such as the UK or Sweden, where TaDa also holds the Spelinspektionen licence, are impacting emerging global markets. 

In Canada, Ontario’s entry to regulated markets in 2022 has subsequently seen the province become home to one of the most active iGaming environments in North America. 

The AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) licence is also held by TaDa as part of its global growth strategy. Not only does a licence open doors in regulated markets but jurisdictions that are moving to regulation are attracted to already licenced operators and providers due to their experience and know-how.

Regulated Markets Contribute to Sustainable Business

With multiple governments and regulators worldwide looking to ensure player safety through responsible gaming, prevent fraud and money laundering and create tax revenue, both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority are seen as benchmarks for successful frameworks.

Across America, Europe and Latin America, with Brazil especially leading the way, more jurisdictions are formalising online gaming laws rather than banning gaming and driving it underground while simultaneously cracking down on unlicenced operators.

What this legalisation brings to business models is stability.

Only Games Need Volatility

Regulated markets offer predictability — operators and providers can plan content and product launches, marketing campaigns, partnership development and compliance strategies within clear legal boundaries. This also gives a level playing field so that companies stand or fall on merit.

Established business verticals from fintech, legal, consultancy, design and technology to payment providers, app designers and influencers are confident to become structural parts of iGaming, enhancing its position as a legitimate industry and delivering genuine career progression to create a buoyant and long-term ecosystem.

Market Consolidation and Legitimacy

The simultaneous rise of iGaming and the crackdown on grey markets with regulators publicly penalising bad actors means only compliant, licenced suppliers and operators can survive at scale.

Big players are leveraging a first mover approach in newly regulating or emerging markets, but even smaller operators can secure solidity through strategic positioning.

Compliance requires certified RNG (Random Number Generation), secure data storage, real-time reporting to regulators by operators and transparent RTP (Return to Player) disclosure from providers.

Companies like TaDa, alongside holding multiple gaming licences, promote visibly fair play through working with industry leaders like BMM, GA and GLi to confirm RNG integrity. 

TaDa also enables players to verify the server seed in their gaming histories, building solid trust in its releases and our brand. Companies who build this accountability into their brand DNA tend to deliver higher product quality with less risk for players, all key for market longevity. 

Those of us embracing early compliance, rigorous regulation and demonstrating visibly fair play will lead the way to ensure a successful and reputable industry with a long-term future.

The road ahead for regulated markets 

Technology will continue to drive innovation and change. Whilst this is fantastic news creatively, regulators need to be on top of AI and its implications, data privacy and cross-border payments.

Successful industries are built on getting and maintaining public trust. Balancing innovation with effective application of the rules will go a long way to creating a global version of the ‘policing with consent’ model that has proved effective to date.

Regulation is the key to the future of our industry. Rather than the enemy of growth, it can become the foundation for expansion. 

For more information, please email marketing@tadagaming.com