What Startup Leaders and CMOs Need to Know

The iGaming sector has made a fantastic arrival in 2025. Rather than fading away, the industry is reaffirming its position as one of the most vibrant areas of the digital entertainment market, which is mainly driven by the use of mobile, the implementation of more reasonable regulations, and the application of gamification techniques that keep users engaged.

The signal is quite clear for startup leaders, marketing managers, and growth strategists: The iGaming sector is not only an interesting area of activity but also a model of how digitally-first companies can achieve rapid growth if they have a clear insight into customer needs.

iGaming Market Growth: Lessons from Q1 2025

Recent quarterly reports underscore the industry’s strength and resilience:
Online gaming revenues for OPAP went up 19.8% to €84.9 million ($96.95 million), driving the lottery operator to an 8.2% increase in overall group revenues for the first quarter of 2025.

Betsson Group disclosed a turnover of €293.7 million, which corresponds to a year-on-year increase of 18% compared to the first quarter of 2024. The European market remains solid, thus being a source of stability for the existing players and easing the arrival of the new ones.

Light & Wonder recorded its 16th consecutive quarter of growth with $774 million in Q1 revenues, representing a 2% increase overall. The company’s gaming revenue grew by 4%, while adjusted EBITDA soared 11% to $311 million.

The figures go beyond showing how successful the operators are; they indicate various positive aspects of the industry: strong consumer demand, stable regulatory conditions, and the ability of digital-first gaming platforms to be scalable.

Why Mobile-First iGaming Dominates in 2025

A mobile phone is not just an additional option anymore; it is the core of the iGaming industry. About three-quarters of players these days choose to use mobile devices, so we can say that the default platform is smartphones.

For startups, this signals a major shift:

The process of onboarding should be effortless. Users require easy one-tap registrations as well as mobile wallet compatibility.

Time and reaction are at the top of the list of what is demanded. Just a slow game or app will have the result of instantly making the player leave.

Making a game for casual players is a wise move. The major part of the mobile gaming community consists of non-professional high-stakes players, but instead, casual users who want to quickly engage in fun activities.

The practical takeaway: not only “optimizing” for mobile but creating a mobile-first design from scratch. Systems that seem to be designed for smartphones will provide better results than those that have the mobile feature as an afterthought.

Regulation as a Growth Enabler

Regulation is classified as a liability in a lot of sectors, but it is completely different in the iGaming field. The European case is the best example of how transparent regulations open the way for the industry’s growth because they make both players and investors trust it.

The implications of this for startups are:

Developing the necessary compliance-related infrastructure from the very beginning so they do not have to do expensive backtracks.

Utilizing the fulfilment of compliance requirements as a guarantee of the brand’s of being trustworthy.

For US-based founders looking abroad, Europe’s example is especially valuable. Investing in compliance upfront allows for faster scaling into regulated markets.

Gamification: The Retention Powerhouse

Although user acquisition is necessary, the main factor that leads to success in the iGaming sector is retention. The use of gamification is the basis of that approach.

Operators are progressing past features such as points, missions, and badges that are typical in their services to newer engagement layers:

Seasonal quests give recurring visitors new reasons to come back.

Interactive challenges encourage community-building among participants.

Tiered memberships offer loyalty rewards and enhance the user experience.

This is the point where iGaming connects with the general digital business strategy. Any new company, be it gaming, SaaS, or e-commerce, can implement gamification technologies to attract and retain customers, thereby increasing their lifetime value.

Practical Takeaways for iGaming Startups

If your intention is to develop or expand an iGaming platform in 2025, it would be highly advisable to focus on the following 4 action steps first:

Create mobile-first experiences. Avoid the usual practice of adapting desktop designs to mobile—think of phones as the primary usage and design accordingly.

See compliance as a key business asset. Create adaptable frameworks that allow you to spread your business through different markets.

Invest in gamification. Loyalty and engagement encourage users to take full advantage of a rewarding ecosystem.

Utilize partnerships to their fullest extent. The process of scaling is quicker when you collaborate with the experts in marketing, product design, and compliance.

The iGaming industry is undergoing rapid growth. It is expanding in a manner that other digital-first sectors are taking notice. Consumer demand is strong, and regulatory transparency is comforting for sustainable growth, according to statistics from OPAP, Betsson, and Light & Wonder for the first quarter of 2025.

An iGaming startup or a scale-up desiring to expand its business sustainably would be well-advised to head to Thinking IT. We can do it by delivering services from product development to growth marketing and compliance solutions.

Are you looking to expand your iGaming brand in 2025? We can have a talk and make your next achievement a reality.