Mykhailo Zborovskyi (ex beneficiary): Trends in iGaming Regulation
Mykhailo Zborovskyi Cosmobet (ex beneficiary) notes that the strategic plans of regulators demonstrate a new approach to the development of the iGaming market. Technologically integrated supervision, data-driven analytics and raising standards of responsible gaming play a key role.
In his opinion, a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory environment is becoming important. When European regulators invest in digital control and system modernization, this signals the market reaching a new level of maturity. In such a model, the key factors are process transparency, technological readiness and integration of analytics into the daily activities of operators.
The trend is changing the emphasis from formal compliance with licensing requirements to the active use of technology to improve the quality of service, player safety and long-term stability of the business.
Mykhailo Zborovskyi on the global iGaming market
Mykhailo Zborovskyi believes that 2025 has become a test of the sustainability of business models in the global gambling industry.
This year, the sector has come under pressure from various directions: rising tax burdens (or the threat of them), political discussions, deteriorating public perception, and external economic factors, in particular trade restrictions in the US market. At the same time, the year has been paradoxically productive for M&A deals and promises prospects for Brazil, where rate regulation opens up new opportunities for growth.
According to Mykhailo Zborovskyi:
The pressure of 2025 has shown that the industry can no longer rely solely on demand dynamics. Regulatory changes and tax policies are becoming as important growth drivers as technology.
Against the background of these changes, market participants and heads of large groups expect that issues of regulation, tax policies and consolidation will remain relevant in the short term. Large mergers and acquisitions can significantly affect the distribution of shares in key jurisdictions as early as 2026. At the same time, the continued opening of African markets increases the interest of operators in diversifying beyond Europe and the US.
At the same time, the industry is traditionally sensitive to events that can radically change the trajectory of development. Therefore, the final development scenarios will depend on regulatory and political decisions. In this context, the reviews for 2026 focus on key blocks: regulation and compliance, M&A trends, as well as risks and expectations that are of greatest concern to investors and shareholders of leading operators over the next 12 months.
iGaming Market Outlook 2026: An Analytical View
2026 marks a new stage in the evolution of the global iGaming market, continuing the trends of regulatory turbulence of previous years. While 2025 was characterized by increased control, revised tax approaches, and political pressure on the industry, 2026 is becoming a year of systemic transformation of the rules of the game and standardization of processes for all market participants.
The global gambling sector is moving towards a more technological and analytical approach to supervision. Control now covers not only B2C operators, but also the entire supply chain, including suppliers and partners. This means that regulation is becoming integrated, digital, and focused on the transparency of business processes.
Key trends and challenges for 2026:
- Intensification of the fight against the shadow market through payment monitoring, blocking illegal resources, and international cooperation;
- Transferring some responsibility to suppliers and increasing the requirements for their compliance policies;
- Increased attention to anti-money laundering (AML) and financial transparency, including risk management in remote environments;
- Tax adjustments that may slow growth in some jurisdictions;
- Development of new markets, stimulating diversification of operators outside Europe and the US.
European regulators demonstrate parallel processes, on the one hand, strengthening rules and restrictions, and on the other, modernizing institutions and implementing digital solutions. In particular, Cyprus strategic plans for 2024–2026 provide for digital supervision, data-based control, effective blocking of illegal operators and integration of AML/CTF standards, signaling a new level of technological integration of regulation.
Mykhailo Zborovskyi Cosmobet (ex beneficiary) emphasizes:
2026 is not about relaxing rules, but about structuring them. Regulation is becoming more digital, analytical and demanding of all market participants. Companies that integrate compliance into their business model will gain a long-term strategic advantage.
Global compliance as a key to competitive advantage
After updating regulatory standards, it becomes clear: the main challenge for international operators is the ability to operate simultaneously in different jurisdictions with their own rules of the game. Cross-border requirements are no longer limited to having a license. Among the key aspects:
- Different approaches to anti-money laundering (AML/CTF) and financial monitoring;
- Local requirements for KYC and verification of sources of income;
- Restrictions on advertising campaigns and bonus programs;
- Requirements for data storage and server placement in specific jurisdictions;
- Excellent standards for tax and transaction reporting.
Scaling a business becomes a complex operational process, a license in one country does not guarantee quick adaptation to the conditions of another. Each jurisdiction has its own vision of risks, principles of responsible gaming and financial transparency.
Mykhailo Zborovskyi Cosmobet (ex beneficiary) notes that international compliance is no longer just a technical procedure – it is a strategic asset. Without a systematic approach to different regulatory regimes, a company will constantly be caught up in events.
According to his forecast, in 2026, the leaders will be operators who integrate multi-regulatory logic into the core of the platform, use modular reporting systems, flexible risk management mechanisms, adaptive CRM systems and explainable AI for auditing. This approach allows not only to meet the requirements of regulators, but also forms a new business growth model, where compliance becomes a strategic advantage.
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All analytical materials published on this platform are reviewed against publicly available regulatory frameworks and industry reports. Our editorial team cross-references key claims with sources including NIST, ENISA, ISO/IEC 27001 guidelines, FATF recommendations, and official regulatory publications from European supervisory bodies. We do not publish unverified forecasts or sponsored conclusions without clear disclosure.
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