Zooming Out, What Does Global iGaming Behaviour Look Like In The Mid-2020s?

The iGaming industry has experienced substantial growth in the last few years, with recent studies showing that the worldwide iGaming market revenue is close to $450 billion in 2025. 

Factors such as enhancing the mobile user experience and changes to gambling regulations in some regions, have been pivotal in the success of the industry but for those already in the iGaming industry, competition is becoming fiercer.

To continue to be successful in the iGaming industry, online casino and betting platforms need to adapt to the changing behaviours and expectations of their target audience. With so many companies competing for a slice of the market share, implementing innovative strategies tailored to player behaviours is key.

So, with that in mind, what exactly do global iGaming behaviours look like in the mid-2020s? We’ve delved into the nuances and typical behaviours that iGamers display to help get a better understanding of how casinos are adapting to the needs and preferences of today’s iGaming community.

Increase in Mobile Players

One of the most important observations on how iGaming behaviour has changed is the increase in players using mobile devices to play online casino games. With around 65% of online casino players using mobile devices to access casinos, this core segment of users expect a high-quality user experience when using their mobile device to play casino games.

They are more inclined to use casinos who offer the option to download a dedicated mobile app or if they are using their mobile browser, the platform needs to be fully responsive to ensure that navigation and gaming experience is not compromised. Casinos who provide apps for both iOs and Android will have a better chance of attracting higher numbers of new players. For example, Punt casino in South Africa offers app downloads for both Android and iOs devices.

Higher Demand for Personalised Gaming Experiences

Content personalisation has become a dominant force in marketing and consumers have grown to expect personalised experiences across all the digital services they use. From AI-generated recommendations to wanting to only receive promotions for products that are relevant, this change in demand for personalisation is evident in the online casino industry too.

Generic promotions no longer have the appeal to players that they once had, and if casinos keep sending promotions or recommendations that are not of interest to the player, they won’t hang around to be inundated with more of the same. The top online casinos are harnessing the power of AI to get a deeper understanding of every individual player’s preferences to hone personalised promotions and to provide rewards that are valued.

AI is also being used to create dynamic platform elements such as new game recommendations that are based on past playing patterns rather than displaying the same games to all platform users.

Surge in Gamification Appetite 

Online casinos incorporating gamification features into their platforms are seeing increased player engagement and loyalty. Players are increasingly looking for the buzz of receiving awards for reaching a new level, as the feeling of achievement motivates them to continue playing and seeing their progressive in the form of aesthetically pleasing progression bars. 

Leadership boards are also providing an extra incentive for players who want to compare their achievements against their fellow players. Retro arcade game players are prime examples of how effective leadership boards can be - the thrill of seeing your name on the top ten highest game scores for everyone to see is a prize that money can’t replace!

Social Elements are More Important

As we’ve seen with the video gaming community, many players want to use social features to share their love of gaming with other like-minded players. They use live chats to communicate with other players, creating camaraderie and developing a feeling of belonging to a community. They can share tips, jokes and banter and build online friendships with people who share their passion for iGaming.

Many players also enjoy using social features for competitive rivalry to provide additional motivation and a higher sense of achievement when they beat other players at games like poker. 

Players Compare Pros and Cons Before Registering

Today’s iGamers spend more time reviewing their options and comparing key pros and cons such as bonuses, security features, wagering requirements and RTPs. With more websites now providing user reviews for online casinos, players can analyse feedback to find the online casino package that suits them the best and make an informed decision before starting the registration process.

These are some of the most significant iGaming behaviours that are prevalent in the mid 2020s but with emerging trends and new technologies, expectations and behaviours will continue to shift as we head into the second half of the 2020s.