Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
i GAMING BUSINESS • ISSUE 139 • ICE 2026 OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ASK AGAIN LATER ISSUE 139 ● ICE 2026 PLUS iGB-PENTASIA SALARY SURVEY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2025 FLUTTER'S MASTERPLAN FOR BRAZILWELCOME igamingbusiness.com Some argue that predicting the future is foolish. But while our sector is shaped by shifting regulation, certain trends remain constant, including consumer appetite for gambling, and largely, innovation, which is slow to evolve. Looking back, it’s likely some of 2025’s key trends will continue into 2026, especially given how long it takes to implement a new policy or regulatory framework. When we asked experts and operator CEOs to provide wildcard predictions for the year ahead (p23), responses ranged from sector- changing market openings to operators and suppliers shifting to more creative verticals to offset tax hikes – and, of course, the 2026 World Cup reshaping Brazil’s competitive betting landscape. On Brazil, this issue marks a year of regulated online gambling. It’s been a turbulent start, with huge political pushback threatening the future of the market, but one operator cutting through the noise is Flutter. Its Brazil Chairman João Studart is confident the central Flutter Edge platform will position it on the podium in Brazil (p52). Compliance remained a dominant theme throughout iGB’s content in 2025 as markets tightened restrictions and rethought the supplier role in iGaming. Several legal cases made headlines, including a fiercely debated IP take-down that will continue in the courts this year (p49). Be sure to follow iGB’s online coverage to see how the year progresses – and whether our expert predictions come to fruition. Nicole Macedo Managing editor, EMEA Printed in the UK by Micropress Ltd. Published by iGaming Business Ltd, 3rd Floor, Bedford House, Fulham Green, 69-79 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JW, UK. www.igamingbusiness.com iGaming Business is published biannually © iGaming Business Ltd 2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature without prior written permission, except for permitted fair dealing under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. Application for permission for use of copyright material including permission to reproduce extracts in other published works shall be made to the publishers. Full acknowledgement of author, publisher and source must be given. The paper used within this publication has been sourced from a Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer, operating within international environmental standards such as ISO14001 and EMAS. This is to ensure sustainable sourcing of the raw materials, sustainable production and to minimise our carbon footprint. ISSN 1756-3437. Global content director, B2B Robin Harrison robin.harrison-millan@ clariongaming.com Managing editor, EMEA Nicole Macedo nicole.macedo@ clarionevents.com Senior Media Production Manager Guy Parsons Digital design lead Theo Szarowicz Design Digitalstudioworldwide.com Senior reporter Kyle Goldsmith Reporter Martin Bjørck Commercial content Michelle Druker, Jake Nordland, James Swann-Phillips Managing director Alex Pratt Managing director, EMEA Digital Sophie Webster Portfolio director Reid Holland reid.holland@clarionevents.com Non-executive chairman Michael Caselli Sales director Ian Larcombe ian.larcombe@clariongaming.com Account managers Kane Dalton, Laurie Pilate, Sam Richardson, Jack Rogers, Jordan Thompson, Josh Wright first name.last name@ clariongaming.com EDITOR'S LETTER SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS igamingbusiness. com/newsletter ICE 2026 • ISSUE 139 • 05 23 52 Reading the C-suite’s tea leaves at LeoVegas, Playtech, Boyle Sports and elsewhere Implementing its successful US strategy is the blueprint for Flutter Brazil’s new chairmanBack in 2010 Sky Bet blazed a technology trail now regarded as a blueprint for success in gaming – as Flutter, Fanatics and Evoke can attest. SENT FROM HEAVEN WHAT’S INSIDE • ICE 2026 Leading industry figures hold court on what the 12 month s could bring from a regulation, compliance and M&A perspective. PROPHECY PANEL Pixbet scored an almighty own goal when it went all in on a record sponsorship deal with Brazil’s biggest football club. OVER THE ODDS 60 13 23 CONTENTS igamingbusiness.com ICE 2026 • ISSUE 139 • 07 THE YEAR AHEAD FOR GAMINGNext >