A throwback to the biggest news of 2022 for gaming regulations, software providers, and online casino operators.
Every year has its ups and downs, but there’s no denying the past few have been quite a show. For the iGaming industry, there’s been a lot of chopping and changing, and we’re making sure you’re up to date with all of it.
Here is a quick recap of all the most important industry events and updates that took place throughout 2022.
Legals and launches
It was a year of history in the making for Brazil when they voted to bring back legal gambling . On 23 February 2022, there was a 246 vs 202 vote for Bill 442/1991, which would bring back various forms of gambling. It’s a sweet comeback since a ban has been in place since 1946.
Another big piece of news to take away from last year is Australian slot machine company, Aristocrat’s plans to launch its online gambling division . The company CEO and managing director, Trever Croker, says they plan to establish a third operating business that will oversee the Real Money Gaming space. Aristocrat Gaming’s CEO Mitchell Bowen is going to take the lead of the brand.
Ontario goes online
Not to be missed is the launch of the Ontario online gaming industry . Play’n GO was one of the first to claim its software licensed from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) while most casino operators were on hold.
iGaming Ontario is on a roll, and local players have plenty of great casinos and sportsbooks to choose from. And according to the iGO, there may be more operators available in the years ahead with no plans of capping licenses.
If there’s one cap in place, it’s on bonuses and promotions. Operators in Ontario are banned from promoting anywhere other than on their personal websites.
Gambling monopolies and acquisition
Sweden is no longer a gambling monopoly . Instead, it has become one of the best regulatory jurisdictions in the iGaming industry. It creates the perfect balance between operator profitability and consumer protection .
IGT doubles its PlayDigital casino games library to 225 by acquiring iSoftBet for €160 million. Another big acquisition was BetCity by Entain PLC for €300 million. The acquisition would be the perfect way for Entain to enter the Dutch market .
Another big piece of news that we definitely didn’t see coming was MGM’s acquisition of LeoVegas for a cool €605 million cash offer. MGM continues to make moves in the US and other regions, so keep an eye out because 2022 was not the end.
CasinoWow’s new markets
CasinoWow’s personal highlight reel was just as impressive, with plenty of fun feats and new announcements. With a dedication to readers and the industry, our footprint got bigger as we celebrated launching content for various regions.
Aside from the local spots, we launched our Indian market , Irish gambling market , and New Zealand gambling market . This means we’ve got you covered on all the local industry news, top casinos, the latest game releases, and guides for these regions.
Get excited for 2023!
Now that you’re all caught up on the best of 2022, you’ve got plenty to look forward to for 2023.
The year is a blank canvas, and a lot can happen in the months ahead in terms of regulatory changes, game developments, and industry surprises. What’s a year without a few expectations?
We predict that 2023 will have a bigger focus on increasing the safety of blockchain payments, mobile gaming will continue to rise and improve, game quality for both desktop and mobile will skyrocket, and there might even be some developments in terms of virtual and augmented reality games.
See also: Casino events to expect in 2023
Don’t miss out. Stay tuned for all of the latest news and developments in the world of online casinos and beyond.