The key trends in the iGaming industry in 2025 include personalisation of the user experience, stricter compliance and cybersecurity requirements, and the integration of AI-based solutions. Companies that adapt to these challenges are setting new standards for quality and sustainability in the market.
Favbet Tech is an IT product company based in Ukraine and part of the Favbet group. The company actively invests in developing innovative solutions and automated processes, as well as AI expertise in iGaming. It also fosters a culture of technological responsibility by collaborating with government agencies and educational institutions.
Artem Skrypnyk, CEO of Favbet Tech, spoke about the digital maturity of European markets, the implementation of AI in iGaming, cybersecurity, and the future of technology in an exclusive interview with SiGMA News.
The European audience’s readiness for innovation
Do you see any differences in digital maturity between Western and Eastern European markets? How does this affect the implementation of AI products?
There are definitely differences. If we talk about jurisdictions such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, and the UK, players there are more conservative. They are used to stability and are not always open to innovation. In Croatia, the sports audience also remains traditional: many grew up in an offline betting environment, and the transition to online is slow for the older generation. The introduction of innovations in these markets takes more time.
Eastern European markets, such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, are much more flexible and quicker to adapt to new technologies. Players here are interested in modern solutions, and Favbet Tech is actively developing its platform in these regions.
Ukraine is a special case. The war has virtually destroyed offline retail, and all activity has moved online. Ukrainian users are young, tech-savvy and open to new things. The level of digitalisation in the country is high: from government online services to neo-banks and fintech solutions. People are accustomed to convenience and expect innovation from operators and software providers – personalisation, AI tools, and gamification.
Western Europe is more regulated. Many solutions are difficult to implement technically or legally. Eastern Europe is moving faster in terms of technology.
What partnership formats can accelerate the introduction of innovations and increase trust in technology?
Partnerships with operators, platforms, regulators, and educational institutions play a key role. The gambling industry is technological and competitive by nature, similar to fintech or the crypto market.
At the same time, Ukrainian education trains specialists at the intersection of technology and business, allowing them to set trends in innovation. Favbet Tech has joined the movement by becoming a partner of Ukraine’s first AI committee under a relevant national association. The committee brings together market leaders, promotes the strategic development of the sector, and addresses key challenges.
The committee holds strategic sessions and round tables, researches the market, and develops a roadmap for AI development in Ukraine. It serves as a bridge between business, technology, and education: we develop departments, collaborate with universities, and engage in dialogue with regulators, including the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Favbet Tech operates its R&D centre in Ukraine, concentrating most of its technical expertise there. The company develops personnel within the country and attracts new specialists through universities, who bring modern methods to the industry.
We also maintain an ongoing dialogue with regulators in different countries on product certification issues. The ISO 27001 standard for information security is gradually becoming mandatory. Participation in industry associations and working groups allows us not only to adapt, but also to influence the formation of regulatory approaches.
Leadership in AI development for iGaming
What factors determine leadership among AI providers in iGaming?
Leadership is currently determined by three key factors:
- Economic efficiency. We evaluate AI models based on ROI, profitability, and traffic efficiency. We consider any implementation through the prism of financial feasibility: how much does the feature cost and how much revenue does it generate?
- Algorithm transparency. AI often works like a ‘black box,’ so we strive to understand the logic behind decisions, verify training data, and ensure ethical use.
- Flexibility and adaptability. It is vital to respond quickly to technological and regulatory changes. We ensure that every decision is transparent and complies with legal requirements.
Which AI solutions have the most significant potential in Europe in 2026?
Predictive models and generative AI have the most significant potential in customer experience. For example, the FanDuel project with Amazon: a statistics-based model helps users make decisions in real time.
Chatbots and agents can provide statistics, match results, and personalised recommendations. In the future, they will be able to automate player actions, such as placing live bets.
Natively integrated solutions that improve interaction with the platform will be the main direction of AI development in the coming years.
Cybersecurity in Europe is insufficient
How do you assess the level of cybersecurity in European iGaming and what technologies are used for protection?
Cybersecurity is critical for the iGaming industry, which is one of the top three industries in terms of the number of cyberattacks, along with banking and the crypto industry. The level of protection in Europe is still insufficient, as confirmed by the number of data leaks.
A comprehensive approach is needed to improve security:
- Zero Trust architecture;
- SIEM and SOAR systems;
- SOC with AI and ML for early threat detection;
- Cloud Security from Amazon, Microsoft, Google;
- MDM systems to protect employee devices.
The main threats to iGaming include phishing, data theft, and ransomware. To protect company data, modern AI systems analyse millions of events, identify anomalies, predict attacks, and highlight vulnerabilities. Static code analysis tools such as Code Rabbit, SonarQube, and BlackDuck are also used to help identify unsafe libraries and update systems.
What are the most common fraud schemes in iGaming, and how can they be combated?
Among the most common fraud schemes in iGaming are bonus abuse, multi-accounting, and payment fraud. That also includes sports fraud, such as betting on match-fixing, arbitrage betting, and front-running.
To counter these threats, graph databases, device fingerprinting technologies for device identification, and behavioural models that analyse user actions are used. All these tools are integrated into comprehensive anti-fraud systems and risk management solutions, which are particularly relevant in regulated markets.
What are the risks of not regulating AI and cybersecurity in iGaming, and what self-regulation mechanisms are possible?
There is currently no regulation of AI in iGaming in either the EU or Ukraine. The EU is working on an AI Act; similar initiatives are being developed in the US, and approaches are only just being formed in Ukraine.
In the absence of a clear legislative framework for regulating AI in iGaming, Favbet Tech adheres to the principles of responsible use of technology (Responsible AI). The company focuses on algorithm transparency, the protection of personal data in accordance with GDPR requirements, and model ethics.
As part of its self-regulation strategy, Favbet Tech implements internal ethical standards (AI Ethics Guidelines), audits models and utilises AI as a supporting tool rather than an autonomous decision maker.
The company actively interacts with government agencies and participates in the development of approaches to AI regulation.
Over time, each country will develop its own laws to ensure the transparent, safe and sustainable development of technologies in the online gaming industry.
In conclusion
Ukrainian product IT company Favbet Tech, part of the Favbet brand ecosystem, is actively strengthening its position in the iGaming industry by focusing on innovation, scalability and security. As an independent R&D centre, the company develops comprehensive technological solutions for online betting and casinos, implementing AI and big data for personalisation, anti-fraud and risk management.
Favbet Tech also actively integrates fintech tools – payment gateways, AML/KYC modules and cryptocurrency support. Particular attention is paid to cybersecurity: the company implements modern protection architectures, including Zero Trust, cloud solutions and threat monitoring systems.
The Favbet Tech team consists of more than 300 specialists in Ukraine and EU countries. The main R&D centre is located in Kyiv, where key technical expertise is concentrated. The company actively cooperates with universities, industry associations and government agencies, including the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, forming a sustainable technological ecosystem and developing human resources within the country.
In the interview, Artem Skrypnyk outlined three key benchmarks: the digital maturity of European markets, the role of self-regulation, and cybersecurity. He argues that sustainability and technological leadership in iGaming depend on striking the right balance between innovation, responsibility, and engaging in strategic dialogue with the state, businesses, and academia.
This article was first published in Russian on 26 January 2026.
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