What iGaming suppliers must do to stand out at iGB L!VE 2026

With iGB L!VE 2026 returning to London next week, thousands of industry professionals will gather to discuss the future of online gambling. Operators often attract the headlines but a lot of the attention this year is expected to centre on the suppliers that power the industry's technology behind the scenes.

From payment providers and game studios to compliance specialists and AI developers, suppliers are increasingly being judged on more than the products they sell. Operators want decent partners—ones that can help them improve efficiency, satisfy regulators and deliver sustainable long-term growth.

iGB L!VE comes at an important time

The event takes place at ExCeL London on 1 and 2 July. It will bring together operators, affiliates, technology providers and service companies from regulated markets around the world.

Online gambling is growing globally but many established markets are becoming more competitive. Rising compliance costs, tighter advertising rules and higher customer acquisition costs mean operators are under increasing pressure. The value of every partnership matters.

This means there’s an opportunity for suppliers to demonstrate measurable results rather than simply offering another product.

Technology alone is no longer enough

One of the biggest changes across the industry is the changing relationship between operators and their suppliers:

• A payment provider is now expected to improve conversion rates while maintaining compliance.
• CRM platforms are expected to personalise customer experiences through AI-driven insights.
• Platform providers must help operators launch into new regulated markets quickly while supporting changing regulatory requirements.

Suppliers are increasingly expected to become strategic partners that contribute directly to business performance. They don’t just sell individual products now.

We expect that this trend will likely to feature prominently throughout iGB L!VE. Businesses are looking for technologies that can reduce costs, improve retention and simplify increasingly complex operations.

Specialist suppliers continue to grow

The supplier landscape has also become far more specialised over recent years.

We’re not relying on a handful of large technology providers these days. Operators can now choose dedicated businesses specialising in fraud prevention, affiliate tracking, responsible gambling, payments, live casino, sportsbook trading, crash games and slot development.

That shows the growing diversity of today's online gambling market.

A mature UK casino operator has very different priorities from an emerging Latin American sportsbook or a crypto-focused casino brand. Suppliers that understand those differences and tailor their products accordingly are likely to be better placed to secure new commercial partnerships.

"The suppliers that stand out in 2026 are likely to be those that solve operational challenges rather than simply adding new features."

Safer gambling is becoming a competitive advantage

Responsible gambling is also expected to play a much larger role in supplier conversations than it has in previous years.

Rather than viewing player protection purely as a regulatory obligation, many operators now see safer gambling tools as an important part of building customer trust and long-term sustainability.

That creates opportunities for suppliers developing affordability technology, behavioural monitoring systems, player risk detection tools and compliance software.

Increasingly, operators want solutions that support commercial growth while helping them meet the changes in regulatory expectations across multiple jurisdictions.

London is a natural meeting point

Hosting the event in London reinforces the UK's position as one of the world's leading centres for gambling technology, fintech and digital services.

The capital offers easy access to investors, legal specialists, software developers, media businesses and international operators. This makes it an attractive location for companies looking to build new partnerships.

Despite the industry's digital nature, face-to-face events remain valuable because major commercial agreements often begin with conversations on the exhibition floor rather than over video calls.

Looking beyond 2026

As the industry is ever-changing, suppliers face growing expectations from every direction. Innovation remains important, but so do compliance, scalability, integration and player protection.

This year's  iGB L!VE is therefore likely to showcase more than new games and software launches. It will also offer insight into how suppliers are adapting to an industry where long-term success increasingly depends on helping operators grow responsibly as well as profitably.

For many businesses attending, the event will be less about selling products and more about demonstrating they can become trusted partners.