The State of
AI in Gaming 2026

“It is encouraging to see regulators paying greater attention to player protection and the role that data and technology can play in it, though the current focus remains largely on operator data and approaches that have long existed in the industry. Yaspa is already delivering AI-driven player protection strategies to operators using Open Banking financial data. This broader application highlights the need for regulatory frameworks to keep pace with the full scope of AI innovation in gambling.”

Max Collinge

Head of Product

“We see Responsible AI not as a compliance exercise, but as the foundation of sustainable innovation. It is a cross‑Playtech priority, with governance, compliance, data science and product teams working together to ensure our development and use of AI systems are safe, ethical, compliant, and protect our customers, players and colleagues. A dedicated AI team is responsible for all areas of AI governance, including responsible AI. This team works with the key experts and stakeholders, including, security, legal, compliance and ESG and ensures that we provide safety and accountability for our decisions.”

Richard Bayliss

Director of Product Compliance & Safer Gambling

“While the full impact of AI in this space is still evolving, ensuring its adoption is grounded in transparent, validated criteria and evidence-based frameworks will be essential to minimize bias and unintended outcomes.”

Jennifer Shatley

Executive Director

“LLMs show promise in augmenting support pathways for at-risk players, but current evidence suggests they still lack the clinical judgment, restraint, and consistency required to operate safely in isolation. In gambling contexts, this makes guardrailed, domain-specific deployment—paired with human oversight—not just best practice, but a necessity to avoid unintentionally reinforcing harmful behaviors.”

Daniel Umfleet

Founder & CEO

“At evoke, we view AI as a strategic driver of growth. While efficiency remains an important part of the value case, AI can also support better decision-making, enhance customer safety/experience and unlock new revenue opportunities over time. Our experience reflects these findings: organizations that translate AI investment into measurable commercial impact are those with clear strategy, rigorous measurement and a disciplined focus on the use cases that matter most.”

Kanda Kumar

Director of AI

“The surge in recent AI patent activity by gaming technology suppliers signals a shift toward embedding intelligence in gaming infrastructure, including smart tables. The most influential patents emphasize personalization and loyalty, underscoring that future competition will center on delivering more responsive, data-driven player experiences in real time.”

Stephen Moore

CEO

“The AI survey findings provide industry stakeholders with clear evidence of the varying levels of awareness, literacy, appetite, use and governance within the gambling regulatory landscape. A core focus for the ICGR remains the development of governance-enhancing mechanisms such as specialized training, webinars, research and information sharing to address knowledge gaps. The insights from the survey stand to equip us with specific starting points in empowering those responsible for oversight, as we navigate the 'unknown unknowns' in this area of our dynamic industry, together.”

Megan Olivia Basson

Executive Director