What is iGaming? From Sportsbooks to Online Slots—Here’s the Full Picture

Let's get straight to it: iGaming is online gambling. Whether you’re putting your money on the roulette wheel or spinning digital slot reels, if it happens on the internet and involves real money, it's iGaming.

The first online gambling platform—Liechtenstein International Lottery—dates back to 1994, and today? Well, it’s an ecosystem of platforms, payment systems, and tech solutions, all working behind the scenes to ensure that gambling happens in real-time, 24/7. Let’s break it down.

Wait, Is iGaming the Same as Gaming? #

Not exactly. Here's the deal: iGaming involves gambling—real money, real stakes. Regular gaming? That’s your Mario Kart and Minecraft—no money on the line (unless you count buying those extra skins, but that’s another story).

Sure, they share some DNA—like immersive experiences and competitive play—but iGaming has a bit more on the line: your cash.

iGaming in the Narrow Sense: Betting with a Click #

At its core, iGaming is as simple as betting digitally. You pick your game—slots, bingo, you name it—and place your bet. If you win, you cash out; if not, there's always another round.

But if placing a bet online is the name of the game, then iGaming is the entire playbook. We’re talking online casinos, sports betting, fantasy sports, eSports, sweepstakes, lotteries—If you can wager on it over the internet, it counts.

For players, it's straightforward: log in, deposit funds, bet, and see what happens. But behind that slick interface, there's a massive system ensuring everything runs smoothly.

As someone who’s been deep in the industry, I can tell you it's no small feat to manage the tech, payments, and compliance to keep the player experience seamless and glitch-free.

Games of Chance vs. Games of Skill: The Big Debate #

Here's where things get interesting. Traditionally, iGaming revolves around games of chance—slots, roulette, and sports betting where luck (or a random number generator) determines the outcome. You hit the button and wait for the results. Simple, addictive, and easy to set up for operators.

But there’s another side to iGaming: games of skill. Games like poker or blackjack are less about luck and more about how good you are. It’s a never-ending debate in the industry: should skill-based games even be part of iGaming? My take? It doesn’t matter. If players are gambling real money, then it's iGaming.

The real insight here is that successful operators have both. Games of chance bring in the quick cash with fast cycles and lower overhead, while games of skill pull in long-term, loyal players who stick around and spend more over time. Ignoring one of these categories is leaving money on the table.

The Broader Picture: iGaming as an Industry #

iGaming isn’t just placing bets on a mobile app, website or a terminal. What the players see is the glitzy front end, but behind the scenes? iGaming is about logistics, data management, and technology. For a closer look at all the industry’s components, check out our in-depth breakdown here.

Now, let’s take a look at the key players making all this happen.

Who’s Who in iGaming? #

Operators

Let’s start with the names you’ve definitely heard before—Bet365, DraftKings, you get the idea. To a casual player, they’re just websites with a bunch of games and betting options.

But behind the scenes? It’s a non-stop operation managing your bets, your data, your money, and a mountain of legal paperwork from every country they operate in. And don’t forget customer support, dealing with everything from missing bets to people who forgot their password for the tenth time. Keeping this ship afloat 24/7 requires some serious tech muscle.

Want to know what it takes to pull this off? Check out my colleague Dražan Planinić’s guide on how to start an online betting business—it’ll give you a whole new perspective on what goes into keeping those sites up and running.

Game Providers

Think of game providers as the content creators of iGaming. They’re the ones creating flashy slots and immersive games that keep players hooked. You've got the full-suite types like Sportradar, Betconstruct, Digitain and us at NSoft, handling everything from game concept to delivery.

Then there are specialists like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play and Microgaming—the legends who built the first online casino back in the ‘90s!—who focus purely on creating blockbuster games.

Aggregators like BlueOcean and Slotegrator make sure operators have easy access to these hits without getting bogged down in individual contracts with every game provider. It’s like having Netflix for casinos.

Feed Providers

Without feed providers, live betting and sportsbooks wouldn’t even be a thing. Companies like Sportradar (who, full disclosure, owns a majority stake in NSoft) make sure that the platforms get real-time data through integrated APIs.

That live tennis score you’re checking? That last-minute odds shift? All fed straight from the source, right into your app. Without these guys, you’d be betting on reruns.

Sportsbook Providers

Running a sportsbook is a little more complex than just posting odds and taking bets. Operators need a specialized tech that can handle live updates, risk management, and stay online when everyone’s freaking out over that last-minute goal.

That’s where sportsbook providers come in. Companies like Kambi and Openbet fully focus only on sportsbook solutions, but that’s getting rare these days. Most, like NSoft, offer full packages with casino, virtual sports, and more, so operators can run everything from one place. The more, the merrier, right?

Platform Providers

Now, this is the heavy-duty stuff. Operators need platforms to manage everything—payments, games, player accounts, and more. That’s where platform providers like Comtrade, Softswiss, EveryMatrix, and us at NSoft come in. We build the backend systems that run all the unglamorous but essential parts of an iGaming business, so players can bet on their phone, tablet, or laptop without a hitch.

If the operators want to scale up, no problem—the platform adjusts. And when an operator gets big enough—say Bet365—they usually go off and build their own platform to keep full control. But for most, outsourcing to the pros is the smarter (and faster) route.

Payment Processors

No one’s sticking around if their money’s stuck in limbo. That’s why companies like Skrill, Okto, and iPay are critical. Payment processors make sure deposits are instant and cashouts are fast.

The second a player hits “withdraw,” they’re on it—verifying, checking for fraud, and making sure the whole thing complies with local regulations. It’s fast, secure, and keeps both the operator and the player happy.

Affiliates

You’ve seen the “Top 10 Online Casinos” lists on Google, right? That’s affiliate marketing in action. Companies like Catena Media drive traffic to gambling sites by comparing bonuses, writing reviews, and optimizing SEO.

Affiliates are basically the hype men of iGaming, bringing new players to operators, who can then focus on keeping them around. Without them, operators would have to work a lot harder (and spend a lot more) to get those new sign-ups.

Regulators

No industry involving money moves without regulators. Whether it’s the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority, these are the folks making sure operators play by the rules.

They’re not just there to enforce standards around fair play, responsible gambling, and data protection—they’re also the gatekeepers of who gets to operate in the first place. No license, no business. And it’s rarely just one license; operators often need multiple to run an online iGaming operation legally.

And trust me, no operator wants to fall foul of these guys. I’ve seen companies try to cut corners, and spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well. Complying with regulations isn’t optional if you want to stick around for the long haul.

Responsible Gambling Organizations

iGaming is fun, sure, but it’s easy to go too far. That’s why responsible gambling organizations like GambleAware and GamStop exist. They work behind the scenes to ensure players can control their gambling habits and don’t get sucked into a downward spiral.

Whether it’s offering self-exclusion tools or support services, they’re there to make sure iGaming stays entertainment—not a problem. More and more, operators are partnering with these organizations because, let’s be real—keeping players healthy is good for everyone. No one wants a reputation as the platform that lets people go off the rails.

The “In-Betweeners” of iGaming

Not everything in iGaming fits neatly into a category. You’ve got SEO experts making sure operators rank on Google, marketing agencies like Square in the Air running brand campaigns, and even legal teams ensuring everyone stays compliant.

Then there’s the media side—companies like SBC, who started as a news site and are now hosting some of the biggest events in the iGaming industry. Let’s not forget the tech geniuses behind gamification (think Waix or Ziqni) and CRM providers like FastTrack, making sure players are always engaged.

These companies aren’t always in the spotlight, but without them, the industry wouldn’t run as smoothly or grow as fast.

What’s the Takeaway? #

iGaming is a smarter, faster way to gamble. What used to require a trip to the casino or a bookie is now just a few clicks away. The real story here? iGaming makes gambling easier, more profitable, and a 24/7 business.

For operators, it’s a goldmine—lower overhead, global reach, and constant player engagement. For players, it’s all about convenience and endless options. No waiting, no hassle, just the iGaming action you want when you want it.

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on iGaming, why not dive deeper? Check out our breakdown of retail betting to see how the traditional and digital worlds stack up.

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