“In 2026, Playson is set to build on the strong foundation laid this year by combining expanded capacity with quality"

Playson has closed 2025 on a strong note, marking a year defined by growth, innovation, and industry leadership. The company has strengthened its presence across global markets while continuing to focus on delivering engaging, high-quality gaming experiences to players.

In an exclusive interview with Yogonet, Deputy CEO Vsevolod Lapin reflects on the company’s achievements over the past year and highlights the trends and opportunities shaping the gaming industry in 2026. With a commitment to innovation, responsible growth, and player-centric design, Playson aims to build on its momentum and continue delivering value to partners and audiences worldwide.

Looking back at 2025, how would you assess the year for the company? What are some of the major takeaways/highlights, achievements, or lessons learned over the past year?

2025 was quite a challenging year for Playson, yet rewarding. For six consecutive months, we have proudly held the #1 iGaming supplier position in Europe, as rated by Eilers&Fantini, and I believe this is a reflection of our focus on quality, performance, and player satisfaction.

The 20-game releases and launch of the Power Chance Jackpot games suite as a major product milestone is something every Playsoneer will be proud of. Each new title has brought more value to the market and to our partners. We also strengthened our presence in key regulated markets like Brazil, Italy, and Portugal, each showing remarkable growth.

Internally, 2025 was about adaptability, and scale - refining our processes, expanding teams, and maintaining our boutique-level craftsmanship.

Which issues and trends would you say dominated the conversation this year? Any specific trends, markets, or technologies that you believe will drive change in 2026?

On a broader level, regulatory evolution in markets like Brazil and Peru, alongside maturity in European jurisdictions, stimulated discussions on a compliance-first approach and infrastructure readiness. Al-everything, although the hype has quieted a bit by the end of the year. We also saw a clear move toward faster, goal-oriented gameplay, where players seek more immediate rewards through mechanics like Hold and Win and collection-based features.

For 2026, we will continue to see the implementation of Al assistance in various forms across the industry, from game design to cross-market compliance adaptability.

Regulation, especially of the emerging markets, South Africa, to name one, will be on the radar of all respected industry players. And of course, we are expecting to see player-favourite mechanics, like Hold and Win, Pots, and progressive mechanics, evolving with new twists and themes.

What can we expect from the company in 2026? What are the main challenges and opportunities you see in the gaming industry in the upcoming 12-month period?

In 2026, Playson is set to build on the strong foundation laid this year by combining expanded capacity with uncompromising quality. We plan to increase our release count to over 30 new titles and grow our Power Chance Jackpot family across various markets. And we will continue delivering entertainment and value to our partners and players.

The main challenges remain balancing innovation with regulation and maintaining player trust amid Al evolution. Yet these also represent our biggest opportunities: to lead through responsible innovation and craft experiences that truly resonate.