In her latest expert column, DIMOCO SVP of Sales, Bettina Sommer, addresses what the next phase of payment innovation within the iGaming industry will comprise.
The iGaming industry has never been short of innovation, but payments are rapidly becoming the next battleground for differentiation. As competition intensifies and regulation tightens, operators are discovering that player loyalty is increasingly being shaped by how easily and confidently players can move money in and out of their platforms.
Several payment trends are emerging as potential game changers, from the search for PayPal alternatives to the rise of crypto wallets, carrier billing, and open banking. Yet not all trends carry equal weight, and not all are being embraced by players at the same pace as operators and providers.
The search for cheaper, smarter alternatives to PayPal
PayPal remains one of the most trusted payment brands globally. However, for operators, it is also one of the most expensive options in terms of fees, reserves, and compliance overhead.
As a result, the industry is shifting toward alternative digital wallets and localised payment methods that can deliver comparable trust with lower cost and higher conversion. Wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, MiFinity, Jeton, and AirCash continue to grow in relevance, offering faster deposits and withdrawals, reduced exposure of card or bank details, easier multi account management for players, and more flexible commercial models for operators.
The trend is not the decline of PayPal, but the fragmentation of wallet dominance. Operators that rely too heavily on a single global wallet risk margin pressure and missed regional opportunities.
Crypto payments: finally living up to the hype
Crypto payments are no longer experimental, but they are also not universal. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and increasingly stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are being adopted by players who value fast settlement, lower cross border fees, increased privacy, and independence from traditional banking rails. In the last year the share of crypto payments in the iGaming sector rose from 7% to 14% . Crypto transactions are most active in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Crypto wallets are attractive in regions with limited banking access or restrictive financial controls, such as Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. They also align naturally with the expectations of younger audiences. However, crypto’s role is at best complementary. Regulatory scrutiny, AML obligations, and volatility concerns continue to limit mass adoption.
With that in mind, Crypto works best when leveraged as an optional payment method rather than a default, supporting niche demand without introducing unnecessary operational or regulatory risk.
Carrier billing: from niche option to regulated growth lever
Carrier billing, which allows players to charge deposits directly to their mobile phone bill or prepaid balance, has historically been viewed as a niche payment method in iGaming. Recent regulatory developments in Germany suggest this perception is changing.
In 2025, Germany’s national gambling regulator, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), approved carrier billing for use in the regulated iGaming market. DIMOCO became the first accredited provider, with NEO.bet announced as the first licensed operator to go live. This marked the first formal approval of carrier billing within Germany’s regulated iGaming framework
Germany is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most conservative and compliance driven gambling markets, and the GGL approval signals that carrier billing can meet strict requirements around player protection, transaction monitoring, and regulatory oversight when implemented correctly.
Carrier billing aligns naturally with mobile first player behaviour. By removing the need for cards, wallets, or bank logins, it creates a low friction deposit flow that is particularly effective for first time deposits, casual players, and underbanked segments. As mobile usage continues to dominate iGaming traffic, this simplicity can materially improve conversion rates for licensed operators.
Crucially, the GGL approval may now unlock momentum in other regulated jurisdictions. As regulators, payment providers, and mobile network operators observe Germany’s approach, carrier billing is increasingly being reassessed as a legitimate regulated payment option rather than a fringe use case.
That said, carrier billing is not a replacement for existing payment rails. Spending caps and telecom driven limits mean it is best positioned as a targeted acquisition and engagement tool rather than a primary method.
Open banking: strong technology, fragile trust
According to the European Banking Authority, open banking and account to account payments promise what iGaming players increasingly demand: instant deposits and near real time withdrawals. From an operator perspective, the advantages are clear, including lower transaction fees, minimal chargeback exposure, and strong authentication under PSD2 frameworks.
Despite these benefits, player adoption remains uneven. Many users remain hesitant to connect their bank accounts in a gambling context, driven by concerns around data sharing, security, and unfamiliar user journeys, even in regulated European markets.
What this means for iGaming operators in 2026
The next phase of payment innovation in iGaming will not be defined by a single winning payment method. Success will depend on orchestration, offering the right mix of payment options at the right moment in the player journey.
The most competitive operators will reduce dependency on expensive legacy wallets, use crypto strategically rather than ideologically, deploy carrier billing for mobile first acquisition, leverage open banking where trust and UX allow, and continuously localise payment stacks by market.
In a landscape where margins are tightening and acquisition costs are rising; payments are no longer a back-office function. They are a frontline growth lever and a defining element of brand trust.
