by Pablo Alfierri
The global gaming industry continues to be one of the most vibrant digital entertainment sectors worldwide.
Leading jurisdictions such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand are among the nations where gaming is booming.
With that in mind, read on as analyse some of the developments worth monitoring in each country over the next 12 months.
United States – Cloud Gaming Poised to Take Off
Cloud gaming has been building momentum for some time, but 2026 is expected to be the year it takes off.
The concept has been in existence for over a decade, but has now become a core tenet of the US gaming industry. Recent developments in connectivity and platform investment have many people believing that the sector is on the verge of a breakout.
Market data supports this momentum. According to Statista, worldwide cloud gaming will reach approximately $5.42 billion by the end of 2025. It is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 21 percent through 2030, and the US is the largest contributor at around $2.9bn.
Some analysts believe the global cloud gaming market could reach $96.7bn by 2034, and 2026 will mark a breakthrough in the technologies that foster this growth.
The improvement of high-speed broadband and fibre-optic networks has delivered the low latency needed for real-time game streaming, knocking down one of the barriers to cloud gaming.
Cloud gaming means players do not have to spend big money purchasing expensive consoles and gaming PCs. They can play games via their phones, laptops, tablets and smart televisions.
Platforms such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Amazon Luna that offer access to top-shelf cloud games are on the rise, and 2026 could be the year they start rivalling traditional consoles in scale.
New Zealand – A New Regulatory Frontier for iGaming
New Zealand’s new regulatory framework for iGaming will be a game-changer for a sector which is already booming.
Online betting sites already operate in New Zealand under licenses issued in other jurisdictions. The Kiwi government is now taking control of the sector. All of the platforms featured on comparison platform bettingtop10.co.nz are preparing to adapt to the new landscape.
New Zealand plans to issue up to 15 online casino licenses via a competitive auction. The licenses are expected to run for three years, then operators can renew for another five.
Operators that secure a license can offer online casino products such as slots, table games, virtual racing, albeit under strict supervision. The framework also implements a structured revenue model wherein licensed operators must pay a 12% duty on gross gambling revenue.
The figure will increase to 16% in 2027 and operators must also make additional community funding contributions. Auctions start early next year before the licenses are awarded in December.
This regulation will better protect players, enforce responsible gaming practices and ensure trust in the system. Legal clarity will attract investors who have been avoiding New Zealand because of the regulatory uncertainty.
Australia – Blockchain Gaming Gains Ground
Blockchain-based gaming is the primary development to watch out for in Australia next year.
Research shows the blockchain gaming market could record unprecedented growth from $680 million in 2025 to $59bn in 2034, a CAGR of over 56%.
This shows there is a keen interest in decentralised gaming models that allow players to truly own their digital assets and commodities.
Blockchain gaming allows players to own, trade and monetise their in-game assets through distributed ledgers. The dynamics of the sector also appeals to developers and investors looking for new spaces to explore.
Australia provides the perfect backdrop. The country boasts a solid financial technology sector, a talented developer pipeline and world-class blockchain expertise. Companies such as Immutable have become global leaders in blockchain gaming.
However, Australia must surmount some significant challenges. Blockchain games are legal but regulations around the embedding of cryptocurrency-based wagering systems complicate matters.
Blockchain gaming companies must comprehensively differentiate gaming, collectibles and other features.
Despite this, innovation in the industry continues to thrive, placing Australia at the vanguard for compliant, scalable blockchain gaming models.
Image by Nathan Osman from Pixabay
