With ICE Barcelona just around the corner, Ed Birkin and Robin Harrison turn their attention to what 2026 might hold for the gambling industry and whether some of the trends shaping today’s market are about to run into resistance.
A Regulatory Backlash for Prediction Markets?
As one of the key predictions in the episode, Ed Birkin suggests 2026 could mark the start of a broader backlash against prediction markets. He questions whether regulators and lawmakers will continue to tolerate what he sees as a loophole rather than a genuinely new product.
That raises a bigger question for the industry: is positioning these products outside traditional gambling frameworks really sustainable in the long term?
Industry Contraction: Exits, Not Expansion
The conversation then widens to the overall shape of the industry. Rather than the start of a new growth cycle, the episode points to signs of contraction, with overcrowded markets forcing some difficult decisions.
The Netherlands and Brazil are highlighted as examples where higher taxes and tougher regulation could prompt even well-known brands to reassess their presence.
Finally, join us to celebrate Right to the Source’s 30-episode milestone. We could not have done this without all of you!
Be sure to check out the Right to the Source series for more industry insights.
With ICE Barcelona just around the corner, Ed Birkin and Robin Harrison turn their attention to what 2026 might hold for the gambling industry and whether some of the trends shaping today’s market are about to run into resistance.