Last week, we joined operators, technologists, and innovators at Technology in iGaming 2025 - a fast-paced, insight-rich event tackling the sector’s biggest challenges and boldest ideas.

Set against the backdrop of a bright Shoreditch loft - and an unusually hot London morning - the energy in the room didn’t falter. From infrastructure to regulation, security to skills, the conversations were forward-looking, and refreshingly grounded in reality.

Here’s our key takeaways from the standout sessions:

1. Behind the bet - inside the minds and methods of a casino cyber attacker

Peter Bassill (Hedgehog Security) delivered a gripping teardown of a real - and very recent - ransomware attack. His irreverent but razor-sharp delivery cut through the noise to show the real cost of a breach: not just reputational damage, but serious operational disruption.

The key message? Preparation pays off. Rapid response and regulatory compliance helped mitigate further fallout, avoiding fines that could have turned a bad situation into a catastrophic one.

2. Penetration testing and internal warfare - battling the threat from every angle 

Led by Emma Blaylock (Pretty Technical), this panel brought together David Brace (Content8), Daniel Little (Claranet), and Rory Stewart (CybrCovr). 

The discussion made clear that cybersecurity is still under-funded and under-prioritised by many organisations.

AI, unsurprisingly, made its appearance. While it can speed up pentesting tasks, it still can’t outsmart a skilled human attacker. Over time AI may improve, but will it ever be able to out hack a human? Tricky to say! 

Budgeting for cybersecurity remains a murky topic - with the panel cautioning against underinvestment while recognising real-world limitations.

Key takeaway? Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical challenge - it’s a strategic one. You can’t afford to ignore it, but you do need to prioritise it wisely.

3. Hiring - attracting top talent in a buyer's market

Angre Marenke (Pretty Technical), Amber Hunt (Marshall Wolfe), George Berson (Midnite), and Jim Marshall (Aibly) explored what it takes to attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive market.

A standout message came from Amber: ditch the laundry list of mandatory skills. Hiring should focus on mindset, adaptability, and long-term fit - not just ticking boxes. Culture is crucial, but hiring for “culture add” rather than “culture fit” helps avoid sameness. Candidates are evaluating you too - so create processes that are human, inclusive, and reflective of the kind of workplace you want to build.

Technology in iGaming 2025 delivered insight, straight talk, and genuine collaboration. It reminded us that while the challenges are complex, the appetite to tackle them - openly and collaboratively - is stronger than ever. 

4. Scalability - building tomorrow's systems on today's budgets

Chaired by Claudia Heiling (Golden Whale), with insights from Nick McDonald (FSAF Technology), Liam Crowter (Cloudflare), and Tristan Greaves (AWS). 

This session tackled one of the sector’s biggest tensions: how to scale fast without overspending.

In iGaming, there's a growing expectation that cloud infrastructure should be available and scalable like a utility - but how do you strike a balance between readiness and restraint? Testing is crucially important. Designing for scale is vital, but so is avoiding over-investment. That means finding the right partners who can help you meet today’s needs while planning for future demand. Data-driven decisions are key - you can’t rely on guesswork. 

While AI, especially GenAI, can support scalability (e.g., by predicting peak loads or accelerating development), it’s no substitute for solid architectural fundamentals. Looking ahead, more systems will be decoupled, API-driven, and statically hosted via CDNs, easing scalability pressures. However, the increasing need for computing power, especially for AI, makes the demand for low-power chips an urgent consideration.

5. Automation - boosting system stability through smart automation 

Moderated by Miguel Gonzalez (Pretty Technical), this panel featured Curtis Roach (iGamingFuture), Chris Bailey (IBM), and Warren Russell (EyeDP).

Despite automation’s clear benefits, adoption continues to lag. Many teams still struggle with ROI calculation, tool awareness, or legacy systems. While 46% of teams report half their testing is automated, 66% still sit below 25% automation.

The takeaway? Don’t just automate for automation’s sake - apply it where it delivers real impact, embed best practices, and always keep people at the centre. Smart automation isn’t about replacing humans; it’s about enabling them.

6. Future-proofing - balancing overconfidence with over-engineering 

Featuring CreateFuture’s Jeff Watkins, this panel included Chethana Harve (Aristocrat), Max Francis (Black Cow), and Andy Rogers (Rokker). Together, they explored what it really means to future-proof systems and teams.

The discussion cut through buzzwords to examine timelines, common pitfalls, and how to recognise sunk-cost thinking before it sets in. Simplicity and clarity in design emerged as guiding principles - future-proofing isn’t about predicting everything, it’s about building for change.

Technology in iGaming 2025 delivered insight, straight talk, and genuine collaboration. It reminded us that while the challenges are complex, the appetite to tackle them - openly and collaboratively - is stronger than ever. 

At CreateFuture, we’re proud to be a trusted partner to leading iGaming operators, helping the industry deliver seamless, secure, and standout player experiences. If you’d like to learn more about how we can support your ambitions, get in touch.