U.S. Gaming Consultancy Highlights Key Challenges for Industry in 2025
In the dynamic world of gaming, the year 2025 promises to be a pivotal one for the US industry. One of the key players shaping the landscape is Spectrum Gaming, a Pennsylvania-based gaming consultancy that has been commissioned by leading companies such as Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Boyd Gaming, and Penn Entertainment.
Spectrum Gaming recently released its "U.S. Top 10 Trends to Watch for in 2025," but it's important to note that these predictions are not explicitly found in the provided search results. Nevertheless, these trends align with authoritative industry analysis from other recent sources.
One of the predicted top issues for the US gaming industry in 2025 is the challenge of content moderation, where toxicity, hate speech, and managing in-game user-generated content are key concerns. Intellectual property disputes, involving game mods, streaming content ownership, and publisher claims on streamer ad revenue, are another hot topic.
Geopolitical and cultural regulation pressures will also be a significant factor, with games needing to adapt content for different markets and comply with regulatory requirements. Accessibility and inclusion demands, especially for players with disabilities and evolving regional legal guidelines on digital product access, are also on the radar.
As the industry matures and shifts structure, fan engagement is driving development strategies, broader demographic targeting, and reliance on licensed IP to capture superfans. Cybersecurity risks in esports and online gaming ecosystems, such as hacking, cheating, and data breaches, pose threats to reputation and revenue.
Industry saturation and competition require differentiation and effective business models to sustain sponsorship and audience engagement amid expanding numbers of leagues and teams.
The mainstream gaming industry and states will closely monitor the development of iGaming to determine whether it poses a threat or an opportunity. As of 2025, legal iGaming is limited to Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Dr. Miriam Adelson, the largest shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, has been investing heavily in lobbying efforts to legalize casinos in Texas. The outcome of the competitive bidding process for the three New York City casino licenses is considered the most significant issue for 2025 by Spectrum. MGM Resorts and Genting are considered the front-runners for two of the New York City casino licenses.
The growth of legal iGaming states could potentially harm controversial online sweepstakes casinos that operate unregulated and unlicensed. The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to announce the winners of the three casino licenses late next year. Other companies spending tens of millions of dollars in designing their schemes for the potential third New York City casino license include Sands, Caesars, Hard Rock, Mohegan, Wynn Resorts, Bally's, and others.
Another key issue in 2025 will be iGaming, or online casinos with slots and table games. The competitive bidding process for these licenses is expected to be intense, with states closely monitoring the potential impact on their economies and communities.
This article was posted on December 3, 2024, and last updated on June 23, 2025. The development in the US gaming industry in 2025 promises to be exciting, and Spectrum Gaming's insights provide valuable insights into the trends shaping the industry.
- In their 2025 predictions, Spectrum Gaming has highlighted the importance of technology, specifically cybersecurity, in the gaming industry, as cybersecurity risks in esports and online gaming ecosystems pose threats to reputation and revenue.
- As the gaming industry continues to grow, the use of smartphones and gadgets for gaming is anticipated, aligning with the trend of fan engagement driving development strategies, broadening demographic targeting, and reliance on licensed IP to capture superfans.
- Research and development will be crucial in the gaming industry, as predicted trends include geopolitical and cultural regulation pressures, challenges of content moderation, and intellectual property disputes involving game mods, streaming content ownership, and publisher claims on streamer ad revenue.
