Biggest Innovations and Casino News from iGaming Week in Barcelona 2026

If there was a theme on the affiliate side this year, it was tech – specifically AI. From AI writing aids and tools to upgraded tracking dashboards that leverage artificial intelligence to better track player behaviour, almost every stand showcased solutions designed to help affiliates convert traffic more effectively.

Operators also seemed more on board with the AI technology, which wasn’t the case just a few years ago. With marketing costs rising and regulations driving up costs, many brands are now showing interest in how affiliates get new signups and where that traffic is coming from.

As has been the case in previous years, ICE Barcelona was packed with casino suppliers showing off their 2026 line-ups. Pokie developers came up with hundreds of new titles, new mechanics, and even upgraded games for land-based operators.

Besides pokies, digital-only studios focused on instant games, with many new Crash games being promoted for the first time at ICE Barcelona, confirming that the instant-win game category is on the rise.

Payments were a big talking point, too. Wallets, deposits, and KYC steps are getting quicker – at least according to payment processors, and the sales pitch was basically “don’t lose players before they hit the lobby”.

Much to everyone’s surprise, crypto wasn’t the headline this time. After years of pushing Bitcoin and USDT payments as the “future,” many processors are now reinvesting in traditional payment methods and promoting faster fiat deposits and withdrawals instead. It seems like the industry is taking a minor step back and is tightening up the basics rather than betting everything on crypto adoption.

ICE Barcelona was stacked with suppliers showing off their 2026 line-ups. Pragmatic Play drew one of the busiest crowds on the casino floor with new pokies and live dealer games, including updated game-show formats and new blackjack variants that, according to the studio, will provide “the quickest blackjack rounds in the industry”.

Another major software provider on the Australian casino market, BGaming, showcased its growing portfolio with a mix of pokies, crash titles, and scratch games, hinting that instant-win formats are becoming more than a side category.

Relax Gaming, Play’n GO, Merkur, and several other studios that provide both online and land-based casino games also brought new pokie machines and mechanics aimed at keeping players entertained longer.

On the live casino side, Evolution used Barcelona to tease several new tables and a refreshed game-show concept that mixes RNG features with their trademark Wheel-of-Fortune-type of games. Ezugi, another popular live casino game supplier, also rolled out updated baccarat and roulette versions with quicker rounds, so we notice a trend here.

On the RNG side, Play’n GO hinted at new titles across their signature franchises and an expanded 2026 portfolio. Stakelogic came with more Super Wheel and live games, while Amusnet showcased pokies tailored to Eastern European markets.

ICE and iGB Affiliate are still underway, so there’s more news expected across pokies, payment solutions, sportsbook platforms, and live casino. A few studios hinted at more 2026 launches dropping later in the week, and operators are still lining up meetings at iGaming Club Barcelona and private side events. The next couple of days should bring more product releases and partnerships.

There wasn’t a major panel or keynote that focused on Australia this year, at least not in the early days. However, several exhibitors and suppliers mentioned APAC as part of their broader expansion messaging, and Australia was often grouped with that region.