2026 promises to be a bumper year for UK gambling, with predictions that the market will hit a staggering $13 billion by year 2033.

For context, in 2024 that number sat at $8.7 billion. Northern Ireland’s slice of that market will be significant, and 2026 is set to be a year of innovation and excitement across the industry. Here are the major gambling trends to look out for in 2026.

Northern Ireland is UK’s sports betting capital

A recently completed survey into betting intent in the United Kingdom for 2026 revealed that approximately 18% of all adults’ plan to place a sports bet in 2026. Yet regional differences in these trends persist, with Northern Ireland being the hotspot. 26% of Northern Ireland residents intend to place an active bet in 2026, while in Wales – second on the regional list - the number stands at 22%.

AI

Like every industry, gambling will be majorly impacted by the prominence of AI. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world much as the world wide web did more than twenty years ago, and online gambling trends will be intrinsically linked to AI’s increasing influence and uptake.

One of the most exciting and positive impacts that AI is already starting to make – and this will continue as a trend in 2026 – is the increased adoption by dedicated operators of AI-powered responsible gambling tools. While onus in the past has been on identifying problem gambling patterns and then controlling the player, usually by restricting access, now it is possible for AI tools to not only spot signs of problem gambling but inform the operators how best to intervene before the problems grows to extent that access must be denied and referrals made.

These AI-backed tools will help to build a safer gambling environment for all users, and the responsibility with which operators continue to take in this area is certainly a key ingredient in the selection process that sites such as www.casino.com/ie/ utilise to pick their favourites to guide you.

Of course, the impact of AI will be wider than just the area of responsible gambling. With modelling utilised to predict user intent and motivation, expect AI to increasingly be adopted in incentivising individual players through bonus and other common promotional schemes.

Shrinking number of authorised gambling sites

2025 was a challenging year for the gambling industry. Increased regulation, economic shocks and negative press all contributed to increased costs that were felt industry wide, and this trend looks set to continue. The result will be the expected exiting of the market of an estimated 700 to 900 authorised gambling sites, which marks around 30-40% of the entire national market in the United Kingdom. With less options, yet increased betting numbers, we can expect positive consolidation for the biggest operators.

A year of major sporting events

The gambling industry across the globe is bracing itself for a bumper year of sporting events that will draw players to online sports betting sites in unprecedented numbers. Chief among them is the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking place for the first time across three countries (the US, Mexico and Canada). This expanded edition will include 48 teams, and no fewer than 104 matches, which of course is a staggering number of wagering opportunities. Along with the proliferation of live betting options, the World Cup will break all records for betting on a single tournament.

But 2026 has major sporting events across the board. February will see Italy host the Winter Olympics, and with more winter sports than ever offered by online sportsbooks, again betting numbers will be unprecedented for such as event. There are 16 different disciplines, with each covered by major players in the market. Then there’s the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, also taking place across February and March. With so much happening early on in the year, momentum for the industry promises to be strong moving into the summer months, with the Commonwealth Games taking place in Scotland in July. With annual favourites such as the tennis and golf slams adding to sporting fever, the betting industry will hope that 2026 is a year that takes a positive slant after a difficult 2025. And as ever, the Grand National promises to be the single biggest sports betting moment, with 51% of active bettors stating their intent to place a wager on the Aintree showpiece.

Continued move online

While the closure rates of physical gambling premises in Northern Ireland have slowed markedly – and consolidation seen among existing operators – the global trend of moving gambling online will continue at pace. And that’s a phenomenon that is far from restricted to the gambling industry.