Light & Wonder Doubles Down on Global iGaming Growth

_{Light & Wonder's Dan O'Donoghue continues to expand the companies global iGaming footprint. (Image: Light & Wonder)}

Light & Wonder has evolved from a maker of instant lottery equipment into one of the world’s largest digital gaming suppliers, powering more than 190 operators and distributing over 6,500 online casino titles. With licences across 38 global jurisdictions and a growing portfolio of studios, it now plays a central role in shaping cross-platform casino entertainment.

Casinos.com sat down with Dan O’Donoghue, the company’s iGaming Chief Operating Officer, to discuss the brand’s latest moves, including its withdrawal from live-dealer casino products, its push into Canada and Brazil, and how studio partners are shaping the next wave of innovation.

Building a Cross-Platform Powerhouse

Light & Wonder has undergone significant transformation in the last decade, including a major rebrand in 2022. O’Donoghue said this shift was rooted in a simple idea: keep content at the centre of everything.

“We have placed content at the heart of everything we do, powered by our aggregation platform and cutting-edge technology.”

He explained that Light & Wonder’s marketplace is designed to offer operators a single integration point for a full suite of games, engagement tools, and partner-studio content. The company has also bolstered its in-house capabilities by acquiring studios such as Elk Studios and Lightning Box.

“It’s about giving operators everything they need for online success, all delivered through a single integration.”

Land-Based Roots Still Matter

While Light & Wonder is now a digital heavyweight, the company’s land-based heritage remains a driver of brand recognition and player appeal. O’Donoghue highlighted how familiar titles have travelled seamlessly from casino floors to mobile screens.

“In the United States, Huff N’ More Puff broke performance records during its first month of going live.”

The company’s licence partnerships with major operators, including Caesars Entertainment, Mohegan, Penn Entertainment, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, show the scale of its land-based business. Many of its leading franchises, such as 88 Fortunes, Jin Ji Bao Xi, Ultimate Fire Link, and Rainbow Riches, continue to perform strongly across both channels.

Why Light & Wonder Sold Its Lottery Division

The company famously sold its lottery arm as part of its strategic realignment. O’Donoghue said the move was part of a long-term plan to focus squarely on global games.

“The reasoning was to set out our future vision as the leading cross-platform global games company.”

He added that the goal now is to deliver content across land-based, online, and social gaming channels through what the company calls its Infinity ecosystem.

Supporting Independent Studios in a Fragmented Market

As competition intensifies, Light & Wonder’s partnerships with independent studios have become a key part of its growth strategy. These studios often bring innovative mechanics and regional expertise, but face barriers when trying to scale across North America due to regulatory fragmentation.

O’Donoghue said Light & Wonder’s platform helps solve that.

“The fragmented regulatory landscape of the United States and Canada necessitates significant legal, licensing, and compliance investments for multi-state or multi-province rollouts.”

By providing access to its Spark RGS and global operator network, the company can support faster deployment and wider reach for these partners.

Ontario: Three Years of Strong Growth

Light & Wonder entered the regulated Ontario market in April 2022. O’Donoghue said the team relied heavily on existing land-based and digital experience in Canada to understand local player preferences.

“We have a long-standing presence in Canada within our land-based and iGaming business and this has provided insights that we have been able to harness across all of our channels.”

Ontario reported $3 billion in iGaming revenue in 2024, up from $2.3 billion in 2023, according to iGaming Ontario.

Asia-themed games, particularly 88 Fortunes, have proven especially popular in the province.

“Our 88 Fortunes franchise…has struck a chord with players in Ontario since the market opened up three years ago.”

Entering Brazil’s Newly Regulated Market

Light & Wonder launched its online platform in Brazil in January following regulatory changes that opened the door to licensed operators.

O’Donoghue described Brazil as a priority market.

“Brazil is a premier regulated market in Latin America and we are pleased to offer our services there.”

Player behaviour data is still emerging, and the team is reviewing early performance to determine which mechanics gain the most traction.

Exciting Live-Dealer Gaming and What Comes Next

In February, Light & Wonder announced its exit from the live-dealer casino vertical. O’Donoghue emphasised that the decision followed a strategic review.

“In the case of live casino, we decided that other aspects of our business have better visibility to superior returns going forward.”

The company will now focus on digital content and its Infinity platform, which aggregates first- and third-party titles alongside engagement tools.

Future Trends: Bigger Jackpots and Cross-Channel Play

Looking ahead, O’Donoghue said shared liquidity jackpot systems will be a major trend. Light & Wonder has already deployed its Dream Pots pooled jackpot product in the UK and Europe.

“By connecting jackpot pools across multiple operator brands…we are bringing jackpot thrills to a much wider audience of players.”

He added that cross-channel experiences, bridging land-based and online play, will remain a long-term strategic focus.