How to navigate redundancy grief and rebuild yourself in iGaming

Redundancy has never been a comfortable word. But in 2025 and throughout 2026, it has become an increasingly familiar one across the iGaming and affiliate space – whispered in conference corridors, shared in LinkedIn DMs, and quietly acknowledged over drinks at networking events from Dubai to Malta. 

A wave of restructuring has swept through operators, affiliates and technology providers alike. High-profile layoffs at some of the industry's biggest names and companies that once seemed untouchable have left talented, experienced professionals blindsided and, dare I say, feeling a little lost. 

If you've found yourself in this position, first know this: you are not alone, and you are far from the end of your career.

Understanding the grief cycle

Let's be honest about what's happening. Redundancy in iGaming has fast become something of a trend. Post-pandemic growth projections that once seemed bulletproof have met the reality of tighter regulation and squeezed margins. Operators have consolidated. Affiliate networks have merged or contracted. Payment and technology providers have streamlined headcount in line with investor pressure.

The knock-on effect? A significant pool of skilled iGaming professionals – compliance experts, affiliate managers, product leads, BD directors, payments specialists, in-house recruitment teams – are suddenly back in the market, often for the first time in years. The shock is real. The industry moves fast, and being on the outside of it, however temporarily, can feel disorienting.

There is a grief cycle to redundancy that very few people talk about in professional contexts, but it is absolutely real. Shock and disbelief. Anger at the company, the timing, the process. Deep introspection (could I have done something differently?). And eventually, acceptance and moving forward.

It is worth remembering that redundancy is not the rare, career-defining catastrophe it was once perceived to be. The majority of professionals across every industry will experience it at least once. In a sector built on rapid growth, M&A activity and frequent pivots like iGaming, the number is likely higher than average. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It does not define your capabilities, your reputation or your future. Some of the most respected names in this industry have redundancy in their past. Most just don't talk about it, and perhaps it's time that changed.

Give yourself permission to go through it. The iGaming world is a tight-knit, often intense one. Many professionals in this space have given enormous amounts of themselves to their roles. Being made redundant can feel like a personal rejection, even when it is categorically not. It is a business decision, and in the current climate, it is rarely a reflection of individual performance or value.

The iGaming job market, even in a period of contraction, remains active. Regulated market expansion across the US, Latin America and parts of Africa continues to generate demand. Emerging roles in responsible gambling, AI-driven product development, and compliance across new jurisdictions mean that skills built in this industry are evolving if positioned correctly.

Steps of rebuilding

Audit your LinkedIn profile ruthlessly. Your headline should not read 'open to work' passively; it should position you as the expert you are. Update your summary to reflect what you bring to any business you work in, not just a list of the companies you have worked for. Recruiters typically search by verticals like payments, affiliates, compliance and product. Make sure your profile speaks their language.

Reconnect with your network before you need it. The best iGaming roles are filled through conversations, not job boards. Reach out to former colleagues, attend industry events and re-engage with contacts you may not have spoken to in a while. People in this industry largely understand the current climate, so there is far less stigma around redundancy than there once was.

Work with a specialist recruiter. A generalist recruiter will not understand the nuance of your affiliate BD background or your payments compliance expertise. Find a recruiter who lives and breathes this space and can advocate for you in the right rooms.

Be open to geography. The iGaming hubs – Malta, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and recently Dubai for more tech specific businesses and emerging markets in North America – all have different hiring cycles and demand profiles. If you have been operating in one jurisdiction, consider whether your skills translate to another.

Protecting your wellbeing through the process. This part matters as much as the job search itself – maybe even more. The period between roles can play serious games with your sense of identity, especially in an industry where professional titles carry a lot of weight.

Structure your days. The absence of routine is one of the hardest parts of redundancy. Build a framework: job search hours, skills development time, physical movement and proper rest. Treat your re-entry into the market as your job.

Move your body. It sounds simple, and it is! Exercise is one of the most effective tools for managing the anxiety and low mood that can accompany unemployment. Whether it's the gym, a pilates class, a boxing session or a long walk, commit to something daily.

Limit the doomscrolling. LinkedIn/social media apps can become a source of comparison anxiety very quickly. Set a specific time each day for professional engagement online, then close it down. Watching everyone else's apparent success while you're between roles is not a useful exercise.

Talk about it. The iGaming community is extremely supportive when you pull back the professional curtain. Many of the most senior people in this industry have their own redundancy story. Find ‘kindred spirits’ over coffee, at an industry event or in one of the many community groups that exist online.

The iGaming and affiliate industry has always rewarded adaptability. It has been built, rebuilt and reinvented many times, so have the careers of the people within it. Redundancy, painful as it is in the moment, often turns out to be the catalyst for a move that you might never have made voluntarily. It could be the making of you!