By James McLeod
Why iGaming needs a new cloud model
In iGaming, success hinges on control—of data, costs, and compliance. Yet many operators are locked into public cloud environments that make true control difficult. The sovereign cloud offers a powerful alternative.
1. Predictable cost management
Unlike the public cloud’s elastic but often unpredictable billing model, sovereign clouds provide pricing stability. For platforms that surge before big matches and idle during off-peak hours, predictability is essential to avoid “bill shock.”
2. Data sovereignty & regulatory alignment
Sovereign clouds give operators full visibility into where data resides and how it’s replicated. This clarity is essential for meeting iGaming compliance standards—especially when navigating complex cross-border data laws.
At Ilkari, we’ve seen customers combine colocation and sovereign cloud to deliver secure, fast, regulation-friendly environments that optimize both performance and trust.
3. Freedom from vendor lock-in
Public cloud providers often prioritize proprietary tools, making it hard—and expensive—to switch. Sovereign clouds typically leverage open technologies, allowing businesses to evolve their infrastructure without major disruption.
“Proprietary public cloud platforms can lock you in. Sovereign cloud gives you the freedom to pivot, scale, and evolve, on your own terms.“
James McLeod, Ilkari
Looking ahead: the future of sovereign cloud
We’re already seeing a shift away from the public cloud. Over the years, major providers have added layers of abstraction—from IaaS to PaaS to SaaS—which can hinder flexibility and obscure infrastructure control. As data privacy regulations tighten and jurisdictional scrutiny grows, organisations with sensitive workloads are seeking a better path. Sovereign cloud, combined with advances in modern hardware, now offers the scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness that were once out of reach.
And then there’s AI.
As adoption skyrockets, so does the volume—and value—of data. Training datasets, inferences, and logs all demand secure, transparent infrastructure. Sovereign cloud offers businesses a way to maintain data sovereignty and ensure compliance as they scale their AI capabilities.
In short: Sovereign cloud isn’t just a safer option. It’s becoming the smarter one.
Want to learn how Ilkari’s solutions support iGaming operators?
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