How Internet Vikings’ Belgium Expansion Sets a New Gold Standard for iGaming Hosting Across Europe
- Miao Zhang
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read

In the rapidly evolving landscape of online gaming and sports betting, infrastructure is emerging as a pivotal differentiator between market leaders and laggards. With increasing regulatory scrutiny, growing consumer demand for speed and security, and the rising complexity of digital operations, iGaming operators are under pressure to ensure resilience, compliance, and operational excellence. Against this backdrop, Internet Vikings—a prominent hosting provider for the iGaming and sportsbook industries—has launched a new data center in Belgium, marking a significant milestone in its European expansion strategy.
This development reflects not only the company’s commitment to its European clientele but also highlights critical trends shaping the future of gaming infrastructure.
Strategic Expansion: Why Belgium?
The decision to establish a data center in Belgium is neither incidental nor purely geographic. Belgium presents a unique convergence of factors that make it ideal for hosting services within the European Union:
Regulatory Alignment: Belgium is known for its strong enforcement of EU data protection regulations, including GDPR compliance, making it a favorable jurisdiction for operators focused on privacy and legal security.
Geographic Centrality: Its central location allows for low-latency connections to major European markets, such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Growing iGaming Market: Belgium itself has a burgeoning online gambling sector, which continues to expand under strict regulatory frameworks.
Rickard Vikström, Founder and CEO of Internet Vikings, succinctly described the move:
"We are expanding our infrastructure across the EU to better support the needs of our clients. The Belgium launch is a practical step toward that goal."
This expansion enhances the company's already robust European presence, joining existing facilities in Sweden and Amsterdam to create a resilient and redundant infrastructure network for iGaming operators.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Internet Vikings' new Belgium facility is not merely another data center; it is purpose-built for the unique demands of the iGaming and sports betting industries. The facility offers:
Fully Managed Cloud Solutions: Clients can leverage local cloud services with options for private, public, or hybrid setups.
Redundant Systems: Integration with Sweden and Amsterdam data centers ensures high availability and disaster recovery readiness.
ISO 27001 Certification: Adherence to global information security standards ensures robust data protection.
DDoS Protection: Advanced mitigation strategies, including Cloudflare-based protection, are embedded into the infrastructure.
Bare Metal Servers & Colocation: Operators can choose high-performance, dedicated servers or colocation options based on their technical needs.
This infrastructure empowers gaming operators to build, scale, and secure their platforms while meeting complex regulatory requirements.
Impact on Regulatory Compliance and Data Sovereignty
A primary driver behind Internet Vikings’ EU strategy is the increasing importance of data localization and regulatory compliance.
Several EU countries now mandate that sensitive customer data—including financial transactions, player history, and responsible gambling records—be stored within national or regional borders. Failure to comply may result in hefty fines or revocation of operating licenses.
Belgium’s strict oversight of its gambling sector, coupled with its robust privacy laws, positions this new facility as an ideal solution for operators navigating the European regulatory maze.
Moreover, by providing fully localized cloud services, Internet Vikings enables operators to satisfy local compliance mandates without sacrificing operational agility.
The Competitive Advantage of Local Infrastructure
Speed, security, and resilience are crucial in the iGaming industry, where even milliseconds of delay can result in lost revenue or frustrated users.
The Belgium data center directly addresses these concerns:
Ultra-Low Latency: Located near core European markets, operators benefit from faster page load times, real-time betting, and smoother gaming experiences.
Localized Support: On-ground operational teams ensure rapid response for technical issues or emergency situations.
Operational Redundancy: With synchronized backups and failover capabilities spanning Sweden, Amsterdam, and now Belgium, operators gain peace of mind knowing their services can remain online, even amid outages or cyberattacks.
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Gaming Infrastructure Trends: Europe vs. United States
Although Internet Vikings' European operations have seen consistent growth, its U.S. footprint has surged in recent years. The company now serves operators in over 25 U.S. states—including high-profile partnerships such as RubyPlay (New Jersey), EveryMatrix (West Virginia), and Spinomenal (New Jersey).
Interestingly, the U.S. market and European markets are exhibiting divergent infrastructure trends:
Region | Primary Hosting Driver | Key Requirements | Internet Vikings’ Strategy |
Europe | Regulatory Compliance & Data Sovereignty | GDPR, Data Localization, Resilience | Expand local EU data centers for compliance |
United States | Speed to Market & State Licensing | State-by-State Licensing, High Performance | Regional data centers with licensed hosting |
While the U.S. model is driven by aggressive market entry and rapid state-by-state deployment, Europe prioritizes compliance and operational resilience. Internet Vikings’ dual strategy—expanding in both regions—ensures it remains competitive and relevant in both regulatory environments.
Key Benefits for Operators Using the Belgium Data Center
Operators leveraging the new Belgium facility gain:
Guaranteed Compliance: Adherence to GDPR and Belgian gaming regulations.
Optimized Performance: Low-latency connectivity for real-time betting and gaming.
Disaster Recovery: Redundant systems minimize downtime risks.
Security: Advanced encryption, DDoS protection, and ISO-certified protocols.
Flexibility: Choice between cloud, bare metal, or hybrid setups.
Market Dynamics and the Future of Gaming Hosting
The Belgium expansion comes amid a broader shift in the global iGaming infrastructure market, which is expected to grow significantly over the next five years. Key drivers include:
Data Sovereignty Regulations: More jurisdictions are enacting local storage requirements.
Cloud Migration: Increased adoption of hybrid and private cloud models among operators.
Cybersecurity Pressures: Growing threats from DDoS attacks and data breaches.
Sustainability Mandates: Demand for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly data centers.
Operators that align with these emerging trends are better positioned for long-term success.
Projected iGaming Hosting Market Growth (2025-2030)
Year | Estimated Market Value (USD Billion) | Key Growth Drivers |
2025 | 6.2 | Data Localization, Compliance Upgrades |
2026 | 7.1 | Cloud Migration, Hybrid Infrastructure |
2027 | 8.3 | Advanced Security Measures, AI Integration |
2028 | 9.5 | 5G and Edge Computing Adoption |
2029 | 10.7 | Sustainability & Energy Efficiency |
2030 | 12.1 | Global Market Expansion, Automation |
Infrastructure as a Competitive Edge
As the iGaming industry grows increasingly competitive and regulated, infrastructure is evolving from a back-office function into a frontline differentiator.
Internet Vikings’ Belgium data center is more than an expansion; it is a strategic pivot toward localized, compliant, and high-performance hosting solutions for European operators. This approach not only meets existing compliance demands but also anticipates future requirements such as multi-cloud compatibility, edge computing, and AI-driven automation.
Operators leveraging these next-generation facilities can expect to gain substantial competitive advantages in performance, compliance, and customer experience.
For gaming operators aiming to future-proof their business models, robust infrastructure investments—like those offered by Internet Vikings—are no longer optional. They are essential.
Further Reading / External References
For advanced analysis and expert-led coverage on digital infrastructure, data centers, AI, and emerging technologies, follow Dr. Shahid Masood and the research team at 1950.ai. Their deep expertise spans cybersecurity, AI-driven infrastructure, and regulatory technology offering actionable strategies for enterprises worldwide.
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