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Mobile gaming needs more talent to power the UK’s tech revival, claims industry expert
Fatih Haltas, founder of mobile game developer Matchingham Games, believes the UK could lose its European tech crown if action isn’t taken by industry and government to attract more investment and talent to the mobile gaming sector.
Haltas set up Matchingham Games in the UK in 2020 to tap into its established tech ecosystem. Since then, the company has grown to over 120 staff members and achieved nearly 500 million installs, but Haltas says mobile gaming developers still struggle to attract the best talent and institutional investment, which is stunting growth opportunities in the sector.
Haltas said: “The UK has done a fantastic job in cultivating a dynamic gaming sector, and we have the infrastructure to truly become a world leader in mobile gaming. We already have the biggest gaming market in Europe, but we must attract more talent and investment from the global giants like the US, Japan, and South Korea.”
Currently, firms can apply for employee sponsorship licences, but these require upfront payment and often come with long administrative processes. Haltas believes removing these financial barriers and offering targeted, streamlined gaming visas would attract crucial investment and talent to drive growth in mobile gaming and the wider UK tech sector.
He continued: “There has been commendable government action for the gaming sector as a whole, like the UK Games Fund and Video Games Tax Relief. Unfortunately, these aren’t targeted for the specific talent challenges in mobile gaming. Young developers are still drawn to the more high-profile console studios and titles.
“The UK’s gaming industry has established foundations and proven growth potential. With some surgical support in talent acquisition, like easing visa requirements for tech graduates from overseas, the industry can be left alone to do what it does best – developing market-leading games. This would lead to a surge of investment into the sector.”
Haltas believes another option available is increasing the Business Asset Disposal Relief (previously Entrepreneurs’ Relief) lifetime allowance from £1 million to its previous ceiling of £10 million, and argues this would encourage companies to relocate to the UK to develop their games and stimulate M&A activity in the sector.
Haltas’ intervention comes in the wake of Drake Star’s latest Global Gaming Report, which shows the UK lagging behind an uptick of M&A activity in the industry (full report).
Q3 saw the biggest strategics, like Tencent and Playtika, consolidating, and Q4 has seen the Activision/Microsoft merger finally close. While many commentators have questioned what the Microsoft deal means for the industry, Haltas insists the lack of M&A activity in the UK highlights how institutional investors don’t take mobile gaming as seriously as other markets.
Haltas continued: “The UK mobile gaming sector often presents more lucrative commercial opportunities than the console and the PC sector, yet investors consider it a second-rate form of gaming. This mindset needs to change.”
In 2022, the global market revenue for mobile games was $91.8 billion dollars; for console games it was only $52.2 billion (statista). Mobile also makes up a larger percentage of total gamers; in the US it’s estimated that 48.3% of the total population are mobile gamers (Insider Intelligence).
The Drake Star Q3 report details 42 deals in the mobile gaming sector, with a value totalling $316 million. Total gaming deals across both console and mobile are concentrated in North America, with 11, and Asia, with 13.
The increase in gaming deal flow in these markets follows the introduction of talent incentives. India’s AVCG incentives provide cash for companies developing content in India, and further support for those employing a 15% Indian workforce (Confederation of Indian Industry). Turkey provides cashback incentives for UA expenditure (Turkish Ministry of Commerce) and the UAE’s AD Gaming initiative provides support for locally developed games (AD Gaming). In a European context, some EU countries offer corporate tax relief.
HSBC Innovation Banking’s ‘Data Commons’ initiative with Dealroom outlines the state of the UK tech industry (full report). Whilst the UK leads the European market, with its startups having raised $8.9 billion so far this year, its European competitors are catching up as investment lags behind the European average.
Haltas believes the UK is now at a disadvantage to other markets and while the government’s recent autumn statement included measures to support British business, he’s calling for sector-specific support targeted at high-growth industries.
Haltas continued: “The UK’s mobile gaming sector now risks lagging behind other markets and while the impetus is on the industry to drive growth, a little push from the government could have knock-on effects that go beyond gaming.
“Bringing in the best talent in one tech sector inevitably attracts the best developers and designers in other areas, and this will be a massive draw for investment into UK tech. The UK’s mobile gaming industry could become a lightning rod of investment and capital, revitalising the wider UK tech ecosystem.”

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REEVO and Popiplay Join Forces to Broaden Aggregation Offerings
REEVO continues its rapid expansion by welcoming Popiplay to its growing portfolio of premium gaming partners. This latest collaboration underscores REEVO’s commitment to providing top-tier gaming content, enhancing player experiences, and delivering cutting-edge solutions to the iGaming industry.
Popiplay, a Scandinavian casino gaming brand, has made a name for itself with high-quality slots designed for modern players. Backed by an experienced team of industry professionals, Popiplay focuses on delivering unique and highly rewarding gaming experiences, emphasizing a player-first, streamer-focused, and mobile-friendly approach.
Through this partnership, Popiplay’s portfolio of dynamic slot games will be seamlessly integrated into REEVO’s aggregation platform, making them accessible to a broader network of operators and players worldwide. With REEVO’s state-of-the-art technology, rapid API integration, and commitment to innovation, this collaboration promises to drive greater engagement and excitement in the iGaming space.
Denis Ristic, CEO of Popiplay, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating: “At Popiplay, we are always looking to push boundaries and bring the best gaming experiences to players worldwide. Partnering with REEVO marks an exciting step forward in that mission. Their commitment to innovation and seamless integration aligns perfectly with our vision, and we believe this collaboration will bring incredible value to both companies. We look forward to working together and delivering top-tier gaming content to an even wider audience.”
Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, also shared his thoughts on the partnership: “At REEVO, we strive to collaborate with innovative and forward-thinking studios that share our passion for high-quality gaming. Popiplay’s fresh approach to slot development and commitment to delivering outstanding player experiences make them a perfect addition to our aggregation platform. We are excited to bring their thrilling content to our operator partners and can’t wait to see players engage with their games.”
The post REEVO and Popiplay Join Forces to Broaden Aggregation Offerings appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Triumph at SiGMA Africa 2025: Best Platform & Best Marketing Campaign
SOFTSWISS, a leading tech company with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, received two prestigious accolades at the SiGMA Africa Awards. Winning Best Platform and Best Marketing Campaign, the company testifies to its commitment to innovation, excellence, and industry leadership.
The SiGMA Africa Awards serves as the grand opening to the SiGMA Africa Summit, a key event celebrating the achievements of industry leaders and innovators across the African iGaming sector. The awards honour outstanding contributions in technology, marketing, operations, and player engagement, setting the stage for fruitful networking at the summit.
Casino Platform Recognised for Excellence
SOFTSWISS’ Casino Platform, an industry-leading solution that has been driving success for operators for over a decade, secured the Best Platform award for the African market. The Casino Platform is known for its advanced player management tools, seamless integration capabilities, and robust security features. Powering over 250 online casinos with more than 6 million players worldwide, SOFTSWISS flagship product plays a pivotal role in shaping the online casino landscape.
“Winning Best Platform is a testament to our commitment to providing operators with cutting-edge technology and outstanding service,” said Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS. “For over 12 years, our Casino Platform has empowered brands to thrive in a competitive market, and this award reinforces its position as a top-tier solution in the industry.”
SOFTSWISS is actively expanding its presence in the region by acquiring a majority stake in South African software developer Turfsport.
Innovative Approach to Marketing Campaigns
SOFTSWISS took home the Best Marketing Campaign award for ‘Cheers to 15 Years’, a creative and engaging campaign celebrating the company’s 15th anniversary. The campaign showcased SOFTSWISS’ impact, achievements, and industry contributions, reflecting creative spirit and innovative technologies.
“The Cheers to 15 Years campaign was more than just a celebration – it was a tribute to our partners, clients, and team members who have been part of this incredible journey,” comments Valentina Bagniya, Chief Marketing Officer at SOFTSWISS. “Receiving this award underscores the impact of our dynamic approach to building a strong, recognisable, and trusted brand in the iGaming industry.”
SOFTSWISS’ campaigns consistently earn industry recognition, showcasing an outstanding forward-thinking approach and solidifying the position as a leader in iGaming marketing innovation. ‘Cheers to 15 Years’ is the third SOFTSWISS marketing campaign acknowledged by the industry leaders, following revolutionising ‘Bringing the Heat’ and bright ‘Grab Success’.
The award-winning SOFTSWISS team is ready to welcome its clients and partners at the SiGMA Africa Summit in Cape Town at stand 56P.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post Triumph at SiGMA Africa 2025: Best Platform & Best Marketing Campaign appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an AI-based platform, to transform casino operations and enhance guest satisfaction.
The QCI Chatalytics package—encompassing Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, the Dashboard, and the Robot Button—integrates OpenAI technology for real-time insights and efficient decision-making across the gaming floor.
Designed to boost both player and slot management, QCI Chatalytics delivers an advanced combination of AI-driven features. Slot Copilot empowers operators with live slot machine performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and automatically assigned tasks. Player Copilot focuses on personalized engagement by analyzing guest data to guide service strategies and reward offerings. With the Dashboard, teams benefit from an easy-to-read, real-time overview of key performance metrics, enabling swift, data-informed insights. Additionally, the Robot Button automates routine tasks, freeing up staff to concentrate on more valuable responsibilities and boosting overall productivity.
Dr. Michael Lynch, Director of Database Marketing at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, conveyed his enthusiasm: “Bringing QCI Chatalytics on board represents a vital step in leveraging AI to enhance our operations. With cutting-edge tools like the Robot Button, Slot Copilot, and Player Copilot, we can offer more tailored guest experiences while gaining a clearer understanding of our gaming operations.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, outlined his perspective on the new partnership: “We are thrilled to introduce QCI Chatalytics to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. By weaving OpenAI’s capabilities into our solution, we deliver an unprecedented degree of automation and clarity. We believe Chatalytics will be a key factor in refining casino floor management and boosting guest satisfaction through instantaneous, data-driven decision-making.”
The QCI Chatalytics suite is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader mission to spur innovation in the gaming sector, offering a robust set of tools that streamline operations and enhance the overall player experience.
The post Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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