Latest News
Gaming > Groceries: Kwalee beats Tesco, Deliveroo and more in UK app publisher rankings

Kwalee is the UK’s most successful private mobile app publisher – ahead of Deliveroo, Tesco, ITV, BT and all gaming competitors – according to App Annie download rankings
Kwalee apps are the top downloaded of any UK-headquartered mobile games publisher, according to the 2021 Top Publisher Rankings published by leading app analytics firm App Annie.
In a top ten ranking of UK-based app publishers based on overall downloads achieved across both the App Store and Google Play in 2020, Kwalee came out as the country’s top mobile games publisher – and far out in front as one of only two gaming companies to appear in the top ten.
Even more impressively, Kwalee actually ranked as the UK’s top private app publisher in all categories, only beaten by the state broadcaster BBC and the National Health Service whose apps include the country’s official COVID-19 contact tracing app.
With its portfolio of free-to-play hyper-casual mobile games, which in late 2020 surpassed the half a billion downloads milestone, Kwalee ranks more highly for downloads than major competitors such as Deliveroo, supermarket chain Tesco and the television broadcaster ITV.
Throughout 2020, Kwalee launched a number of varied hits including Let’s Be Cops 3D (13 million downloads), Teacher Simulator (7.5 million), Bake It (42 million) and Line Up: Draw the Criminal (18 million).
Founded by games industry legend David Darling CBE back in 2011, Kwalee has established itself as a major player in the vibrant UK games industry and employs more than 100 people. The bulk of these are based (under normal circumstances) at Kwalee’s Leamington Spa headquarters, but 2020 saw the firm expand globally with growing teams in Bangalore and Beijing, and even several fully remote positions. Darling has a considerable track record in building successful games companies, having previously co-founded and led Codemasters which was recently acquired by EA for $1.2 billion.
“So proud of the team – Kwalee is bigger than Tesco and ITV! Our outlook is truly global and we strive daily to reach hundreds of millions of players around the world,” said David Darling CBE, Kwalee’s CEO. “It’s an honour to be able to say that we are doing this more effectively than any other UK-based app publisher, not just in the gaming space but across all categories in the private sector.”
“We will continue to work globally, both in terms of the audiences we reach and as we continue to establish our growing teams in India and China, but we are proud to be achieving this as a UK-based company and a member of Britain’s brilliant games industry.”

Latest News
QTech Games fields more elite content with Popiplay
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Emerging-markets leader expands its offering with a fresh portfolio from the ascendant Scandinavian studio
QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets, has maintained the strong momentum in its deal-flow, thanks to its latest integration with Popiplay, an emerging force in high-level slots entertainment.
Integrating content from one of the more innovative and creative online slots providers adds yet more muscle to QTech Games’ burgeoning platform, which is taking the widest range of online games to emerging territories with established names, sitting alongside the industry’s most exciting up-and-coming providers.
Popiplay slot designs are recognised for a more modern approach – being streamer-focused, crypto-ready and high roller-friendly – while also showcasing special features (like Bonus Buy, and Chance 2x and 3x options) that elevate the player experience and deepen engagement. These features are in evidence across an array of popular titles, including new releases such as Fruit Empire and Jellyens X, which eloquently demonstrate Popiplay’s eclectic range of hit slots.
The agreement organically broadens Popiplay’s global scope, targeting emerging markets and creating new revenue streams. As the fastest-growing aggregator over the past few years, QTech’s platform offers the most expansive gaming portfolio around, localised for each region, retention and marketing tools, and 24/7 local-language support.
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We’re excited to add Popiplay to our growing ranks. They are now coupling modern player demands to their existing cutting-edge mechanics, offering global operators varied content with which to captivate and retain the end user. And by combining unique maths modelling, which spans the volatility spectrum, with twists on conventional narratives, these games will foster some truly engaging gameplay for fresh cohorts of QTech players. Indeed, it’s been rewarding to see how Popiplay invariably seek to redefine the existing ecosystem and reimagine more traditional gaming experiences with each play. We look forward to watching how these games perform in regions which, in many cases, break new ground for Popiplay.”
Almir Kudic, CCO of Popiplay, added: “Through this partnership, Popiplay’s portfolio of dynamic slot games has been seamlessly integrated into QTech’s dominant aggregation platform for emerging markets, opening up a new network of partners and players worldwide for us. We can’t wait to see what the reception is. Through our combined commitment to collaboration and innovation, we can continue to work together to tailor the content for truly localised games that drive enhanced engagement and interest across a diverse and ever-changing slots landscape.
“At Popiplay, we firmly believe that our trademark creativity drives innovation. So, we’re committed to raising the bar in the igaming sector and pushing the boundaries of how these games look and feel. And this partnership with QTech constitutes a great opportunity to extend our product distribution across new territories and deliver our games to a range of top-tier partners.”
The post QTech Games fields more elite content with Popiplay appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
GLI Grows Stronger and Bigger in Melbourne with New Lab Location
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has had a robust presence in Melbourne since it opened the lab in 2007. The company and its presence in Melbourne is stronger and bigger now that GLI has moved to a new lab location in the city.
The move was necessitated by GLI’s continually growing operations, and the upgrade to a larger facility in South Melbourne physically positions GLI even closer to many of its customers. GLI also operates labs in Adelaide and Syndey.
GLI’s Melbourne lab offers a full suite of services including:
• iGaming and Land-based Testing
• Casino Management Systems (CMS) Testing
• Interoperability Testing
• Quality Assurance
• Compliance
“We are excited about this next chapter as it strengthens our ability to meet our clients’ continually evolving needs. With these expert teams working together under one roof, we are better positioned to than ever to deliver comprehensive solutions for today’s gaming industry,” said Richard Howarth, Chief Business Officer – APAC.
The post GLI Grows Stronger and Bigger in Melbourne with New Lab Location appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
TaDa Gaming Spins Spellbinding Gaming in 3 Witch’s Lamp
Reading Time: 2 minutes
TaDa Gaming, has added some dark magic to its TriLuck slots series with its five reels, three rows and 50 fixed paylines new game, 3 Witch’s Lamp.
Green, Purple and Blue Potion Pot Scatters can trigger the bonus game’s free spins, five fixed jackpots, ignite coins for wins and increase the bonus prizes.
Spellbooks, rings, candles and Witch Stacked Wilds in the main game reinforce the bewitching theme, while 97% RTP and 3000x max win make the magic irresistible to all levels of players.
Set in the eerie castle tower, three luminous potions bubble away in a riot of colour above the grid. Using TaDa’s ‘three pots’ mechanism to maximum effect, the Green, Purple and Blue Pot Scatters each have unique magic to deliver in the bonus feature and when they combine their power, the magic goes off the scale.
Each pot brings a different bonus: the Blue Potion ‘Win Up’ Pot will ignite a random coin symbol on the board to increase the value with each spin; the Green Potion ‘Award All’ Pot will randomly increase the bonus for all the gold coin symbols on the board; while the high impact Purple ‘Jackpot Reel Up’ Pot will transform into jackpot symbols for Mini (5x), Minor (10x), Major (30x), Grand (100x) and the Witch’s Grand Jackpot of 1000x. Prizes are dynamically based on the triggering bet value.
When the Purple ‘Jackpot Reel Up’ bonus game is triggered, a new screen opens with an expanded 6×5 grid. Only blank positions, Purple Potion Pots and gold coin symbols will appear.
Three further respins are given for each symbol and the relevant jackpot counters light up as each jackpot value is applied. The first jackpot counter to show three lights will pay out. Any other jackpot counter lights will remain in place as the bonus game will continue until there are no more free spins and the jackpots can be won multiple times.
With a supernaturally eerie soundtrack, polished visuals and impressive details, 3 Witch’s Lamp delivers an atmospheric and evocative gaming experience.
Sean Liu, Director of Product Management at TaDa Gaming, said: “3 Witch’s Lamp is an impressive addition to our very popular triple pots series. We are delighted to deliver this beautiful game supported with immersive mechanics and potentially generous prizes in time for a very happy Halloween for our players.”
The post TaDa Gaming Spins Spellbinding Gaming in 3 Witch’s Lamp appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News2 months ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News2 months ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News2 months ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News3 months ago
DigiPlus Backs Stricter Online Gambling Regulation
-
Latest News3 months ago
CEO of MEDIA24 Interviewed: Industry Scams, Business Insights and SEO
-
Latest News1 month ago
Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.
-
Latest News2 months ago
BC.GAME Launches “Nezha” Slot with Up to 46,656 Ways to Win and 10,000x Max Payout
-
Latest News3 weeks ago
Announcement: 25th September 2025
You must be logged in to post a comment Login