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Leveling the Playing Field for Women in Gaming across Asia and MENA
Women are the fastest growing demographic in gaming, both as players and increasingly as industry leaders. Niko Partners finds that this growth is often complimentary. As more women Identify as gamers, more are pursuing careers in the field. And, as more women work in the field of gaming, we see more games developed that appeal to and better represent women both as players and as characters.
Niko Partners’ Female Gamers in Asia report estimates 37% of gamers in Asia are women, and the number of women gaming is growing by 11% annually – almost double the rate of men. Some parts of the region demonstrate this shift more strongly than others. Southeast Asia has a gamer population that is 53% female, and the Philippines leads the way with a percentage of 63%. While markets in MENA, South Asia, and China are less balanced, we still see strong growth across the Asia and MENA region.
Mobile phones have been a huge boost for women’s access to gaming, with 97% of female gamers in Asia using their mobile device to play. According to Niko’s research, puzzle games, multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), battle royale, simulation, and RPG games are the most popular genres among women. PC and console games also attract women, with 40% of women playing on PC and 16% of them playing on console.
For developers hoping to ignite demand and grow their engagement with women, considering genre, gameplay, storyline, and style, can be great ways to tap into this demographic. Social media is also an important strategy for reaching female players, as more than half (53%) of the women we surveyed see social media as their primary information source about gaming.
Although female gamers in Asia are predominantly casual players, the younger generation of women (Gen Z and beyond) is participating in competitive gaming and esports. Esports is a potential growth driver for female gamers, as it complements the social and cultural elements of gaming. We are seeing increasing representation of women as gamers though livestreaming and even among esports professionals. Women are also engaging with esports and streaming as fans, and are more likely to spend money, play longer, and consume gaming content if they do engage with esports, compared to those who do not.
Women’s achievements in esports are also promising. Najd Fahad is the first Saudi women to win a FIFA tournament at GCC Games, Michelle “Moxxi” Song, was the first woman to work as a play-by play caster at Dota 2’s The International, Kim “Geguri” Se-yeon, was the first female player in Overwatch League, and Li “VKLiooon” Xiaomeng, is the first woman to win the Hearthstone World Championship. These kinds of trailblazers are among a growing number of inspirational figures in the pro gaming scene paving the way for future gamers.
Trailblazers in women esports glory (from left to right): Najd Fahad, Michelle “Moxxi” Song, Kim “Geguri” Se-yeon, and Li “VKLiooon” Xiaomeng
Despite their significant contributions to the gaming industry, women often encounter barriers working in historically male-dominated environments. Still, women are breaking barriers by pursuing careers as analysts, producers, designers, artists, publishers, and marketers. Individually, they are taking leadership roles such as Tricia Sugita, Chief Marketing Officer of Cloud9, Alodia Gosiengfiao, co-founder of Tier One Entertainment , and Leena Xu, Chief Revenue Officer at Sentinels.
Another important aspect is mentorship and educational programs for women gamers pursuing careers in gaming. Events that offer career mentorship and networking opportunities can help improve this access. Women’s representation in career roles in the gaming industry is strengthened through events such as Women in Gaming Asia gaming career expo, which helps to build community among professionals and provide career support for women in the industry. These kinds of events connect women in the industry to studios and companies, building networks, and also guiding them through the industry, as well as giving them tools to face challenges in the workforce.
We are seeing more of these kinds of events every year. Last year, Riyadh hosted a session called “Breaking the Code: The Challenges for Women in Gaming Leadership” at Next World Forum. Niko Partners has also presented about gender inclusivity in gaming industry at Gamescom Asia 2022. Besides these events, there are also game development academies and competitions hosted exclusively for women developers, such as 2023 She Jams in Saudi Arabia, as well as Tuwaiq Academy, operated collaboration with Apple.
Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the gaming industry is imperative, and beneficial for the industry overall as women’s perspectives as industry leaders will lead to games with wider appeal. This can go a long way in helping to solve problems experienced by women in the industry, and companies will find that their products reach a wider audience.
Women-only tournament and gaming lounge as safe space for women gamers: VCT Game Changers and sQuad core (Source: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games, Wajod Alkhamis/The National)
Niko Partners is a certified woman-owned business that has been operating in the games industry for over 20 years. We make inclusion and diversity central to our work, through our research, hiring practices, and internal mentorship programs. We hope our work on women in gaming can help spread this message. Our Female Gamers in Asia report is a comprehensive guide on the rise of women gamers in Asia, along with other market reports that include data and insights on the growing segment of women gamers. These reports are based on our gamer survey that include responses from women who game as well as industry leaders. Diversity and inclusion are also an important aspect of Niko Partners in operating its business. Contact us if you want to understand the best strategies for reaching and representing women gamers via our reports and custom research capabilities.
Source: Nico Partners

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DragonBet fires up its slots offering with Stakelogic games
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Stakelogic’s latest UK deal brings its full slot suite and Spin to Win jackpot feature to DragonBet players
Casino content provider Stakelogic has announced a new partnership with UK-facing sportsbook and casino operator DragonBet, bringing its extensive suite of slot titles to one of the UK’s most exciting independent brands. The integration, facilitated via Relax Gaming, further strengthens Stakelogic’s presence in the UK and adds a high-performance slot offering to Dragon Bet’s growing casino vertical.
As part of the deal, Dragon Bet players will now have access to Stakelogic’s complete slot portfolio, headlined by recent top performers including Wrath of Zeus ClusterBreaker and Kraken’s Catch, alongside classic-style fruit games and modern video slots packed with advanced mechanics.
Also included in the rollout is Spin to Win, Stakelogic’s pioneering progressive jackpot system. Built to deliver real-money wins directly from within the base slot game, Spin to Win randomly selects a player and transports them to a live jackpot wheel – injecting gameplay with the potential for an unexpected twist and big rewards.
Neil Tanti, Head of Sales at Stakelogic, said: “Dragon Bet is a standout brand in the UK betting scene, with strong local roots and big ambitions. We’re thrilled to bring our full slot portfolio to their players and to support their casino growth strategy with content built for engagement and performance. Spin to Win is a great example of how we’re pushing the boundaries of what a slot experience can be.”
Daniel Falvey, Casino Manager at Dragon Bet, added: “At DragonBet, we’re committed to offering something fresh, exciting, and truly engaging for our players. Stakelogic fits that bill perfectly. With innovative, fast-paced slots and unique features like their Spin to Win progressive jackpots, they bring a dynamic new edge to our offering that we’re confident our players will love.”
The post DragonBet fires up its slots offering with Stakelogic games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Xtremepush Confirms €12m Financing by AshGrove Capital
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Xtremepush, a market leader of CRM and gamification powered by AI, has announced today that it has received €12m in new funding from its long-term investment partner, AshGrove Capital.
The European capital solutions provider, which specialises in B2B software companies, has issued a flexible debt facility to Xtremepush, which will allow a scaling up of its ambitious growth and acquisition strategies. In addition, it will cement Xtremepush’s market-leading position as a unified CRM and gamification software platform while also advancing its footprint in regulated verticals such as financial services, e-commerce, and publishing.
Xtremepush’s next growth phase, set to be expedited by this latest funding, will see it scale up its operations in multiple regulated markets. This will allow Xtremepush, with Ashgrove’s support, to continue its investment in industry leading R&D, explore new opportunities in other verticals, expand its global market footprint, and power its acquisition strategy complementary to its existing model. The CRM experts hold a five-year investment relationship with AshGrove Capital and this funding round gives a strong approval of the trajectory of the Dublin-based firm, which also has private equity relationships with tech-focused Grafton Capital and Bettor Capital.
Tommy Kearns, CEO and co-founder at Xtremepush, said of the latest funding: “AshGrove Capital has been a hugely supportive partner over the last five years and this latest financing commitment will help us realise our ambitious growth strategy and will accelerate our acquisition plans in the very near future.
“Xtremepush has gone from strength to strength as a CRM and gamification leader in a short space of time, and this backing makes it a truly exciting time to push on following such a major vote of confidence in our technology, leadership, and business direction.”
Jonathon Ferguson, Co-Founder and Partner of AshGrove Capital, added: “Xtremepush are one of very few innovators in the CRM space, consistently raising the bar and demonstrating value to its partners, who inevitably continue their relationship for the long haul”.
“This latest investment is testament to our belief in their ambitious growth strategy, strong leadership, and robust organisation – one that empowers regulated businesses to deliver compliant, tailored communications at scale. With this new commitment, we’re ready to facilitate the next step of the Xtremepush journey and help the firm scale to become a leader in CRM across various regulated sectors.“
The post Xtremepush Confirms €12m Financing by AshGrove Capital appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BGaming Strengthens Its Presence in Italy with San Patrignano Contribution and Introduces New Game Classification
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Rapidly expanding content provider shows commitment to responsible gambling in Italy ahead of SiGMA Rome
Popular iGaming content provider BGaming solidifies its position in Italy with a refreshed game classification system and a new local social initiative. As part of its growing commitment to the Italian market, BGaming has made a significant financial contribution to San Patrignano, a local non-profit organisation supporting people struggling with gambling and other addictions. The donation will help fund the community’s recovery programme dedicated to the rehabilitation of people with gambling addiction, reinforcing BGaming’s focus on responsible gaming and customer well-being.
San Patrignano’s long-standing rehabilitation programme helps individuals rebuild their lives through professional guidance, education, and strong community support for both participants and their families.
This initiative follows BGaming’s recent acquisition of a licence in Italy in March 2025, highlighting the company’s ongoing efforts to build a sustainable and socially responsible presence in the region.
Alongside its social commitment, BGaming has also introduced a new classification of its gaming portfolio, designed to reflect the studio’s diverse and player-oriented approach. The refreshed structure divides its titles into three key categories: Casual, Classic, and Entertainment.
The Casual category features fast, easy-to-play titles that typically provide shorter playing sessions and high engagement rates. Top performers in this category include hits like Aviamasters, Plinko, Plinko 2, Balloon Mania, Golden Piñata Hold & Win, and Winter Fishing Club.
The Classic category includes more traditional slot games, featuring classic gameplay mechanics and low to medium volatility. Popular games in this category include Burning Chilli X, Hot Chilli Bells, Lady Wolf Moon, and Fruit Million.
Finally, there is the Entertainment category, featuring high-volatility games characterised by their advanced gameplay features, bonus buy options, and strong appeal to streamers. Headliners in this category include Snoop Dogg Dollars, Merge Up, Bonanza Billion, Aztec Cluster, Wild West Trueways, and the iconic Elvis Frog series.
Those interested in discussing what BGaming has to offer can visit the company at booth 2049 during SiGMA Rome, which takes place from November 3rd to 6th.
Olga Levshina, CCO at BGaming, said, “Italy is an incredibly important market for us, and we are proud to strengthen our presence here not only through innovative content but also through meaningful action. Our partnership with San Patrignano reflects BGaming’s belief that entertainment and responsibility must go hand in hand.
At the same time, the refreshed game classification provides both our partners and our players with more clarity on what to expect from each game. We are excited to showcase the diversity of BGaming products and meet potential partners at SiGMA Central Europe.”
The post BGaming Strengthens Its Presence in Italy with San Patrignano Contribution and Introduces New Game Classification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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