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How a Strong Employer Brand Attracts Top Talent: Impact on Business Success in the Competitive iGaming Market

Published

1 year ago

July 29, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Olga Safina, Director of Employer Brand and Employee Engagement at Growe

In the fiercely competitive world of iGaming, attracting and retaining top talent is paramount to achieving sustained business success. However, this comes with its own unique set of challenges: How do you ensure you are sourcing the right people for the job? How can you attract them to your company? And then, how do you ensure that they want to stay with you for the long term?

There are several different approaches you can take to answer at least some of these questions. But one thing that we’ve found at Growe is the importance of a robust employer brand in distinguishing companies from their competitors and appealing to the best and brightest in the industry. We have witnessed firsthand how a strong employer brand can transform our organization, drawing top-tier talent and driving remarkable business outcomes.

Attracting Top Talent

A compelling employer brand is a powerful magnet for attracting top talent. Ultimately, this shows both current and potential employees who you are as a company, what your core values are, and what it’s like to work with you. As the adage goes, first impressions count. These initial perceptions can influence whether someone chooses to join your company, so use this as an opportunity to showcase all the reasons why your company is a great employer!

At Growe, showcasing who we are as an employer has been a central component of our HR strategy. By clearly communicating our values, mission, and culture, we have positioned ourselves as an employer of choice in the iGaming industry. We wanted to make sure that our brand narrative resonates with potential employees, highlighting not only the exciting career opportunities but also the supportive and inclusive work environment that we offer. We have achieved this in different ways:

Transparent Communication: Transparency is absolutely essential if you want to build a solid relationship with your team. At Growe, we maintain open and honest communication about our company values, goals, and expectations. This not only builds trust and attracts new candidates who align with our vision but also strengthens the bond within our existing team.

Showcasing Success Stories: We regularly share success stories and testimonials from current employees internally and externally (e.g., on the company’s Medium blog, through “Ambassadors of Growth” brand ambassadorship program). It’s important to highlight their achievements and illustrate the growth and development opportunities available at Growe.

Strong Online Presence: Our active presence on social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook) and job portals ensures that our employer brand reaches a wide audience, enhancing our visibility and attractiveness to potential candidates.

Impact on Business Success

The positive impact of a strong employer brand on business success cannot be overstated. From external reputation to commercial performance and even employee engagement, employer branding impacts all areas of a business. At Growe, our focus on our employer brand has had a number of benefits, especially in terms of talent acquisition and overall business performance.

Increased Talent Pool: Our strong employer brand has allowed us to significantly expand our talent pool by more than 25% over the last 12 months, with more than 1000 specialists located in over 40 different countries around the world. In 2024 alone, we attracted over 60,000 new unique visitors to our website, with more than 300 unique visitors per day, demonstrating the growing interest in our company.

Higher Retention Rates: A strong employer brand fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty among employees. We believe that we have created a company culture that encourages our team to develop their own careers and pursue new opportunities that might not have been available at other companies. This has resulted in lower turnover rates and reduced recruitment costs. Our internal events and initiatives, with an 80% employee participation rate, have played a crucial role in this achievement, something that we’re particularly proud of.

Enhanced Employee Engagement: Engaged employees are more productive and innovative. Our brand has helped us maintain an 82% average employee visit rate on our internal portal, with 31 articles released each month. This engagement drives higher performance and contributes to our business growth.

Market Reputation: A reputable employer brand isn’t just important from an internal perspective; it also boosts our standing in the wider iGaming industry. Through our participation in nine external events, including speaking on expert panels, attending as delegates, and exhibiting, we have solidified our position as a thought leader in the iGaming sector.

Case Study: Growe’s Success in Action

Our journey at Growe exemplifies the transformative power of a strong employer brand. Here are some key highlights from our experience:

Internal Engagement: From June 2023 to June 2024, we organized 103 internal events across our global company hubs, achieving 80% employee participation. This high level of engagement has strengthened our internal culture, fostered a sense of community, and brought our team closer together.

Content Creation: Our brand ambassadors generated expert articles each quarter for our internal portal and public industry media, reinforcing our brand’s position as a thought leader and innovator.

Publications and PR: We have published more than 20 thought leadership pieces in global media in 2024. Our partnership with global industry media has further amplified our brand presence.

As you can see, creating a strong employer brand is much more than simply adding benefits for your employees. It is absolutely essential for attracting top talent and driving your business forward in an increasingly competitive industry. At Growe, our commitment to building and maintaining a robust employer brand has yielded significant benefits, from expanding our talent pool to enhancing employee engagement and improving financial performance. By continuing to invest in our employer brand, we are confident that we will maintain our competitive edge and drive long-term success in the dynamic world of iGaming.

The post How a Strong Employer Brand Attracts Top Talent: Impact on Business Success in the Competitive iGaming Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

2 minutes ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

2 minutes ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

2 minutes ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: