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HALF OF ALL MOBILE GAMERS HAVE EARNED MONEY PLAYING GAMES, FINDS SURVEY OF 2,000 PLAYERS
The mobile games industry is experiencing a seismic shift in the way gamers discover and play games. According to a new survey of 2,003 gamers in the US and UK, a staggering 50% of players have earned real-world rewards such as cash and gift cards from brands such as Netflix and Amazon for playing mobile games. These findings are part of the deepest study into rewarded gameplay, produced by Almedia, a fast growth technology company that rewards players for downloading and completing milestones in mobile games and apps.
After two years of decline, 2024 was the year mobile gaming returned to revenue growth, with a 3% year-on-year rise. During this time, rewarded gameplay has driven a fundamental shift in how people discover and choose games to play. Almedia’s study finds that 54% of gamers are playing more games now than in previous years. Of those, almost more than two in five (42%) cite gameplay rewards and incentives as one of the key factors in them playing more often.
72% of gamers who have previously earned real-world rewards say they’re important in their decision to try a new game, and 76% are more likely to recommend a rewarded game than a game without rewards. Leading global studios such as Innplay Labs, Mad Brain Games and Playtika have made rewarded gaming part of their user acquisition and engagement strategies through Almedia’s market-leading rewards platform, Freecash, which has more than three million monthly active users.
Moritz Holländer, Founder and CEO at Almedia, added:
“Our deep study of gamers clearly shows that there’s a voracious appetite for rewards across the mobile games industry. Never before in gaming have we witnessed the mass adoption of real-world rewards by players. What we are currently seeing is real-time transformation in how gamers choose what they play based on rewards – and also rewards’ ability to foster valuable long-term relationships between players and games. It’s a total rewrite of how and why users engage with gaming content, and a much-needed one at a time where game studios face barriers to acquiring and retaining players in a highly competitive market.”
Rewards are not only powering increased game downloads, but they’re also a key driver of player engagement and retention. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of players reported an increased playtime due to rewards, while 85% continue playing a game once rewards end; indicating rewards have powerful potential to onboard long-term users that transcends their immediate impact. The study also shows how rewards can unlock new revenue opportunities for developers, with 23% of players expecting to spend on in-app purchases within a game to unlock higher tiers of rewards.
While rewards are already transforming the way players engage with mobile and web games, there’s an expectation from games studios that consoles will see similar rewards in the future. ‘Rewarded Returns Part Two: The Player Perspective’ follows the release of Almedia’s first report in January 2025 which revealed how 500 game developers were evaluating rewarded approaches. In this study, 90% of developers who have run a reward-based campaign expect to see rewards on consoles in the future.
Key Findings:
Among 2,003 mobile gamers
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50% have received a real-world reward via a mobile game
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75% feel positive about mobile games offering real-world rewards
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54% of gamers are playing more games now in comparison to 3-5 years ago
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42% of these are playing mobile games more because of rewards or incentives
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Among those who have received a real-world reward (50%)
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72% say rewards are important in their decision to try a new game
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85% continue to play after a game’s real-world rewards end
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76% are more likely to recommend a rewarded game
Among those who have only received in-game rewards (50%)
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67% say traditional in-game rewards make them feel positive towards a game
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65% say they are more likely to try a new game if offered real-world rewards
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58% said that real-world rewards would make them play differently — mostly longer
The post HALF OF ALL MOBILE GAMERS HAVE EARNED MONEY PLAYING GAMES, FINDS SURVEY OF 2,000 PLAYERS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GAMEPOP: The Culture of Play by Red Bull Media House – the first bookazine devoted entirely to video game culture
Introducing GAMEPOP: The Culture of Play, a new premium bookazine by Red Bull Media House and the world’s first magazine dedicated entirely to video-game culture. Designed as a rich, book-like publication, GAMEPOP rethinks what a magazine can be, capturing the creativity, personalities and ideas shaping modern gaming. GAMEPOP will debut at the Red Bull Tetris World Final in Dubai from December 11 to 13, followed by The Game Awards on December 11. The issue will then be available through select international retailers in the weeks that follow.
Across 180 pages, the issue brings together a wide range of cultural voices, including Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima, leading DC Comics creators, the Oscar-nominated team behind Grand Theft Hamlet and contributors with bylines in Vogue. The bookazine also spotlights standout Red Bull talent, including YouTube star Ludwig, Twitch creators Emiru and Caedrel, and Red Bull athlete MenaRD.
Rather than treating gaming as a standalone medium, GAMEPOP looks at how games influence, and are influenced by, wider culture. Through original photography, long-form features, illustration and visual essays, the publication explores how gaming connects to global trends in style, music, movement, storytelling and performance, and the creative communities driving that conversation.
The issue also includes interactive elements, including a bespoke Choose Your Own Adventure story created exclusively for the launch. A limited collector edition of 150 copies takes the concept a step further, featuring a fully functioning Tetris® device embedded directly into the cover – an industry first that turns the magazine into an object of play.
The post GAMEPOP: The Culture of Play by Red Bull Media House – the first bookazine devoted entirely to video game culture appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Red Rake Gaming Expands Global Presence Through Partnership with QTech Games
Red Rake Gaming is pleased to announce a partnership with QTech Games, a leading aggregator and platform renowned for its strong presence in emerging markets on a global level. This collaboration brings Red Rake’s diverse and visually engaging portfolio of slots to QTech Games’ extensive aggregation platform, giving players across multiple continents access to high-quality, entertainment-focused casino content.
Founded in 2015, QTech Games is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Over the past decade, the company has grown from rapid early-stage expansion to become a dominant force into emerging markets worldwide. With a global presence —including a new tech hub in Spain and offices in Malta—and Latin America, QTech Games has established itself as a fully-fledged international powerhouse.
Players can now enjoy titles from the Million Series, the Super Stars Series, and seasonal slots such as Halloween Wins and Christmas Wins, alongside new adventures including Azteca Gold Collect, Sherlock and the Stolen Gems, Beating Alcatraz, Big Size Fishin’, and Midas Wins.
QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “It’s another notch on our belt to have integrated more premium content from Red Rake. Theirs is a growing and constantly innovating library, delivering impressive support to the depth of our broad igaming-vertical spread.”
Nick Barr, Managing Director for Red Rake Gaming Malta, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with QTech Games and bring our portfolio of games to their growing network. Their leadership in emerging markets and innovative approach to aggregation allow us to reach new players and provide them with high-quality gaming experiences featuring unique features and visually engaging content. This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening our presence in key markets and further establishing Red Rake Gaming’s international presence.”
The post Red Rake Gaming Expands Global Presence Through Partnership with QTech Games appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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White Hat Studios launches with Betly mobile sportsbook and casino in West Virginia
Partnership sees leading branded content and popular Jackpot Royale integrated into Delaware North’s Betly online casino in the Mountain State
White Hat Studios, the “House of Brands” provider to the United States iGaming market, has partnered with Delaware North to launch on its Betly mobile sportsbook and casino in West Virginia.
The leading provider aims to build its online casino offering with the addition of the industry’s top-performing games.
Betly players in West Virginia will now have access to White Hat Studios’ acclaimed portfolio of premium branded titles, including Ted, The Goonies, and the award-winning 7s Fire Blitz series.
Also included in the rollout are the popular Jackpot Royale and Jackpot Royale Express progressive jackpot networks, currently live across more than 40 titles, and the first Betly-branded iCasino game – Betly Player’s Choice Blackjack.
Designed to elevate player engagement and boost retention, the addition of these promotional tools adds another layer of excitement to the Betly casino offering.
White Hat Studios has made significant strides in its U.S. growth trajectory since launching in 2021, consistently delivering high-performing content across multiple states. West Virginia remains a key market for the provider, following its remarkable success in all seven regulated U.S. iGaming states.
The collaboration represents another major step in White Hat Studios’ expansion across regulated U.S. states and reinforces its reputation as a go-to content partner for forward-thinking operators.
Daniel Lechner, SVP Sales and Marketing at White Hat Studios, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Delaware North on the Betly online casino app in West Virginia.
“This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering top-tier content quickly and seamlessly to operators across the U.S. With our portfolio of fan-favorite branded titles and innovative features like Jackpot Royale, we’re confident we’ll make an immediate impact for Betly and its players.”
Bob Akeret, General Manager for Betly, added: “We’re excited to welcome White Hat Studios onto our Betly platform in West Virginia. Their reputation for delivering engaging, high-quality games, especially branded content, makes them an ideal partner as we continue to elevate our casino experience.”
The post White Hat Studios launches with Betly mobile sportsbook and casino in West Virginia appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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