Press Releases
Gaming Matters: From the bedroom to the boardroom
The Online Gaming Industry Comes of Age
Branded and Singapore’s Cybersports & Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) are delighted to announce that some of the biggest names from the world’s online gaming industry will be joining them in Singapore at the forthcoming All That Matters conference, including speakers from:
Twitch, ESL / Turtle Entertainment, Riot Games, PUBG, Alisport, AirAsia, Bandai Namco, Ubisoft, Dare Mighty Entertainment, Mineski International Group, Makers Fund, Mighty Bear Games, BITREP, Global Electronic Sports Championship (GESC), SCOGA, LIVEME, and many more!
At more than US$135 billion a year globally, the gaming industry is bigger than Hollywood. (Source: Newzoo and Statista)
The gaming industry is exploding in Asia. Whether it is mobile gaming, video gaming, consoles, AR, VR or esports, Asia holds the brightest future for gaming.
Recently, Tencent’s ‘WeGame’ announced that it will take its gaming platform global to expose Western gamers to Chinese titles. In another development, Singtel launched a multi-title and regional esports league. AirAsia too is catching on the wave of esport with sponsorship of World Electronic Sports Games in ASEAN and esports is being included as a demonstration sport at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta.
Gaming is now an economic driver for Asia, employing an entire ecosystem of developers, publishers, streaming platforms, distributors, social networks, brand partners, leagues and digital athletes.
China alone accounted for US$27 billion in gaming revenue last year and is estimated to grow to US$35 billion by 2021. Southeast Asia will contribute another US$4 billion from some 400 million gamers by the same year.
Kevin Lin, Co-founder of Twitch and speaker at All That Matters 2017 and again in 2018, said: “Live online gaming is booming and if a brand wants to be global they can’t ignore Asia. Gaming Matters has very rapidly become the go-to event for the Asia Pacific gaming business and I’m looking forward to joining them again.”
Jasper Donat, CEO of organisers Branded said: “Gaming is the ongoing hot story in 2018. It has moved from the bedroom to the boardroom with new businesses fighting it out with some of the world’s largest tech and entertainment companies for a slice of the ever growing pie. The virtual experience is today’s reality and no one in the sports, media and entertainment industry can afford to miss out.”
Added Donat: “We are super excited to spearhead this discussion through our Gaming Matters track at All That Matters 2018. Now is the time for gaming. Now is the time for Asia. Now is the time for any marketer seeking to expand into this new form of entertainment, connect with young audiences and drive new revenue streams.”
Nicholas Khoo, Chairman & Co-Founder of SCOGA and Gaming Matters Programming Lead for 2018 said: “Esports is becoming first for digital natives and has experienced phenomenal growth both globally and in Asia. Defying all odds to be part of the Asian Games, esports is definitely here to stay as we witness an intriguing confluence of video games, sports, and media. A number of the movers and shakers of both gaming and esports are joining us on stage this year and it is definitely going to be explosive!”
After the successful introduction of Gaming Matters in 2016, All That Matters 2018 is bringing an even bigger and better line-up of gaming giants such as ESL, Twitch, Ubisoft, PUBG, Riot Games and Bandai Namco, who will share deep insights on the rising force of Asia in the gaming industry.
The confirmed (and growing!) list of speakers at Gaming Matters includes:
Ralf Reichert, CEO, ESL / Turtle Entertainment GmbH
Changhan (CH) Kim, CEO & Executive Producer, PUBG Corporation
Jason Fung, Global eSports Director, Alisports, Alibaba Group
Kevin Lin, Co-Founder, Twitch
Linda Li, Content General Manager, LIVEME
Chris Tran, Country Manager – SEA, Riot Games
Ronald Robins, Founder & CEO, Mineski International Group
Francois Logeais, Senior Producer, Ubisoft Pte Ltd
Allan Phang, Allstars Engagement & Internal Branding, People & Culture, AirAsia (Group)
Jennifer Poulson, SVP Marketing, Bandai Namco
Lee Trink, President, Dare Mighty Entertainment (Faze Clan)
Nguyen Hoang Vinh, Head of esports, Ex-Garena Vietnam
Michael Cheung, Partner, Makers Fund
Simon Davis, CEO, Mighty Bear Games
Raiford Cockfield III, CEO, BITREP
Warren Colbert, Head of Growth, Twitch
David Ng, Founder, Go Game
Amy Ruktanonchai, CEO, Chimera Co.
Oskar Feng, Founder, Global Electronic Sports Championship (GESC)
Sammie Kang, Community Lead, North America, PUBG Corporation
All That Matters, Asia’s leading Business2Business2Fan event will be held at Ritz-Carlton Millenia from 7 – 12 September, 2018. Conference by day, music festival by night, All That Matters will bring together Asia’s leading music, sports, gaming, digital and marketing pioneers to share what it means to build fans and build brands to engage audiences in the fast-paced, digitally-connected world of entertainment.
Companies featured at this year’s All That Matters include AirAsia, Alibaba, Amazon, Cathay Pacific, China Sports Media, CMC Holdings, Empire, ESL, F1, Facebook, FOX Sports, Globe Telecom, Go-Jek, Google, INgrooves, J&J, Live Nation, Lufthansa, McDonalds, Mediacorp, Microsoft, Mission Hills, NBA, Netflix, Ogilvy, ONE Championship, Perform, Philips, PUBG, Riot Games, Spotify, Standard Chartered, Singapore Tourism Board, Telkom Indonesia, Tencent, Twitch, Twitter, Ubisoft, Unilever, Universal Music, Viacom, VICE, Warner Music, YouTube and many more.
For a full list of speakers at the festival, please view our website www.allthatmatters.asia.
About All That Matters
The All That Matters festival returns to Singapore in September after a record breaking year in 2017 with more delegates, more speakers, more live music and more networking than ever before.
Conference by day at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia (September 10-12) and music festival by night at various locations across Singapore (September 7-12), All That Matters continues to be recognised as Asia’s leading entertainment industry conference and the gateway to the Asian music, sports and entertainment industry, hosted the week preceding the Formula 1 2018, Singapore Grand Prix.
The event is attended by over 1500 industry executives, content providers, tech innovators, global brands and thousands of music fans from around the world. It is the meeting point for the most influential players and the programme reflects the convergence of the global entertainment business.
Join us to hear from over 30 keynotes and 150 expert speakers, and make thousands of business connections across the five tracks of Music, Sports, Gaming, Digital and Marketing.
About Singapore’s Cybersports & Online Gaming Association (SCOGA)
Singapore’s Cybersports & Online Gaming Association is one of the most trusted esports organisation in Singapore with more than 10 years of history. It seeks to build and serve the local ecosystem through various initiatives in education, industry partnerships, and marquee events. Signature initiatives include an esports academy supported by the National Youth Council and a full time diploma in partnership with Informatics Academy. SCOGA recently hosted Asia Game Festival and the Asia Football Gaming Championship as part of Singapore Football Festival. Millions have turned up for SCOGA’s events both in person and on twitch.tv/scoga
About Branded
Branded creates and produces live media that matters, connecting businesses, brands, celebrities and fans through large and small scale events including the YouTube FanFest global tour, It’s A Girl Thing and the “Matters” B2B festivals covering music, sports, gaming, digital and marketing.
Specialising in the media, entertainment and sports industries in Asia, Branded was founded in 2002 and has been recognised as a “Top 10 Event Marketing Agency” by Marketing Magazine and is a two-time winner of the prestigious Singapore Experience Best Trade Event of the Year award.
Branded excels in the conceptualisation, programming, organisation, and production of dynamic conferences, live music festivals, educational academies, and fan events in Asia. Branded is an independent company staffed by passionate multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-talented individuals with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore and affiliations reaching all corners of the world.
Branded key contacts:
Jen Bennett (Sponsorship/Sales enquiries): [email protected]
Ami Vora (Trade & Media Partnerships/Delegate enquiries): [email protected]
Kathy Brewin (Programming enquiries): [email protected]
Sammy Shirra-Moore (Music Matters festival enquiries): [email protected]
Press enquiries:
Madhavi Tumkur (Enterprise PR & Marketing): [email protected] / Ph: +65 9787 5221
Source: Press Releases Published on European Gaming Media Network
News
AI, Regulation, and Brand Power: SOFTSWISS 2026 Trends Report Reveals Where Industry is Heading
SOFTSWISS, a global tech leader in iGaming solutions, has released its 2026 iGaming Trends Report, developed in partnership with NEXT.io. The fourth edition of this annual study provides a data-driven roadmap for operators, suppliers, and industry stakeholders as they prepare for the next phase of industry evolution.
The report is based on a survey of over 350 iGaming professionals and the AI-driven analysis of more than 120,000 media headlines, making it one of the most comprehensive overviews of the global iGaming landscape to date. It combines qualitative and quantitative research methods, including independent analytics from Kantar, one of the leading research agencies, and internal insights from 30 SOFTSWISS experts.
Covering key global regions and industry domains, including marketing, regulation, technology, responsible gambling, cybersecurity, and AI, the 2026 iGaming Trends Report offers an in-depth look at the factors driving market transformation:
- AI Goes Operational: The perceived importance of AI scored 8.41/10 in 2025, up from 8.15 the previous year, with 56% of surveyed companies listing AI integration as one of their top three business priorities.
- Brand Over Bonus: Influencer marketing dominance has dropped by 10 percentage points since 2023, while brand reputation and trust now play a bigger role than bonuses in player acquisition.
- Marketing Reinvented: Operators are shifting their focus from performance-only tactics to brand-led ecosystems. iGaming companies are now tracking brand equity metrics, such as Top of Mind and Purchase Intent, as strategic KPIs.
- Regulation Reshaped: New markets, including Brazil, Finland, and France, are transitioning to competitive licensing models, while countries such as the UK and Lithuania are introducing tighter advertising controls.
- Responsible Gambling 2.0: AI-based tools are being deployed to identify at-risk player behaviour in real-time, a step now expected by regulators in jurisdictions, including Ontario and Greece.
- Cybersecurity as a Core Metric: Phishing incidents have increased by 180% since 2023, while 35% of smaller operators report inadequate cyber resilience, highlighting the growing connection between trust, compliance, and player retention.
This year’s edition introduces a new Microtrends section, exploring early-stage shifts and emerging ideas with near-term potential. This dedicated chapter highlights the smaller signals shaping tomorrow’s market opportunities.
Each microtrend is supported by real-world examples and regional case studies, illustrating how forward-looking operators and suppliers can capitalise on these developments before they reach mainstream adoption.
The report also includes a regional outlook developed by NEXT.io, covering Europe’s recalibration, North America’s measured growth, South America’s compliance-driven execution, and Asia’s controlled innovation model.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, comments: “In recent years, the sector has moved into maturity. What now matters is disciplined profitability, operational resilience, and the ability to deliver durable player value. This fourth edition reflects that shift. We examine the macrotrends reshaping the sector, the micro-level tactics and technologies that improve performance, and a regional outlook developed in partnership with NEXT.io. Taken together, these chapters provide a structured view of what will shape 2026 and the decisions it asks of operators, suppliers, and partners.”
In support of its ebook, SOFTWISS will present the 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon at the SiGMA Central Europe Summit on 5 November 2025. A four-hour event will take place from 12:00 to 16:00 on the People, Partners & Performance Stage, featuring keynotes and panels with leading global industry experts.
Last year’s edition of the Trends Report attracted significant industry attention, with over 13,000 downloads, confirming its value as one of the sector’s most respected analytical resources.
Operators and industry professionals can download the 2026 iGaming Trends Report here.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
SOFTSWISS, a leading technology provider for iGaming, has further solidified its presence in the European market by securing certification for its Jackpot Aggregator in Bulgaria.
The iGaming market in Bulgaria is experiencing significant growth, attracting new businesses despite stringent domestic regulations. The market is projected to generate 168.70 million euro in revenue by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 5.42%. The number of users is expected to reach 377.3 thousand by the same year, further highlighting the sector’s momentum.
In line with this growth, SOFTSWISS announces that its Jackpot Aggregator has received certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), ensuring it meets all technical requirements for use in the Bulgarian market. With the new certification of the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, Bulgarian-licensed operators can integrate this advanced engagement tool into their casino offerings.
In May, SOFTSWISS successfully entered the Bulgarian market through a partnership with Topwin.bg, which implemented the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator, and the Sportsbook.
“We are seeing a strong surge in interest in our jackpot mechanic, fueled by the growing demand for engagement tools in the market. That’s why we are committed to further developing the Jackpot Aggregator, enhancing its features, and expanding into new markets. Certification for the Bulgarian market is a clear testament to our ambition and drive for expansion. We are actively working on obtaining certifications in other jurisdictions,” comments Angelina Stasiuk, Head of Business Line at SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator.
SOFTSWISS has several international and national licences and certifications, including a South African licence acquired through the purchase of a majority stake in Turfsport. The company recently announced its plans to become the first certified software provider in Brazil.
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 23,500 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, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
What are the most popular games? What iGaming providers have achieved the greatest success? SOFTSWISS, an innovative company providing a complete ecosystem of comprehensive software solutions, shares valuable insights across regional markets.
The analysis presented is based on the Game Aggregator data spanning the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.
Europe
Slot games remain popular in Europe, even though they lost around five p.p. during H2 2022 and H1 2023. Despite this decline, their market share still exceeds 80% among the other gaming categories. In contrast, card games improved their position by almost four p.p.
The top five most popular game categories underwent minor changes in Q2 2023. The Total Bets Sum in Craps games saw a substantial increase, growing 2.7 times in comparison to the previous quarter. This boost in performance secured the fifth position for this type of games in the top rankings, displacing casual games.
Gates of Olympys, Big Bamboo and Midas Golden Touch emerged as some of the most popular games during the past year. Notably, the landscape of top games exhibited significant variations from quarter to quarter.
In the European gaming sector of 2022-2023, top-performing game providers include Amatic, Amusnet (EGT), BGaming, Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Push Gaming, and Relax Gaming. Their positions in the rankings experienced subtle shifts from quarter to quarter.
Asia
The top five most popular game categories in Asia have exhibited a consistent trend since the final quarter of 2022. Slot games hold a prominent position in the asian gaming landscape, with their market share exceeding 80% compared to other categories.
Gates of Olympys claimed the title of the most popular game in Asia in Q4 2022, and has maintained its leading position since. Meanwhile, another popular game, Bonanza Billion, has experienced fluctuations in its rankings within the top five since the end of the previous year. The Total Bets Sums of Aviator increased twofold during the first half of this year, propelling the game into a leadership position. In contrast, the once-popular game, Hot Fruits, lost its foothold in the top rankings during the second quarter of 2023.
As for the most successful game providers in Asia, it should be noted that Evolution, Pragmatic Play and BGaming have continually jostled for positions within the top five over the past four quarters under review. Play’n Go and Amatic ceded their places in the rankings to 1spin4win and Amusnet (EGT), with the latter heading the list in Q2 2023.
Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, comments: “The popularity of the Aviator game can be explained by simple interface and fast payouts. What sets it apart even further is its distinctive gameplay mechanics, which significantly differ from other crush games in the market. Notably, Aviator provides players with the illusion of “control” over the game, adding an extra level of excitement and intrigue.”
Latin America
The top five of the most popular game categories in LatAm have remained consistent over the last year, with almost 60% of these categories dominated by slots.
The current top five most popular games are as follows:
Roleta Brasileiri – 8.27%
Aviator – 5.97%
Gates of Olympus – 5.24%
Sweet Bonanza – 3.44%
Crazy Time – 3.14%
Notably, Aviator surged to the top in Q4 2022, experiencing a significant increase in the Total Bets Sum, nearly 170 mln euro more in comparison with the previous quarter. This success propelled its provider, Spribe, from the tenth place in Q3 2022 to the fourth in Q2 2023, displacing Play’n GO from the top five. Other providers, specifically Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Playtech, and BGaming, remained in the top with minor shifts in their rankings over the past year.
The top five most popular games account for approximately 25% of the Total Bets Sum across all games in Latin America, while in Europe and Asia the same covers around 10%. Another noteworthy market trend is the displacement of slots with roulette, and the growing preference for live games.
Carla Dualid, Regional Business Development Manager at SOFTSWISS in LatAm, comments: “Players in Latin America in the context of online gambling may differ from players in Europe in several ways. Most Latin American players bet through mobile devices and prefer online play. Local casino slot players tend to place small but regular bets, which distinguishes them from European online casino players, who, in turn, bet less frequently, but wager larger sums on slots. Speaking about the LatAm market, we should keep in mind that Brazil is the most active player in it. Such factors as economic potential, increasing Internet penetration, mobile accessibility, and regulatory changes are making the Brazilian market more attractive for operators.”
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international iGaming company supplying certified software solutions for managing gambling operations. The expert team, which counts 1,400 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, Georgia, and Belarus. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
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