Central Europe

Smartphones remain the most popular gaming platform among Germans

Published

5 years ago

June 26, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

• 19.5 million Germans play games on smartphones

• PCs back in second place

• German games industry tops the 6-billion-euro mark

Smartphones remain the most popular gaming platform among Germans. Puzzles, brain-teasers or building games: 19.5 million people in Germany use smartphones to play games. That’s 900,000 more gamers than in 2018. These are the figures released today by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by the market research company GfK. This means smartphones are now Germany’s most popular gaming platform by an even wider margin; they hit the top spot for the first time in 2018. The number of PC users increased as well: in 2019, around 16.3 million people played on computers, which is an increase of 2.9 million gamers compared to 2018. Reasons for this growth include the release of hotly anticipated games such as city-building strategy game ‘Anno 1800’ or the western epic ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’, as well as the launch of new subscription services such as the Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ubisoft’s Uplay+.

By contrast, fewer people used consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, the Sony PlayStation, or the Microsoft Xbox to dive into the digital world in 2019. Approximately 15.9 million people played console games in 2019 – around 800,000 fewer gamers than in the previous year. However, the planned launches of the follow-up consoles to Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One at the end of the year are expected to breathe new life into the console sector. As game announced in March, one third of Germans are greatly looking forward to the release of the coming generation of consoles. Tablets, on the other hand, gained approximately 300,000 additional users in 2019, amounting to a total of 11.3 million gamers. Overall, more than 34 million Germans play computer and video games. The average age is 37.5 years.

Felix Falk, Managing Director of game, says: ‘At home or on the go, alone or with friends: Germans play games all the time and everywhere. At times like these, in particular, we can see why so many people in Germany love games: they’re fun, they bring people together, and they allow us to escape for a little while, even when we’re sitting at home.’

German games market grows by 6 per cent

As already reported by game, the German games market grew by 6 per cent in 2019, to around 6.2 billion euros. Sales of games hardware, including consoles, gaming PCs and accessories, dropped by 2 per cent from the previous year, to 2.4 billion euros. In contrast, the market for games software showed a gain of 11 per cent: in 2019, a total of about 3.9 billion euros was spent on computer and video games and the charges for the respective online services.

About the market data
The current data take into account further dedicated games hardware like gaming PCs and the corresponding accessories, resulting in a larger market size than previously reported. This is true also of the adjusted data for 2018, which accordingly differs from that reported last year.
The market data is based on statistics compiled by the GfK Consumer Panel and App Annie. The methods used by GfK to collect data on Germany’s digital games market are unique in terms of both their quality and their global use. They include an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers who are representative of the German population as a whole regarding their digital game purchasing and usage habits, as well as a retail panel. The data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.

game – the German Games Industry Association:
We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.

Central Europe

TaDa to Round Off Exceptional Year at SiGMA Central Europe 2025

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

TaDa Gaming is anticipating its final show of 2025 at the SiGMA Central Europe Expo this 4-6 November. Taking place for the first time at Fiera, Rome, Stand 4062 will host the innovative provider’s full teams from Account Management, Business Development and Marketing.

With a 200+ portfolio of innovative games including TaDa’s unique fish-shooting titles, the team’s focus at SiGMA will be on regulated European markets and slots.

Successful licence applications include MGA; Hellenic Gaming Authority; Romania’s ONJN; Sweden’s Spelinspektionen; and the UKGC. With certification for multiple markets now including Portugal, TaDa’s signature localisation, innovation and future-proof approach to iGaming is paying dividends.

Multiple new integrations are ongoing across Europe, enhanced by TaDa’s most recent distribution agreement with Light & Wonder Inc. With an existing presence in Italy, Belgium and Portugal, TaDa’s reputation for engagement and retention has been reinforced with its new trademarked series Hit the Cash.

The interplay of Multipliers, Lock & Respin and Jackpots as the Hit the Cash signature, added to the random triggering of the jackpots and additional multipliers including Wilds, has meant players cannot get enough of these titles.

Visitors to the TaDa’s Experience Zone at Stand 4062 are guaranteed a winning experience. Hit releases Joker Coins and Fortune Coins 2 will be the headline slots, alongside the industry changing fish-shooting games such as the vampire rock’n’roll led Ocean King Jackpot and new release Fortune Zombie 2.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “SiGMA Rome is looking to be a fantastic final show in a year full of highly professional and profitable exhibitions for us. As we continue to build our name for safe, immersive and innovative gaming across Europe, we’re excited to reconnect and connect with clients and future clients to show how we deliver significant differentiation for their operations.”

The post TaDa to Round Off Exceptional Year at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Belatra

Belatra set to unearth ancient treasures at SiGMA Central Europe

Published

5 days ago

October 9, 2025

George Miller

belatra-set-to-unearth-ancient-treasures-at-sigma-central-europe

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is thrilled to announce its participation at the SiGMA Central Europe Expo in Rome, Italy. The event is being held at the Fiera Roma from November 3rd to November 6th, providing Belatra with the perfect chance to showcase its latest legendary slots and front-line solutions.

Belatra’s beloved Mummy will be visiting Rome as the character continues to strike a chord with audiences worldwide. Its unique blend of humour, mystery, and quirky antics has transcended cultures. The character made its debut in 2022 for the release of Mummyland Treasures and has since grown into an extensive multiverse encompassing various formats, special features, and spin-offs, which form the core of our very own flagship game universe.

At SiGMA Central Europe, visitors to Belatra’s Booth #4071 will be able to immerse themselves at the heart of the Mummy Universe. There will be a themed experience that brings the magic and the mystery of our beloved multiverse to life. Special prizes are also on offer from the Mummy’s own treasure vault.

Kateryna Goi, Belatra CMO said: “SiGMA Europe provides the perfect platform to connect with existing and potential collaborators. Our team is more than ready to present custom solutions, our robust technical infrastructure, and game designs to ensure player involvement and operator success.”

The post Belatra set to unearth ancient treasures at SiGMA Central Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Central Europe

Pamela Klockenbrink Becomes the New Managing Director of Merkur Casino

Published

6 days ago

October 8, 2025

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

Pamela Klockenbrink has become the new Managing Director of Merkur Casino GmbH. This subsidiary of the Merkur Group operates over 700 gaming venues in Germany and Europe. Pamela Klockenbrink succeeds Meik Sellenriek, who was appointed to the Executive Board of Merkur.com AG on January 1, 2025, and is now handing over his current management responsibilities to new hands. Together with Benjamin Bredenkamp, who will remain part of the management team, the 52-year-old will lead the company’s fortunes in the future.

With Pamela Klockenbrink, Merkur Casino is strengthening its leadership team from within its own ranks. The Bad Oeynhausen native began her career at Merkur in May 2015 as coordinator of national and international controlling at Merkur Casino. Most recently, Klockenbrink served for almost ten years as Head of Controlling at the Merkur subsidiary. Before joining the group, she shaped the finance and accounting departments of international corporations in various management positions, leading projects in the areas of international accounting and international taxation, among others.

Meik Sellenriek, Executive Board Member for Merkur Operations at Merkur.com AG, said: “We are delighted to have recruited Pamela Klockenbrink as our new Managing Director. Thanks to her many years of service with the company, she has a considerable repertoire of in-depth industry knowledge. This diverse experience will form the foundation for successfully developing Merkur Casino and leading it into a promising future.”

Pamela Klockenbrink said: “I greatly appreciate the trust placed in me by being appointed to the management team. My goal is to play a key role in shaping and further driving the successful development of Merkur Casino GmbH together with my colleague Benjamin Bredenkamp and our dedicated team.”

The post Pamela Klockenbrink Becomes the New Managing Director of Merkur Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.