Central Europe
Germany: Demand for games hardware increases by 26 per cent
Demand for games hardware increased considerably in Germany in 2020. Whereas in 2019, sales of gaming PCs, games consoles and accessories generated around 2.5 billion euros, this figure rose to over 3.2 billion euros in 2020. This equates to an increase of 26 per cent. These are the numbers released today by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by the market research company GfK. There was a particularly high demand for peripherals for gaming PCs, with sales of special gaming mice, keyboards, monitors, graphics cards and virtual reality headsets generating around 1.2 billion euros – approximately 46 per cent more than in 2019. Sales of consoles and console accessories also grew considerably last year. Stationary and handheld consoles generated around 650 million euros, which was 25 per cent more than in 2019; console accessories such as gamepads and steering wheels generated 275 million euros – an increase of 24 per cent. Sales of gaming PCs also increased to around 1.1 billion euros, which is about 10 per cent higher than in 2019.
‘Millions of people took advantage of the lockdowns in 2020 to play games together,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Many upgraded their gaming PCs, and lots of them bought their first console and became new gaming fans. Besides the strong demand for the Nintendo Switch, the launch of the next-gen PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles and a new generation of graphics cards also generated high sales. Games hardware has never been in such high demand in Germany as it was in 2020.’
The games market in 2020: growth across all market segments
It was not just games hardware that saw a dramatic rise in sales in 2020 – so too did the entire market for computer and video games, and across all segments. The strongest increase was posted in sales revenue for in-game and in-app purchases, which grew by 44 per cent within a single year, achieving total sales revenue of over 3.2 billion euros. Charges for online services also saw especially strong growth of 50 per cent to 692 million euros. This segment includes online services, subscriptions and cloud gaming services such as EA Play Pro, Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+. The sale of computer and video games generated more than 1.1 billion euros in revenue, an 11 per cent increase over 2019. Subscriptions to individual games, such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV, resulted in a 44 per cent increase in sales revenue. This market segment thus grew to 163 million euros.
About the market data
Please note: GfK has adjusted its definition of hardware designed for games, which increased the size of the market, making the figures for 2019 slightly higher than 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 video 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 video 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.
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SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, is gearing up for a landmark appearance at SiGMA Central Europe Summit 2025, taking place in Rome on 3–6 November. During the event, SOFTSWISS will present the highly anticipated 2026 iGaming Trends Report – a release poised to become one of the year’s defining milestones for the global iGaming community.
Participation in this year’s SiGMA Summit underscores SOFTSWISS’ commitment to global growth in regulated markets. In the first half of 2025, the company achieved significant certifications across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, reinforcing its position as a trusted international partner dedicated to advancing responsible, secure, and innovative gaming experiences.
2026 iGaming Trends Report: The Year’s Most Anticipated Release by SOFTSWISS
Among the most important events in the iGaming industry this year will be the release of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report. The launch will take place on 5 November at Stage 2: People, Partners & Performance, as part of the 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon – a four-hour programme of keynotes and panel discussions. The report delivers an in-depth look at the technologies, regulations, and market dynamics shaping the future of iGaming.
This year’s edition, prepared by SOFTSWISS in collaboration with Next.io, will not only provide expert perspectives but also give participants the opportunity to be among the very first to access the report directly and hear exclusive insights from its creators and industry leaders.
Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, shares: “The 2026 iGaming Trends Report is more than just data – it’s a roadmap for the industry. By presenting it at SiGMA Central Europe Summit 2025, we aim to give our partners first-hand access to insights that will shape strategies and decisions across regulated markets worldwide.”
Car Assembly Show: Alfa Romeo 4C Built Step by Step
At Stand 4016 G, SOFTSWISS will host a spectacular pit-stop style live show: the step-by-step assembly of an Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition. Throughout the process, experts will show how racing technologies like sensors, AI, telemetry, and automation mirror the principles behind SOFTSWISS products – from real-time analytics to scalable platforms.
Partners and visitors are welcome to the SOFTSWISS Stand 4016 G to take part in the live car assembly experience, explore innovative solutions, and discuss the key findings of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report.
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.
The post SOFTSWISS Sets the Stage for 2026 iGaming Trends at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BETER, the award-winning provider of fast-betting content and data for esports and sports, has partnered with Entain CEE to supply its sportsbook brands with the provider’s exclusive content.
Under the agreement, BETER will deliver ESportsBattle tournaments and the Setka Cup table tennis series to SuperSport, a premier operator in Croatia, and STS, one of Poland’s leading sportsbooks.
BETER exclusively delivers 24/7 live streaming, real-time data, and hyper-accurate odds for approximately 700,000 fast-paced events annually, offering up to 50 markets per event with an average operator margin of 7.5%+.
Its esports portfolio includes ESportsBattle tournaments, featuring eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey, and the recently launched eTennis. Its sports portfolio features the Setka Cup table tennis series, BSKT Cup basketball league, GTR Cup tennis tournaments, Padel tennis, as well as coverage of official cricket tournaments and leagues worldwide.
BETER ensures the highest standards of fairness and transparency across its content offerings, backed by collaborations with ESIC and IBIA.
Gal Ehrlich, CEO of BETER, said: “We are delighted to welcome Entain CEE to our growing roster of partners, underlining the demand for our products among the industry’s leaders.
“Fast-betting content has become essential for operators seeking to engage the next generation of players, and our suite of fast-paced products sets the standard for others to follow.
“We look forward to working closely with the SuperSport and STS teams to further develop the Croatian and Polish markets together.”
Ivan Gojic, Chief Sportsbook Officer at Entain CEE, added: “Fast-betting content is non-negotiable for operators looking to deliver next-gen experiences to bettors, and that’s exactly what we work hard to achieve at SuperSport and STS.
“This is why we chose to join forces with BETER, the market leader in fast-betting content for both esports and sports.
“This is a deal that brings a lot of thrilling content to our players, and that’s what makes it such an important partnership for us and our bettors.”
The post BETER joins forces with Entain CEE in major content deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of award-winning content, has extended its presence in the Swiss market through a new partnership with Admiral.ch.
Operated by Casino ADMIRAL Mendrisio, Admiral.ch is one of Switzerland’s newest regulated online casinos, offering over 1,300 titles across desktop, iOS and Android, boosted by player-first features such as real-money loyalty bonuses and instant payouts.
The partnership sees Relax Gaming supply its high-performing proprietary portfolio, including fan favourites Money Train 4, Temple Tumble and Beast Mode, as well as a selection of leading third-party games via its aggregation platform.
As part of its commitment to supporting regulated markets, this latest integration strengthens Relax Gaming’s footprint in Switzerland, with Admiral.ch gaining access to premium content built to drive player engagement and retention.
Cliona Griffin, Business Development Manager at Relax Gaming, said: “Admiral.ch has quickly established itself as a serious player in Switzerland, and we’re pleased to partner with a brand that shares our commitment to quality and innovation.
“This launch forms part of our wider strategy to grow in key regulated markets and deliver top-tier content to leading operators worldwide.”
Alessandro Werlen, Managing Director / CTO at Admiral.ch, said: “Relax Gaming’s reputation speaks for itself, and we’re delighted to now offer their games to our growing player base.
“The addition of Relax titles enhances our portfolio and supports our mission to provide first-class entertainment in a secure and regulated environment.”
The post Relax Gaming expands Swiss footprint with Admiral.ch launch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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