Central Europe

German mobile games market grows by 22 per cent

Published

4 years ago

May 12, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The huge variety of mobile games and their easy availability on smartphones and tablets have made them especially popular choices. Be it casual puzzle games, familiar PC and console games adapted for mobile use, or location-based games like “Pokémon Go” or “Jurassic World Live”, the popularity of games apps is undiminished. Sales revenue continues to increase, and the German mobile games market once again experienced strong growth in 2021, with a 22 per cent increase in sales revenue from games apps to about 2.8 billion euros. This growth is a continuation of the impressive trend in recent years, as sales revenue in 2020 had already risen by 23 per cent. These are the figures released today by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by the market research companies data.ai and GfK.

In-app purchases continue to drive growth in the mobile games market, accounting for approximately 99 per cent of total sales revenue in this segment in 2021. Sales revenue from in-app purchases enjoyed yet another year of significant growth, increasing by 22 per cent from about 2.3 billion euros in 2020 to nearly 2.8 billion euros in 2021. This is primarily due to the tremendous popularity of free-to-play games that allow players to enhance their game experiences with in-app purchases. Players can buy additional content such as additional levels and new skins for their own avatars. Sales revenue generated by games offered for purchase, on the other hand, continues to decline, amounting to just 7 million euros in 2021. Subscription fees for apps like the Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass services generated 12 million euros in sales revenue, an increase of 200 per cent over the previous year.

The average age of mobile games players remained almost unchanged in 2021 at 38.3; the previous year the average player was 38.8 years old. In 2019, mobile games players were 37.4 years old on average. As in the previous year, there were roughly the same number of male and female players of mobile games. Even so, at 51 per cent there were slightly more women than men playing games on their smartphones or tablets in 2021.

According to Felix Falk, Managing Director of game: ‘The mobile games sector is getting bigger year after year. Games apps are an integral part of the daily lives of millions of people in Germany thanks in no small part to their tremendous variety and accessibility. Mobile games also make it easy to network with other players – anytime and anywhere. This includes location-based games, multiplayer games and even mobile esports. Playing mobile games has turned into a popular social gaming experience.’

Another year of strong growth for the German games market

Following a historic 2020 performance with 32 per cent growth, sales revenues in the German games market continued to rise significantly in 2021 with a total of approximately 9.8 billion euros in sales revenue generated by games, games hardware and fees for online gaming services – an increase of 17 per cent compared to the previous year. Sales revenue from computer and video games grew by 19 per cent to about 5.4 billion euros, due among other things to increases in in-game and in-app purchases. Sales revenue from games hardware has also grown, by 18 per cent overall to about 3.6 billion euros. Demand for games consoles and gaming PC accessories was particularly strong.

About the market data

The market data is based on statistics compiled by the GfK Consumer Panel and data.ai. 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.

Central Europe

Tipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel

Published

2 weeks ago

May 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

tipico-casino-enters-into-partnership-with-holstein-kiel

Tipico Casino, operated by Tipico Karlsruhe Ltd, has entered into a partnership with German second-division football club Holstein Kiel. The agreement marks the start of a long-term collaboration between two strong and trusted brands.

In April, Tipico Karlsruhe Ltd. launched a fully regulated online casino offering in Schleswig-Holstein – becoming the first private provider to do so in Germany. The licences were granted in September 2024 by the state’s Ministry of the Interior, Municipal Affairs, Housing and Sport. The partnership with Holstein Kiel reflects the strong regional commitment behind this new offering.

The aim is not only to deliver exciting entertainment to people in Schleswig-Holstein, but also to ensure a safe and responsible environment. Tipico is known for its high standards in player protection in Germany and applies the same approach to its online casino offering.

Holstein Kiel stands for authenticity, passion and down-to-earth values like few other clubs in northern Germany. At the heart of the collaboration is a long-term partnership built on trust, regional proximity and shared values.

Christian Heins, Director of iGaming at Tipico, said: “As someone who grew up in northern Germany, I feel a strong personal connection to the region. I’m therefore especially pleased that we’ve been able to bring together Holstein Kiel, a club with great tradition, and Tipico Casino. By joining forces, we aim to offer players a safe and engaging online casino experience.”

Wolfgang Schwenke, Vice President and Managing Director of KSV Holstein, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tipico as a partner that is actively contributing to developments in Schleswig-Holstein. As a club with strong roots in the region, it is important to us to build and strengthen local partnerships. At the same time, we share a clear commitment to providing a responsible environment.”

The post Tipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

ZEAL launches Dream Car Raffle charity lottery in Germany

Published

1 month ago

April 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

zeal-launches-dream-car-raffle-charity-lottery-in-germany

ZEAL has launched Dream Car Raffle (Traumautoverlosung), a new charity lottery offering in the regulated German gambling market. The company said the product is developed in-house and adds to its portfolio alongside its lottery brokerage business.

Traumautoverlosung is operated by Dreamify gGmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZEAL, while marketing and sales is handled by Lotto24 AG, also part of the group. ZEAL said the launch follows the Dream House Raffle (Traumhausverlosung) introduced in 2024 and freiheit+, making Traumautoverlosung its third charity lottery in Germany.

“With Traumautoverlosung, ZEAL continues its strategy of complementing its traditional lottery brokerage business with proprietary products, targeting new customer segments and reducing its dependence on jackpot-driven cycles of state lotteries,” the company said. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Group, added: “We are pleased to further expand our core business with attractive new products. Traumautoverlosung is another step towards diversifying our portfolio and reaching new target groups.”

ZEAL said Traumautoverlosung is structured with a limited number of tickets and a guaranteed winner. At launch, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS will be raffled, with a total of 250,000 tickets available. “With Traumautoverlosung, we are focusing on cars that are otherwise out of reach for many people – highly desirable models that are often difficult to obtain on the market,” said Michael Lee, founder of Traumautoverlosung. “Our goal is to translate this demand into a transparent, digital product with clearly defined mechanics.”

As a charity lottery, the product allocates at least 20 percent of ticket revenue to charitable causes, according to ZEAL. The company said the initiative will partner with Johanniter in 2026.

The post ZEAL launches Dream Car Raffle charity lottery in Germany appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Best Slot Developer

Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026

Published

1 month ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-named-best-slot-developer-at-gamingtech-awards-2026

Amusnet has been awarded the title of Best Slot Developer at the GamingTECH Awards 2026, marking a notable acknowledgment of the company’s innovative and technical prowess. Unveiled on March 25th in Prague at the 10th-anniversary edition of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, this recognition emphasizes the influence of the company’s varied, high-achieving slot collection throughout Central and Eastern European markets.

This accolade highlights the organization’s capacity to provide a diverse array of titles that satisfy the changing needs of both operators and players. By prioritizing technical dependability, dynamic animations, and captivating features, Amusnet has positioned itself as a key partner in the area.

“We are truly honoured to receive the Best Slot Developer award,” commented Julia Peeva-Sertov, CEO & Director at Amusnet Gaming, Malta. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences for players. Empowering our partners continues to inspire us to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in the industry.”

The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit united industry leaders and top executives to explore the connection between gaming, AI, and fintech. During the event, representatives from Amusnet Gaming participated in strategic networking and high-level discussions within the industry, enhancing connections with partners in the CEE area. Winning this title at a milestone anniversary occasion reinforces the company’s position as an innovative leader in the digital entertainment industry.

The post Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.