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German games market in 2023: strong development in turbulent times
The German games market once again grew significantly overall in 2023: sales of games, games hardware and gaming online services rose by 6 per cent to around 9.97 billion euros. This is a significant increase after sales had only risen by 1 per cent in the previous year. The biggest growth drivers include games consoles and their accessories as well as in-game and in-app purchases. Despite the large number of top-class titles, which increased sales of games purchases by 4 per cent, the number of games sold fell by 8 per cent at the same time. There were also significant declines in some cases for gaming PCs and laptops. The data on the German games market is based on surveys conducted by the consumer panel services GfK and data.ai. The different developments in the individual market segments also show that 2023 was a year of contrasts for the games industry as a whole: on the one hand, more high-calibre titles were released within twelve months than ever before. On the other hand, some sales expectations were not met, particularly due to this abundance of outstanding games. Combined with generally high interest rates and a slowdown in the investment market, a wave of consolidation began worldwide, as a result of which developer studios are still being downsized or even closed and jobs are being cut.
‘The German games market continues to grow, but a close look at the data shows just how challenging these times are for game companies,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘This is particularly true for small to medium-sized companies in Germany, most of which have only thin capital cover and therefore feel the impact of the tougher investment climate especially quickly. In such turbulent times reliable and internationally competitive political solutions are needed more than ever.’
Major differences between categories of games hardware
Sales revenues from various categories of games hardware developed very differently last year. Game consoles were among the most important growth drivers, posting a revenue increase of 44 per cent to break the billion-euro threshold, with total revenues of 1.1 billion euros. Demand for game console accessories was similarly robust, if at a slightly lower level. Sales revenues in this area jumped 32 per cent, to 374 million euros. In stark contrast, gaming PCs registered a clear decline as revenues from PCs and laptops marketed specially for games dropped by 17 per cent, to 547 million euros. Accessories for gaming PCs – including special input devices, graphic cards, etc. – fared only slightly better, with revenues falling by 7 per cent, to just under 1.3 billion euros.
‘Last year was the first year in a long time in which all current game consoles were easily available on the market,’ says Felix Falk. ‘The huge revenue gain in this category in 2023 shows how great the pent-up demand was among players. On the other hand, there was a clear drop in sales revenues from gaming PCs. After investing in PCs and laptops during the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of video game players seem to be well-equipped for the moment.’
Sales revenue from games rises and gaming online services stabilise at a high level
Sales revenue from games developed positively overall in 2023. Across all platforms, purchases of PC and console games generated 4 per cent more revenue than in the year before. Total sales revenues in this area increased to around 1.1 billion euros. Considering the many high-quality game releases, however, this rise seems rather low. Indeed, the number of games sold actually dropped by 8 per cent. This reveals that the growth in revenue here is attributable exclusively to higher average prices. Last year, many video game players appear to have purchased high-quality titles shortly after their release and not waited for discounts. Also, because many of the top titles of 2023 are especially time-intensive, they didn’t leave room for players to acquire a larger number of games. In contrast, the market development for in-game and in-app purchases was significantly more positive, showing a revenue increase of about 6 per cent, to 4.7 billion euros. From an upgrade in a player character’s armour, to a season pass with a lot of additional content, to completely new campaigns, it has become ever more common for the playing time of a game to be extended or individualised through additional content. This trend continued in 2023. In-game sales revenues contribute significantly to covering continuously rising game development costs.
After a number of years of strong growth, sales revenues from online gaming services stabilised at a high level. Among the categories in this segment are fee-based subscription services that provide access to a large selection of games, cloud-based gaming, online multiplayer functions and the ability to save game progress in the cloud. Examples of these services include EA Play, Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+. Revenue from these services fell by 1 per cent in 2023, to 860 million euros.
The post German games market in 2023: strong development in turbulent times appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by Eastern European Gaming
Spinomenal has released 3 Fuego Chillies, a new 5×3 video slot themed around a Mexican street fiesta. The game ships with a feature-led Bonus Game and a top prize billed as a Grand Jackpot of x3,000 the total bet.
CT Interactive has released its latest slot game, 40 Mega Star. As the night sky comes alive with countless shimmering lights, only a select few stars have the power to capture attention and become true Mega Stars.
TaDa Gaming has expanded its popular Unlimited Fortune mechanic with the launch of Joker Coins Unlimited Fortune. Combining Lock & Respin, progressive bonus expansion, jackpots, multipliers and the signature Unlimited Fortune feature, this compact three-reel release delivers layered gameplay and win potential of up to 5000x.
Blueprint Gaming is releasing an upgraded version of Super Graphics Upside Down exclusively on Lottomart, giving Lottomart’s UK players early access to the title. Originally launched in 2021, Super Graphics Upside Down is being re-released with a new bonus wheel feature and an increased max win potential, rising from 250X to 3000X, according to the companies.
ICONIC21 has released Wild Gold Mine 2, a high-volatility sequel to its Wild Gold Mine slot. The game is played across 243 ways and launches with multiple RTP configurations, with a stated top prize of 10,000x.
Games Global has launched Rumble Kong CASHINGO
, a new jungle-themed online slot developed with exclusive studio partner Alchemy Gaming. The title went live on 23rd July 2026. Rumble Kong CASHINGO is a 5×5, 3,125 ways-to-win game built around an expanding CASHINGO collection grid.
Swintt has released a new slot from its Elysium Studios label, titled Odyssey Hold & Win. The supplier said the game is built around a Hold & Win collection mechanic and features a stated maximum win of 3,317x. Odyssey Hold & Win runs on a 4×4 grid that can expand to 4×8 when Athena appears, according to the company.
ELA Games has released a new slot, Age of Cleopatra, adding another ancient-Egypt theme title to its portfolio. The studio positions the game as a medium-volatility release and says it is available to demo now. Age of Cleopatra runs on a 5×3 reel set-up with 25 paylines.
Endorphina has launched Zalatar, a new myths-and-legends themed online slot, expanding its recent run of fantasy-leaning releases. The supplier said Zalatar is a 5-reel, 3-row game with 25 fixed paylines, 96.03% RTP and high volatility.
The post Weekend Reels | Week 30: Slot Drops & Trends appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Slotsoo is proud to announce the winners of the Slotsoo Awards 2026, recognising the online casinos and game providers that have delivered the best player experiences over the past year. Now firmly established as an annual celebration of excellence, the awards continue to recognise the companies setting new standards for quality and innovation across the iGaming industry.
Spotlighting the Best Game Providers of 2026
Following last year’s successful debut, the Slotsoo Game Provider Awards returned for a second year to recognise the studios pushing online slots forward through original ideas, engaging gameplay, and consistently high-quality releases. This year’s winners are:
- The Machine MVP – Pragmatic Play
- Bonus Buyer – Eurasian Gaming
- Volatility Virtuoso – 1spin4win
- Jackpot Jumbo – Platipus Gaming
- Symphony Spinner – Peter & Sons
- Reel Renegade – TaDa Gaming
- Promising Prodigy – EXCO Game Studio
Pragmatic Play retained the prestigious Machine MVP award for a second consecutive year, while every other category crowned a new winner, highlighting the emergence of fresh talent and new ideas among game providers.
Casino Awards Return for a Fourth Year
Since their debut in 2023, the Slotsoo Casino Awards have celebrated the operators raising the standard for online casino experiences. This year’s winners continue that tradition, earning recognition for excellence across bonuses, withdrawals, gamification, and overall quality. The seven winners for 2026 are:
- The Gambling GOAT – Lunar Spins
- The Bonus Buff – Go4Casino
- The Loyalty Lord – Valhalla Wins
- The Withdrawal Wizard – Taste Vegas
- The Gamification Guru – Lucky Fuel
- The Payout Professor – Stupid Casino
- The Noisy Newcomer – Kudos Bet
While the Game Provider Awards saw several first-time winners, the Casino Awards reflected the continued strength of a few established operators. C24 Partners enjoyed a particularly successful year, with four awards going to brands from its portfolio, including the main trophy The Gambling GOAT.
Recognition That Goes Beyond Popularity
Unlike many industry awards, the Slotsoo Awards are not decided by public voting. Winners are selected by the Slotsoo team after evaluating casino operators and game providers throughout the year. Each nominee is assessed on factors such as player value and innovation.
This approach ensures that both established industry leaders and ambitious newcomers have an equal opportunity to be recognised. Whether it’s a casino redefining loyalty rewards or a game studio introducing fresh mechanics, the awards highlight companies that genuinely move the industry forward.
Other News from Slotsoo.com This Summer
The Slotsoo Awards weren’t the only milestone for the company this summer. In June, the team attended the HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics Gaming Conference in Tallinn, connecting with industry professionals, exploring the latest developments in iGaming, and returning home with plenty of inspiration.
July marked the publication of Slotsoo’s first book, The Casino Player’s ABC, written by Markus Björk, Head of Content. This tongue-in-cheek ABC book for adults takes a humorous look at the ups and downs in slot gaming. Markus Björk comments:
“The awards and the book may seem like very different projects, but they share the same goal. Both are about celebrating what makes this industry unique and helping players navigate it with a sense of humour.”
With another successful awards season, the publication of their first book, and an active presence at industry events, 2026 has been one of Slotsoo’s busiest and most exciting years to date.
The post Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BETBY, the Tier 1 sportsbook supplier, has continued its strong start to 2026, delivering solid year-on-year growth across its business during the first half of the year. Building on the positive Q1 results reported in April, the supplier’s performance was supported by continued market expansion, product innovation, and strong activity across its operator partnerships.
During the first half of 2026, BETBY’s sportsbook Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased by 42.7% compared to H1 2025. The number of active players across the provider’s partner network grew by 47%, while the total number of bets placed rose by 21.2%, reflecting sustained growth across both new and existing operator partnerships.
The period also saw BETBY further expand its product ecosystem through several key launches and developments. Among them was BETBY Predictions, the industry’s first fixed-odds prediction markets feed, opening a new betting vertical for operators. The supplier also introduced Stories, an engagement feature built around a familiar, interactive content format and delivered directly within the sportsbook experience.
The FIFA World Cup provided an additional boost during the last three weeks of June, generating high levels of betting activity across BETBY’s partner network and demonstrating the scalability and reliability of its sportsbook during the world’s largest sporting event.
BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, Betby Games, also delivered continued growth during H1 2026, recording a 28% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue. Active players grew by 46%, while the number of bets placed rose by 14.8%. These figures reinforce Betby Games’ importance within BETBY’s broader product portfolio.
Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer at BETBY, said: “After a strong first quarter, we are pleased to see that the positive trend continued throughout the first half of the year. These results reflect the strength of our long-term strategy, combining continued market expansion with a clear focus on product innovation and helping our partners grow.
“The launch of products such as BETBY Predictions and features like Stories, alongside the continued evolution of Betby Games, demonstrate our commitment to delivering solutions and technology that create measurable value for operators. We are proud of what we have achieved so far this year and remain focused on continuing this progress throughout H2.”
The post BETBY Builds on a Strong Start to 2026 with Solid H1 Sportsbook Growth appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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