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UK Game Developer Kwalee Surpasses 100 Employees In Year of Explosive Growth

Published

6 years ago

November 20, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Leamington Spa-based mobile game developer and publisher hits milestone with overseas studios in Bangalore and Beijing underway
Kwalee has grown rapidly in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, recruiting globally while embracing remote work for the first time
After tripling in size over the past two years, Kwalee sets sights on more hit games and more growth, with 60+ current vacancies

Kwalee, a leading developer and publisher of hyper-casual mobile games, has expanded its team to more than 100 people after maintaining a rapid rate of growth throughout 2020.

Despite the company’s Leamington Spa headquarters lying empty for much of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kwalee team adapted quickly to temporary remote working measures and released multiple hit games in 2020, including Bake It, Line Up: Draw the Criminal and Let’s Be Cops 3D.

This facilitated growth across all disciplines and departments, from Publishing Managers to Game Designers, with Kwalee welcoming team members from as far afield as Turkey, the Philippines, India, Spain and China. And while Kwalee has always recruited internationally, 2020 was the year in which the company cemented its global outlook by permanently opening several positions to remote workers and committing to open new studios in Bangalore and Beijing. Across all locations, Kwalee has more than 50 open positions.

Founded and led by games industry legend David Darling CBE, a co-founder and former CEO of Codemasters, Kwalee has become one of the UK’s biggest gaming success stories while specialising in hyper-casual games – a style of mobile games that are defined by their accessibility and designed to be played in short bursts. Kwalee has become a leading developer and publisher in this space and has racked up nearly half a billion downloads worldwide.

Kwalee has also earned itself a reputation for being a rewarding workplace, not least for the weekly ‘Creative Wednesdays’ where anyone in the company can pitch their game ideas and vote on which ones get made. This also ties into a generous profit share bonus scheme, which surpassed £1 million in payouts in February 2020.

“We’re extremely proud to have expanded the Kwalee team to more than 100 people – particularly in such a challenging year,” said CEO David Darling. “Our rate of growth has been phenomenal and we all look forward to that continuing, both in Leamington Spa and internationally.

With so many vacant positions still open and big plans for 2021 and beyond, we can’t wait to welcome many more great people to help us release many more great games. Between remote working and the overseas studios we’re building, there are now more options than ever for the world’s best talent to work with us, which is very exciting indeed.”

Jithin Rosh, based in Bangalore, became Kwalee’s 100th team member. Joining as Marketing Artist & Animator, he commented:

“Working for a gaming studio like Kwalee is truly exciting! All my life I’ve been playing games – now I’m part of that process, making games with fun and talented people. I’m very happy to be here and to be Kwalee’s 100th employee!”

brand-ambassadors

BOYLE Sports names Olivia Buzaglo as football ambassador ahead of 2026 World Cup

Published

25 minutes ago

June 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

boyle-sports-names-olivia-buzaglo-as-football-ambassador-ahead-of-2026-world-cup

The talkSPORT and TNT Sports presenter will front BOYLE Sports’ World Cup content and continue through the 2026/27 season.

BOYLE Sports has appointed talkSPORT and TNT Sports presenter Olivia Buzaglo as its new football ambassador, starting with the operator’s 2026 World Cup coverage. The announcement was made on June 4, 2026.

BOYLE Sports said Buzaglo will serve as its “face of football” across video and social channels, alongside hosting events tied to major football moments. The partnership is set to run through the 2026/27 season and beyond.

Commenting on her new role, Olivia Buzaglo said: “I’m delighted to be joining BOYLE Sports as its new ambassador, especially ahead of such a huge period for the game with the World Cup on the horizon. I’m really looking forward to hosting events and creating content with BOYLE Sports that brings supporters closer to the biggest moments in the game.”

Gill Blake-Swift, Director of Brand at BOYLE Sports, added: “Olivia is the ideal fit for BOYLE Sports as we continue to strengthen our football content and ambassador portfolio. Her broadcasting career has been hugely impressive, and she has built a brilliant connection with football fans across TV, radio, digital and social channels. We’re excited to see Olivia bring her energy, insight and personality to BOYLE Sports customers throughout a major year for football.”

The post BOYLE Sports names Olivia Buzaglo as football ambassador ahead of 2026 World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Allwyn

Scientific Games wins 12-year scratchcard supply deal with Hellenic Lotteries

Published

1 hour ago

June 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

scientific-games-wins-12-year-scratchcard-supply-deal-with-hellenic-lotteries

14 new games launched in May as Hellenic Lotteries begins its new Greek State Lotteries concession.

Scientific Games has signed a new 12-year agreement to supply scratchcard games to Hellenic Lotteries, part of Allwyn Hellas, the companies said on June 8.

Hellenic Lotteries selected Scientific Games through a competitive procurement process. The operator recently secured the exclusive right to run and manage passive lotteries and scratchcard games for the Greek State for 12 years, following an international tender and the end of its previous license.

The partnership begins with 14 new scratchcard games that launched in May. The agreement also includes the option for the parties to explore digital lottery propositions in the future.

“At Allwyn Hellas and Hellenic Lotteries, we put players at the center of everything we do, emphasizing their entertainment experience. Therefore, we’re delighted to collaborate with Scientific Games as our instant game provider to deliver exciting scratchcard games to players in Greece,” said Matthaios Mattaiou, Chief Sales & Marketing PLAY Stores/HL and Operations Officer at Allwyn Hellas. “Beginning with new games launched in May, we look forward to engaging players with fresh propositions.”

Scientific Games said it will produce Greek scratchcards at its European Center of Game Production Excellence in the UK and provide a sales support team for delivery. “Our instant game innovators will continue to apply Scientific Games’ 53 years of analytics and game design best practices working to provide a portfolio of innovative scratchcards that drives responsible growth in Greece,” said Matthias Müller, Senior Vice President, International Sales for Scientific Games.

The post Scientific Games wins 12-year scratchcard supply deal with Hellenic Lotteries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

content strategy

ELA Games reports Romanian growth as bet counts rise 239.74%

Published

1 hour ago

June 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-reports-romanian-growth-as-bet-counts-rise-239.74%

Studio says classic-styled slots with modern mechanics drove a 244.52% jump in active users led by Joker Winpot.

ELA Games says it has expanded in Romania after leaning into classic slot aesthetics while adding modern features, reporting a 244.52% increase in active users and a 239.74% rise in bet counts in the market.

The supplier positioned Joker Winpot as a key title for the approach, aiming to keep a traditional look while introducing feature-led mechanics.

Managing Director Marharyta Yerina said: “It is great to see how Romanian players are enjoying the way we combine classic symbols with modern features. Joker Winpot works well for those who love the traditional look but actually want more excitement from their play. We also see that once players feel comfortable with these mechanics, they are happy to explore our other top titles which have proved to be successful in Romania like Cash of Gods and Flames Fruit Frenzy. It proves that respecting what players like is the best way to introduce new ideas to the market.”

ELA Games also reported a 160.62% increase in turnover and a 33.71% boost in GGR across the region, naming Joker Winpot and Cash of Gods as top-performing titles. The company said Flames Fruit Frenzy also contributed to performance in Romania.

The studio framed the results as evidence that Romanian players are responding to modernised classic formats, including high-volatility gameplay and expanding reels. ELA Games said the mix is helping operators retain traditional audiences while introducing newer mechanics through familiar presentations.

igaming, game-suppliers, romania, slots, content-strategy

The post ELA Games reports Romanian growth as bet counts rise 239.74% appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.