Latest News
UK Game Developer Kwalee Surpasses Half a Billion Downloads of Hyper-Casual Mobile Games

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Leamington Spa-based mobile game developer and publisher hits milestone following 2020 successes including Bake It, Let’s Be Cops 3D and Teacher Simulator
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90% of downloads have come in past two years, with Kwalee growing rapidly and recently passing 100 employees
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Many more internally-developed and published titles in the works as the race to a billion begins
Kwalee, a leading developer and publisher of hyper-casual mobile games, has surpassed half a billion downloads across its portfolio of hyper-casual games on the App Store and Google Play.
After a strong year in which the company has grown to more than 100 employees and launched hit games including Bake It, Line Up: Draw the Criminal, Let’s Be Cops 3D, Teacher Simulator and Blade Forde 3D, Kwalee’s 500 million milestone positions it firmly among the world’s premier mobile game publishers.
Underscoring the incredible reach of Kwalee’s games, latest releases Let’s Be Cops 3D and Teacher Simulator have consistently featured alongside one another in the top 5 most downloaded iOS games in the USA, since launching in October and November respectively.
Headquartered in Leamington Spa and with growing teams in Bangalore, India and Beijing, China, Kwalee is led by CEO, founder and games industry legend David Darling CBE. Darling previously co-founded and ran Codemasters, a company reportedly the subject of a $1 billion acquisition, so his track record in the industry is beyond question. He recently won the Outstanding Leadership Award at the 2020 TIGA Awards.
Kwalee has firmly established itself as a leading developer and publisher of hyper-casual games – a style of mobile games that are defined by their accessibility and designed to be played in short bursts – and this half a billion milestone is the ultimate confirmation of that.
The single biggest contributor to the half a billion download total is Draw It, a rapid-fire and evergreen drawing game which has been downloaded 87 million times. Other major releases for Kwalee have included Jetpack Jump (42 million downloads), Bake It (38 million downloads), Shootout 3D (35 million downloads) and Rocket Sky! (30 million downloads).
Kwalee’s varied catalogue of releases includes both those developed internally and by brilliant third-party developers of all sizes, with an equal commitment and investment given to each. The company is always looking to enter partnerships with developers and will offer them genuine support and coaching on all aspects of their games, from game design to monetisation.
And when it comes to internal development, the vast majority of Kwalee hits begin with a pitch on ‘Creative Wednesdays’, a weekly opportunity for anyone in the company to pitch their dream game ideas and vote on which ones get made. This formula has powered Kwalee to 500 million downloads with countless great concepts and there is a firm belief that it will take the company to one billion and beyond.
“Kwalee was founded with a belief in the power of digital distribution and great digital marketing to propel games to a massive global audience,” said CEO David Darling. “That’s not something that can be accomplished overnight, but achieving half a billion downloads by sticking to these principles is a very proud moment for all of us. Our approach to launching hit games is always being refined, we’re getting better all the time and we’re already setting our sights on one billion!”
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Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
International Game Technology PLC announced that its dynamic Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet recently launched in casinos across the US. Guests of Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, Calif. and of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. were among the first players in the world to enjoy the Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Diamond and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Gold games on IGT’s new ultra-high-tech, mechanical-reel cabinet. Designed exclusively for Wheel of Fortune game content, the Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet boasts a 20-inch physical wheel, a 32-inch LCD top box and a 23-inch transmissive display.
CT Gaming continues its strong momentum from the first quarter of 2025 with a new wave of installations in Panama. Strengthening its position in the Latin American market, the company has partnered with leading operators to introduce top-performing products, including the EZ Modulo 32/32/32 slot cabinet and the highly successful Diamond King series. Among the highlights of the installation is Diamond King 3—CT Gaming’s bestselling multigame featuring 50 captivating titles. Players can enjoy a diverse mix of content, including the legendary Mega Jack trio: Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol Deluxe and Champagne Party. The experience is further enhanced by the Diamond Tree progressive jackpot, which delivers elevated gameplay and exciting reward potential.
Las Vegas Sands has contributed $100,000 through the Sands Cares global community engagement programme to 100 Black Men Las Vegas in support of the organisation’s youth mentorship, scholarship and community service offerings. The 2025 donation will enable 100 Black Men Las Vegas to offer new programmes including a science, technology, engineering and math initiative; the Pathways to Public Service programme, which focuses on developing a pipeline of law enforcement and first responder professionals; and Realtist Academy, which prepares participants to become licensed real estate agents or mortgage brokers. In addition, Sands Cares funding will help 100 Black Men Las Vegas pursue efforts to identify a permanent location for the organisation.
Partnerships
SCCG Management has announced an expanded partnership with AWARE, a global leader in biometric verification software. Under this agreement, SCCG becomes a preferred reseller for AWARE’s biometric and identity verification solutions within the global gaming industry. AWARE’s advanced biometric technology offers a future-proof solution for iGaming and gambling platforms—empowering operators to ensure compliance, prevent fraud and protect players, all while delivering a seamless and secure user experience. With growing regulatory scrutiny and rising demand for frictionless onboarding, AWARE’s adaptive biometrics provide a scalable and trusted identity framework for modern gaming environments.
The Brazilian Football Confederation and Sportradar Integrity & Regulatory Services, a unit of Sportradar AG announced the extension of their long-standing partnership, set to begin with the 2025 season. The new agreement aims to enhance efforts to combat match-fixing in Brazilian football and safeguard the integrity of the sport. Sportradar, through its industry-leading Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), will deliver integrity monitoring for more than 8200 men’s and women’s matches organised annually by the CBF. Through this renewed partnership, the UFDS will now cover all Brazilian national championships.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
SOFTSWISS Enhances Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion

SOFTSWISS, a leading global provider of iGaming software, announces the appointment of three seasoned professionals to key leadership positions: Denis Ilienkov as Product & Technology Non-Executive Director; Kyryl Avdieienko as Chief Product Officer (CPO); and Viktor Iegorov as Chief Delivery Officer (CDO).
These strategic appointments are integral to SOFTSWISS’ vision of strengthening its leadership team to navigate the complexities of the global iGaming landscape, ensuring agility and innovation in product development and delivery.
Denis Ilienkov, in his new role as Product & Technology Non-Executive Director, will oversee product and technology-related operations, including control responsibilities. Kyryl Avdieienko, appointed as CPO, will lead product strategy and development across the SOFTSWISS product portfolio. With a background in iGaming, game development, and fintech, Kyryl brings a wealth of experience to the role. Viktor Iegorov, as CDO, will be responsible for developing processes and managing the strategic delivery portfolio.
These appointments are part of SOFTSWISS’ ongoing commitment to fostering a collaborative and synergistic leadership approach. Denis, Kyryl, and Viktor will work closely to drive the company’s mission of delivering cutting-edge iGaming solutions, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
Denis Ilienkov commented on the appointments: “At SOFTSWISS, we’ve always prided ourselves on our agility and innovation. As we venture into new markets like Brazil and South Africa, it’s imperative that our leadership structure evolves to meet the unique challenges and opportunities these regions present. The introduction of roles such as the Chief Delivery Officer ensures that our delivery processes are not only maintained but continuously enhanced. This strategic shift is about more than just titles; it’s about positioning SOFTSWISS to deliver unparalleled value to our clients and partners worldwide.”
These leadership changes closely follow SOFTSWISS’ recent product and technology milestones. Notably, the company celebrated its first Sportsbook Network Jackpot win during the SiGMA Americas event in São Paulo, where a player claimed €80,294.89 – more than doubling the initial €35,000 prize pool. Additionally, SOFTSWISS’ Deputy CTO, Sergey Kastukevich, was honoured as CTO of the Year in EMEA at the 2025 Oracle Excellence Awards, recognising his strategic use of emerging technologies to advance the company’s objectives.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Enhances Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
NSoft and InnovaPlay Strengthen Sportsbook Offering with Strategic Partnership

NSoft, a leading provider of premium sportsbook solutions, has partnered with InnovaPlay, enhancing its sportsbook platform with the industry-leading NextGen Sportsbook. This strategic collaboration integrates NSoft’s innovative sportsbook technology seamlessly into InnovaPlay’s comprehensive white-label and full web solution, empowering sportsbook operators to reach new heights of performance and player engagement.
NextGen Sportsbook, known for its four main pillars – stability, unparalleled speed, multifeed integration, and dynamic player experience – is perfectly tailored to meet diverse betting market demands. It adapts effortlessly to various odds presentations, aligning with local and regional preferences, and stands out as the industry’s fastest sportsbook, generating standard offers in an exceptional 20 milliseconds.
Placing the player experience at its core, NextGen Sportsbook offers personalized and highly engaging betting interactions. Features such as individualized betting options, dynamic odds, custom bonuses, individual cashout capabilities, and tailored odds layouts significantly enhance player satisfaction, fostering loyalty and sustained engagement.
Operators benefit from NextGen’s powerful integration capabilities, which manage multiple betting feeds, including sports betting, esports, and horse or dog racing, in both pre-match and live scenarios. The advanced multifeed system ensures uninterrupted operations by seamlessly switching between providers as needed.
NSoft’s NextGen Sportsbook also boasts comprehensive player engagement tools such as Cash Out, Edit Bet, Bet Builder, and advanced betting stimulation products. Its multi-language and multi-currency functionalities allow operators to expand their reach globally. The sportsbook’s flexible bonus engine and dynamic trading options, including full automation, DIY, and hybrid franchise models, give operators complete control and flexibility. Additionally, its sophisticated AI personalization capabilities further elevate the betting experience by delivering personalized recommendations to each punter.
Shaun Grech, Technical Director at InnovaPlay, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “This strategic partnership with NSoft represents a game-changer for our sportsbook operators. By integrating NSoft’s award-winning sports betting engine and virtual sports products into our platform, we’re giving operators three key competitive advantages:
- Lightning-fast betting markets with the deepest liquidity pool in the industry
- Seamless cross-sell opportunities between casino and sportsbook verticals
- Full customization of odds, limits, and betting rules to match local market demands.
This is how modern sports betting platforms should perform – with surgical precision and total operator control.”
Drago Ćavar, Managing Director of Sportsbook Platform at NSoft, added: “Our collaboration with InnovaPlay underlines our commitment to providing sportsbook operators with groundbreaking technology that drives growth and player satisfaction. NextGen Sportsbook’s exceptional speed, versatility, and personalized betting experience make it an ideal solution for forward-thinking operators. We’re excited about the opportunities this partnership brings and confident it will set new industry standards.”
Through this collaboration, InnovaPlay and NSoft are poised to redefine excellence in sportsbook operations, positioning NextGen Sportsbook as the preferred choice for operators seeking advanced capabilities and unmatched player engagement.
The post NSoft and InnovaPlay Strengthen Sportsbook Offering with Strategic Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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