Central Europe

game’s industry barometer: the German games industry looks confidently to the new year

Published

5 years ago

December 11, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

• 7 in 10 games companies in Germany expect positive economic development for their own business operations over the next 12 months

• 45 per cent of games companies surveyed plan additional hires in the coming year

• Every third company has postponed projects or publications due to the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic notwithstanding, the vast majority of games companies in Germany are confident heading into 2021: 7 in 10 companies anticipate positive economic development for their own business operations in the coming 12 months. 1 in 5 companies (19 per cent) expects to maintain a steady course at its current level; just 1 in 10 companies (10 per cent) anticipates a business downturn. These are the results of game’s first industry barometer, based on a survey of association members, which were published today on the occasion of the general meeting of game – the German Games Industry Association. The confidence of the German games industry can also be seen in the area of personnel planning, with 45 per cent of the surveyed companies intending to hire new employees in the coming year and just 6 per cent anticipating having to make lay-offs. Overall, every second company expects to maintain steady personnel numbers.

‘Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the German games industry is looking towards the coming 12 months with great confidence: almost 1 in 2 companies even plans new hires,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Not even the numerous challenges posed by the pandemic – like frequent project delays, deferred investments or the search for additional sources of financing – are dampening the games industry’s great optimism about the future. And that’s exactly the right attitude when it comes to achieving our shared goal of moving Germany closer to the global leaders as a games location.’

A look at the current development among games companies in Germany explains this confidence. More than 1 in 4 companies surveyed (28 per cent) say they are coping with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic very well, while a further 67 per cent state that they are coping well. Just 5 per cent of companies say that they are currently coping rather poorly with the crisis. However, the Covid-19 pandemic is having significantly greater effects on games companies than might be expected based on the positive data at first glance. Every third company surveyed (33 per cent) has had to postpone projects or game publications because of the pandemic. In addition, almost 1 company in 5 (18 per cent) has deferred investments due to the pandemic. Furthermore, nearly one fifth of the companies surveyed (19 per cent) have been forced to seek other means of funding as a response to the pandemic.

Information on game’s industry barometer
The members of game – the German Games Industry Association are surveyed once a year for game’s industry barometer. Our 320-plus members include game developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers.

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

Habanero goes live on Favbet Romania

Published

1 week ago

May 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

Deal adds Habanero’s slots and table games to Favbet.ro as the supplier targets further growth in CEE regulated markets.

Habanero has gone live with Favbet Romania, rolling out its slots and table games portfolio on the operator’s locally focused platform in Romania’s regulated online market.

Under the agreement, Favbet Romania players gain access to Habanero’s full catalogue. The companies positioned the launch as part of Habanero’s wider push to add regulated operator partners across Central and Eastern Europe.

Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, said: “Favbet Romania is a well-respected brand in Europe and exactly the kind of partner we look to work with as we deepen our presence in the market. Romania players have a strong appetite for our content and we are confident our games will resonate well with their audience.

“Romania is an important market for us, and going live with this operator is another strong step in our continued European expansion across high-growth regulated markets.”

Cristian Sapovici, Head of Casino, Favbet Romania, said: “The collaboration between Favbet Romania and Habanero has been strong from the very beginning, and this co-branded collaboration agreement marks an important step in strengthening our strategic partnership.

“Our shared objective is to deliver a more integrated gaming experience for players in Romania, supported by consistent visibility, dedicated campaigns, and a stronger presence of Habanero content within the Favbet.ro ecosystem.”

Habanero said it is now live in 22 European regulated markets, and counts operators including Entain, Sisal and Betway among its partners.

The post Habanero goes live on Favbet Romania appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brightstar Global Solutions Corporation

Brightstar Lottery Signs 3-Year Contract Extension with TIPOS, Slovakia’s National Lottery

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

brightstar-lottery-signs-3-year-contract-extension-with-tipos,-slovakia’s-national-lottery

Brightstar Lottery PLC announced that its subsidiary, Brightstar Global Solutions Corporation, has signed a three-year contract extension with TIPOS, the government-owned lottery in Slovakia, to continue providing best-in-class lottery technology and lottery-related services.

TIPOS has been a valued Brightstar customer for more than 30 years. Under its most recent contract with TIPOS, signed in 2019 and which this agreement extends to 2032, Brightstar implemented in Slovakia a new lottery central system, next-generation retailer terminals, and related support services. Brightstar will further support TIPOS’ business expansion by delivering up to 2500 new mobile lottery terminals, handheld devices that provide lotteries expanded reach and enhanced convenience.

“Brightstar continues to deliver important services and innovative solutions to help us grow lottery in Slovakia. The success of our partnership funds a variety of good causes in Slovakia, including education and sports, and we are pleased to extend our agreement,” said Štefan Vyletel, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of TIPOS.

“We are honored that TIPOS has entrusted us to serve Slovakia’s lottery for three decades. The handheld terminals we are deploying will enable TIPOS to convert offline instant ticket sales activities to online sales at the individual ticket level, while expanding the number of points of sale locations that players can purchase draw-based lottery games. We remain firmly committed to providing TIPOS and its players with exciting and innovative lottery solutions to help drive funding for good causes in Slovakia,” said Marco Tasso, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer International and Italy Operations.

The post Brightstar Lottery Signs 3-Year Contract Extension with TIPOS, Slovakia’s National Lottery appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

Tipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel

Published

3 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.