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Gaming > Groceries: Kwalee beats Tesco, Deliveroo and more in UK app publisher rankings

Published

5 years ago

February 16, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Kwalee is the UK’s most successful private mobile app publisher – ahead of Deliveroo, Tesco, ITV, BT and all gaming competitors – according to App Annie download rankings

Kwalee apps are the top downloaded of any UK-headquartered mobile games publisher, according to the 2021 Top Publisher Rankings published by leading app analytics firm App Annie.

In a top ten ranking of UK-based app publishers based on overall downloads achieved across both the App Store and Google Play in 2020, Kwalee came out as the country’s top mobile games publisher – and far out in front as one of only two gaming companies to appear in the top ten.

Even more impressively, Kwalee actually ranked as the UK’s top private app publisher in all categories, only beaten by the state broadcaster BBC and the National Health Service whose apps include the country’s official COVID-19 contact tracing app.

With its portfolio of free-to-play hyper-casual mobile games, which in late 2020 surpassed the half a billion downloads milestone, Kwalee ranks more highly for downloads than major competitors such as Deliveroo, supermarket chain Tesco and the television broadcaster ITV.

Throughout 2020, Kwalee launched a number of varied hits including Let’s Be Cops 3D (13 million downloads), Teacher Simulator (7.5 million), Bake It (42 million) and Line Up: Draw the Criminal (18 million).

Founded by games industry legend David Darling CBE back in 2011, Kwalee has established itself as a major player in the vibrant UK games industry and employs more than 100 people. The bulk of these are based (under normal circumstances) at Kwalee’s Leamington Spa headquarters, but 2020 saw the firm expand globally with growing teams in Bangalore and Beijing, and even several fully remote positions. Darling has a considerable track record in building successful games companies, having previously co-founded and led Codemasters which was recently acquired by EA for $1.2 billion.

“So proud of the team – Kwalee is bigger than Tesco and ITV! Our outlook is truly global and we strive daily to reach hundreds of millions of players around the world,” said David Darling CBE, Kwalee’s CEO. “It’s an honour to be able to say that we are doing this more effectively than any other UK-based app publisher, not just in the gaming space but across all categories in the private sector.”

“We will continue to work globally, both in terms of the audiences we reach and as we continue to establish our growing teams in India and China, but we are proud to be achieving this as a UK-based company and a member of Britain’s brilliant games industry.”

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

4 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

4 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech wins AGCO supplier licence to enter Ontario market

Published

4 hours ago

July 15, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

thrilltech-wins-agco-supplier-licence-to-enter-ontario-market

ThrillTech said it has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to offer its side-bet jackpot technology to regulated online casino, sports betting, and lottery operators in Ontario.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its ThrillPots product lets operators add player-funded, opt-in side-bet jackpots on top of existing games, without changing gameplay or the underlying return-to-player (RTP) calculations. ThrillTech positions the mechanic as a way to drive incremental engagement and revenue.

ThrillTech said the Ontario licence enables existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to roll out ThrillTech-powered jackpots locally, and added it is in discussions with potential new operator partners. The company listed other regulated jurisdictions it serves as the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil, and Peru.

The post ThrillTech wins AGCO supplier licence to enter Ontario market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.