Central Europe
Clear increase in the Covid-19 year: German games market grows by 32 per cent

The German games market set a new record in sales revenue during the Covid-19 year 2020: computer and video games and the related hardware generated approximately 8.5 billion euros in revenue, representing an increase of 32 per cent compared to the previous year. This information was announced today by game – the German Games Industry Association based on data from market research institutes GfK and App Annie. Sales revenue in 2020 saw considerable growth in the areas of both hardware and software, with games consoles, gaming PCs and peripherals achieving roughly 3.2 billion euros in sales. This equates to an increase of 26 per cent compared with 2019. The submarket for computer and video games saw even stronger growth, with revenues of 5.2 billion euros achieved through game purchases, in-game and in-app purchases, subscriptions and charges for online services. As a result, this part of the market managed to grow by 36 per cent compared to the previous year.
‘The unusually strong growth in the games market shows how important games were during the Covid-19 year 2020. They brought millions of people together, enabled players to explore new worlds despite the travel restrictions, supported home schooling or simply provided a welcome diversion amidst the pandemic,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘It wasn’t always possible to meet the strong demand for games consoles or gaming graphic cards, due to limited availability. Many German households upgraded their technical equipment at home during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, so they are now ready for the top games of the coming years.’
Growth across all market segments
All segments of the German games market managed to achieve growth in 2020. The strongest increase was posted in sales revenue for in-game and in-app purchases, which grew by 44 per cent within a single year, achieving total sales revenue of over 3.2 billion euros. Charges for online services also saw especially strong growth of 50 per cent to 692 million euros. This segment includes online services, subscriptions and cloud gaming services such as EA Play Pro, Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+. The sale of computer and video games generated more than 1.1 billion euros in revenue, an 11 per cent increase over 2019. Subscriptions to individual games, such as ‘World of Warcraft’ and ‘Final Fantasy XIV’, resulted in a 44 per cent increase in sales revenue. This market segment thus grew to 163 million euros.
About the market data
Please note: GfK has adjusted its definition of hardware designed for games, with the result that the market size comes out higher – also for the figures already reported last year for 2019.
The market data is based on statistics compiled by the GfK Consumer Panel and App Annie. The methods used by GfK to collect data on Germany’s video games market are unique in terms of both their quality and their global use. They include an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers who are representative of the German population as a whole regarding their video game purchasing and usage habits, as well as a retail panel. The data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.
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.
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Belatra
Belatra set to unearth ancient treasures at SiGMA Central Europe

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Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is thrilled to announce its participation at the SiGMA Central Europe Expo in Rome, Italy. The event is being held at the Fiera Roma from November 3rd to November 6th, providing Belatra with the perfect chance to showcase its latest legendary slots and front-line solutions.
Belatra’s beloved Mummy will be visiting Rome as the character continues to strike a chord with audiences worldwide. Its unique blend of humour, mystery, and quirky antics has transcended cultures. The character made its debut in 2022 for the release of Mummyland Treasures and has since grown into an extensive multiverse encompassing various formats, special features, and spin-offs, which form the core of our very own flagship game universe.
At SiGMA Central Europe, visitors to Belatra’s Booth #4071 will be able to immerse themselves at the heart of the Mummy Universe. There will be a themed experience that brings the magic and the mystery of our beloved multiverse to life. Special prizes are also on offer from the Mummy’s own treasure vault.
Kateryna Goi, Belatra CMO said: “SiGMA Europe provides the perfect platform to connect with existing and potential collaborators. Our team is more than ready to present custom solutions, our robust technical infrastructure, and game designs to ensure player involvement and operator success.”
The post Belatra set to unearth ancient treasures at SiGMA Central Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
Pamela Klockenbrink Becomes the New Managing Director of Merkur Casino

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Pamela Klockenbrink has become the new Managing Director of Merkur Casino GmbH. This subsidiary of the Merkur Group operates over 700 gaming venues in Germany and Europe. Pamela Klockenbrink succeeds Meik Sellenriek, who was appointed to the Executive Board of Merkur.com AG on January 1, 2025, and is now handing over his current management responsibilities to new hands. Together with Benjamin Bredenkamp, who will remain part of the management team, the 52-year-old will lead the company’s fortunes in the future.
With Pamela Klockenbrink, Merkur Casino is strengthening its leadership team from within its own ranks. The Bad Oeynhausen native began her career at Merkur in May 2015 as coordinator of national and international controlling at Merkur Casino. Most recently, Klockenbrink served for almost ten years as Head of Controlling at the Merkur subsidiary. Before joining the group, she shaped the finance and accounting departments of international corporations in various management positions, leading projects in the areas of international accounting and international taxation, among others.
Meik Sellenriek, Executive Board Member for Merkur Operations at Merkur.com AG, said: “We are delighted to have recruited Pamela Klockenbrink as our new Managing Director. Thanks to her many years of service with the company, she has a considerable repertoire of in-depth industry knowledge. This diverse experience will form the foundation for successfully developing Merkur Casino and leading it into a promising future.”
Pamela Klockenbrink said: “I greatly appreciate the trust placed in me by being appointed to the management team. My goal is to play a key role in shaping and further driving the successful development of Merkur Casino GmbH together with my colleague Benjamin Bredenkamp and our dedicated team.”
The post Pamela Klockenbrink Becomes the New Managing Director of Merkur Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
booth 5028-2
Redefine the Rules: GR8 Tech’s Heavyweight Rulebook Lands at SiGMA Central Europe 2025

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GR8 Tech is stepping into SiGMA Central Europe 2025 with a new playbook for iGaming leadership: The Heavyweight Rulebook. Built on the code of champions, the Rulebook defines the discipline, consistency, and relentless drive it takes to dominate the toughest arenas in iGaming. To create it, GR8 Tech gathered insights directly from iGaming’s top performers—the industry’s real heavyweights—turning their winning principles into a set of Champions’ Rules.
From November 3–6 in Rome, operators will find GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2, ready to share the rules and the technology that makes champions.
The Champion’s Rules: Heavyweight Results, Proven Standards
Attendees will see Heavyweight rules in action through demos, experiences, and conversations designed for operators who refuse to settle for average. Every Champion’s Rule translates into measurable business results with GR8 Tech.
- Champions don’t wait. They launch first, and it shows: ULTIM8 Sportsbook can go live in as little as 7 days via iFrame integration.
- Technology is the champion’s armor. Strong tools deliver strong results: +30% engagement uplift powered by AI-driven personalization, +50% GGR uplift with advanced sportsbook features and cross-vertical engagement tools.
- Success belongs to the consistent. Resilience is built in with 99.99% uptime across global markets and the biggest world events, ensuring performance under pressure.
- Partnership multiplies strength. With a revenue-share alignment model, GR8 Tech’s success is directly tied to that of its clients.
“In an industry as volatile as ours, no one wins alone. Champions don’t let one crisis consume everything—they keep moving, adapting, and performing under pressure. At GR8 Tech, we see partnership as the ultimate rule of the game: it multiplies strength, resilience, and results. That’s how real champions are made and that’s exactly what we’re bringing to SiGMA this year,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech.
ULTIM8 Sportsbook: Two Paths to Victory
At the center of GR8 Tech’s SiGMA Central Europe showcase is the ULTIM8 Sportsbook, a high-performance solution designed to help operators rule new markets and dominate existing ones. In Rome, attendees will see the dual power of its integration modes:
- iFrame — For lightning-fast launches with customizable branding. Get to market in days without compromising speed or margin.
- API — A new addition for operators who want to build their own champion’s frontend. Unlock maximum flexibility with GR8 Tech’s rock-solid trading, risk, and data systems.
No matter the path, the result is the same: precision, performance, and profitability at scale.
The next chapter of iGaming is written by champions who play by the Rulebook.
Meet GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2, SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, November 3–6. Discover how the Heavyweight Rulebook can help you scale, localize, and dominate with confidence—and add your own Champion’s mark to the hall of fame.
The post Redefine the Rules: GR8 Tech’s Heavyweight Rulebook Lands at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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