Latest News
AGHANIM RESEARCH GAUGES DMA AWARENESS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER DISTRIBUTION
Aghanim, a mobile gaming fintech company founded by the former CEO and CTO of Xsolla, today reveals fascinating new research among mobile game developers relating to the recently launched Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The research is based on interviews with 300 mobile game developers across the US, UK and Germany in the weeks leading up to the introduction of the Act. The new European Union legislation aims to ensure a higher degree of fairness and competition in European digital markets and designates a number of major tech corporations including Apple and Alphabet (Google) as “gatekeepers”.
The key findings of the study shows:
- 62% of mobile game developers are aware of the Digital Markets Act
- 82% have at least some understanding of how it will impact their business. Almost a fifth (19%) feel they have a complete understanding of the DMA’s impact
- 31% of mobile game developers feel they will have more freedom under the DMA, though just 9% are confident they’ll be able to keep more of their revenue
- Only 13% have ruled out making changes to their payment processes. A third (33%) have begun implementing them
- Awareness of the DMA is highest in Germany (70%), followed by the UK (68%). Less than half (47%) of US developers are aware of the legislation. While the DMA is a European framework, it applies to US developers operating in the EU
Constantin Andry, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Aghanim, commented: “This data shows that there’s an appetite for change among game developers. Yes, the platform holders instigated the $92 billion mobile games industry, but we need to be asking why game developers – the people who make the games – now only see about 10% of this. With direct-to-consumer distribution, there’s an opportunity to ensure a further $18 billion of annualized value remains within the video games industry, with game creators, which will help soften many ongoing issues including layoffs. Otherwise, the business of making mobile games could soon become unviable.”
Konstantin Golubitsky, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Aghanim, added: “The opportunity for game developers is to create a web-based game hub for their titles which provides added value for their most engaged and valuable users, keeping them coming back regularly. Ultimately, players spend where they see the most value, and our goal is to help developers provide them with the greatest value at the lowest cost.”
A key promise of the Digital Markets Act is to provide fairer competition and greater choice to gamers and game studios. However, Apple’s latest business terms introduced a Core Technology Fee which, for many game developers, cancels out the potential benefits of third-party distribution. Despite the game developers being surveyed before the introduction of the Core Technology fee, just 40% said Apple is a positive force for the games industry. 39% were neutral, while 21% felt Apple was having a negative impact. Since the introduction of App Tracking Transparency in 2021, game developers have increasingly explored direct-to-consumer platforms such as browser stores to supplement on-platform monetization with lower-fee options.
An online survey was conducted on behalf of Aghanim by Atomik Research among 305 mobile game developers in the UK (101), Germany (103), and the USA (101). The research fieldwork took place between 18-22 February 2024. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides by MRS code.
Latest News
QTech Games adds UU Slots content in new supplier deal
Partnership integrates UU Slots’ e-Games and slots catalogue into QTech’s aggregation platform for operator customers.
QTech Games has signed a new content partnership with UU Slots, adding the supplier’s slots and e-Games catalogue to QTech’s aggregation platform for its operator customers.
QTech said the integration brings titles including Bonanza Wilds Party, Golden Aztec Multiways, Ultimate Ace, Bolt of Olympus and the Mahjong Wilds series to its platform distribution.
UU Slots’ Board of Directors commented: “QTech is a natural habitat for our superior digital content. We are widening our scope across developing regions and their market-leading platform provides a flexible gateway to some previously overlooked regions.
“Operators are invited to take a dive deep into UU Slots’ vast ocean of slot games. Tailored for enthusiasts, our mobile slot game collection offers unparalleled gaming experiences, and we can’t wait to see how these titles now perform outside of our home territories.”
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “It’s another welcome validation of our platform’s diversity to have integrated more premium content from UU Slots. They’re a dynamic supplier that offers some exciting localised games, which have long reigned supreme in Eastern markets. With their flagship features and adrenaline-packed gameplay, we’re now confident of taking this portfolio into new markets, continuing to raise the bar and shape a fresh experience for global players who, in many cases, will be new to the immersive worlds of UU Slots.”
The post QTech Games adds UU Slots content in new supplier deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
Private London Forum Connecting iGaming Leaders, Investors and Advisers on Growth and M&A
London’s status as a key global financial centre will serve as the backdrop to the launch of the industry’s first World Gaming M&A Summit (WGM&A). Taking place on 1 July and serving as the curtain raiser to iGB L!VE, the WGM&A represents the only dedicated forum for corporate development officers and M&A advisors working in iGaming.
The WorldGaming M&A Summit brings a dedicated focus on mergers and acquisitions in iGaming. Convening leadership from public and private operators alongside sector-focused investment banks, legal advisers and corporate finance specialists, attendees will benefit from a highly targeted opportunity to engage with key decision-makers, originate deal flow, assess strategic fit and gain insights from active market participants.
The event provides direct access to London’s deep sector expertise built over decades of transactions and its unparalleled ecosystem of strategic acquirers, potential targets, leading advisory firms and business leaders across the M&A value chain.
Industry expert and WorldGaming chairman Michael Caselli stated: “M&A is a business imperative in the current iGaming landscape and this event features insights from sector-specialist advisers and industry leaders including Morgan Stanley’s Laurence Hopkins and Paolo Della Rovere, and Bally’s Robeson Reeves.
“Also featuring strategic intent sessions, industry leaders will host round tables to explain their growth theses, define their M&A criteria and share their business’ vision for consolidation and growth. Following the sessions attendees are invited to the M&A Summit cocktail reception and dinner where conversations will continue and deals will be cemented.”
Explaining the background to the Tier 1 event, World Gaming managing director Stuart Hunter said: “Legislative and fiscal developments, including the increase in UK gaming taxes which were announced by the government in the November 2025 budget, evolving European regulations and wider global legislative adjustments, have prompted the introduction of the World Gaming M&A Summit.
“The WGM&A is part of a broader programme of business-critical events taking place at iGB L!VE. With so many investors and decision makers based in London, iGB L!VE is closer to the people who are critical to the future development of the iGaming industry.”
In order to maintain a focused, high-level attendance, the WorldGaming M&A Summit is limiting its attendance and tickets are by application only. Applicants should be actively seeking strategic partnerships or be an experienced adviser in the sector. Applications are being accepted at igblive.com/igb-live-ma-summit.
The post Private London Forum Connecting iGaming Leaders, Investors and Advisers on Growth and M&A appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
asia-pacific
Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026
Groove has been named a finalist for Best Aggregator 2026 at the SiGMA Asia Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for 2 June 2026 at the SMX Convention Centre Manila during the SiGMA Asia Summit.
The shortlist was announced by Global Gaming Insider, according to the company. Groove said its platform aggregates more than 15,000 games from over 150 providers via a single API.
Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, said: “This shortlist is external recognition of a truth we already feel internally: Groove is moving at a different pace. Asia is not a single market, it is a collection of distinct regulatory environments, player behaviours, and partnership opportunities”
Campo added: “Our platform is built to respect that complexity, not smooth it over. Being named a finalist for Best Aggregator tells us that our approach; deep integration, localised content strategies, and commercial precision; is resonating with the operators who matter most in this region. We are not just bringing games to Asia. We are bringing a roadmap for sustainable growth.”
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “The aggregation space is crowded. Differentiation is everything. This nomination confirms that our vision, transforming aggregation from a commodity into a strategic growth discipline, is taking hold.” He added: “Operators across Asia are no longer asking for just volume or speed. They are asking for structural resilience, data intelligence, and a partner who can execute across fragmented regulatory landscapes with precision. Groove delivers that. To be recognised alongside the best in Asia is a privilege, but the real work continues in Manila and beyond. We are here to win, not just awards, but the trust of the operators who build their businesses on our platform.”
The post Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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