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AGHANIM RESEARCH GAUGES DMA AWARENESS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER DISTRIBUTION

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2024

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.

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Latest News

Vegangster’s Hubster AI Enables Brands to Launch Without a Single Support Ticket

Published

7 minutes ago

February 26, 2026

Master Editor

Vegangster has introduced Hubster AI, a built-in conversational assistant designed to simplify platform setup and daily operations for operators. The tool allows clients to ask practical questions about platform features and receive instant, structured, step-by-step guidance.

Unlike traditional support models that rely on account manager availability and ticket queues, Hubster AI operates 24/7 and supports all major languages. Operators can configure features, adjust settings, and navigate workflows independently without waiting for working hours.

Hubster AI provides detailed operational guidance across the entire platform, including:

Player Account Management
Bonus and promotion setup
Game and lobby management
CRM workflows
CMS and content updates
Reporting and analytics

Each response delivers clear instructions and, where relevant, direct access to pre-recorded video walkthroughs demonstrating the exact process.

Several brands have already completed onboarding and platform configuration without submitting setup tickets, relying entirely on Hubster AI for operational guidance.

“My idea is to make complex things simple,” said Tatjana Danevica, Product Operations Specialist at Vegangster. “Operators should not deeply need technical expertise or constant support interaction to launch and manage a brand. Hubster AI turns platform knowledge into an always-available guide, removing friction and allowing teams to move.”

Hubster AI forms part of Vegangster’s broader strategy to eliminate the skill barrier in iGaming by turning complex platform knowledge into instant, practical guidance operators can use in real time.

About Vegangster

Vegangster provides a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, scalability, and operator control. Its turnkey and white-label solutions integrate casino content, payments, CRM, compliance, and engagement tools into a single mobile-first system.

Press Contact
Romans Kozlovskis
[email protected]

ELA Games

ELA Games Powers the Reels with Retro-Electric Slot “Rapid Wild”

Published

9 minutes ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-powers-the-reels-with-retro-electric-slot-“rapid-wild”

The studio’s newest high-volatility game fuses traditional casino visuals with fiery multipliers, sticky wilds, and an increasing jackpot.

ELA Games has officially launched its latest slot, Rapid Wild. This neon-filled title immerses players in the core of a high-stakes competition, merging classic arcade visuals with a frantic energy to the gameplay.

A Charged Vintage Slot

Though ELA Games has built a unique identity with immersive worlds and character-driven narratives, Rapid Wild seeks to demonstrate the team’s adaptability and provide players with unparalleled slot excitement. Bathed in a radiant violet light, the game features a smooth, retro design. Gold bars, fortunate dice, and blazing jackpots throb across the 5×3 grid, forming an energetic atmosphere for gamers who enjoy arcade-style thrills with a stronger impact.

At the core of Rapid Wild lies a quest to seek out the Crazy Hot symbols. The process is simple yet fulfilling: the greater the number of symbols that appear on the reels, the larger the jackpot grows. Competitors who can endure the pressure and effectively complete the board will seize the grand reward before the flames diminish.

Explosive No-Cost Games and Turbocharged Wilds

The classic slot experience is enhanced with a genuine array of features. Landing Scatters activates the bonus round, granting 8, 16, or 25 Free Games based on the count of triggering symbols. Amidst these rotations, the genuine strength of the Wilds is revealed:

● Multiplier Wilds: Wilds that double (x2) and triple (x3) enhance the reels to boost winnings.

● Sticky Wilds: These icons adhere to the grid for two extra spins, securing your fortune.

Game Statistics:

● Spools: 5×3

● Winning Lines: 10

● RTP: 94.08% / 96.00%

● Volatility: Elevated (4/5)

● Maximum Win: x5,000 (€250,000)

The post ELA Games Powers the Reels with Retro-Electric Slot “Rapid Wild” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bet It Drives

CoinsPaid CEO Max Krupyshev on Bet It Drives: Crypto Secrets and Why “Zero Risk” Is the Fastest Way to Lose a Deal

Published

9 minutes ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

coinspaid-ceo-max-krupyshev-on-bet-it-drives:-crypto-secrets-and-why-“zero-risk”-is-the-fastest-way-to-lose-a-deal

Max Krupyshev has been in crypto since 2013—long before it was “the usual.” In Bet It Drives podcast Season 4, Episode 3, the CoinsPaid and CryptoProcessing.com CEO joins host Yevhen Krazhan in Barcelona to explain why trust and controls decide who scales.

“Crypto was never anonymous—that was a misconception,” Max Krupyshev says in the podcast.

From there, he breaks down how the industry matured, why mass adoption is inevitable, and why the biggest risks today aren’t what most people think they are.

During the episode, Max digs into:

Is crypto still associated with money laundering?
Can crypto transactions still be completely anonymous?
The most common crypto fraud patterns in B2B
How to win big deals in business (and the fastest way to lose one)
What he dislikes in iGaming + crypto, and what the industry needs to fix next
The 8-Bitcoin story: what he spent it on, and why he doesn’t regret it
His most remarkable iGaming partnership, and why it mattered
Where crypto will be in 10 years, and what happens to cash along the way

Alongside the industry discussion, Episode 3 brings back Confess or Call, when Max is pushed into a dramatic prank call: ringing his Head of Sales with an “urgent” request.

“This episode is practical,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech and host of Bet It Drives. “Max explains the risks, how fraud happens in practice, and what operators should look for in a payment provider. If you handle payments in iGaming, this episode lays out what matters, and what doesn’t.”

Season 4 opened with a CEO episode with Cedomir Tomic (Founder of Alea) and Oleksandr Feshchenko (CEO of GR8 Tech), followed by Akhil Sarin on marketing and partnerships at Stake. Episode 3 is aimed at operators, affiliates, and product teams who want to understand crypto beyond the obvious. Episode 4 features Marek Suchar breaking down esports betting.

Watch or listen to Season 4, Episode 3 with Max Krupyshev on:

The post CoinsPaid CEO Max Krupyshev on Bet It Drives: Crypto Secrets and Why “Zero Risk” Is the Fastest Way to Lose a Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.