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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.
content-supplier
ELA Games reports 201.9% betting volume jump in Greece over two quarters
ELA Games says it has delivered triple-digit growth in Greece over the last two quarters, reporting an 86.30% increase in active users, a 77.20% rise in turnover, and a 201.90% surge in overall bet counts.
The supplier attributed the results to aligning its content with local player preferences and said its Greece performance has been driven by certified titles focused on visual design and “narrative-led experiences.”
ELA Games named Piñatas Festival, Riches Express, and Flame Fruits Frenzy as its top-three performing titles in Greece during the period.
The company also linked the performance to a new strategic partnership with Fonbet in Greece. ELA Games said the integration creates an exclusive hub for its content and expands access to its catalogue for local players.
Yaroslav Soloshenko, Business Development Team Lead at ELA Games, said: “When we look at the numbers, it is satisfying to see that our regional strategy is paying off in such a big way. We spend a lot of time analyzing what players in specific markets want to see. Our unique design philosophy combined with that regional focus has resulted in proven commercial success across our main European markets, and Greece is a perfect example of that in action.”
The post ELA Games reports 201.9% betting volume jump in Greece over two quarters appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
efl-championship
Midnite signs Middlesbrough shirt deal, renews Sheffield United sponsorship
Midnite has agreed a principal partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will put the bookmaker on the club’s front of shirt for the 2026/27 season. The brand will also continue as principal partner of Sheffield United FC for a second consecutive year, also including front-of-shirt sponsorship.
Midnite said the Middlesbrough agreement will run during the club’s 150th season and will include a supporter-facing activation called “This Season’s On Us”. The company said the initiative will offer prizes including men’s or women’s season tickets, 2026/27 home and away shirts, hospitality tickets and a £25 club shop voucher, with participation described as first-come-first-served via trivia and football challenges.
For Sheffield United, Midnite is launching a new matchday promotion called 2UP. Midnite said if Sheffield United go two goals up in a home league match, “one lucky fan will win the 2UP prize pot”. The Sheffield United 2UP prize fund will start at £10,000 when the season begins in August, with £1,000 added for every home league fixture, according to the company.
Andrew Mook, Midnite‘s Head of Brand Marketing, said:
“The Championship is one of the most viewed football leagues in the world, with some iconic and historical names from English football competing in it. We are looking forward to being a part of the action by partnering with two of the league’s biggest clubs in what should be another thrilling season.
“Middlesbrough are a club with a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.
“We are also delighted to be Sheffield United’s principal partner for a second consecutive season after a really exciting first year. We’ll be looking to create even more memorable fan experiences in the upcoming season.”
Midnite said the 2UP campaign will run across all of its Midnite-sponsored Championship clubs and referenced a separate front-of-shirt deal announced last month with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The company also highlighted other UK sports marketing activity, including a renewed sponsorship with the World Snooker Tour for the World Snooker Championship and a UK betting and casino partner designation for the 2026 Johnstone’s Paint Masters.
The post Midnite signs Middlesbrough shirt deal, renews Sheffield United sponsorship appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gaming Realms
Gaming Realms signs SIS licensing deal to build Slingo 49’s game
Gaming Realms has signed a licensing agreement with SIS to develop a Slingo title based on SIS’s fixed-odds live numbers draw product, 49’s. The companies announced the deal on 2nd July 2026.
The agreement marks the first time SIS has licensed IP from its numbers portfolio, according to the companies. A Slingo version is scheduled to launch in July 2026, incorporating 49’s branding, theme tune and live presenters within the game.
Gaming Realms said the game will use its Slingo mechanic, with players spinning a reel to match numbers on a board and progress up a “Slingo ladder” for increasing prizes. Slingo 49’s will be distributed to Gaming Realms’ global operator partners, with the companies highlighting the strongest appeal in the UK and Africa.
Gareth Scott, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Realms, said: “Partnering with SIS to bring the iconic 49’s and Slingo together is a fascinating collaboration. The 49’s live draw is an adjacent gaming vertical and one of the most popular numbers products internationally, with a loyal following built over decades.
Jess Mills, Head of 49’s at SIS, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Gaming Realms to bring 49’s to life in a completely new format. The 49’s live draws have an extraordinary heritage and a passionate, global fanbase, so the decision to license our IP was not one we took lightly. Gaming Realms’ track record with Slingo gave us every confidence that this was the right partnership to make that step.
“Slingo is the ideal vehicle to introduce 49’s to a new player vertical, while keeping the authenticity that existing fans love at the heart of the experience.”
The post Gaming Realms signs SIS licensing deal to build Slingo 49’s game appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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