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28% of casual game installs from non-gaming publishers come from utility apps, Liftoff’s Casual Gaming Apps Report reveals

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Liftoff, the leading provider of marketing, monetization, and creative solutions for the mobile industry, and Singular, the end-to-end marketing attribution and analytics platform, today released their 2025 Casual Gaming Apps Report. The report, based on combined Liftoff and Singular data from February 2024 to February 2025, which includes 1.4 trillion ad impressions, 63 billion clicks, 2.5 billion installs, and $11.9 billion in ad spend, reveals that utility and entertainment apps drive the majority of non-gaming app installs for casual games.

Ads in utility and productivity apps account for 28% of non-gaming app installs for casual games, while 25% come from entertainment apps. Photo and social media apps also play an important role in converting users to casual gaming, accounting for a combined 25%.

Liftoff and Singular’s Casual Gaming Apps Report covers three main topics: an annual breakdown of benchmarks for advertising costs and revenue, the mobile game genres and subgenres driving the most installs, and the latest trends shaking up the casual gaming market.

Key findings from the report include:

Utility apps drive the most installs as advertisers look outside of gaming audiences

As the consumer app market share grows, more downloads come from outside the mobile game ecosystem, with utility apps being the main driver. In the sample, over half of the casual game installs from non-gaming apps are from utility and productivity apps (28%) and entertainment apps (25%). Photo apps and social media apps are similarly impactful, driving a combined 25% of installs from non-gaming apps, while health and fitness apps contribute the least at just 4%.

Hypercasual and hybrid puzzles revenue grows 240%

Following the success of apps like Twisted Tangle, Hexa Sort, and Block Jam 3D, games with simple yet addictive puzzle mechanics have captured the attention of casual game audiences. GameRefinery data reveals a huge increase in the US market share of these games within the top 500 grossing iOS titles, with market share surging collectively from $4.12 million in Q4 2023 to $13.99 million by Q4 2024. 

Mobile game CPIs are 907% higher on iOS

From February 2024 to February 2025, the average cost per install (CPI) for casual games was $1.41 on iOS and $0.14 on Android. In contrast, strategy, RPG, and tabletop games exhibited a higher CPI on both platforms, likely due to their niche audiences. While CPI is lower on Android, iOS still delivers more than 2x D30 ROAS on most game genres.

Minigame events are on the rise in top-grossing titles

Events are an essential element of strategy for casual gaming apps, and nearly all event types saw higher adoption rates in 2024. Minigame events, in particular, continued to grow between Q1 and Q4 2024, increasing by 31%. ‘Thinking’ minigames that feature varied mechanics saw the highest adoption rates. The minigames gaining the most popularity include digging, physics-based, and board game-inspired minigames. Other growing trends include co-op partner missions, seasonal albums, and win-streak events.

Match 3 games are making a comeback

After a long period of market saturation dominated by existing giants in the genre, Match 3 games are showing signs of a revival. New releases like Royal Kingdom and Truck Star have consistently ranked among the category’s highest-grossing games in 2024.

“As always, mobile games advertising is the most competitive marketing challenge on the planet. CTR for casual games is significantly higher than most genres, which is a big positive: you get a chance to make your case. What you do with that opportunity, of course, is up to you.” John Koetsier, VP of Insights, Singular 

“Casual gaming is a competitive market, but there’s plenty of growth potential for games willing to experiment and innovate. We’ve seen top games, including new releases and seasoned winners, rapidly scale their revenue by investing more in their live event strategies and monetization models. Finding what works is a process of trial and error, but having a partner with the newest insights into revenue drivers can make a huge difference.” Brendan Fraher, General Manager, GameRefinery

The post 28% of casual game installs from non-gaming publishers come from utility apps, Liftoff’s Casual Gaming Apps Report reveals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Slotland Celebrates 27 Years of iGaming Innovation with New Games and Birthday Promotions

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Slotland, a pioneer in the online casino industry, is marking its incredible 27th anniversary this October by giving back to its players. The milestone celebration includes the launch of three exciting new games and the introduction of free spins bonuses, and generous promotions for both new and loyal VIP players.

Since 1998, Slotland has been at the forefront of online gaming, and this birthday celebration is a testament to its enduring commitment to player satisfaction and innovation. The centerpiece of the anniversary is the launch of three high-quality slot games: Arcane Treasure, Safari Sunsets, and Spartan Conquest. Each game offers unique themes, engaging bonus features, and the classic gameplay Slotland players love.

Reflecting on this significant milestone, Slotland Manager Michael Hilary shared: “Reaching our 27th birthday is a monumental achievement, and it’s been a long journey. From the early days of pixel reels on bulky CRT monitors and feature phones to once popular flash-based games, we’ve evolved through every era of digital gaming. Today, we’re proud to deliver sleek, mobile-friendly games that our players can enjoy anywhere, anytime. This anniversary is a celebration of our entire community who has been with us along the way.”

A New Era of Bonuses: Introducing Free Spins

In a major update, Slotland is excited to introduce Free Spins as a new bonus type for players. The first-ever free spins promotion kicks off mid-October, giving the community a new way to win.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAY PROMOTIONS:

  • Birthday Free Chip: 
    • Valid: to all players until October 13, 2025
    • $45 VIP Free Chip / $23 for all players
    • Wager: 29x | Redeem: 1x | Max Cashout: 5x
    • Valid on: Arcane Treasure, Safari Sunsets, Spartan Conquest
    • Redeem Code: BDAYCHIP
  • 125% MATCH:
    • Valid: to all players until October 13, 2025
    • On deposits $25 – $600
    • Wager: 28x | Redeem: 3x per day
    • Valid on: All games released since 26th birthday, including three new slots
    • Redeem CodeNEWSLOTS
  • Birthday FREE SPINS: Celebrate 27 years with 27 free spins!
    • Valid: October 15-26, 2025
    • 27 Free Spins
    • Wager: 27x | Redeem: 1x | Max Cashout: $100
    • Valid on: High Life
    • Redeem Code: BDAYSPINS

Exclusive VIP October Weekend Bonuses

Loyal VIP members are treated to special bonuses every Saturday and Sunday throughout October:

  • Up to $151 FREE CHIP for Gold VIPs / $101 for Silver / $51 for Bronze
  • Up to 225% MATCH BONUS for Gold VIPs / 185% for Silver / 125% for Bronze
    • Valid on deposits from $5 – $500*
    • All bonus codes and full promotion details are available on the Slotland promotions page

A Spooky Tease for Halloween

The birthday festivities are just the beginning. Slotland is gearing up for Halloween with a new, spine-tingling horror-themed slot game, set to be released in late October. Players should prepare for a chillingly good time.

The post Slotland Celebrates 27 Years of iGaming Innovation with New Games and Birthday Promotions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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23red and GamCare unveil New Campaign which Brings the Hidden Feelings of Gambling Harm to Life

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Purpose-led creative agency 23red, part of CapGemini and UK charity GamCare have launched a new year-round digital campaign designed to help people recognise the often-invisible feelings associated with gambling harms and encourage people to seek support sooner, as needed.

Running across multiple digital platforms, the adverts target men aged 18–44 and people affected by the gambling of their loved ones, who are often women, and who often play a central role in family wellbeing, to take that first step to seeking support.

The campaign includes 30-, 15- and 6-second creatives in standard formats, with a major burst planned for the New Year, one of the busiest times of year in terms of people contacting the Helpline.

At its heart is a striking new 30-second film that uses metaphorical visual storytelling to bring to life the intense emotions people can experience when gambling takes control—feelings of being stuck, feeling trapped and a sense of being tied in knots by gambling.

Tristan Cavanagh, Creative Director at 23red comments: “Unhealthy gambling habits are often hidden in plain sight. We set out to create something people who are experiencing gambling harms instantly recognise and feel rather than just watch, with visuals that mirror the quiet chaos inside someone’s head. Our aim was to cut through the usual tropes and deliver a piece that resonates emotionally, prompting conversations before harm escalates”.

Victoria Corbishley, Chief Executive Officer at GamCare comments: “Our new creative visualises the inner turmoil that people experiencing gambling harms can feel. It’s a fresh approach that we hope helps people in need, whether they gamble themselves or care about someone who does. We hope they will see those signs and reach out sooner for support.”

The new GamCare campaign underscores that gambling harm doesn’t always look how you expect. It can affect colleagues, partners, friends, or family members who seem “on top of it,” and it can escalate quietly until it touches every part of life.

GamCare’s services are free and confidential, non-judgemental help is available 24/7, 365 days a year from trained advisers.

The post 23red and GamCare unveil New Campaign which Brings the Hidden Feelings of Gambling Harm to Life appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Boomerang Partners merges creativity and marketing at SBC Summit Lisbon: Nick Chichagov on the vision behind the performance

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The September SBC Summit in Lisbon was one of the most notable events for Boomerang Partners. The affiliate gambling & betting marketing agency presented its client portfolio and won two prestigious SBC Awards: ‘Social Media Campaign of the Year’ and ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator).

The company’s booth became a central hub for exhibition attendees, with over 1,500 people visiting it. They were able to learn about the new sports traffic tournament, the Golden Boomerang League and took part in a raffle for sports memorabilia from Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury, and Fernando Alonso. One of the most impressive activities at the Boomerang Partners booth were unique live artist performances. In doing so, the company effectively married marketing and art for the first time at the iGaming event. These quaint performances have all the potential to become a new trend in the industry.

The creative producer and director of the Boomerang Effect performances at the Boomerang Partners booth was Nick Chichagov. In an interview, he discussed the origin of the project’s idea, the essence of the performances, and where he draws inspiration from.

1 How did the idea for this performance come about? Did something unusual inspire you to create something so out of the box?

When I start working on a performance, I always look for an initial hook. Here, it was the crowd. Inspired by photographers like Alexey Titarenko and his City of Shadows series, I explored the idea of people as ghostlike figures without identity. Later, references to René Magritte’s Son of Man helped sharpen the concept.

Music also guided me — a line from a Tool song, “to bring the pieces back together, rediscover communication,” became a key reference point. Contemporary dance emerged as the ideal form. I wanted to include a simple yet powerful moment where two people just stand and look at each other. Step by step, the puzzle came together.

2 If you had to describe this performance in a few words, what would they be?

For me personally, it is about uniting, immersing into communication, and becoming one – transitioning from disparate parts into a single, cohesive whole. The entire performance is a metaphor for separate atoms, individual people, and distinct fragments ultimately uniting as one under the company’s brand.

3 Tell us about the concept behind the production — what was the main idea or message for you?

The concept of the performance was that six agents of Boomerang Partners  – each with their own character, state of mind, and attitude toward themselves, others, and the audience –  venture out into the crowd. Their mission is to study communication, understand themselves, and bring meaning to people, guiding them to a place they’ve been waiting for under the Boomerang Partners brand, which helps people realize their potential.

During the main performance, the artists showcase the company’s themes – boxing, racing, football – through movement and dance. At the end, their gray masks are removed to reveal vibrant, individual identities, still tied to the brand. The core message: people often feel lost, but Boomerang Partners shows them the right path through its lens.

4 What were the most interesting or challenging moments during the rehearsal process? Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories from the preparation?

The most interesting part was the entire process of working with the team. As a director, I found it interesting to give the performers some creative space. For instance, each performer had their own character, and I provided them with a list of 10 traits to define it. Within that framework, they also invented different emotional states and variations.

The work was challenging, though. The third act was particularly difficult because we built its final choreography piece by piece. All the references we found were entirely off the mark. We didn’t want to just literally depict a sport; we wanted to convey it through imagery.

This is how we built the first act: the artists study themselves and their characters. Then, they interact with each other in the second act. Finally, the third act is where the artists unite into a single whole, representing the company’s diverse directions, and they rip off their masks to reveal the vibrant individuality that blossomed under the brand’s auspices.

5 Were there any funny or unexpected stories while working on the performance?

I wouldn’t say there were any truly unexpected moments in terms of the performance’s preparation. But there were certainly funny ones. For instance, when we were trying to incorporate football, racing, or boxing into the performance, we’d choreograph and plan how to best execute it. Sometimes, when we tried it out, the result was quite humorous because it came off as rather cartoonish. That’s exactly what prompted us to rework some choreography segments, taking certain details we found interesting to work with, instead of relying on overused, standard clichés.

Another amusing element was our permanent audience member. A cat would come to almost every single rehearsal and watch the entire process of us putting the performances together with great attention. I think it only missed one or two rehearsals; it was always there, observing very, very intently what was happening and why.

6 In your opinion, which elements were key to the success of this show?

I believe the show’s success was a result of a complete team effort. We put in an enormous amount of work and conducted countless rehearsals. We had incredibly talented artists, and I feel all the looks we created were a perfect, 100% match for the original references I had in my mind. Ultimately, I believe the performance we delivered was successful, first and foremost, thanks to the entire team.

Watch the full version of the Performance Show on YouTube — Boomerang Partners.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Boomerang launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s  client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

About Nick Chichagov

With over five years of experience, Nick Chichagov crafts innovative projects at the intersection of theater, cinema, and immersive art. His portfolio includes collaborations with actors from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, direction of performances featuring international artist ensembles, and work on music videos for prominent acts such as Vlady and AVOKARU.

The post Boomerang Partners merges creativity and marketing at SBC Summit Lisbon: Nick Chichagov on the vision behind the performance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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