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.

Golden Matrix Group (NASDAQ: GMGI), a leading B2B and B2C gaming technology company utilizing proprietary technology and operating globally across 17 regulated markets, today announced its participation in the global coalition initiative for flood relief efforts in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

This partnership aims to provide substantial support to the communities in this Brazilian state that have been most devastated by the recent severe flooding.

This initiative is part of the gaming industry’s larger collaboration with local NGOs and humanitarian organizations, marking a significant expansion of our intensive CSR efforts, which saw over 225 community impact campaigns last year alone, primarily through the actions of its subsidiary Meridianbet.

The past week has witnessed unprecedented rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul, turning streets into rivers and isolating entire towns. The current situation remains dire, with hundreds of individuals still unaccounted for, while rescue operations have successfully evacuated over 200,000 residents using boats and helicopters.

The floods have wreaked havoc on infrastructure, with numerous bridges destroyed, severely disrupting access to Porto Alegre. The aftermath of the disaster has also led to looting in supermarkets during the night, adding to the urgency of the relief efforts.

Golden Matrix Group invites its stakeholders and the global community to contribute to this cause.

About Golden Matrix Group

Golden Matrix Group, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a leading B2B and B2C gaming technology company utilizing proprietary technology and operating globally across 17 regulated markets. The B2B division of Golden Matrix develops and licenses branded gaming platforms for its extensive list of clients, and RKings, its B2C division, operates a high-volume eCommerce site enabling end users to enter paid-for competitions on its proprietary platform in authorized markets. The Company also owns and operates MEXPLAY, a regulated online casino in Mexico. In 2024, Golden Matrix completed the acquisition of MeridianBet, a well-established and B2B and B2C sports betting and gaming platform operating and regulated in multiple markets in Europe, Africa and LatAm, providing the combined entity with additional international operations.

Super Group, the parent company of Betway, a leading online sports betting and gaming business, and Spin, the multi-brand online casino, announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to assume full control of its sportsbook software technology licensed by Apricot, Super Group’s long-standing software partner.

The transaction brings Super Group closer to its goal of fully owning and controlling its sportsbook technology across its worldwide markets, giving the company the capability to apply this technology stack to any properties it may buy or build in the future.

Super Group has agreed to acquire this technology for a total consideration of c.€140 million from Apricot’s licensor, plus additional amounts payable if certain earn-out conditions are achieved. The upfront consideration consists of c.€100 million, which will be paid in the form of cancellation of an outstanding loan. Super Group will pay an additional €40 million in two equal payments over the next two years, of which up to €20 million may be paid in ordinary shares of Super Group at its sole discretion. Additional payments of up to €210 million could be made through a contingent earn-out mechanism if Super Group’s sportsbook revenue more than doubles during the earn-out period which runs through December 31, 2035. The earn-out is calculated as a percentage of monthly sportsbook net gaming revenue, ranging from a low single-digit to high single-digit percentage.

Neal Menashe, Chief Executive Officer of Super Group, said: “I’m delighted that we have now concluded terms for the sportsbook – we have been working closely to agree to an equitable deal with a favorable structure for both parties. This is an exceptional opportunity for Super Group to take full control of our sportsbook technology, which would enable maximum flexibility for organic growth as well as M&A opportunities. We’ll continue to deliver the best sports betting and gaming experience to our customers around the world as the benefits of this deal are realized.”