iGaming Careers 2026: Evolution, Playtech and Betsson Dominate European Talent Hubs

The iGaming industry is frequently analyzed through the lens of billion-dollar revenues and market caps, yet the human element behind these figures is equally staggering. As of December 31, 2025, the combined workforce of Evolution, Playtech, and Betsson reached 32,774 employees. However, this workforce is not distributed evenly across the continent. Instead, it clusters in specialized hubs that house thousands of workers in single locations. While traditional iGaming strongholds are struggling, new regions are experiencing a significant surge in employment.

A notable aspect of these figures is the gap between total headcount and full-time equivalents (FTE). This is primarily driven by the live casino business model. Evolution, for instance, operates 24 studios globally, employing thousands of hosts and dealers on a shift basis. This creates a high-volume staffing requirement that differs significantly from standard tech companies, making human resource management a critical operational component in the 2026 regulated environment.

Numbers and facts

Evolution AB stands as the largest employer in this sector. By the end of 2025, the company reported 22,475 employees, although its FTE figure was lower at 16,243. Approximately 88 percent of its staff work as hosts or dealers. The largest hubs are located in Tbilisi, Georgia, with 4,813 employees, and Riga, Latvia, with 3,365. In contrast, Evolution's home base in Sweden employs an average of only 198 people.

Playtech plc ranks second with 7,400 employees across 20 countries. Positioned as a B2B technology provider, Playtech focuses its technical operations in Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Bulgaria. Betsson AB follows with 2,899 employees. A significant 53 percent of Betsson’s average workforce, totaling 1,484 people, is based in Malta. In total, Malta supports approximately 13,929 FTEs working for MGA-licensed entities.

Background

The iGaming talent market in 2026 is characterized by volatility. Gibraltar saw gambling jobs fall by 6.5 percent to 3,535 in October 2024, a trend that continued with a 2.2 percent drop in 2025. The rise in the UK Remote Gaming Duty to 40 percent in April 2026 has been a significant factor in this contraction. Estonia has also seen shifts, with YOLO Group cutting 280 roles in September 2025 and Bombay Group filing plans for up to 410 redundancies in March 2026.

Alastair Cleland, Managing Director at Pentasia, noted the impact of regulation:

"Heightened regulatory activity across Europe is encouraging disciplined, selective hiring. Operators are managing greater complexity around AML, advertising and licence management, which supports more cautious headcount decisions and a preference for experienced hires."

Furthermore, AI is reshaping entry-level employment. Denis Romanovsky, Chief AI Officer at Softswiss, pointed out that junior-level hiring is reducing due to AI, raising concerns about the future talent pipeline for mid-level management.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, these staffing trends directly influence the safety and quality of the gaming experience. When major providers like Evolution or Playtech invest heavily in compliance staff, it ensures better adherence to the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). German customers should exclusively use operators on the GGL whitelist. Only these providers implement the mandatory 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit and the LUGAS central monitoring system.

The large workforces in these hubs are responsible for ensuring that technical safeguards, such as the one-euro stake limit on virtual slots, are functioning correctly. A well-staffed support team that understands German regulations is a hallmark of a reputable casino. As companies like Betsson strengthen their Malta teams, it often serves to meet the rigorous demands of European regulators, ultimately enhancing player protection.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos holding a German GGL license are in fierce competition for talent with expertise in German law. While international hubs handle the volume of game operations, GGL-compliant operators require specialized experts for the local market. The shortage of experienced compliance managers may force licensees to further automate their processes. Natalia Perkowska of Softswiss emphasizes that companies aligning their internal structures with market expectations will gain a measurable advantage. For German licensees, this means offering attractive conditions to secure the best talent for the complex regulatory framework.