Evenbeter and Headshot Launch Major iGaming Employment Market Research

In the fast-paced world of online gaming, a shift is occurring that concerns the desks of developers more than the reels of slots. The B2B solutions developer Evenbeter, formerly known as EvenBet Gaming, has joined forces with the international recruitment agency Headshot. Together, they are tackling one of the most pressing issues in the sector: the battle for qualified talent and the question of why experts choose to leave or stay with their employers.

The new study, titled “The State of iGaming Teams 2026-2027: Why People Stay. Why They Leave. What Leaders Can Do Next,” marks a significant milestone for the industry. It is not just about raw numbers, but about understanding human dynamics in a sector often characterized by extreme performance pressure and rapid innovation cycles. Data collection began on September 3 and is set to continue until October 1, 2026, utilizing online surveys and personal interviews.

Numbers and facts

The relevance of this research is highlighted by the increasing costs associated with losing experienced specialists. According to the initiators, there is a lack of comprehensive, industry-wide data focused explicitly on employee retention. A central aspect of the research is the discrepancy between what companies believe is important to their employees and what the workers actually value. The final report is scheduled for release in late November 2026 and will offer deep insights into management culture and actual workplace experiences.

“The goal of the research is to build a full industry picture of team conditions in iGaming and provide companies with practical recommendations for employee retention.” - Daria Fot, Human Resources Director at Evenbeter

Polina Kapitonova, CEO at Headshot, also emphasizes that market-wide averages offer little value to individual companies. The study will therefore break down the results by professional experience, function, and location to provide precise answers to the question of why people stay or leave.

Background

The iGaming industry has professionalized massively in recent years, yet the talent shortage remains a bottleneck. Burnout and excessive workloads are topics that often take a backseat to revenue reports in boardrooms. The cooperation between a software developer and a recruitment agency shows that awareness of these issues is growing. There is a realization that the success of a product is inextricably linked to the mental health and satisfaction of the team. The study covers the period for 2026 and 2027, which should enable forward-looking planning.

Of particular interest is the focus on management culture. In an industry that stands at the cutting edge of technology, leadership structures sometimes lag behind. The investigation is intended to help CEOs and founders make data-driven decisions and better calculate the financial damage caused by the loss of key personnel. It is thus a mix of empathy and hard-nosed business management.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, a study on working conditions might initially sound distant, but it has direct effects on the quality and safety of the gaming offer. If developers at major providers suffer from burnout or if teams are constantly changing, the stability of the platforms suffers. In Germany, the market is strictly regulated by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Only providers on the GGL whitelist are allowed to operate legally. These companies must meet complex technical requirements, such as the connection to the LUGAS system to monitor the deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month.

Qualified personnel are necessary to implement these legal requirements, such as the 1-euro stake limit per spin for slots, without errors. A stable team ensures that player protection is not just a phrase on paper but functions perfectly from a technical standpoint. If German licensees can retain their IT specialists through better conditions, customers benefit from safer and better-maintained systems.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos with a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) are under special scrutiny. They must guarantee that player blocks and limits take effect in real-time. The competition for the best IT minds is particularly fierce in Germany, as other industries are also searching for experts. The findings of the study by Evenbeter and Headshot could help German providers create more attractive workplaces to hold their own against illegal competitors without a GGL license. A company that values its employees usually also offers better customer support and higher integrity in player protection.