What is gamification in iGaming

iGaming gamification is the practice of adding a structured “meta-game” around casino and sportsbook play — missions, levels, streaks, collections, and loyalty tools in iGaming — to turn occasional visits into habits. Instead of relying only on bonuses, operators use casino gamification software to set clear goals, show progress, and reward steady play with perks players value.

Why do operators invest in it? Because it provides online casino engagement strategies that help retain players, increase lifetime value, and build stronger relationships — while keeping reward spend under control. Done well, gamification offers structure (what to do next), recognition (what you’ve achieved), and variety (different paths for different play styles), all of which support retention in online casinos without turning every touchpoint into a bonus.

Modern toolkits go further: they let teams personalise missions, sync progress between mobile and desktop, and include responsible-play mechanics (limits, breaks, reality checks) as part of the loop.

Gamification Trends in 2025 and Beyond

Players want progress, status, and community. In 2025, iGaming gamification is moving from simple badges to systems that react to behaviour in real time, travel with the player across devices, and bake in safe-play principles from the start. Below are the trends that actually change how operators build online casino engagement strategies and lift retention in online casinos without sounding like a gimmick.

AI-driven personalization

AI in iGaming gamification uses live signals (session length, stake pattern, game mix, time of day, device, and recent outcomes) to tailor missions, rewards, pacing and reminders to the moment. The aim is simple: give each player a clear next step that fits how they actually play, while respecting limits.

How it looks

• A short-session player gets a 10-minute micro-quest with a quick perk; a long-session player sees a paced path with cool-off nudges and non-monetary rewards.
• Streaks adapt to routine (weeknights vs weekends), and the store tilts towards perks the player actually redeems.

Tooling

• Event streaming into a unified profile, rules as a baseline, and ML models inside your casino gamification software to select mission type, difficulty and reward banding.
• Content pools (quests, perks, messages) with eligibility rules; back-office controls to adjust in real time.
• Experiment flags to run A/B holdouts so you can prove lift, not guess it.

What to track

• Mission accept/start/finish rate; time-to-next-session; session stability after rewards.
• Net impact on LTV vs reward cost; share-to-return rate for social prompts.
• Limit adoption and post-limit retention (vital for retention in online casinos and compliance).

Watch-outs

• Don’t overfit: rotate “evergreen” quests with data-driven ones to avoid fatigue.
• Keep outcomes fair and explainable; cap the frequency and value of notifications.
• Build privacy and responsible-play signals into your logic from day one.

Cross-platform gamification (mobile & desktop)

Players move between screens all day. iGaming gamification works best when their wallet, progress, missions and rewards travel with them, one journey that feels coherent on phone and desktop.

How it looks

• Start a “play three live-dealer rounds” mission on mobile, finish it on desktop later that evening. Same progress bar, same reward.
• Claim a perk on desktop and see it immediately reflected in the mobile store and loyalty tools in iGaming.
• Push/email deep links open the exact mission state in app or web, without forcing a new search or extra taps.

Tooling

• Single wallet and unified profile IDs so balances, streaks and collections stay in step.
• Real-time event streaming to update missions, leaderboards and stores in both environments via your casino gamification software.
• Feature flags to test layouts per device without changing core mechanics.

What to track

• Cross-device mission completion rate; time between device switch and next action.
• Drop-offs at re-auth/verification; error rate on wallet or progress sync (target near-zero).
• Impact on retention in online casinos after adding device hand-off.

Watch-outs

• Don’t lock perks to a single platform; keep claims device-agnostic.
• Keep notifications reasonable (cap frequency/value); respect limits and reality checks on both devices.
• Keep “Open in app” banners optional. Never a dead end for desktop-only players.

Social and community features

In iGaming gamification, the most durable engagement often comes from playing with others. Social mechanics turn a solo session into a shared activity, a practical pillar of modern online casino engagement strategies and high on the list of gamification trends 2025.

How it looks

• Friend leaderboards & clubs: weekly tables for selected games, plus club “weekend runs” where collective progress unlocks perks from your loyalty tools in iGaming.
• Referral streaks: simple “invite and return” paths that reward both players without inflating bonus spend.
• Shared events: time-boxed tournaments or site-wide quests that link sportsbook and casino, useful when your casino gamification software spans both.

Tooling

• Party/club IDs, shared-progress APIs, and eligibility rules inside your gamification tools for online casinos so the same mission logic works for teams and individuals.
• Lightweight social surfaces (reactions, achievement feeds) with moderation tools baked in.
• Referral tracking that ties invites to mission starts, not just sign-ups.

What to track

• Group participation rate, invites sent/accepted, and “return with friends” sessions.
• Leaderboard fairness: distribution of top spots (avoid the same few names every cycle).
• Report rate/toxicity flags and time-to-resolution in social spaces.

Watch-outs

• Keep rules readable and rewards modest so casual players aren’t crowded out.
• Protect privacy (no bankroll reveals; opt-in handles) and apply the same rules in both sportsbook and casino.
• Rotate formats (clubs, co-op, referral streaks) to avoid fatigue.

AR/VR integrations

AR/VR can help with iGaming gamification, but you don’t need to rebuild your casino. In 2025, use small, optional moments that sit alongside normal play and link to your existing casino gamification software.

Where AR/VR fits

• AR reward reveals: camera-based “open the chest” moments after a mission; quick, no-install WebAR that ties back to your loyalty tools in iGaming.
• VR lounges & private tables: time-boxed events with cosmetic status items earned via season passes rather than heavy bonuses.
• Spectator modes: VR “watch parties” for tournaments with emotes and club badges; good for community feel without pushing higher stakes.

How to ship it without overreach

• Start with WebAR for rewards and collectibles; no app install, fast load, works on most modern phones.
• Run event nights in VR monthly or seasonally; keep them short and clearly themed.
• Keep every AR/VR reward claimable in 2D too, so no one is locked out.

Responsible gamification for compliance

In 2025, iGaming gamification works best when safer play is built into the experience. Operators are weaving limits, breaks and reality checks into online casino engagement strategies so they feel normal rather than punitive.

Think good-habits streaks that recognise players for setting deposit or time limits; cool-off moments after a tough run that switch to low-pressure tasks and non-monetary rewards via loyalty tools in iGaming; and clear pacing where missions pause at healthy intervals with a short explanation.

The practical setup sits inside your casino gamification software: missions and stores respect active limits by default, risk signals soften or gate challenges in real time, and copy stays human (for example: “You’ve been playing for 60 minutes. Want a quick break?” or “Limit reached; come back tomorrow for a new mission”).

Teams measure outcomes that matter for retention in online casinos, adoption of limits and reality checks, post-limit return rates, and the share of cosmetic/status rewards redeemed vs cash.

iGaming Gamification Tools of 2025

What’s working right now and why it matters for iGaming gamification:

• Dynamic Missions & Quests: Duration and difficulty that match session style.
• Season Passes & Collections: Long-arc goals with cosmetic rewards that don’t inflate bonus costs.
• Progress Bars & Levels: Clear steps, fair pacing, visible “one more to go” moments.
• Leaderboards & Team Tournaments: Daily/weekly cycles, bracketed by skill or stake for fairness.
• Virtual Currencies & Stores: Points that convert into perks players actually want (not just free spins).
• Crash & Quick-play Layers: Short loops that slot between longer sessions and keep momentum.

For a short guide to these tools with examples, read Gamification features for casinos.

How Gamingtec Powers Casino Gamification

Gamingtec gives you the core pieces you need for iGaming gamification: simple, reliable, and ready to use.

• Single wallet: one balance and progress on mobile and desktop, in both sportsbook and casino.
• Loyalty and bonuses: points, tiers and collections, plus the option to plug in missions, tournaments and other rewards from third-party casino gamification software.
• Real-time controls and analytics: update missions and leaderboards during play and track impact on return and LTV.
• Built-in safer play: limits, age/ID checks, reality checks and cool-off options with plain reminders.
• Integrations: connect CRM, live games and payments so rewards and loyalty tools in iGaming work the same wherever players land.

Want to keep players coming back with gamification? Gamingtec Casino helps you add the right tools and keep up with 2025 trends.

One tool gaining traction is the AI chatbot for sports betting, used not just for answering questions but for improving support, and guiding users.

Quick, reliable support matters in online casinos and sportsbooks, and that’s where chatbots have started to play a real role. More and more platforms are using them to welcome new players, offer help when it’s needed, and suggest relevant content, without stretching support teams too thin.

They’re not just there to handle basic tasks. The best chatbots learn from each interaction and become more useful over time, helping teams stay focused while giving players a better experience.

What Are AI Chatbots?

AI chatbots act as virtual assistants that interact with users in real time. They’re designed to understand questions and offer useful answers in a natural way. Unlike basic scripts, they adapt over time based on how players interact with them.

Their popularity has grown with the integration of AI chatbots with betting platforms, as they connect easily with tools like player data, and support systems. Rather than giving one-size-fits-all responses, chatbots can recognise things like a player’s profile or betting habits and respond more accurately.

They’ve become a practical tool for modern betting sites, especially when used with personalisation features. Chatbots make it easier for players to get what they need without extra steps, and they offer support that fits the moment.

Key Benefits of AI Chatbots in Sports Betting & Casino Platforms

One of the most practical benefits of AI chatbots in sports betting is that they’re available around the clock. Players log in at all times of day, especially during international matches, and chatbots make sure support is always there, no matter the time zone or staff availability.

Having help available in real time makes a real difference in how players experience the platform. Chatbots can respond quickly and keep things moving without delay or frustration.

They’re also helpful during onboarding. When someone lands on the platform for the first time, a chatbot can offer basic guidance, and explain how things work. Over time, they can pick up on player preferences and help suggest games, bet types, or offers that feel more relevant.

Real-World Use Cases & Examples

• Some operators are already making smart use of AI chatbots. For instance, during busy sports events, chatbots help guide players by highlighting betting options that match their usual activity or suggesting live bets as the match progresses.
• In casino settings, chatbots answer common questions about new slot features, bonuses, or live dealer games. They’re also used to support loyalty programmes, letting players know about available rewards, or personal offers.
• Chatbots also play a role in broader personalisation efforts. They’re not doing the job alone, chatbots work together with other tools like game suggestions and player data to make the experience feel more tailored.

How to Choose the Best AI Chatbot for Your Betting Platform

Finding the best AI chatbot for sports betting depends on knowing what your platform actually needs. Some operators might want language support for international audiences, while others prioritise how well the chatbot connects with existing tools like CRMs, or payment systems.

When reviewing options, look at things like how easy the interface is to use, whether it can handle more complex questions, how it reports performance, and how much you can tailor it to your brand. It’s also worth looking at how the chatbot responds to player behaviour, being able to adjust based on user actions can make the experience feel much more natural.

Think long term as well. Choosing the best AI chatbot for sports betting means finding a tool that not only works today but can grow with your platform over time. The right choice doesn’t just solve support, it helps your team respond faster, and offer players a better experience.

Challenges & Considerations for Implementing AI Chatbots

• One of the main concerns is data privacy. Chatbots often access sensitive information, which means platforms must comply with strict regulations and protect user data at all times.
• Another issue is the initial cost and technical setup. While many providers offer ready-made solutions, integrating them into an existing betting platform, especially one built on older infrastructure, can require time and expertise.
• Customisation matters. A one-size-fits-all bot won’t suit every operator. Being able to adjust the tone, structure, and replies to match your brand and audience helps create a more familiar experience, and keeps players interested over time.

Future of AI Chatbots in Betting Platforms

Chatbot technology is changing fast, and betting platforms are starting to make use of tools that go beyond answering basic questions. Some bots can now anticipate what a player might need next, based on how they’ve used the platform before.

Voice features are also gaining interest, especially for mobile users who prefer quick, hands-free interactions. And in some cases, developers are testing ways for bots to pick up on frustration or confusion, adjusting their tone or offering help in a more thoughtful way.

Chatbots are becoming a practical part of daily operations for many betting platforms. They help players find what they need and interact with the site in a way that feels easier and more intuitive.

Whatever type of platform you run, chatbots can ease the load on your support team and improve the experience for your players.

Take a look at our guide to AI personalisation in iGaming, and if you’d like to explore how this could work for your platform, we’re here to help.

The Anjouan gaming license has become a popular choice among operators in the online gambling industry. Its affordability, wide coverage, and relatively simple application process make it an appealing option for businesses looking to enter or expand in the market.

What exactly is an Anjouan gaming license? What are the associated costs? What restrictions should operators be aware of? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your business.

What is an Anjouan Gaming License?

The Anjouan Gaming License is an official permit issued by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA), located in the Union of the Comoros. Introduced in 2005 under the Computer Gaming Licensing Act 007, the license was created to attract international businesses and encourage economic growth. Over time, it has gained attention as a viable alternative to other gaming licenses, such as those from Curaçao or Malta.

Two main regulatory bodies oversee the licensing process:

• Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA): Responsible for the financial services sector, including anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
• Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI): Focuses on processing applications, ensuring compliance, and supporting gaming businesses.

Why Choose Anjouan for Gaming Licensing?

The Anjouan license is a great option for new businesses because of its low cost and easy application process. Established companies can use it to expand into new markets and offer more services, thanks to its wide range of permitted gambling activities and cryptocurrency support. Beyond its affordability, the license provides several key advantages that make it an attractive choice for both B2C operators and B2B providers:

Broad Coverage
The license permits a wide range of gambling activities, including online casinos, sports betting, poker, and software provision for iGaming.

Cryptocurrency Support
Anjouan allows licensed operators to use cryptocurrency for transactions, making it easier to reach a wider audience and offer modern payment options.

Global Reach
The license offers international coverage with a short list of restricted territories. The Anjouan gaming license restrictions include markets such as the USA, Australia, Austria, Belize, Comoros Islands, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and countries blacklisted by FATF and other jurisdictions restricted by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority to maintain compliance with international standards.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Anjouan Gaming License in 2025

Obtaining a gambling license in Anjouan requires meeting specific legal and operational standards. Applicants must provide detailed documentation and follow strict compliance measures to ensure the integrity of their operations.

1. Paperwork: Applicants must gather all necessary documents, including a detailed business plan, and make sure their operations follow the rules, especially those related to anti-money laundering (AML).
2. Submission: Applications are submitted through Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI) along with the application fee. Detailed information about the business and its key personnel must be provided.
3. Review: The business’s operations, financial stability, and regulatory compliance are evaluated. The key person also goes through KYC and background checks.

Approval: If all requirements are met, the license is issued within two to four weeks. Operators can then begin offering iGaming services under Anjouan’s jurisdiction.

Anjouan Gambling License Requirements

For each individual holding a significant role in the company, such as owners, directors, or other key decision-makers, the following personal documents are required:

- A certified copy of a valid passport;
- Recent utility bill;
- Police clearance certificate;
- CV/Resume;
- Banker’s reference (minimum two years of relationship);
- Professional letter of reference from an accountant or lawyer (minimum two years of relationship).

Additionally, businesses must provide:
- A detailed business plan;
- Proof of web domain ownership;
- Copies of Terms and Conditions, including policies on Responsible Gaming, Underage Gaming, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), KYC, and Self-Exclusion.

Costs and Fees Associated with an Anjouan License

The Anjouan gaming license cost is significantly lower than in jurisdictions like Malta or the Isle of Man. Starting at approximately EUR 17,000, the licensing fees are manageable for both startups and established operators. The primary fees are:

• Annual Anjouan gaming license fee: EUR 13,300;
• Annual compliance officer or key person authorisation Fee: EUR 2,000;
• Initial annual compliance and due diligence fee: EUR 1,700 (covers up to four directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners). This fee is required for setup, license application, and ongoing maintenance.

Compliance and Regulatory Obligations

To maintain compliance with the Anjouan gaming license, businesses are required to:

• Display clear and accessible policies on their websites for responsible gaming, underage gaming, anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC), and self-exclusion;
• Implement registration forms with check boxes for age verification (18+) and acceptance of Terms and Conditions;
• Hold valid Random Number Generator (RNG) testing certificates for all in-house games;
• Host servers and player databases in Anjouan.

Taxation and Financial Benefits for Operators

Operators benefit from a 0% tax rate on corporate income, VAT, and Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), creating a tax-friendly environment that allows businesses to retain more of their earnings.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Anjouan License?

Applications for the license are processed efficiently, with approvals often granted within two to four weeks. This relatively short time frame helps businesses start operations sooner.

How Gamingtec Supports Operators

Gamingtec offers turnkey solutions to simplify the challenges of running an iGaming business. With our support, operators can focus on building and growing their brand while we manage day-to-day operations to keep everything running efficiently. Our services comply with licenses such as the Anjouan Gaming License (Anjouan), the Isle of Man Online Gambling Regulation Act License (Isle of Man), the PAGCOR e-Gaming License (Philippines), the Curaçao Interactive Gaming License (Curaçao), the Portuguese Online Gambling License (Portugal), and the Polish Gambling License (Poland). This compliance gives operators confidence and security as they expand into new markets.

More and more women have decided to make their futures in tech but the gaming industry is still a male-dominated world that can be daunting at times. How do young ladies choose their career, and what defining moments are they particularly proud of? Read ahead to hear more from these inspiring women.

As a child, every girl has a dream of what she wants to be when she grows up. Most commonly, childhood dreams remain dreams, but there comes a time to choose a future career and to start to work on it. A moment when the girl understands what she wants to be is a crucial one. It may come due to some life events, important words they had heard, or some role models they would like to follow.

Our first speaker, Melanie Hainzer, Chief Marketing Officer at Rootz, told us that in her childhood she wanted to become a farmer: “My grandparents had a farm with dairy cows, cattle, and deer. It was my favorite part of the day to get up at 5 am, help to milk the cows, and then walk them to their meadow, coming back home and then have a very well deserved breakfast.

As I got older, I did a lot of things before I ended up in gaming — from working for the government organizing events for parent education, writing applications for EU-funded community developments, managing a cinema to selling properties, cutting radio shows, and even working in a bank. As you can see, my interests were varied and I was always drawn to a career where you must be a bit of an all-rounder, where passion and skill are widely celebrated, which brought me into iGaming and Marketing.”

Media Buyer at Gamingtec, recalls that as a teenager, she dreamed of being a cinema actress. “Later I became convinced that a person can have several educations, and be able to do a lot and know a lot. There are no limitations to not to continue studying and work on your self-effectiveness. I also believe that a person can try to work in different industries until he/she finds something of his/her own. Thus, from a quality control engineer (gas & oil industry), I came up to the IT industry and tried to bump out my skills and knowledge.”

Talking about her children’s dreams and career path, Inna, Media Buyer at Gamingtec, recalls that her first idea of a career was far from the tech industry as she was dreaming of becoming a dentist.

“Perhaps because I was afraid of these doctors in my childhood, I wished to become the one that children would not be afraid of. Then, as an adult, I was interested in marketing. That is why I studied marketing at the university.

Eventually, I chose my current profession because it gives me a new challenge and new experience every day. The profession of a media buyer is a link between the traffic source and the client, and the main rule is constantly looking for new ways and approaches to attract customers. Indeed, in this area, the main thing is to be the first, only then you will achieve the best results. This is what makes me feel good about my work.”

Having built a strong career, it is a good idea to look back and reflect on a piece of advice one wishes somebody gave them at the very beginning. These insights can be useful for ladies that are just starting to build their future. We asked our guests to think about important and supportive words for them.

All of the speakers agreed that it is extremely important to try yourself in different areas and to not be afraid to give up doing something if it doesn’t completely satisfy you. There are no decisions that cannot be changed, and there are so many interesting things to do that a girl can always find her future career according to her interests, talents and ambitions.

Let’s listen to women that have achieved great results despite all difficulties and challenges.

“I wish I would have known the power of networking much earlier on. You have probably already heard the saying “it’s not important what you know — it’s important who you know” which is very often true. After all, people are the best resource to navigate career moves and strengthen your knowledge base. Another piece of advice is trying to be a problem solver and not someone that only points out problems. If you notice something that needs improvement, think about how to fix it instead of just pointing it out.” Melanie

“Think about the solution, not about the problem itself! Identify your mistakes quickly, and here is the challenge, you don’t know if you are making mistakes or not. You always need to go on. Then you need to have the courage to correct it. So, please fail often. Fail fast. Fail fast to succeed.” Jennet

“Never stop learning new things and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. After all, real professionals always learn something new, including from their own mistakes, because otherwise, it is impossible to become better and achieve new heights.” Inna.

According to UNESCO statistics, today, women and girls are 25 percent less likely than men to know how to leverage digital technology for basic purposes, 4 times less likely to know how to program computers, and 13 times less likely to file for a technology patent.

Our speakers offered their points of view on how our world could be different if more women worked in Tech.

“Surely our world would be balanced better, more equal and more diversified as women’s approach to the tech products development would be better represented. Men and women sometimes have different visions of how to satisfy the tech products demand, and women would be able to create part of the demand on the market which would never pass through a man’s brain. So being short, I believe that there must be “natural” women’s presence in Tech, and the most important thing is that there must not be obstacles for women to be a part of the Tech world.” Jennet

“If we had more diverse voices it would mean products or services would work for everyone and I also believe that it would change the way women are treated in society. There are so many examples to have a better world with more women in tech — for sure there would have been better safety measures in place with ride-sharing services to avoid sexual harassments or we would get better designed cars that focus on simple woman friendly aspects like storage space or different body size assumptions, health apps wouldn’t forget that we have our periods, medical trials would be less biased with the consideration of the impact of sex and gender…” Melanie.

Read more interviews with women working in the IT industry:

• Women in IT: Interview with CMO of Gamingtec
• Woman’s perspective on how to work at an IT company: Interview with Designer of Gamingtec
• Women in IT: Interview with Gamingtec Finance Specialist

WordPress Developer at Gamingtec, shares his ideas about the necessity of work automation in the project and explains the benefits of it for the team members and working process.

What is automation and why is it used?

Work automation is a way of completing repetitive tasks that is time-saving, cost-effective, and useful to increase productivity. Minimal human assistance is beneficial for projects in cases when it reduces the number of mistakes and speeds up operations.

Speaking about automation, I would like to highlight three key points:

- It is not an “out-of-the-box solution.” Automation requires individual solutions and involves using different tools that are continuously improved (upgraded).

- Even though the process automation requires additional efforts at the beginning, it ensures a higher level of comfort and, therefore, employees get used to it quickly.

- Once it is done, the automation process can be compared to magic (almost like in Hogwarts) that makes things done without employees noticing it.

Some companies, especially those that have a limited number of employees, may doubt whether to spend time and resources on process automation as it can be spent on more urgent tasks.

In my opinion, it is definitely worthwhile. Automation allows increasing productivity, improving product quality, and optimizing management processes.

From Theory to Practice

Think of the working process in a company that works with partners from different countries. To meet the needs, there should be a welcome manager that can reply in all necessary languages. It is quite doubtful that one person can cover all of them, therefore, it always takes time to figure out what language a partner speaks and to assign a request to a relevant manager.

The most obvious solution to this situation would be to create an internet bot to optimize these tasks. It will be the first who “meets” a partner and offers, for example, to choose an appropriate language. This information allows us to redirect a request to the relevant specialist in the support team.

Moreover, the bot can also provide a list of frequently asked questions popular among the group of these native speakers. In 70% of cases, the user will probably find an answer, otherwise, the bot will redirect him/her to the specialist with the appropriate knowledge that will easily advise and help set it all up.

If the process is not automated, handling of the request will take longer, more specialists will be involved in it, and the level of partner`s satisfaction can be lower. The bot fulfills the task quickly, clearly, and with the reduced risk of being wrong (comparing to humans). Moreover, by delegating part of the tasks to the bot, the welcome manager will be able to focus on other tasks and grow as a part of the support team.

Therefore, automating processes in a company can be beneficial in both short-term and long-term perspectives. Whether it is about welcoming bots, task assigning process, or any other things that can be done according to an algorithm, it is always worthwhile trying it.

Benefits of Knowledge Sharing

Another thing that can benefit your working process yet is often neglected by team leads is knowledge sharing among the team members. Knowledge sharing helps employees to grow quickly as a part of the team. Whenever the best problem-solving experience becomes reusable, the team (and the company in general) can save a lot of time and avoid reinventing the wheel in typical working situations.

There are few key points in such a practice. First, a person that shares his/her knowledge with colleagues gets an opportunity to receive valuable feedback. Second, such practice can help them win authority among the team members and, at the same time, it can motivate others to learn something new, to achieve higher professional levels. Third, it will definitely help growing the expertise of the whole team.

There are different ways on how you can implement this initiative. You can ask team members to share their achievements during regular meetings. You can also mailout information about the working process and achievements once a week or once a month. As for me, I mostly like the idea of creating a knowledge base for the project. It can include data about all positions working on the project, their duties, processes they are involved in, and working algorithms they use for implementing their tasks. This knowledge base can come in handy for new employees as they can find full information about their position and get a better idea of what is going on in the company. This way, members of the team can learn about the duties of their colleagues and once they require someone’s help, piece of advice, or collaboration to solve a problem, they can find the right person and ask them directly. The information about such a collaboration can be uploaded to the database, and once there is another person facing the same or similar problem, they can easily find out what to do or whom to ask.

Work automation and knowledge sharing allow us to avoid wasting time whilst working on tasks. This enhances the mutual trust in the team, mutual respect, and it also helps develop a new methodology of work, achieve results together better and faster, and define new ambitious goals.

Automation helps team members get rid of the most boring tasks and let them focus on the essential part of their work. This way, it prevents employees’ burnouts and motivates them to work with enthusiasm.

Sharing knowledge is a key to save critical know-how in the team, develop collaboration and innovation among staff members, and inspire them for new solutions that stimulate changes for the better.

Read also:

How to keep your IT team motivated? 5 Tips the IT Project Manager at Gamingtec

She shares 5 key principles that help her to manage the team and create a friendly and supportive environment in the department.

1. Build a trust-based relationship

The main value is mutual trust and confidence in the professional quality of every team member. If a person gets the job in my department, it means I am absolutely confident in his/her level of expertise. This approach helps to build a leader-leader model in our department. Delegating control to the performers isn’t that easy but it is a good opportunity to grow professionally together and refocus efforts on other tasks that require my attention at the moment.

Beyond that, it is important to work with professionals whose expertise in some areas or issues can be higher than the team leader`s. Empowering the team with top-level professionals allows us to achieve greater results by sharing knowledge and implementing benchmarking practices.

2. Clarity and transparency

An open discussion is the best way to involve the whole team in the working process. I must clearly state our goals and actual plans for the reposting periods.

We have two golden rules in the team:

• If there is a problem, it should be discussed openly and honestly.
• Be open to criticism but do not take it personally.

3. Delegation is the key to productivity

Despite the desire to do everything by himself/herself, the team leader should remember that their task is not to accomplish a feat but to assign tasks wisely. Therefore, it is important to delegate tasks and be ready that at the first time they can be done not the way you’ve expected. The trick is that on the second time the same task will be done much better, and at the third time — even better than the team leader could expect.

By the way, when it comes to assigning particular tasks, it is much better to entrust professionals with areas of responsibility instead. In this case, the team leader doesn’t have to control whether each and every task is done on time, but can provide the team with conditions for productive work and provide them with tools for it. Once a team member knows which part of the work is in their responsibility, they don’t have to wait for orders and can take the initiative every time whenever the situation requires it. In this regard, my task switches from pushing team-mates to solve tasks to helping them by managing the whole process. Therefore, I always ask my team: ‘How can I help you? What sources do you need?’

4. Do not tolerate mediocrity

It is extremely important to have a powerful team of highly motivated professionals. I am ready to work with those who strive for results and work as hard as they can. With these people, we are at the same page: we have ambitious goals and we celebrate victories together. Strong team players keep on their toes the whole department.

5. See problems as opportunities

The biggest challenge we faced this year (as a whole world did) are quarantine restrictions and the necessity to reorganize our daily routine to remote mode. Staying far from each other, we started to communicate even more than we did in the office. We became more empathic and attentive to colleagues’ needs, we started to work harder and unite efforts to overcome difficulties. The pandemic became an opportunity to build trustable relationships and minimize the manager`s control in the team.

Just to conclude I would like to say that I see my role in providing reliable support to the whole team. To succeed in the marketing area, you should experiment and risk a lot, therefore, I allow my team members to carry a risk even if it means to make faults. However, I always make sure these faults are not crucial.

I believe the successful work of the team is possible only if every team member has mutual respect for each other and trust in the integrity of their respective work while the team leader supports not only the whole project but also every single professional that contributes to reaching the common goals.

Read also:

How to keep your IT team motivated? 5 Tips from our IT Project Manager at Gamingtec

The biggest challenge for a project manager is to keep their team motivated, inspired and ready to go forward. IT Project Manager at Gamingtec, shares tips that help him to achieve this goal.

Working on new iGaming solutions, his team is looking for best ways to make the Gamingtec platform more convenient and improve customer service through the use of new technologies. He says, “I am proud of my professional and high-qualified team. We are brainstorming, training, taking on different challenges and issues. It can be complicated sometimes, but it is never boring.”

Working on this article, he offered his team to talk about their own experience and make a list of what keeps them enthusiastic and encourages them in their daily routine. You may find the answers below.

1. Providing the team with decent compensation which allows maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

2. Being at the cutting edge of current technology and practices.

3. Working in collaboration with competent colleagues is more fruitful than freelancing.

4. Successfully solving non-trivial tasks.

5. Observing the result of their own work throughout the year.

Our IT manager has his own list of tips on how to keep a team motivated which he has framed through his own experience. And, in fact, it intersects a lot with the team’s requests.

1. Provide effective communication on different levels

To keep the team united, it is important to hear all voices and establish a lively dialog in the community. There are various types of communication that can be initiated: one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, knowledge sharing, and regular efficient retrospective sessions. On wide company retreats, there is a good opportunity for the team to talk to colleagues from other departments, relax, and have fun together.

2. Keep management limited

To achieve great results, let your team members offer their own solutions, discuss them with others, and implement them. When people tend to be self-organized and have opportunities for making their own decisions, they are more involved in the working process and urge to influence it and make it more effective.

3. Strive to form a band, a family, a clan, a tribe, or a nation (depends on company size)

Mitigate conflicts, compromise while being fair, and be a role model. Support and accept newcomers, integrate them into the team, but let introverts keep their private space protected.

4. Exercise transparency in work and team relationships

Explain why the task is needed, what the outcome would be. Why someone was hired or fired, what are the red flags. Provide clarification and justification for sudden priority changes.

5. Provide constant “business-side” information updates

Share high-level plans for 6–12 months ahead. Do not let the minds of the team members steer in the wrong direction and avoid situations that may push them to excogitate business reasoning behind certain decisions.

Following these tips covers the basics in motivating the team. Good idea to focus on those tactics that work better to achieve greater levels of growth and productivity.

Due to the quarantine restrictions, our team has been working remotely for eight months already. We reflected on our experience and found out at least four reasons to miss Gamingtec office.

If you have a dream, you have an opportunity to make it true with help of Gamingtec Education Foundation (GEF). Twice a year, Gamingtec holds a competition with a great prize — a full refund for a workshop, educational or training course. This time, a jury has received 13 applications with inspirational ideas, and now they are ready to announce the winning project!

GEF is an educational initiative that motivates the team to study or try something new. Most frequently, applicants choose extreme sports or original hobbies, and this time it was no exception. Among the ideas, there were: tattoo and massage courses, courses on dancing, diving, acting, and… even male stripping. There were people interested in sound production and piano lessons. The jury voted without knowing the names of the applicants and considered what motivated the applicants and how original and interesting their idea was.

The winner of the competition is Evhen, a front-end developer at Gamingtec. He applied the contest with the idea to become a pilot and get a private pilot license: ‘To be honest, I did not even expect that my idea would be chosen. At first, I was pleasantly surprised. Sky and aviation have attracted me since childhood, but I got the idea to become a pilot more recently. I made a training flight over Kyiv and I felt so free. I got a new dream — to fly! Thank you, Gamingtec, for an opportunity to make it come true!’

Evhen hasn’t chosen a school yet, but he wants to train at Chaika airfield in Kyiv on a Cessna-172 airplane. Congratulations to the winner! Our team wishes him good luck and smooth skies, safe and joyful journeys ahead!

To know more about the winners of the previous rounds, check Results of Gamingtec Education Foundation competition.

• How long have you been working in the company?

I have been working in Gamingtec for more than three years already. This is my third job, and I am absolutely satisfied with it.

• Tell me about your previous working experience? Where did you start your career?

I got my first job in a German bank right after graduation from the Academy of Banking.* Then, I got a position at Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” audit organizations in the world. It seemed to be a brilliant start of the career, the Ukrainian banking system and the economy was developing rapidly, so it was challenging and interesting at the same time. I have been working at Deloitte for two years, and I developed a lot of skills which later came in handy for my work at an IT company.

• Why did you change your job?

I wanted to feel a startup vibe. I applied to Gamingtec, a small company with big ambitions, passed an interview, and joined a team. IT is a perspective field that gives a chance to young ambitious people to fulfill themselves as professionals and innovators.

In big companies young specialists usually feel themselves as a small cog in a large machine. At Gamingtec, on the contrary, I can participate in the building of the whole financial system. A lot of operations and reports were done manually at the very beginning, and we found a way to automate most of the processes. It is exciting to witness the growth of the company, its transformation to a big player in the iGaming market.

• Are there any differences between working in IT and banking?

Yes, these areas are quite different. Working in IT, a finance specialist should be more flexible and learn to adapt to an ever-changing environment. He/she should not only bear their direct responsibilities, but also understand how to collaborate with developers, arrange tasks, and explain necessities to technical specialists. For example, our Finance Department collaborates tightly with the Development Team, and that means that they can help us find technical solutions that meet our demands and the process will go fast without prevarication or delays.

• Is it hard to work in male environment?

There are four girls in our Finance Department, so we do not feel outnumbered. There is no difference between men and women professionally, to be honest. The matter is whether you are a good qualified professional.

Sometimes, it may be complicated to find common ground with developers because most of them are quite reserved. In this case, you need to look for the correct tone of voice to approach them. You develop your communication skills. However, this situation can happen in any environment, regardless of gender of your co-workers.

• How do you grow in your career?

Right now, I am studying at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course. I have already passed nine exams. I started this education at Deloitte and when I switched to Gamingtec, I decided to continue my studying. I am determined to finish this education; I study by myself without attending lectures. This is my way of self-development.

• What are your hobbies? What are you interested in except studying?

I am keen on traveling and extreme activities. I have already tried diving in Egypt and skydiving in the Alps. By the way, it was challenging to complete a parachute jump. First, I applied with this idea to the Gamingtec Educational Foundation (the winner of this competition receives a fully paid training course in any field of human activity) but unfortunately, I took the second place. I even thought it was a sign for me that it was too risky, and it was better to skip the jump.

Later, when I was planning my vacation, I decided to jump anyway. If you crave for something, you should make it come true. I did it, and I got the most incredible emotions in my life. This deed helped me to become more self-confident.

In future, I would like to try paragliding and… driving a car. It seems to me, in Kyiv driving is rather extreme, too.

• This is great! What is your brain food?

I love reading. Mostly, I put attention on psychology books. The world of numbers is so precise and unambiguous. When you study mathematics, you tend to see only black and white. On the other hand, psychology provides you with food for thought. Studying a human being, you always have what to think about, analyze, you can do some soul-searching and understand other people better.

For those who work in the business area, I recommend reading “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B.Cialdini. This book helps to understand how marketing strategies work, and what makes customers act in a certain way.

• What advice can you give to girls that want to try themselves in IT?

I would like to assure them that it is not scary. Job in IT provides a lot of opportunities to achieve great results, invest in yourself and in your knowledge and experience. Do not doubt yourself. Try and you will have nothing to regret. You can find a great team spirit in an IT company, you will work surrounded by people that are ready to support you. Your job will turn into a hobby. That`s great, isn`t it?

*State Higher Educational Institution “Ukrainian Academy of Banking”

Read more interviews with a Gamingtec team:

• Interview with Anna, Designer of Gamingtec
• Interview with, CMO of Gamingtec
• Interview with, HR Manager of Gamingtec

Gamingtec team has been working remotely for two months already due to the quarantine restrictions. It’s time to reflect on this experience and discuss the challenges we have faced.

COVID-19 is a test the whole world is trying to pass with minimum losses of their own. There are no tutorials on how to survive in a pandemic situation when most of the countries locked down. Starting a quarantine in the middle of March, our team couldn’t imagine it was going to take so long. We have organized a workflow and moved communication to the online mode.

At some point, it may look like a paradise: no commuting from home to work and back again, more time spent with family, and more flexibility in daily routine planning. However, the truth is, we miss each other and our adorable cats. Despite all advantages of a remote job, most of the team is looking forward to coming back to the office schedule.

What do we miss from office life?

Recently we were discussing our working from home mode with the team and it turned out that the working environment in the office is more comfortable than at home. We also miss friendly coffee breaks and the opportunity to communicate directly with team members.

Many of us have faced difficulties in finding the right work-life balance. “My working day never ends,” they say. When you don’t need to rush home, it may be complicated to switch off a computer in the evening if a task is not finished yet, and as a result, you can keep on working for several extra hours.

New talents and hobbies

Despite the difficulties, some of us managed to be over-productive and used the free time for self-development and for doing the activities that they usually procrastinate for. What new talents and hobbies have our team members discovered? Let me share with you some of the responses.

• “I’ve added at least two extra hours to a day. And it gave me a chance to start doing Yoga, to go out for running, to learn video editing, to take a lot of photos. It is amazing.”
• “Yoga for body and painting for soul.”
• “Dealing with house repair, and noticed I am not bad at interior-design.”
• “1000-piece puzzles, ability to gain weight, cooking mastery.”
• “I can do my nails!!! Salon? Never ever!”
• “Sleeping.”

Baking bread, cooking, running, reading, doing yoga, sleeping well. There are dozens of cool activities we tried to do… and it was amazing!

The first thing to do in the office

Talking about returning to the office, we discussed what we will do first. Check out our to-do list below. We are looking forward to achieving all these points:

• Small talks with colleagues whom we missed.
• Small talks with everyone, we missed so bad.
• Talk with a team directly, not just via text messages.
• Chitchat, chitchat, and chitchat!
• Morning coffee breaks.
• A crazy party — on the nearest Friday.
• Proper lunch breaks on time.
• Hug friends.
• Hug cats.
• Visit meetings.
• Taking photos in the office.

Tips we would like to give to ourselves two months ago

To sum it up, there is something we would like ourselves to know before the quarantine has started.

• “Self-discipline is important. You should be able to distinguish the working hours and your free time. Never forget to switch your PC to the sleeping mode and get a proper lunch.”
• “It went pretty well, but I guess I could have more calls with the team to cheer them up during this hard time.”
• “It’s impossible to spend two months working on your bed. Set up your workspace immediately!”
• “I won’t manage to be a freelancer!”
• “Find time for improving my technical skills.”
• “I wish I started dieting 2 months ago.”
• “Less time on Instagram, more reading.”
• “Stay safe and drink responsibly.”

To know more about our team read this article: “International team: fun, challenges and double the holidays”