A study by BettingJobs found that the number of remote positions offered by clients decreased by 25% compared to last year, and now more clients prefer to hire employees for on-site work or through hybrid models.
This data is part of a comprehensive report released by the gaming recruitment company, indicating a shift in the gaming industry towards hybrid and on-site work. The report also shows significant increases in recruitment numbers in Latin America and the UAE, with a rise in the recruitment of women in the industry.
Remote Work
In the post-pandemic job market, remote work has become a focal point of discussion for both employees and employers. While necessary during the pandemic, it has shown the recruitment market that most office-based jobs can also be done from home, even when we are allowed back into offices.
Remote work has both advantages and disadvantages. For employees, it means no commuting, potentially a better balance between work and life (though this is debatable!), and more opportunities for independence. Remote work also opens doors for those who find it hard to access certain workplaces, such as disabled individuals or those living in remote areas.
However, full-time remote work can be an isolating experience, affecting both productivity and mental health.
From the employer's perspective, remote work means they can scout for talent globally and schedule work hours based on the employee's location. However, it also means that employers must trust employees to complete their tasks with the same speed and efficiency as they would in an office environment—a guarantee that isn’t always secured.
Women in Gaming
Moreover, data from BettingJobs shows that the number of women working in IT and tech roles has doubled compared to last year. The number of women working in compliance has also doubled year-over-year, with a 15% overall increase in women placed by BettingJobs. The company also reports an increase in the number of women holding executive positions in the industry.
With the increasing visibility of women in leadership roles, and the presence of groups like ASCEND, Saroca, and Global Gaming Women at industry events, encouraging more women to take on leadership roles has become a hot topic for discussion in businesses. Thus, these data are encouraging, especially in fields like IT, which are traditionally male-dominated.
Latin America
The Latin American market has shown exponential growth over the last year, with Peru's regulation of iGaming and Brazil's regulation of sports betting being prime examples. As a result, BettingJobs has significantly increased the number of staff arranged in the Latin American region compared to the previous year.
UAE
BettingJobs also found a significant increase in placements in the UAE, with numbers far exceeding those of the previous year. Several factors may underlie this, including the ongoing development of the country's first casino resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, announced in the summer of 2022 and the establishment of the UAE’s Gaming Regulation Authority (GCGRA) in September 2023.
Regulation of lottery gambling, which was finalized earlier this month, with the UAE lottery operating license granted to Games LLC, might also be a factor.
Regardless, the growing interest in hiring in the UAE indicates that businesses are expanding their influence in line with the development of the legalized industry, as the legalized gambling sector in the UAE could yield substantial profits.
Overall, compared to last year, BettingJobs has placed 3.5 times as many C-level executives throughout the gaming industry. Several factors may have contributed to this outcome, including the current push for diversity in the industry, requiring companies to recruit talents from outside the industry or company to bring fresh perspectives and skills to the market.
Some notable hires from outside the industry include the appointment of Mike Ybarra as CEO of PrizePicks in August. Ybarra replaced former CEO Adam Wexler (now serving as Executive Chairman). At the time of his appointment, Ybarra was the former president of Blizzard Entertainment, the developer of games like 'The Witcher' and 'World of Warcraft.' He had also served as a vice president at Microsoft for nearly 20 years.
Thus, injecting fresh blood into executive roles is one way to keep businesses fresh and innovative. While some may call for promoting internal talent to these positions, using a comprehensive approach to design a company's executive team might be a compromise solution.
