News
How the Rise of In-App Purchases is Influencing the Mobile Gaming Industry?
																								
												
												
											
The gaming industry captured the minds of users during 2000s, and now it generates large profits – almost $138 billion in 2018. Developers and operators must be happy about the industry showing growth in revenue of 13.3% compared to 2017.
Following the trend, the mobile gaming market is performing even better. The 25.5% growth means that this sector generates more than a half of a total income (51%). Console and PC segments are nearly equal, having 25% and 24% respectively. There are a number of reasons for mobile games blooming, including in-app purchases.
The freemium spirit
In general, in-app purchases stand for the ability of mobile applications to sell products or services, either virtual or real. Developers invented different approaches to integrating them using various types of apps, features, and interfaces. For instance, there are branded catalogs which sell goods through applications. But in-app purchases are way more typical for free-to-play games.
There is a freemium model of games. Combining features of both free and premium projects, these are completely free downloadable applications with integrated purchases. Owing to this approach, developers earn money with smaller deals inside the app instead of one-time payments. Some of the freemium apps offer simple ads disablement, while others provide unique in-game content. Gambling apps also follow this trend – they offer additional features for money, as well as provide different bonuses for such purchases listed on CasinoBonusCheck.com.
Evolution of mobile games
Now, let’s focus on the influence of freemium games growing in popularity. Experts from Scientific Revenue claim that developers move towards commercial sophistication. This trend is typical for projects that rely on micropayments.
To understand how freemium models affect mobile gaming, remember that they change the focus, moving sales from websites or online retailers like Amazon to games themselves. This way, developers can control the process, providing various offers with flexible prices, sales, and promotions.
Here are some of the current trends of the gaming industry:
- Multiple points of sale. While premium games are sold on app markets, freemium products can use coins stores, popups with offers, and ubiquitous ads.
 - Various in-game offers. There may be unique daily or weekly sales, additional content, in-game currency, and so on.
 - Annuities. These are unique offers, valid during a certain period.
 - Live Operations. Thanks to in-app purchases, developers can focus on adding new stuff even after the game was launched. They include downloadable content and special promotions dedicated to specific events or major updates.
 
As small payments are really flexible, developers can easily modify them, trying to reach the maximum engagement. Analysts evaluate the efficiency of in-game content sales and decide whether it’s better to add advertisements or focus on unique offers.
Consequences of the freemium rise
So far as it’s clearer how in-app purchases set trends, we can think about positive and negative consequences. Note that there is no agreement among experts regarding this.
The good side
Ideal freemium games sell cosmetic changes only. Another approach features different types of content but includes an option to unlock them without paying real money. For example, Temple Run offers various enhancements which are available without extra expenses.
Decent freemium projects should focus on improving players’ experience by introducing new content. This is more typical for PC and console games where users can buy new visual styles for characters, unlock extra items and locations.
Free-to-download projects attract way more users who realize that they can easily dive into the game. Also, game providers can focus on improving the single product by implementing Live Operations rather than designing numerous sequels.
The bad side
The modern world is strongly focused on money. That’s why the majority of freemium games turn into pay-to-win or pay-to-play projects:
- Pay-to-win. Players can buy in-game stuff to become more powerful and beat opponents.
 - Pay-to-play. Players can evade time limits and prolong the game process with in-app purchases.
 
In pursuit of revenue, developers focus less on improving the game itself. Many freemium projects create nothing new, simply offering benefits for premium players. This leads to users realizing they can simply pay and win instead of improving skills or building strategies, which kills the thrill of gaming.
The majority of mobile projects push pay-to-play or pay-to-win styles because it’s profitable now: Clash of Clans or Fruit Pop, just to name a few. It’s much worse for the industry when well-thought series like Dungeon Hunter follow such trends.
Future of in-app purchases
Freemium model works well for game developers as it allows expanding the audience thanks to free downloads and earning more money thanks to engagement strategies. Gamers are free to try different products and decide whether they deserve further investments.
It seems clear that mobile games will expand, generating more revenues compared to PC and console sectors. In-app purchases will definitely grow in popularity as well. Probably, companies will find new ways of implementing this feature, somehow different from pay-to-win and pay-to-play options. Eventually, it all depends on end users as they create the demand.
News
Power affiliate QiH Group rebrands to Quantum to reflect ambitious diversification strategy
														The tech powerhouse has a new website, name and branding that are set to take the affiliate marketing company into the next 10 years.
Quantum International Holdings, the affiliate formerly known across the tech, sports, iGaming betting industries as QiH Group has launched its official rebrand to Quantum. With a new-look website, logo and assets, the company has chosen the pared down name to reflect the strategic direction it will be taking, starting in 2026.
Speaking about the change, Quantum CEO Jamie Walters said: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to share the next chapter in our journey: the evolution of QiH into Quantum. For over a decade, QiH has been our foundation, a story of success, growth and innovation in iGaming. But the world – especially digitally – moves fast, and so do we.
“‘Quantum’ was already in our name, so we’ve simplified and streamlined, and it now represents the next version of who we are and where we’re going. A rebrand is about a lot more than a new logo, colours and identity – we’ve also evolved our mindset, ambition and of course, our strategic direction.
Walters continues: “Over the past few months, the Quantum team has worked tirelessly to get to this exciting new stage for our growth. We’re building on everything that has already made QiH Group so brilliant – our talent, creativity, and data-driven approach – and supercharging it to perform on the biggest global stage.
“Our vision is simple: to expand our affiliate marketing roots to become the world’s most-used digital comparison service, delivering simplicity and value to millions of users around the globe.”
Tom Murch, creative director at Quantum, shared: “The rebrand brief was simple: evolution. This wasn’t just about a new identity, it was about building on a decade of growth and turning momentum into acceleration. Quantum is the brave new chapter in our story, a brand, a strategy, a mindset, and a framework for high performance culture at scale and where elite talent can really thrive.”
The story so far
QiH Group was launched in London in 2014 to address a gap in the iGaming affiliate market for smart, digital-first, data-focused affiliate partnerships for iGaming operators.
The company has seen a host of accolades, such as:
- 
Moving from 21st to 15th on EGR Global’s Power Affiliates list in 2025
 - 
Growing from five initial employees to 60 now
 - 
Hiring an experienced C-suite of talent, including a CFO, CMO and CTO and promoting internally for their COO
 - 
Building our entire tech team from outsourced to a fully in-house, tech capability, expanding the team from 0 to 14 employees this year
 - 
Shortlisted for eight major awards in iGaming, from Employer of the Year to Affiliate of the Year
 - 
Fostering years-long relationships with Tier 1 operators
 
“2026 and beyond are going to be incredibly exciting times for Quantum, and we’re so pleased to be bringing a new look, simplified name and a honed strategic direction and operational delivery for our clients – and of course, an environment where our talented and ambitious team can thrive,” says Walters.
Awards
Casino Guru wins in Casino Affiliate category at the EGR Operator Awards 2025
														
Casino Guru is proud to announce that it has won in the “Casino Affiliate” category at the just-concluded EGR Operator Awards 2025. The company was distinguished amongst the world’s leading casino affiliates and crowned with the ultimate accolade.
The awards ceremony was held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London on October 22, 2025, and marked the 20th anniversary of the EGR Operator Awards.
Commenting on the award, Matej Novota, Head of Casino Research at Casino Guru, had this to say: “This recognition confirms our commitment to delivering one of the best possible experiences for casino players worldwide. We are grateful to the EGR Operator Awards for this distinction, which reinforces that our work toward a safer and more transparent industry is making a real impact. Casino Guru will continue to guide players toward better and fairer gaming experiences, and we are honored to receive this award.”
Casino Guru has repeatedly delivered one of the most comprehensive services in helping inform player opinion. The website focuses exclusively on reviewing online casinos and bonuses based on criteria that matter to the players, such as fair bonus policies and general terms and conditions, ease of withdrawals, and more.
Casino Guru has also served as a trustworthy mediator in disputes between players and casinos, having returned more than $52m in player funds through the Complaint Resolution Center, and making sure it offers a comprehensive service that goes beyond its meticulous reviewing process.
To help quantify the data points Casino Guru leverages to make decisions about what casinos are worthwhile, the company has developed the bespoke Safety Index metric, which gauges a casino offer based on player-specific preferences, overall fairness, and industry standards, and assigns a rating that players can trust.
This is the latest distinction secured by Casino Guru over the past several months. Casino Guru is also contending in various categories for the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards as well as in the AffPapa iGaming Awards LatAm.
News
Gamblers Connect Partners with Bazoom to Improve Link-Building Solutions for the iGaming Industry
														Gamblers Connect, a leading and trusted iGaming Medium & Affiliate website for the iGaming sector, is pleased to announce a new premium partnership with Bazoom, a sophisticated link-building platform.
This strategic alliance is designed to introduce Gamblers Connect’s expansive network to a best-in-class resource capable of addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the highly competitive digital landscape of iGaming: the efficient acquisition of high-quality backlinks.
The iGaming industry, encompassing affiliates, operators, and marketers, operates within one of the world’s most fiercely contested digital ecosystems, where achieving visibility and digital authority is a constant battle.
This collaboration is a direct response to this challenge, spotlighting a solution that moves beyond traditional, manual outreach methods.
Bazoom has successfully streamlined the process by offering an intelligent marketplace where users can efficiently discover, filter, and secure link placements from a vast global network of nearly 100,000 media outlets, utilizing familiar SEO metrics for precision targeting.
A core component of Bazoom’s offering is its integrated content engine, which handles the creation of high-quality, tailored content, included in the price of the link purchase. Operating on a model of transparent, pay-per-link pricing without any mandatory subscriptions, the platform offers a truly scalable solution built for all stakeholders, from solo consultants to major agencies.
The partnership is founded on a shared commitment to excellence, which is encapsulated in the mutual philosophy: “Scale with quality, not noise.”
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, commented on the synergy: “Bazoom and Gamblers Connect share the same philosophy, scale with quality, not noise. This is a partnership with a clear direction and shared ambition to empower our community.”
Kristoffer Krog, Head of Global Partnerships at Bazoom, added: “We are very excited to partner up with industry leaders, to align our collaboration and reach new heights together.”
This strategic collaboration underscores a mutual dedication to providing the iGaming community with the tools necessary for sustained digital growth and authority in a transparent and results-driven manner.
- 
																	
										
																			News2 weeks agoAll Roads Lead to the Helicopter — N1 Partners Turns SiGMA Central Europe 2025 into a Pit Stop for Deals
 - 
																	
										
																			Awards2 weeks agoReferOn in the Spotlight: Nominated for the Prestigious “Best Affiliate Software 2025” Award at SiGMA Europe Rome
 - 
																	
										
																			Affiliate Announcements2 weeks agoIZIGROUP Partners with PartnerMatrix to Expand Global Reach
 - 
																	
										
																			Awards1 week agoCasino Guru wins in Casino Affiliate category at the EGR Operator Awards 2025
 - 
																	
										
																			News1 week agoGamblers Connect Partners with Bazoom to Improve Link-Building Solutions for the iGaming Industry
 - 
																	
										
																			News4 days agoPower affiliate QiH Group rebrands to Quantum to reflect ambitious diversification strategy
 

