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As the World’s First Metaverse Employer, Decentral Games Is Defining the Future of Work
Few periods in history have altered the general public’s perception with regard to the future of work more profoundly than the last eighteen months.
After spending considerable time in isolation, perhaps it’s no wonder workers across the world have emerged from the pandemic having re-evaluated their professional passions, workplace preferences, and outlook for the future of their careers. Coincidentally, this once in a lifetime macroeconomic event has coincided with a key inflection point in the worlds of cryptocurrency and blockchain. For the first time in history, workers have been afforded the unique opportunity to pursue gainful employment in the most futuristic workplace known to humankind – the metaverse.
Decentral Games proudly bears the honor of becoming the world’s first metaverse employer. It’s an important and necessary responsibility we believe will bring a new wave of adoption and sense of community not only to our platform, but to the industry at large. As we’ve continued to scale headcount over the last year, our thesis for investing in new talent and helping to define the future of work has only grown stronger.
Despite having established careers prior to joining Decentral Games, new employees who join our ranks express feeling a call to become part of something bigger. “The job I had at the time was ten years in the making, an amazing place to work, and I wanted to leave it with every part of me…” Murphjestic, Decentral Games’ Community Manager recalls of leaving his Big 4 Accounting role. “I loved that job, so it wasn’t a matter of being unhappy with my employer. I had fallen in love with crypto, the metaverse, the potential and the amazing communities that were being forged.”
It’s a story we never get tired of hearing. Despite varying backgrounds, we’ve found motivated, adventure-seeking individuals at every turn who have felt driven to bring their collective decades of experience to Decentral Games without looking back. DG’s Events Manager, Adam for example, brings 20 years of entertainment industry experience to the table, and after traveling the world playing clubs as a DJ he found himself ready to apply these skills in a totally new capacity. “I started DJing in Florida, then playing clubs on the east coast of America and most recently playing venues all over South East Asia and landing in Italy.” he says. “I joined the Decentral Games team to provide versatile mixes, on board a dozen DJs, and grow high profile entertainment events.”
“I won’t lie, it was scary enough to give up a stable IRL job for a job I didn’t know if it would be for the future..” Casino Host Aeron says. “Now after more than five months I can say that this job is all I wanted and even more!”
It’s often the case that technological innovations come with a counterintuitive tradeoff, that despite being more connected than ever, the human element of community and working towards a common purpose is lost. As a team, we quickly realized that gaming and socializing in the metaverse was going to be an unfamiliar feeling for most – at least at first – so connecting with new users from the start and making them feel welcome was proving to be an especially important task. “The original idea was to have someone charismatic greet new users and play games with them so they aren’t alone.” GLHF (Kris), DG’s Casino Manager remembers. “That quickly blossomed into an elite, full-blown support system of 20+ Casino Host team members, most of which are working 8+ hour daily shifts, and can now answer almost any question and resolve issues for users, on the spot.”
Most employees see immediate gratification and fulfillment in the work they’re performing due to their rapport-building with our customers, many of whom are awestruck navigating the metaverse for the very first time. “It reminds me how important it is to onboard complete strangers…” Casino Host, 100Rainbows said. “While a waiter will meet/greet patrons and aid them with the menu, a Decentral Games Host can help newcomers to walk/talk and teleport within the metaverse.”
These initial interactions additionally present an opportunity to introduce players to Decentral Games’ play-to-earn model, a unique system that allows both players and employees to acquire shared ownership in the platform the more they interact with it. Players place wagers and earn rewards via our proprietary $DG token, an asset simultaneously represents both a unit of account and fractional ownership. Through the $DG DAO, $DG token holders own the casino, control the profits, vote on new games and decide on feature proposals. The system allows customers to “be the house” and financially aligns the interests of our employees with our players, fostering a stronger sense of community not seen in the traditional gaming sector.
Aside from the nature of their work, DG metaverse employees see the upside of completely remote work, a team-oriented environment, flexible hours, and opportunities to develop cutting-edge skills. “I can pick the hours that won’t affect my school work and also allow me to not miss any time with friends and family and that is something I’m extremely grateful for,” Ethan, a Casino Host says of his schedule. “In fact, I can work more than double the hours at DG than I’d be able to work elsewhere all from the comfort of my home.”
Above all, what keeps our talent executing day in and day out on Decentral Games’ bold vision for the future is the belief in limitless opportunity and potential. The world of cryptocurrency today is filled with genuine excitement, a feeling that is deeply reminiscent of the internet boom that captivated the world’s imagination in the early 2000’s. Similarly, before they made the leap to get involved, many of our employees were just crypto-enthusiasts looking to get a foot in the door of this game-changing industry. As the industry has evolved to support the immersive infrastructure of the metaverse, the new ecosystem has rapidly matured to the point of being considered the future frontier of work. Even amid the uncertainty of price fluctuations in crypto markets and short-term market uncertainty, the team is filled with conviction that cryptocurrency has the potential to ring in a brighter future for all who wish to participate in it. “The strange part is describing my work to people, it’s always a ‘Shut up, no way!’ moment if they are young or simply a confused look for people my parents age, Denzel, a Casino Host, says. “Nonetheless it turns heads and opens people’s eyes to the possibilities being created by blockchain technology.”
The Board of Directors of Playtech, the leading platform, content and services provider in the online gambling industry, has announced that John Gleasure has been appointed to the Board with a view to his succeeding Brian Mattingley as Non-executive Chairman.
John joins the Board as an independent Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect, and is expected to assume the role of Chairman after Playtech’s annual general meeting in May 2025, at which time Brian will step down as Chairman and from the Board.
John brings 30 years of experience across the sports, media and technology sectors, in addition to relevant Board experience from a range of international companies. He currently serves as a Non-executive Director at DAZN Group, the leading global sports subscription service, and is a Non-executive Director (and previously Executive Chairman) at The Sporting News, a global digital publisher. John was a founder of Perform, a digital sports media business, growing it into a leading provider of live data and content to online betting groups before the business listed in 2011. John previously held leadership roles at Sky Sports, Hutchison 3G and Sony Pictures.
Brian Mattingley, commenting on the changes, said: “We are very pleased to welcome John to our Board as a new Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect. John’s significant experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset for Playtech as it continues its transformation into a predominantly pure-play B2B business. I look forward to giving him every support during this period of transition.”
John Gleasure, commenting on his appointment, said: “I am delighted to be joining Playtech at such a pivotal moment in its history. Playtech is a unique and highly innovative business, underpinned by market-leading technology and relationships with the world’s leading gambling operators. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, and I look forward to working with everyone at Playtech to drive forward its strategy and create further value for our shareholders.”
The post Playtech: Appointment of Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Thirsk Racecourse has announced that Ladbrokes will sponsor the 2025 Thirsk Hunt Cup.
First run in 1859, the £50,000 mile handicap is Thirsk’s most prestigious race and highlight of Thirsk Hunt Cup Day on Saturday, May 3.
Ladbrokes is the biggest and best-known betting brand in the UK with over 1500 betting shops, a digital betting business and a long-standing association with horse racing dating back many decades.
The company boasts a strong sponsorship portfolio in horse racing, including Kempton Park’s Ladbrokes Christmas Festival, the Ladbrokes Chester Cup and the Ladbrokes Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Ladbrokes also sponsors leading Jump trainer Dan Skelton, who writes a weekly blog as he bids to win the British Jump trainers’ championship for the first time.
Farhh is the most notable winner of the Thirsk Hunt Cup in recent years, taking the 2012 edition by six lengths before a memorable Group 1 double the following year in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and Ascot’s Champion Stakes.
Simon Clare, PR Director for Ladbrokes, said: “We are excited to sponsor such an iconic and prestigious race as the Thirsk Hunt Cup, and look forward to partnering with Thirsk Racecourse as we seek to strengthen our support and promotion of the sport.”
James Sanderson, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, said: “We are delighted to have Ladbrokes sponsoring the Thirsk Hunt Cup and its supporting programme in 2025. The £50,000 Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup is an early Flat season highlight in the North and we are very grateful for Ladbrokes’ most valued support.
“Over the past 10 years, northern-based trainers have held a vice-like grip on the contest, with the notable exception of Mick Channon (and STORTING) in 2021. Thirsk always welcomes challengers from far and wide but taking the 2025 Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup down south will be no easy task.”
The post Ladbrokes to sponsor 2025 Thirsk Hunt Cup appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
We’ve recently sat down with Arturs Korolkovs, Head of Sales at affiliate marketing company Media 24, to talk about building long-term partnerships in iGaming, his approach to industry events, and key trends of the affiliate sector — from deal structures and listing fees to navigating increased competition.
When did you join Media 24 and how has your role evolved since then?
I joined the company in 2020, right in the middle of COVID. It was a time of big changes for a lot of people, both in work and in life. I was actually the company’s first employee, and together, we worked on launching our first website.
In the beginning, I had little formal experience in sales or partner management, so I was doing a bit of everything. Uploading content, editing videos, handling social media. But as the company grew, so did my role. Over time, I transitioned fully into partner management, starting as an account manager and working my way up to the Head of Sales.
You attend many conferences and industry events throughout the year. What are your main priorities and how do you measure success there?
In the early days, conferences were more like hunting. Pure acquisition mode, trying to get our name out there and sign initial deals. Now, it’s a far more strategic play. Maintaining relationships, gaining new insights, and staying ahead of industry trends. Conferences aren’t just about sales. It’s an opportunity to gather valuable information that helps both the company and my own professional growth.
How we measure success has shifted too. It’s not solely about the number of contracts signed right there and then, though we certainly track leads that convert into long-term partnerships. We evaluate success by asking: Did we meaningfully strengthen ties with our top-tier partners? Did we gain specific, actionable insights – perhaps about competitor moves or regulatory shifts that will impact our strategy? And did we initiate promising conversations that lay the groundwork for valuable, long-term collaborations? That deeper, strategic ROI is what defines a successful conference for us now.
What are the key factors you consider when deciding whether to start a partnership with a specific operator?
Beyond the obvious things like relevant GEOs and a strong product, the initial communication with the affiliate manager is a massive factor. Are they responsive? Do they communicate clearly? This is the person you’ll be working with long-term, so having a good connection is crucial.
And yes, reputation is critical. The industry is smaller than it looks. Over time, you build a network, and there’s always ways to ask around and get feedback about a brand.
What’s your approach to building long-term relationships with partners?
Radical transparency. We’re open about our traffic sources, our methods, and even potential challenges we foresee. And we expect the same from the operator. Hiding bad news does more harm than good in the long run.
Beyond that, it’s important to proactively add value. By sharing market insights, providing constructive feedback, and maintaining regular meaningful contact. It’s about creating a relationship where both sides feel invested in the other’s success. The more open and proactive the communication, the stronger the partnership.
A lot of affiliates are working with the CPA deals, others prefer Rev Share. What’s Media 24’s approach here and why?
Ideally, a hybrid model works best. But if I had to choose between CPA and Rev Share, I’d go with Rev Share. For SEO traffic, it’s the most effective and sustainable model in the long run. And it’s probably the fairest model for both sides of the deal.
CPA can be situationally useful. Maybe for testing a new, unproven GEO, or launching a new project. But if we’re talking about a long-term strategy and good traffic quality, Rev Share wins every time.
There’s a differing opinion about listing fees in the industry. What’s your take on this?
We see listing fees as a mechanism for building strong and sustainable partnerships. In most cases, especially with new partners, we prefer to work with listing fees. Look, when we onboard a new brand, we’re investing significant resources immediately. Creating content, SEO, traffic allocation — all that requires a budget. This happens before we see a single dollar in commission. And without any guarantees on performance, GEO stability, or long-term commitment from the operator.
At the same time, we always take a flexible approach. For trusted, long-term partners with a strong track record, we are open to alternative structures. It’s all about finding a setup that works for both sides and ensures mutual long-term growth.
How can affiliate marketing companies handle increased competition and what are the ways to stand out in the industry?
Quality over quantity. A lot of affiliates still focus on pumping out mass content, but that approach is becoming less effective. Today you seriously have to focus on product improvements and user experience. The best way to stand out is through strong branding, engaging content, and a clear value proposition.
Building long-term relationships with partners also plays a huge role. In a crowded market, reputation and the ability to collaborate strategically become powerful differentiators. At Media 24, we believe in growing together with our partners, and that long-term thinking continues to pay off.
The post Arturs Korolkovs, Media 24: “Radical Transparency Is Our Strategy” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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