Online gambling is big business. The industry generated a massive $53.7 billion in 2019, and no one is predicting it to slow down anytime soon. With all that money coming in, companies are keen to expand, and new start-ups appear all the time. All this growth means that there is a lot of opportunity out there!
Recent global events have shown the value of working from home. The days where an employee would need to drag themselves across a city in rush hour at some ungodly time are thankfully numbered. More companies than ever are looking at remote and freelance workers and those in the iGaming industry are no exception. If anything, iGaming companies are those best positioned for expansion given that business is booming amidst the coronavirus and the social restriction measures in place.
With that in mind, we thought we’d share with you some of the many lucrative opportunities out there for those with a passion for online gambling and some skill to bring to the industry.
Web Developer
Every online casino needs a team of web developers. Every website giving tips, advice on bonuses, selling games to other businesses, heck, even the licensing agencies of the world will all need the services of professionals that are capable of building out websites and the systems behind them.
Like in any digital industry, the role of web developer is a crucial one for all kinds of different interests in the iGaming industry. That’s why they take home an average salary of nearly $80,000!
Game and Application Developers
There are many more opportunities out there for developers. If building games and applications is more up your street than stylish websites or databasing systems, companies are constantly in need of those with coding expertise. Just imagine creating a game like Book of Ra… and taking home between $40,000 and $60,000 for your troubles!
There are loads of iGaming software studios these days. Along with the industry’s biggest names, like Playtech and Microgaming, there are loads of up and coming companies that are equally hungry for talent. You’ll find opportunities in both mobile, desktop, front, and backend development.
Graphic Artists/Designers
As a pretty visual industry, graphic designers and artists are consistently in high demand in the online gambling industry. Taking home an average of $57,000 per year for their troubles, there are opportunities for freelancers at all levels of the industry.
At the lower end of the spectrum, there are freelance roles for one off logo designs for companies. Conversely, a big project might see you creating all the artwork for an exciting new slot machine or overhauling an existing brand’s image.
Animators
With digital slots getting ever more creative and extravagant these days, there has never been more call for animators in the casino industry. Newer titles often begin with extravagant cutscenes and once the action is unfolding, reel animations, background animations, and other moving features all need creating.
Practically all iGaming software studios need animators. They typically fetch around $30,000 per year. It’s probably more common for animators to work at a studio itself in the iGaming industry. However, recent global events will almost certainly see growth of opportunities for those wishing to work in a freelance or remote capacity.
Affiliate Content Writing
Marketing is massive in the iGaming industry. There are literally thousands of different companies vying for the attention of a massive market. The industry is hardly over saturated but there is no shortage of great online casinos and sportsbooks out there. If they want the attention of players, they need to market their services!
A favourite marketing tool of the casino industry is the affiliate marketer. These will publish content related to online gambling with links to other the casinos they work with included. If someone follows one and signs up, the affiliate takes a percentage of the revenue generated by the casino.
There are loads of casino affiliates wanting high quality written content. They don’t just want stuffy old slot reviews or game guides either. Assignments might see writers covering the best that Vegas has to offer or a deep dive into the changing legislation of a country.
The rates you can expect to pull in hugely depend on the quality of your work and how quickly you can produce it. Rates of $40 an hour or more are not uncommon for the very best in the industry.
Copywriting/Proofreading
Casino companies, like any, also need copywriters and proof-readers. It might be to produce or check internal business correspondence or it could be creating content for the firm’s site itself. Software companies and other start-ups that aren’t actually casinos put out press releases, new product information, and a host of other written content that often needs a professional touch.
Again, these opportunities can see gifted writers take home as much as $40 per hour.
Social Media Officer
Also related to marketing is the role of the social media officer. These will often work in a freelance or remote capacity for a company. Basically, it’s their job to get people engaging with posts on social media and generally raise brand awareness.
Social media officer can be a pretty fun job too. It depends on the image the company you are working with wants to create. Not only can it be a rewarding position, but social media officers also take home as much as $63,000 per year.
How to Find These Opportunities
As you’ve seen there are lots of different positions available for freelancers wanting to work in the iGaming industry. Finding specific ones is pretty easy too.
Use services like LinkedIn or talent marketplaces like UpWork and PeoplePerHour. Many companies recruit almost exclusively via these channels. Similarly, look for gambling industry-specific job notice boards, and don’t be afraid to send your resume to a load of companies. They might not have been looking for someone but can see you as a clear fit in their team.
