Companies are hiring fewer people and prioritising proven performance over academic credentials, according to a new research report by SOFTSWISS, an international tech brand with its partner development centres in Warsaw and Poznań, and recruitment consultancy Pentasia.
The report highlights that up to 60% of new jobs may not require a traditional university degree by 2030, reflecting the rise of so-called new-collar roles that prioritise demonstrable skills, hands-on experience, and practical expertise over formal qualifications.
The findings are based on an analysis of LinkedIn and other open-source data, company surveys, and a detailed review of 2025 hiring trends in the iGaming sector. Europe remains the primary global talent pool for iGaming, with hiring activity heavily concentrated in the region compared to all others.
Companies are moving away from large-scale entry-level hiring and instead prioritising mid-to-senior professionals who can deliver immediate impact, the research highlights. Following aggressive recruitment during the pandemic-era tech boom, many organisations are now focused on efficiency, productivity, and measurable output rather than team size.
Alastair Cleland, Managing Director at Pentasia, commented, “These hiring trends we are seeing in iGaming offer important insights for the broader workforce shifts as AI is definitively transforming entry-level jobs by automating routine, process-driven, and administrative tasks, rather than eliminating them. This is happening across the global digital economy, with implications for fintech, e-commerce, and other tech-enabled digital industries.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are reducing routine work while increasing demand for analysis, monitoring, and decision-making skills. Many companies now view AI literacy as a baseline capability across a growing number of roles.
As AI becomes embedded in everyday workflows, many roles are evolving toward strategy, oversight, and system ownership.
Given these shifts, companies say senior roles remain the hardest to fill, particularly in engineering, DevOps, and cybersecurity. While many mid-level professionals are available, fewer candidates have the experience required to manage complex systems, make architectural decisions, and lead technical teams.
Denis Romanovskiy, Chief AI Officer at SOFTSWISS, said, “In our company, most engineering vacancies are now open for senior positions. The expectation is that an employee will come in and start creating value within a few weeks. The ability to use AI tools at work is already considered a given and is not even discussed.”
The talent market for digital roles is now global and remote-first, enabling companies to recruit internationally and access highly experienced professionals. Remote and hybrid work options are increasingly used to attract talent, particularly as many candidates remain reluctant to accept rigid in-office mandates.
Compensation remains the top priority for candidates, while company culture, flexibility, and career development opportunities often determine which offer a candidate ultimately accepts when salaries are comparable.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
About Pentasia
Pentasia is a leading global recruitment consultancy specialising in the iGaming and payments sectors, founded in 2001. Part of The Conexus Group, the firm has placed over 10,000 candidates worldwide, focusing on connecting specialist talent with industry employers. Based in the UK, they offer recruitment, executive search, and talent insights.
