Companies are hiring fewer people and prioritising proven performance over academic credentials, according to a new report by SOFTSWISS, a global provider of technology solutions for the iGaming industry, and Pentasia, a leading iGaming recruitment consultancy.
The report, released today, 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. At the same time, candidates’ ability to operate across a wider range of skillsets, such as being able to ensure rapid delivery and navigate regulatory complexity and cross-functional execution is also becoming increasingly important.
The findings are based on company surveys, an analysis of LinkedIn and other open-source data, as well as a detailed review of 2025 hiring trends in the iGaming sector – a fast-growing online entertainment industry operating at the intersection of cloud technology, payments, data analytics and cybersecurity.
Companies are moving away from large-scale entry-level hiring and instead prioritising mid-to-senior professionals, who are comfortable with a wide range of skillsets and can deliver immediate impact, the research shows. Following aggressive recruitment during the pandemic-era tech boom, many organisations are now focused on efficiency, productivity and measurable output rather than team size. Regardless of previous hiring patterns, employers increasingly prioritise hires who can contribute from day one with minimal ramp-up time.
Alastair Cleland, Managing Director at Pentasia, commented:
“Entry-level roles are being deprioritised in favour of mid-to-senior hires with advanced skills, while AI skills and understanding have become increasingly expected of candidates across different roles. 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 entirely eliminating them. This is causing a decline in junior hiring for roles like data entry, basic coding and research-based roles, and 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. For example, engineers increasingly focus on deployment, monitoring and system resilience, while marketing teams spend more time on strategy, data interpretation and stakeholder communication.
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. Every engineer goes through an interview with coding and system design assessments, with careful examination of systems thinking skills as well as soft skills. The ability to use AI tools in work is already considered a given and is not even discussed.”
The talent market for digital roles is now fundamentally global and remote-first, enabling companies to recruit internationally and access highly experienced professionals regardless of location. 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 a global tech company, supplying award-winning software solutions for iGaming since 2009. Supported by a team of more than 2,000 experts, SOFTSWISS serves more than 1,000 global brands through its comprehensive product ecosystem. In 2013, it revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. Today, SOFTSWISS continues to leverage the latest technologies and champion responsible gaming across the globe from its offices in Malta, Poland and Georgia.
About Pentasia
Inspiring careers in digital. Established in 2001, Pentasia is a specialist digital recruitment agency for leading iGaming and Payments brands. Hiring candidates across the skill spectrum, Pentasia’s clients include global online brands and emerging startups. With 20+ years in iGaming, our candidates lead many of the world’s most iconic brands: sportsbetting, casino, slots, poker, bingo and social gaming. As our reputation has grown, our client list now spans all specialisms within the digital sector, e-commerce to digital media and software to analytics.