The past 12 months have seen an unprecedented demand for igaming talent, causing a serious lack of skilled workers in the industry. This talent shortage is hindering the growth of the sector, leading to under-resourced teams, halted expansion plans, and underperforming investments. As a result, salaries in the industry have experienced significant growth, with average increases of 12% and higher increases of over 25% in some areas.
The most difficult roles to recruit and retain are tech specialists, and as a result, their salaries have risen by 12% on average. Compliance and legal professionals are also experiencing salary growth of 26%, but their workload is overwhelming due to constant updates and upgrades in regulation. Sales and data analysis roles also command higher salaries due to their business-critical skills. HR leaders with a focus on people are also in high demand.
Despite a forecasted “workforce growth” of 65% in 2022, companies are facing increasing desperation in the recruitment market. Delays in hiring are costly, and employers must meet candidates’ demands, including remote work and flexible working policies, to attract and retain talent. Employers who commit to flexibility enjoy better retention rates and find it easier to recruit.
Encouragingly, there are signs of long-term solutions to the talent shortage. Companies are prioritizing the hiring of “people-focused” leaders and investing in developing future talent through graduate entry schemes and professional training. To learn more about compensation changes in different regions, departments, and roles, refer to the InnovateChange Pentasia Salary Survey report.