As global gambling regulations grow increasingly stringent, a new form of gaming is making its mark on the casino landscape—skill-based games. Unlike traditional slots or table games, these experiences emphasize player decision-making over luck, providing a compelling alternative that appeals to modern players and fits within looser regulatory frameworks.
The Rise of Skill-Based Games: What They Are and Why Your Casino Needs Them
What Are Skill-Based Games?
Skill-based games differ from traditional casino games in one critical way: the outcome depends on player skill, not random chance. This means players compete on an even playing field, with results determined by performance rather than RNG (Random Number Generators).
Yan Shif, Co-Founder and CEO of MegaFair Games, explained in an exclusive interview with SiGMA News that the inspiration for these games came from a gap in the market:
“We realized no one was offering casual skill games in the iGaming space. Players join tournaments, pay an entry fee, and win the prize pool based on how well they play. No luck involved—just fair competition.”
Familiar Interfaces, Different Mechanics
MegaFair’s initial game offerings include solitaire, bingo, fishing games, and a candy-themed slot-style title called Mega Candy Cash. Although the aesthetics resemble traditional games, the mechanics are fundamentally different:
- All players face the same layout and game rules.
- The outcome is determined by the choices each player makes.
- Top scorers win the prize pool.
“It looks like a classic slot with pay lines,” Shif noted, “but instead of spinning reels, you choose which symbols to place. Better combinations lead to higher scores.”
Why They’re Not Regulated as Gambling
Because skill-based games don’t use RNGs or house odds, most jurisdictions don’t classify them as gambling. This opens up far more flexibility for operators.
“In about 85% of global jurisdictions—including 45 U.S. states—these games can be legally offered with just a legal opinion,” Shif stated. In the UK, as long as the games aren’t cross-promoted with traditional gambling content, they fall outside the Gambling Commission’s purview.
Built-In Anti-Cheating Safeguards
As with any multiplayer format, concerns around collusion and fairness exist. MegaFair tackles this with built-in security features:
- Players cannot choose opponents or play against friends.
- Matchmaking is automated based on experience level.
- Each game session is structurally identical—no variable boosts, no in-game purchases, and no randomized elements.
“Even if two people tried to cheat, the odds of them being matched in the same round are statistically insignificant—like winning the lottery,” Shif emphasized.
Why Your Casino Should Embrace Skill-Based Games
1. Appealing to a Younger, Strategic Audience
Today’s players, especially Gen Z and millennials, crave interactivity and agency in their gaming experiences.
“We’re seeing increasing overlap between slot players and skill-based players,” Shif observed. “Younger users especially prefer games where their decisions matter.”
2. Higher Player Engagement & Wager Amounts
In markets like India, the average bet for traditional slots ranges from $0.05 to $0.10. In contrast, skill-based games often see average bets of $1 per round—a significant increase.
“This isn’t just spinning and waiting—it’s playing to win,” Shif said.
3. Lower Marketing Costs, Greater Flexibility
Since these games fall outside gambling regulations, they’re easier to advertise and promote:
- Fewer restrictions on ad platforms.
- Lower acquisition costs.
- Less competition in user targeting.
“A year ago, most operators didn’t get what we were doing,” Shif said. “Now they’re coming back, interested in taking another look.”
Solving the PvP Liquidity Problem
A major challenge in player-versus-player formats is liquidity: low player volumes mean slower matchmaking. MegaFair addresses this by creating a global matchmaking system that pools users across all partner operators.
“If one operator lacks enough players, our system fills the gap using the broader network,” Shif explained.
Trend or Transformation?
Skill-based games are still early in their adoption curve—but momentum is building. Shif points to the success of mobile mini-games, once considered niche, now dominating markets like Brazil and India.
“We’re in the early adopter phase,” he said. “Operators are conservative, but eventually they’ll need fresh content to keep users engaged.”
As generations raised on interactive mobile games become mainstream casino players, the demand for agency and skill won’t disappear.
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