Playtica will lay off 15% of its employees: “The reality of the industry has changed”

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The founder and CEO of Playtica, Robert Antokol, sent a letter to the employees in which he wrote that “the decision was not made lightly, and it reflects a fundamental change in the way we operate, so that we can invest in the future and continue to lead in the very competitive environment of the mobile game market.”

Antokol added that for years, Playtica has operated with a broad growth mindset, applying similar models of resource allocation across its gaming portfolio. “The economic reality of the industry has changed, and the approach of ‘one solution that fits all’ no longer fits the new reality,” Antokol wrote. According to him, in order to continue leading, the cost structure must be adjusted. “If we don’t make the necessary adjustments in the cost structure today, we will compromise our ability to invest in growth and the future of the company. We cannot continue to allocate resources to mature games at the same historical levels, and at the same time try to build a new future. By adjusting the scope of our investment accurately across the entire game portfolio, we will be able to free up the necessary resources to invest in games with the highest growth potential,” he explained.

According to Antokol, “this time it is different”, because the change opens a new chapter for the company that will create new growth opportunities for it. “This is not a retreat, but an initiative of focusing power and strength. Our goal remains unchanged: to be the leading independent mobile game company in the West,” Antokol wrote, adding that Playtica will do this, among other things, by developing a new game development channel and expanding direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, as well as by using AI and automation. “This is our moment to shape Playtica’s next decade. I am confident that with your passion and focus, we will not only get through this period, but we will grow together and lead Playtica to be stronger than ever,” Antokol concluded.

The company has carried out several rounds of layoffs in recent years

Playtica was first issued on Nasdaq exactly five years ago, in January 2021. The company’s IPO value was $11.1 billion, but since then its stock has lost 86% of its value and its market value currently reaches about $1.4 billion. The company develops mobile games, including casino and casual games, and over the years it has made several rounds of layoffs. It is a profitable company that never pays a dividend, but It is difficult to show growth. Playtica ended the years 2023 and 2024 with erosion in revenues, while the net profit line did not show a consistent trend – in some years since the issue it has increased, and in some it has contracted (in the first three quarters of 2025, the net profit decreased by 42%).

According to the forecast for 2025, Playtica should end the year with revenues of 2.7-2.75 billion dollars and an adjusted EBITDA of 715-740 million dollars – numbers that reflect a growth of 5.9%-7.9% in revenues (after they decreased in 2024) and a decrease of 2.3%-5.6% in EBITDA compared to the previous year.