Web3 is no longer a buzzword sitting on the fringe. Its influence is being felt across iGaming, with players increasingly drawn to the transparency, fairness, and immersive experiences it promises. From provably fair games to seamless crypto transactions, community-centric platforms are shifting from experimental to expected. 

And it’s not just about what’s happening on the blockchain. Platforms like Telegram and Discord are becoming central to the way players engage with betting and casino services. Once seen as tools for community chat, they’re now facilitating entire gaming ecosystems. We’re seeing bots that allow players to place bets, real-time game interactions, and integrations with blockchain-based betting platforms – often underpinned by cryptocurrency for its speed and low fees. 

These changes are creating entirely new modes of interaction – and they demand new skills within your organisation. 

The Talent Challenge: Where Community and Crypto Collide 

If you’re trying to build or scale a Web3-enabled product, you’ve probably already run into the same problem many in the industry are facing: finding the right talent is tough. 

There’s a global scramble for blockchain developers, smart contract engineers, crypto-economics experts, and Web3 security specialists. But it doesn’t stop there. As betting activity migrates to platforms like Discord and Telegram, the need for talent who understand how to build and manage engaged online communities in these environments becomes critical. 

This is where the talent challenge gets nuanced. It’s not just about hiring developers or community managers – it’s about finding people who can bridge technical complexity with player-centric engagement strategies. Often, that means reaching outside the traditional iGaming talent pool and into Web3-native communities, where developers, marketers, and community leads have been living and breathing this evolution for years. 

Attracting them takes more than a job spec. It takes a clear, compelling vision of your role in this space – and how they can help shape it. 

Retaining Talent at the Frontier 

If you’re lucky enough to already have Web3-savvy individuals on your team, then keeping them motivated and engaged is just as important as hiring them in the first place. 

These professionals are driven by innovation, not routine. They want to work on the next big thing – to help shape the future of online interaction, not just maintain the status quo. So how do you retain that kind of energy? 

Give them real challenges. Let them lead projects that push boundaries. Build a culture that values continuous learning and experimentation. Recognise their contributions publicly and meaningfully. In a talent market where top individuals have endless options, creating an environment that fuels their ambition is your best retention strategy. 

Aligning Your Talent Strategy with Your Web3 Vision 

The shift to Web3 is as much about people as it is about tech. If you’re building out your vision – whether that’s launching blockchain-integrated games, experimenting with direct betting channels on Discord, or building new community engagement layers – then your talent strategy needs to evolve in lockstep. 

What skills will you need in six months? In two years? How will your ability to attract and retain the right talent shape your competitive advantage? These are the kinds of questions I explore with iGaming leaders every day. 

If you’re grappling with how to future-proof your workforce for this new era – or simply want to sanity-check your current approach – I’d be glad to talk. 

Let’s connect. Whether you’re hiring, building, or planning, having a talent strategy that reflects the reality of Web3 is essential. The opportunities are exciting. But success will come to those who prepare thoughtfully – and invest in the right people to make it happen.