Belatra Games has surveyed iGaming professionals to discover what they get up to when they are away from their desks, with the results ranging from gaming and fitness to beekeeping and historical reconstruction.

The online slots developer conducted the international research in partnership with G&M News between 3 and 12 August. Participants were asked about their current hobbies, activities they would like to try and some of the more unusual interests they have pursued.

Video gaming was the most commonly reported hobby, followed by reading, strength training and gym activities. Hiking, board games and specialty coffee tasting also appeared prominently among the responses.

Padel emerged as the leading choice for respondents looking to try something new, featuring in 14.8% of answers. Golf followed at 11.4%, with dancing accounting for 9.6%. Among activities outside sport, 3D printing ranked highest.

The findings demonstrated just how varied the interests of iGaming professionals can be. Alongside more familiar pastimes, respondents reported collecting Star Wars memorabilia, antiques and perfumes, as well as taking part in beekeeping, vibe-coding, harness dancing and historical reconstruction. Some also said they create their own board games.

For many, these activities serve a purpose beyond simply filling spare time. Nearly half of respondents (46.7%) said hobbies help them relieve stress and recharge. A further 34.4% highlighted physical activity, while 17.8% said their hobbies help them disconnect from work.

The research has also inspired Belatra Games' Adventure Club booth concept for SBC Summit Lisbon 2026.

The concept is based around The Guy, the recurring character featured in Blast the Bass, Ice Bass and Hunt the Bucks. His enthusiasm for exploring new hobbies and adventures reflects the attitudes uncovered through the research. Belatra Games will also release a fourth title featuring The Guy ahead of the event.

Kateryna Goi, CMO at Belatra Games, said:

“We knew from the start that people working in such a dynamic industry would be curious, open-minded and wonderfully different from one another. But as the responses came in, we were genuinely fascinated by just how much personality and individuality there was behind each answer. We also received a lot of positive feedback from our industry colleagues, and we’d like to sincerely thank everyone who took part. It’s much more interesting to discover the person behind the professional title, because each of us is far more multifaceted than the role we hold at work.”