In Europe and America, many gambling game companies have been recruiting Game Mathematicians. This position requires mastery of both mathematical probability and programming implementation, but most people with this background tend to choose higher-paying internet or financial industries, so there is less competitive pressure in the gambling field.
The overall work environment is relatively relaxed, and many companies support full remote work, as headquarters are often located in Gibraltar, Malta, Isle of Man, etc. If you have the relevant background and do not mind the industry, submitting a resume might open opportunities.
📝 My Job Application Experience
I applied through LinkedIn and the company's official website, then directly contacted HR. The interview was about 2-3 rounds, all in English (with British, American, and Indian accents, which was quite a test of listening skills 😅).
Questions mainly included:
Probability and programming related questions: such as expected value calculations, simple algorithm derivation;
Understanding of gambling games: for example, the pros and cons of a certain slot machine mechanism, how to mathematically balance return rate and user experience.
Honestly, I could only understand about seventy percent during the interview, and my English expression was not very fluent. But by preparing questions in advance, combining some on-the-spot inspiration, and scoring points in the written test, I successfully got the offer and went to work in the UK.
🎯 Interview Question Example
What are the advantages of the Megaway feature in basic slot machine games?
What is the most successful slot machine feature you have designed or participated in?
In free games, how do you balance the frequency of big wins/medium wins/small wins? Why?
How many times on average do you need to roll a dice until each number from 1–6 appears at least once?
Rolling dice: if it's an even number, continue rolling; otherwise, stop. How many times can you roll on average?
From numbers 1–80, randomly draw 20 numbers (without replacement). If a player pre-selects 10 numbers, what is the probability of hitting all 10?
Work and Life in the UK
The UK is a major global center for the gambling industry, with well-regulated, well-funded, and both physical casinos and online platforms are very common, with major game companies having studios here, and there are no so-called gray areas.
Work Mode
The workflow is similar to when I was in the Philippines: design gameplay, calculate expected values, adjust figures.
Colleagues come from all over the world, and daily communication is all in English.
The daily working hours are 7.5 hours, with almost no overtime. Around four in the afternoon, everyone gradually leaves work, some even code on Leetcode in the office as a daily study.
Income and Cost of Living
The salary is about three times what I earned in the Philippines.
The cost of living is also 2-3 times higher than in Manila, and with higher taxes in the UK, the actual income and living experience need some adjustment.
The overall living standard is equivalent to a monthly salary of 80,000-100,000 PHP in Manila. If the goal is "saving money," it is easier to achieve in the UK than in Southeast Asia.
Living Details
The difficulty of obtaining a work visa (Skilled Worker Visa): USA > UK > Europe > Southeast Asia, but as long as the company is of a normal scale, most will assist with the process after passing the interview.
There is a 30-day annual leave upon joining, and it is common to take a week or two off, with no one stopping you.
Everyday convenience is not as good as in China, such as dining, takeaways, and shopping mall density.
The social circle is mainly still in China, and it can feel lonely when you first arrive, requiring proactive efforts to expand your circle of friends.
The weather is cold, even in summer it is often chilly.
🎰Summary
The UK market is mature with many opportunities, and life has its pros and cons, but overall, it is very suitable for those who want to challenge and broaden their international horizons. Friends interested in trying out life in the UK are welcome!
