Murka Ltd

History and Founding

Murka Ltd was founded in 2009 as a small indie studio in Dnipro, Ukraine, by Anton Krasnyy and Max Polyakov. The company’s early titles, such as Slots Journey and its sequel, quickly built a loyal user base. Over the next decade, Murka expanded its game library and team, reaching over 500 employees by the time Blackstone acquired it in March 2019 for an undisclosed sum. Under Blackstone’s ownership, the company scaled operations, bolstered its live-ops capabilities, and strengthened its technology stack. In January 2021, founder Anton Krasnyy transitioned from CEO to Chairman of the Board, and COO Barak David was appointed CEO. Krasnyy fully resigned from the board in August 2023. In January 2026, Murka completed a management buyout from Blackstone, with backing from MGG Investment Group, returning majority control to CEO Barak David and his leadership team—a move that aligns with typical private-equity exit timelines and positions Murka for faster decision-making.

Business Model and Revenue

Murka operates a free-to-play business model that strictly avoids real-money gambling. Revenue is generated through in-app purchases of virtual chips, bonus features, and cosmetic items, supplemented by advertising. The company’s proprietary technology stack supports cross-platform play (iOS, Android, web) with real-time events, personalized in-game economies, and deep engagement mechanics. Murka has maintained profitability throughout its history, relying on data-driven design and efficient user acquisition to retain millions of monthly active users. The management buyout is expected to accelerate new game development and expand into adjacent genres.

Key Products and Platforms

Murka’s flagship title, Scatter Slots – Slot Games, consistently ranks among the top-grossing social casino apps on both the App Store and Google Play. Other notable titles include Slots Era, a free-to-play slot machine collection with themed worlds and progressive jackpots; Infinity Slots, offering unlimited spins and daily bonuses; Slots Journey, the original classic slot adventure; and its sequel Slots Journey 2. The company also operates TX, a social casino platform with limited public details. Beyond its own portfolio, Murka provides game development and monetization services to platform partners, leveraging its backend technology and expertise.

Market Position and Competition

Murka competes with other social casino giants such as Playtika, SciPlay, and Aristocrat’s Big Fish Games. Its focus on high-retention slot experiences and efficient user acquisition has allowed it to carve out a sustainable niche. The company’s games have collectively generated over $650 million in net lifetime in-app purchases and surpassed 105 million downloads. Murka serves a predominantly North American and European audience, and its proprietary technology enables frequent content updates and live events that drive player engagement.

Recent Developments and Strategic Direction

The January 2026 management buyout marks a significant milestone, returning ownership to the company’s leadership under CEO Barak David. The deal was backed by MGG Investment Group and positions Murka for increased strategic flexibility. Post-buyout, the company plans to accelerate new game launches, deepen engagement features, and explore expansion into casual and hybrid-casual genres. Murka’s development teams are distributed across offices in Limassol (Cyprus), Dnipro (Ukraine), and other locations, supported by a strong remote-work culture.

Leadership

Barak David has served as CEO since January 2021, having previously been COO. He led the 2026 management buyout. Anton Krasnyy co-founded the company in 2009, served as CEO until 2021, and was Chairman until his resignation in August 2023. Max Polyakov is the co-founder, though his current role is not publicly specified. Other C-level executives were not confirmed in current roles through the available research.