Playbook Fusion
- Founded
- 2024-01-01 in United Kingdom
- Headquarters
- Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Playbook Fusion is a boutique B2B games studio that sits at the intersection of the gambling and video game industries. Founded in June 2024 by Steve Rogers, a 20‑year gambling industry veteran, the company is developing a new genre of persistent, skill‑based betting products designed to deliver the engagement and progression typical of modern video games. Its debut title, *Playbook Football*, blends football management mechanics, squad building, and real‑money betting into a single immersive experience that keeps players returning across multiple sessions. Unlike traditional sportsbook products that end when a bet settles, Playbook Fusion’s games offer ongoing gameplay loops, rewards, and strategic depth. The studio targets Millennial and Gen Z audiences, a demographic that is highly engaged with video games but often less connected to conventional betting formats. The leadership team brings together expertise from both sectors: CEO Steve Rogers previously served as Chief Commercial Officer – Virtual Sports at Inspired Entertainment, while Executive Creative Advisor Santiago Jaramillo was Creative Director for EA Sports’ FIFA franchise and Executive Producer of *Monopoly GO!*. In 2025–2026, Playbook Fusion signed distribution and aggregation partnerships with Bet365, BetComply, and Tequity, expanding the reach of *Playbook Football* into regulated markets. The company describes itself as “boutique” and operates primarily from the United Kingdom.
Detailed Review
Founding and History
Playbook Fusion was founded in June 2024 by Steve Rogers, who had spent over two decades in the gambling sector, most recently as Chief Commercial Officer – Virtual Sports at Inspired Entertainment, where he grew the business unit to over $55 m in annual revenue across 20+ countries. Recognising a gap between the short‑term nature of sportsbook betting and the deep, persistent engagement of video games, Rogers set out to create a new content vertical.
Business Model and Products
The studio’s first product, Playbook Football, is a football simulation game that requires players to build squads, improve team ratings, compete in leagues, and make strategic decisions over time – all while placing real‑money bets. The game is designed to feel familiar to fans of football management titles and Ultimate Team modes, but within a regulated gambling framework. A key differentiator is its persistence: the experience does not end when a bet settles, but continues through progression systems and rewards.
Market Traction
Playbook Fusion announced a partnership expansion with Bet365 in June 2026, ahead of the World Cup, noting a 34% revenue increase in 2025. It also partnered with BetComply in December 2025 to bring its new betting genre to regulated markets, and with Tequity in early 2026 to broaden distribution via aggregation. The company obtained product certification from eCOGRA, which certified its multi‑market game as unique.
Leadership
The team combines gambling and AAA video game talent. Chief Product Officer Jason brings over a decade of experience at Entain/GVC, Light & Wonder, Inspired Entertainment, and ComeOn. Executive Creative Advisor Santiago Jaramillo, with 13+ years in AAA gaming, adds creative direction from EA Sports and Scopely. Playbook Fusion pitches itself as an iGB Trends finalist and has been featured at industry events such as iGB L!VE. The company remains privately held, with no public funding rounds disclosed. Limited information is available about office locations beyond a UK base, and headcount is not publicly stated.
Key Products
Playbook Football
The company’s flagship product – a persistent, skill‑based football simulation game that combines squad building, progression mechanics, rewards, and real‑money betting. Players manage teams over multiple sessions, competing in leagues and improving their squad through strategy. Designed as a new genre between fantasy sports, virtual sports, and traditional sportsbook betting.
Key Persons
- Steve Rogers
CEO & Founder
- Santiago Jaramillo
Executive Creative Advisor