Principal Game Designer - Casino & Gambling Games
Bellota Labs, New York, NY, United States
At Bellota Labs, we're building the next generation of casino and gambling games for the U.S. market - and we need someone who genuinely loves this space. Not someone who studied it. Someone who lives it.
We're talking about a designer who has a favorite slot mechanic, has opinions about volatility curves, knows why certain bonus rounds create that electric moment of anticipation, and gets genuinely excited about what makes a player come back for just one more spin. With ClubWPT Gold already redefining online poker, we're expanding into new gambling experiences - and we need a creative leader who can make them feel as good as the real thing.
If you've spent time at the tables, know the thrill of a high-variance game, and have strong opinions about what separates a forgettable slot from an unforgettable one - keep reading.
What You'll Do:
Own the Game Vision
- Define the design pillars that make our casino games distinct, addictive, and replayable. You know what creates a great session - now build it. Design Core Systems & Mechanics
- Lead the creation of gambling loops, volatility models, bonus structures, and reward systems that keep players engaged and coming back. Collaborate Across Disciplines
- Partner with math designers, engineers, artists, and product leads to bring games from concept to polished, market-ready release. Prototype & Iterate
- Rapidly test game feel, payout structures, and bonus features to find what hits - then refine until it's right. Stay Sharp on the Market
- Know what's dominating casino floors and online platforms. Understand what players are gravitating toward and why, and use that knowledge to stay ahead. Mentor & Elevate
- Help level up other designers and contribute to a culture where great gambling game instincts are developed and rewarded. What We're Looking For:
7+ years in game design, with direct experience designing casino, gambling, or high-engagement games - slots, table games, poker, or similar. A real passion for gambling and casino culture. You play these games. You understand them from the inside out. Deep knowledge of volatility, RTP, bonus mechanics, and what makes a game feel rewarding vs. flat. Strong instincts for the moment-to-moment player experience - the near miss, the anticipation, the big win reveal. Experience working cross-functionally and mentoring other designers. Analytical chops to back up your creative instincts with data. Why Join Bellota Labs:
Creative Ownership
- Shape the design direction of entirely new gambling experiences from the ground up. Play to Your Passion
- This is a role for someone who genuinely loves this space, not someone learning to like it. Impactful Work
- Your designs will directly drive the success of our next major titles in the U.S. market. Passionate Team
- Work with people building in an area they care deeply about, moving fast and thinking big.
$200,000 - $300,000 a year
At Bellota Labs, we're not looking for someone who's neutral about gambling - we want someone who's into it. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
We're talking about a designer who has a favorite slot mechanic, has opinions about volatility curves, knows why certain bonus rounds create that electric moment of anticipation, and gets genuinely excited about what makes a player come back for just one more spin. With ClubWPT Gold already redefining online poker, we're expanding into new gambling experiences - and we need a creative leader who can make them feel as good as the real thing.
If you've spent time at the tables, know the thrill of a high-variance game, and have strong opinions about what separates a forgettable slot from an unforgettable one - keep reading.
What You'll Do:
Own the Game Vision
- Define the design pillars that make our casino games distinct, addictive, and replayable. You know what creates a great session - now build it. Design Core Systems & Mechanics
- Lead the creation of gambling loops, volatility models, bonus structures, and reward systems that keep players engaged and coming back. Collaborate Across Disciplines
- Partner with math designers, engineers, artists, and product leads to bring games from concept to polished, market-ready release. Prototype & Iterate
- Rapidly test game feel, payout structures, and bonus features to find what hits - then refine until it's right. Stay Sharp on the Market
- Know what's dominating casino floors and online platforms. Understand what players are gravitating toward and why, and use that knowledge to stay ahead. Mentor & Elevate
- Help level up other designers and contribute to a culture where great gambling game instincts are developed and rewarded. What We're Looking For:
7+ years in game design, with direct experience designing casino, gambling, or high-engagement games - slots, table games, poker, or similar. A real passion for gambling and casino culture. You play these games. You understand them from the inside out. Deep knowledge of volatility, RTP, bonus mechanics, and what makes a game feel rewarding vs. flat. Strong instincts for the moment-to-moment player experience - the near miss, the anticipation, the big win reveal. Experience working cross-functionally and mentoring other designers. Analytical chops to back up your creative instincts with data. Why Join Bellota Labs:
Creative Ownership
- Shape the design direction of entirely new gambling experiences from the ground up. Play to Your Passion
- This is a role for someone who genuinely loves this space, not someone learning to like it. Impactful Work
- Your designs will directly drive the success of our next major titles in the U.S. market. Passionate Team
- Work with people building in an area they care deeply about, moving fast and thinking big.
$200,000 - $300,000 a year
At Bellota Labs, we're not looking for someone who's neutral about gambling - we want someone who's into it. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.