Dmitri Bukhman Biography: Playrix Co-Founder & Mobile Gaming Billionaire

Quick Facts

Full Name: Dmitri Bukhman
Date of Birth: 1985
Nationality: Israeli
Real-Time Net Worth: $9.8 billion (as of May 20, 2025)
Residence: London, United Kingdom
Primary Business: Co-founder, Playrix
Industry: Mobile Gaming, Entertainment

Early Life and Education

Dmitri Bukhman was born in Vologda, a city in northern Russia, in 1985. Raised in modest circumstances, Dmitri shared a 54-square-meter apartment with his parents, brother Igor, and grandparents. The family’s financial constraints were real—his father worked as a security guard and his mother in HR at a local factory.

At 16, Dmitri and Igor began developing computer games using a secondhand Pentium 100 gifted by their grandfather. Their early experiments in game design were primitive but promising. Dmitri pursued higher education at Vologda State Pedagogical University, where he earned a Master of Science degree, balancing academic work with nights coding games and selling them online.

Career Beginnings

In 2004, Dmitri and Igor formally founded Playrix. Their early projects included screensavers and small PC games marketed through third-party download platforms. Although niche, these early successes taught them how to scale digital products globally from a local base.

The company’s breakout came in 2012, when they launched "Township" on Facebook. It was one of the first city-building games to successfully combine social sharing and mobile gameplay. Its popularity led the brothers to shift their entire focus to mobile.

What followed was a string of genre-defining titles: "Gardenscapes", "Homescapes", and "Fishdom". These games integrated match-3 puzzles with evolving storylines, character-driven arcs, and home renovation simulations—a formula that kept players engaged for months.

By the mid-2010s, Playrix had quietly become a global mobile gaming juggernaut, despite never taking venture capital or going public.

Rise to Wealth

With games consistently ranking in the App Store’s top-grossing charts, Playrix’s revenue ballooned. As of 2025, its estimated annual earnings exceed $2.5 billion. The company operates entirely on a free-to-play model with in-game purchases, monetizing everything from extra lives to decorative upgrades.

Dmitri’s personal fortune grew in parallel. His 48% stake in the company places him at an estimated net worth of $9.8 billion, ranking him #299 in the world as of May 20, 2025.

What’s especially remarkable is that the company has remained private—meaning Dmitri and Igor retained control while avoiding dilution or public market volatility.

How He Made His Fortune

Dmitri’s success lies in building games that are both accessible and addictive, blending puzzle gameplay with story, customization, and emotional appeal. Titles like "Gardenscapes" allow users to progress through levels, decorate homes, and follow quirky characters—all mechanics that increase retention and in-app spending.

But Dmitri didn’t just stop at organic growth. In 2018, Playrix acquired a stake in Nexters Global, a developer behind the viral RPG game "Hero Wars". The move marked the company's entry into social and video network-based gaming.

Perhaps most notably, Playrix adapted to geopolitical pressure. In 2022, the company closed all operations in Russia, relocated over 1,500 employees, and moved its headquarters to Dublin, Ireland. The relocation reflected not only a shift in operations, but also a clear statement of global ambition.

Today, Playrix operates studios and remote teams across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Dmitri’s approach—invest quietly, scale globally, retain control—has proven to be one of the most effective wealth-building strategies in modern tech.

Major Achievements

Co-founded Playrix, now one of the top mobile gaming companies in the world
Built top-grossing mobile hits: Fishdom, Gardenscapes, Homescapes
Scaled annual revenues to over $2.5 billion without outside capital
Expanded to 3,000+ employees across multiple continents
Ranked among the top 300 wealthiest people globally in 2025

Philanthropy and Social Impact

Dmitri and his wife, Daria, founded Bukhman Philanthropies, a charitable foundation supporting neonatal health, educational access, and environmental conservation.

They also back the Bukhman Family Foundation, which funds scientific research into curing type 1 diabetes and supports initiatives for underprivileged youth through arts and tech-based programs.

In recent interviews, Dmitri has emphasized the importance of “building not just a company, but a legacy that outlives success.”

Personal Life and Interests

Dmitri lives in London with his wife and four children. Despite his billionaire status, he avoids public excess. The Bukhmans are known for their discreet lifestyle and focus on family, philanthropy, and purposeful business building.

They reportedly own real estate in the UK and a vacation estate in Western Europe, but few details have ever been made public. Dmitri has publicly spoken about the importance of limiting screen time for children—even in a household that creates games for a living.

Business Philosophy and Strategies

Dmitri’s philosophy is grounded in focus, patience, and product quality. He believes in “slow scaling”—releasing fewer titles but refining them continuously based on user behavior.

He avoids corporate bloat and excessive media attention, preferring Playrix to remain nimble, founder-led, and profitable. A firm believer in story-driven mobile gaming, he has helped define a new genre of casual, emotionally compelling app experiences.

Challenges and Controversies

Playrix’s decision to shut down operations in Russia in 2022 came after long-standing tensions with the country’s regulatory environment. Earlier, in 2009, the company was raided by Russian police over alleged tax fraud—charges that were dropped, but which convinced the Bukhmans to internationalize their business.

Despite massive revenue, the company has also faced criticism over microtransactions, particularly among young players. Dmitri has responded by increasing parental control features and education around in-game spending.

Current Focus and Future Plans

As of May 2025, Playrix is developing new titles with AI-enhanced game mechanics, focusing on personalization and dynamic storytelling. The company is expanding into augmented reality (AR) mobile experiences, with two AR-based games currently in closed beta.

Dmitri is also leading Playrix’s quiet but ambitious exploration of the educational gaming space, targeting partnerships with schools and learning platforms.

According to recent coverage in The Times, Playrix has no plans to go public, instead prioritizing sustainability, global hiring, and long-term product pipelines.

Dmitri Bukhman Net Worth

Estimated Net Worth: $9.8 billion
Global Ranking: #299 (as of May 20, 2025)
Primary Source of Wealth: Playrix (mobile gaming)

Favorite Quote

“We were very focused. Other people got distracted by cars, watches, or whatever. We built this up stem by stem.”

In the News

On May 18, 2025, Dmitri Bukhman was ranked #1 on The Sunday Times' Richest People Under 40 in the UK list, with an estimated wealth of £12.54 billion. The recognition places him above other prominent tech founders and underscores the financial power of gaming in today’s digital economy.
(Source: The Times UK, 2025)