A lot has happened since CasinosHunter’s previous interview with Wazdan in 2021. This time, we were lucky to talk to Izabela Slodkowska-Popiel, Head of Account Management for North America and Latin America at Wazdan, about the key achievements, new extraordinary games and game mechanics, and the company’s plans for the future.
About Wazdan
Wazdan Gaming already boasts 13 years of experience and has over 1,500 real money online casinos as partners. It is fully compliant with 25+ regulated markets all over the world, including Europe and both Americas. The company accepts all currencies and cryptocurrencies in its games and supports a long list of languages.
At the time of this Q&A, Wazdan has over 180 games and is able to release up to 40 new slots per year. All its games are fully mobile-compatible to meet the needs of the modern industry and players’ demands. Moreover, the customizability of the games perfectly follows the personalization trend.
Wazdan continues to make new games and develop new game mechanics. In this Q&A, Izabela Słodkowska-Popiel shares the details of the new exciting game series by Wazdan and comments on other important milestones.
Izabela Słodkowska-Popiel, a prominent figure in Wazdan's account management team, has achieved remarkable milestones during her eight-year journey. She has risen from an Account Manager to become the Head of Account Management for North America and Latin America, pivotal regions for Wazdan's operations.
Izabela's extensive industry knowledge, combined with her hands-on experience, has enabled her to extend her support beyond account management, aiding the marketing and graphic design teams. Her pivotal role has contributed to Wazdan's impressive growth, marked by the establishment of 25 new partnership agreements in the year 2022.
Q&A With Izabela Słodkowska-Popiel, Head of Account Management for North America and Latin America at Wazdan
Hello and thank you for participating in our Q&A! It’s been a while since the previous interview, and Wazdan has seen lots of positive change and growth. Please tell us about the key milestones on the company’s path since 2021.
Hello, and thank you for having me for this Q&A session. Since 2021, Wazdan has indeed experienced significant positive changes and growth.
We continued to enhance our game portfolio, introducing a wide range of new and innovative slots, which have strengthened our position in the iGaming industry.
A prime example of this is the 9 Coins™ series, which started in 2022 and continues to grow, attracting masses of players around the world.
Also, we have worked diligently to secure licenses from various regulatory authorities, allowing us to offer our games in a growing number of jurisdictions. This commitment to compliance has been crucial for expanding our global presence, for example in North America, where we have obtained licences in New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and in Canadian Ontario.
Wazdan's dedication to technological innovation has remained unwavering. We have continued to develop and refine our proprietary features, such as the Volatility Levels™, which provide players with a customisable gaming experience.
We have also developed a myriad of engaging game features and mechanics such as Cash Infinity™, Collect to Infinity™, Sticky to Infinity™ and Chance Level™. It would be a crime not to mention our award-winning promo tool, Mystery Drop™, designed to make every spin more exciting, or our latest progressive jackpot solution, Jackpot Rain™.
Our efforts have not gone unnoticed within the industry. We have received recognition and awards for our game design, marketing efforts, and user experience.
These milestones represent a snapshot of Wazdan's achievements and growth since 2021, but it's worth noting that the company's journey is ongoing.
What has changed in the iGaming market, in your opinion, since 2021?
In my perspective, the iGaming market has seen significant changes since 2021. Stricter regulations, especially in emerging markets like the U.S., have brought more transparency and security.
Player preferences now prioritise mobile gaming, immersive graphics, and personalisation. At Wazdan we recognise these trends, which is why our slots have been created with the mobile-first approach and a variety of features that provide players with opportunities to customise their gaming experiences.
There's a growing emphasis on responsible gaming and player well-being. Our response to this direction is the release of the Extremely Light series – a set of our top-performing titles in a revamped version with optimised audiovisuals to reduce the effect of overstimulation and give players a breather from the flashy effects of modern slots.
The industry is also experiencing consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, while sustainability and diverse payment options, including cryptocurrencies, are gaining traction. These developments underscore the dynamic nature of the industry and the need for adaptability by companies like Wazdan.
In 2023, Wazdan got the Best Slot Provider in the Nordics BSG Awards. What makes Wazdan stand out from the crowd of other providers to the level of being the best in the Baltic/Scandinavian region?
Winning the Best Slot Provider award in the Nordics at the BSG Awards in 2023 was a tremendous honour for Wazdan. I think what sets us apart in the Baltic and Scandinavian regions is our commitment to innovation, high-quality graphics, regulatory compliance, player-centric approach, and our dedication to responsible gaming. These factors combined have helped us resonate with players and operators in the region, earning us the recognition as the best slot provider.
How did SBC Barcelona go for Wazdan?
Participating in SBC Barcelona was truly an exciting experience for Wazdan. The event, known for its dynamism in the iGaming industry, provided us with a fantastic platform to engage with industry peers and stakeholders.
We were delighted to welcome a diverse array of prominent figures to our stand, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations and collaborations. These interactions are instrumental in strengthening our partnerships and paving the way for collective success.
Our partners had the opportunity to explore our rich portfolio, including the roadmap of upcoming titles. One of the slots that grabbed a lot of attention during this summit was Book of Faith™, which is set to ignite the passion for adventure among the players.
Moreover, the unveiling of our latest innovation, Jackpot Rain™, was met with resounding enthusiasm. The exclusive tournament held at our booth generated significant buzz throughout the summit. We are genuinely thrilled about the launch of this remarkable addition to our suite of engagement-boosting promotional tools. We are confident that both our valued partners and players alike will embrace and appreciate the exciting features that Jackpot Rain™ brings to the table.
This event has certainly reaffirmed our commitment to innovation and our dedication to delivering outstanding experiences in the iGaming landscape.
Let’s talk about the new games that are released or are to be released. Can you please tell us about the Extremely Light series? There are Burning Sun™ Extremely Light, 9 Coins™ Extremely Light, Hot Slot™: 777 Cash Out Extremely Light games and they seem to be popular. Are they all slots? What is special about this particular series?
Yes, all three of the games you mentioned, Burning Sun™ Extremely Light, 9 Coins™ Extremely Light, and Hot Slot™: 777 Cash Out Extremely Light, are revamped versions of our top-performing slots. What makes this series special is the focus on delivering a streamlined, fast-paced gaming experience.
Extremely Light series games are designed for players who enjoy quick, action-packed gameplay without compromising on quality. They feature elegant graphics, shorter loading times, and an emphasis on delivering the thrill of the game instantly. Despite the streamlined approach, they still maintain high-quality graphics and engaging features that players love.
These games have been well received by players who appreciate smooth gameplay, as the optimisation of the audiovisuals has taken the flow of gameplay to the next level. So, yes, the Extremely Light series has been gaining popularity among players looking for a fast and exciting slot gaming experience.
Wazdan will be releasing the Black Horse™ Cash Out Edition slot - in November 2023, is this correct? What does “Cash Out edition” mean in the title? What are the key features of this game?
Yes, you are correct. We are set to release the Black Horse™ Cash Out Edition on November 30, 2023. This marks the third instalment in the highly popular Black Horse™ series, and it comes with some exciting new features.
The term "Cash Out Edition" in the title refers to a unique feature in the game. In this edition, the Cash Out feature takes centre stage, offering players the opportunity to enhance their winning potential. This feature is powered by the Cash Out symbol, which accumulates drawn Cash and Jackpot symbols, and it cashes out the winnings directly to the player, providing a thrilling and instant reward. The game also features the Sticky Cash Out feature which, as the name suggests, sticks to the reels and cashes out accumulated winnings as the symbol’s countdown reaches zero.
Despite having the classic fruity slot vibe, the Black Horse™ Cash Out Edition distinguishes itself with these innovative mechanics. In addition to the Cash Out feature, it also incorporates the Chance Level™ mechanic, which promises to be a game-changer. This mechanic introduces additional excitement and customisation to the gameplay, making it even more engaging for players.
Overall, this edition of the Black Horse™ series appears to offer a fresh and captivating gaming experience with the potential for significant wins, thanks to the Cash Out feature and Chance Level™ mechanic. Players can look forward to enjoying a blend of classic slot aesthetics and modern gameplay dynamics when it launches in November 2023.
In December 2023, the Book of Faith™ slot is expected. What makes this game unique and worth waiting for?
Well, it's not your run-of-the-mill slot game. But here's the real kicker: it's not just about the theme – it's the game's features that really seal the deal. We've combined two fan-favourite elements from the gaming world – the Book feature and Wazdan’s special – the trusty Collect to Infinity™ mechanic, which made the Sizzling Eggs™ slot such a hot title. Together, they create a gaming experience that's pure dynamite.
The Free Spins Bonus Round is where the action is. It's packed with the kind of excitement that matches the adventurous theme of the slot. Players will be on the lookout for special symbols such as Scatters to activate the Free Spins bonus round or Collectors - a golden ticket to unlock some serious riches. The star of the show, however, is the Expanding Bonus Symbols, which convert to Cash Symbols and are collected by the Collectors and then added to the total bonus winnings. And believe me, there are plenty of other symbols in the mix that are just itching to keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
But what's got everyone talking is the potential for massive wins. Well, in Book of Faith™ players can expect to walk away with winnings up to a whopping 5,000 times their bet. That's the kind of stuff dreams are made of, and it's all within players’ grasp.
So, why should players be marking their calendars for December 2023? Because the Book of Faith™ slot isn't just another game – it's an adrenaline-pumping adventure waiting to unfold.
What goals does Wazdan set for the rest of 2023?
The fourth quarter of 2023 is shaping up to be quite the ride for us at Wazdan! We've got some exciting plans on the horizon.
First off, we're all about taking our recent successes and turning them into something even bigger. We've had some fantastic wins and received some incredible feedback from our clients, and that's motivating us to push the envelope further. Our teams are working passionately to elevate our games and create experiences that will leave players absolutely enthralled.
I couldn't talk about Q4 without mentioning our network promotions: Mystery Fall, HalloWIN Drop and Xmas Drop. They utilise the Mystery Drop™ promo tool and players can get their hands on the share of the whopping €2,500,000 prize pool by simply spinning in their favourite Wazdan games, as all of them take part in these promotions.
We are also focusing on expanding our game portfolio. We want to surprise and delight our players with fresh and engaging titles that'll keep them coming back for more. It's all about adding that extra dash of excitement to every gaming session.
And speaking of expanding, we've got our sights set on new horizons. We're keen on venturing into new regulated markets, which means even more players worldwide will get to enjoy what Wazdan has to offer. It's all about bringing our unique brand of entertainment to a broader audience and sharing the fun.
So, in a nutshell, the fourth quarter of 2023 is all about progress, innovation, and reaching new heights. We can't wait to see where the rest of the year takes us!
Eva is the voice of online casino reviews at CasinosHunter. With over a decade of copywriting experience, she ensures all content is clear and accurate. Eva simplifies complex gambling concepts and rules, helping players make informed decisions based on casino facts.
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