Exclusive Mr. Gamble Interview With Adrianna Szczepaniak, Senior Account Manager at Wazdan

In this exclusive Mr. Gamble interview, we sit down with Adrianna Szczepaniak, the Senior Account Manager at Wazdan, to explore the innovative strides this trailblazer has made in the iGaming world. Wazdan has consistently redefined player engagement by offering personalized gaming experiences tailored to individual preferences.

With a commitment to delivering unparalleled flexibility, immersive gameplay, and a growing portfolio of innovative titles, Wazdan has become a powerhouse in the online gaming industry, appealing to both casual players and high-stakes enthusiasts alike.

Join us as Adrianna shares fascinating insights into the creative process behind Wazdan’s standout features, their impact on players, and how the company continues to shape the future of iGaming.

Wazdan is renowned for its innovative features like Volatility Levels™ and Ultra Fast Mode. Can you share some insights into how these features were conceptualized and the impact they’ve had on your players?

One of our core principles at Wazdan is ensuring every player has a customisable experience. Features such as variable volatility and speed level ensure each game can cater to a player’s specific needs and preferences. Thanks to this, audiences can choose from three Volatility Levels™, allowing them to modify the size and frequency of their wins, with high volatility bringing bigger wins but less often and low volatility ushering in more frequent, smaller wins. The core strength of these mechanics lies in their inherent flexibility, making our offering truly versatile and appealing to casual players and high-stakes enthusiasts alike. More details about these features and Wazdan's unique approach are covered in the official Wazdan review.

Wazdan is at the forefront of mobile optimisation with features like Energy Saving Mode and HTML5 technology. How do you envision the future of mobile gaming, and what role do you see Wazdan playing in that space?

The dominance of mobile gaming is undeniable, with greater accessibility and reliance on portable devices for entertainment driving this ever-growing trend. Taking the LatAm region for example, a staggering 87% of gamers consume their slot content on mobile devices, which underlines the evident demand for diverse content across multiple platforms.

Wazdan is focused on embracing the shift towards ever-present mobile gaming, and our mobile-first approach ensures that we are the undisputed leader in this market. Our extremely light series provides optimal gaming by creating a lightweight design, allowing players to access Wazdan’s vast portfolio of titles without worrying about excessive data consumption or battery drain. Light collections including updated versions of Wazdan’s top-performing slots such as 9 Coins™, Hot Slot™: 777 Cash Out and Sizzling Eggs™ retain the studio’s best math models and mechanics.

Could you walk us through the process of developing a new game at Wazdan? How do you approach design, technology, and theme selection to create something unique?

Developing a new game involves thorough analysis and thoughtful planning both in terms of technology and design. The most crucial decisions revolve around ensuring reliability and identifying potential improvements that could make a significant difference for operators while also offering players unique upgrades that set our games apart.

Wazdan games are played globally, across various markets. How do you ensure that your games resonate with such a diverse audience? Do you tailor certain aspects of your games for different regions?

Pursuing excellence throughout each strand of the game development process starts with meticulous research. We painstakingly analyse market trends and player feedback to inform the process. Advanced algorithms are then employed to craft engaging mechanics, and continuous iteration ensures a refined and fair gameplay experience. Industry-leading mechanics such as Cash Infinity™, Stick to Infinity™ and Cash Out™ appeal to multiple demographics due to their ability to complement more retro-themed titles or boost those wanting to stand out for a slightly untraditional slot experience. Even when certain themes seem niche, our games manage to resonate across different regions.

Games like 9 Lions and Magic Stars 3 have gained huge popularity. What do you think makes these titles stand out, and how do you keep the momentum going with new releases?

9 Lions and Magic Stars 3 both incorporate a perfect balance of exceptional mathematical models, intricate designs and timeless themes. Focusing on Magic Star 3, its lavish wilds take centre stage alongside an innovative Gamble feature that allows players to double their wins up to seven times. 9 Lions, conversely, treats players to a host of bonus games to elevate the thrill of gameplay, which is further enhanced through immersive graphics and animations.

You’re licensed in several major jurisdictions, including UKGC and MGA. How does adhering to the requirements of different regulators shape your development process?

Adaptability and dynamism are paramount. Our recent expansion into newly regulated regions in Asia (Philippines) and Latin America showcases this agility. Wazdan fosters strategic partnerships with local operators like Betsson Argentina, Sazka (Czech Republic), and SKS365 (Italy) to ensure success in these diverse markets. These partnerships provide invaluable insights into market dynamics.

Wazdan’s legal and compliance teams navigate the intricacies of ever-changing regulations and games are tailored to meet regional requirements, including RTP adjustments and content localisation. We also aim to go beyond merely complying and attempt to customise as much as possible to ensure our portfolio remains agile for new market entry. Our flexible game design caters to diverse player preferences. At the same time, collaboration with new regulators ensures games are not only compliant but also fair, with responsible gaming practices embedded to prioritise player safety.

Wazdan is known for its commitment to innovation. What upcoming technologies or trends in iGaming are you most excited about, and how is Wazdan preparing for them?

Innovation is potentially the most over-used noun in the industry, and ours is crammed with companies that claim to be driven by it. Many companies fall short by chasing trends. Wazdan prioritises true innovation fuelled by long-term research and development.

We’re particularly excited about our latest game, One Coin™, which works with an untested concept and transforms it into something captivating that truly elevates gameplay. The revolutionary single reel provides exactly that, incorporating new mechanics such as the Mystery Multiplier™, which are only compatible with One Coin™, thus providing a true revamp of the series. We’re eager to continue exploring these innovations to enrich our portfolio further.

Responsible gaming is a major focus in today’s industry. How does Wazdan integrate responsible gaming features into its products, and what steps are you taking to promote safer gambling?

Our games always feature tools enabling players to control their spending, allowing them to set limits that suit their preferences. Covering a wide range of elements, including volatility levels and chance levels, autonomy is given directly to the player to ensure they feel in control. Wazdan’s dedication to sustainability is most evident in its innovative Extremely Light series, which works to minimise our environmental impact and contribute positively to the iGaming industry’s broader sustainability efforts.

Wazdan has forged numerous partnerships within the industry. How do these collaborations influence your product development, and what are you looking for in future partnerships?

Every partner is unique, whether it be via the content they deliver reflective of specific player behaviours or demographics. We are always inspired by our diverse collaborations, which open our eyes to features and mechanics that could resonate with markets that are not typically associated with such approaches. As for future partnerships, we seek ways where we can apply our Online gaining™ approach to new tie-ups, revolutionising their content with inspired gameplay and innovative features.

This year, Wazdan launched Network Promotions worth €12,000,000. Apart from the jaw-dropping sum, what else can both players and operators gain from it?

Data is king, and we leverage it to craft Network Promotions that maximise impact and engagement. Integration with tools like Mystery Drop™ ensures promotions seamlessly enhance the player experience. Analytics are used to measure success and refine campaigns for even greater impact. As for operators, player activity and retention rates soar during promotions, which is the natural result of players being rewarded and engaged through various casino bonuses, leading to enhanced loyalty.

Lastly, what is Wazdan’s vision for the next five years? Are there any major milestones or goals you’re aiming for in terms of product innovation or market expansion?

Our primary goal is strengthening our partner’s portfolios by continuously delivering exceptional features and mechanics. In the long term, we aim to build a strong presence in Latin America while expanding beyond Europe. In the short term, we’re excited to attend SiGMA Europe, where we’ll showcase our award-winning promo tools and exciting new Network Promotion.