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Wazdan appeals to the traditional slot audience with retro-inspired slots

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Andrzej Hyla, CCO at Wazdan writes about how the company has gone back to basics in terms of the appearance of its slots in the Hot Slot series, applying a self-reflective approach to game design to get closer to what a ‘traditional’ slot is in a number of its products.

Slots have been around for over a hundred years, and for decades the 3×3 layout that featured cherries, lemons, and other fruity symbols was the standard for the space. Naturally, the genre has evolved to facilitate modern player preferences and their craving for new themes and a greater sense of interactivity. However, a small group of loyal followers still seek out retro games that evoke a sense of nostalgia and deliver a charm that, in their opinion, modern releases fail to.

While many believe that it is only a matter of time before traditional experiences are pushed to the peripheries of iGaming, at Wazdan, we believe there will always be a place at the table for throwback titles that utilise easy-to-understand mechanics and a classic aesthetic. As the industry continues to push forwards in terms of innovation and customisation, it also produces a steady stream of players that start to feel sentimental and reminisce about old-school gameplay, creating consistent demand for classic products.

 

The appeal of retro experiences

The main appeal of vintage products is the sense of nostalgia they deliver, paired with the simplicity of their mechanics. Research shows that the majority of land-based and online casino customers are casual gamers that consider slots an entertainment-based pastime.

These players see traditional experiences as something that can bring face-value excitement into their lives. Therefore, do not want to waste time learning about the complicated rules and seemingly endless combinations that modern titles provide. They seek simple, yet engaging games that provide them with many winning opportunities.

As a business that prides itself on the quality of games it produces, with an offering that spans classics and popular table games to innovative video slots, we have a responsibility to cater to all types of players. Our top-performing Hot Slot™ series, including Hot Slot™: 777 Crown, Hot Slot™: Magic Bombs, and Hot Slot™: Magic Pearls, do this by taking things back to how they used to be, employing modern features that complement the classic designs on display, rather than overpower them.

As a result, our games get recognition for the balance that they strike between traditional and contemporary, generating fantastic results for our partners.

 

Innovations that target modern demographics

As things stand, slots with sophisticated bonus features dominate the iGaming space as more and more players yearn for a greater sense of interaction and entertainment.

With the advent of new technologies and leaps in graphic and audio design, the slot looks different now than it did ten years ago, as do mechanics, outcomes, and even bonus rounds.

However, we believe easy-to-understand features that increase the chances of winning are the most engaging for players. Our Hot Slot™ games collection is a perfect example of how effective simple features can be in terms of driving revenue growth for operators.

Our top-performing Hot Slot™: 777 Crown proves that many players still seek simple fruit machines with basic mechanics. Although the game offers Scatters as the only special feature, it became one of the most popular slots in our portfolio.

Hot Slot™: Magic Bombs is a brand-new slot that offers our engagement-boosting Collect to Infinity™ mechanic proven to generate better results for operators. The game also introduces our brand-new Sticky to Infinity feature, designed to keep players immersed for longer. When combined with player-favourite Free Spins, these two innovative features guarantee increased engagement. Players immediately understand how these mechanics work and can focus on the thrilling action taking place on the reels.

The upcoming Hot Slot™: Magic Pearls slot combines classic aesthetics with our popular Hold the Jackpot bonus round, allowing players to win the Grand Jackpot of 2500x their bet in a simple re-spin-based bonus game.

What is more, our games offer customisable features, allowing players to adjust the game to their needs. For example, with our Volatility Levels™, each game can appeal to all types of players, from recreational to VIPs.

 

Finding the perfect balance

Providers in the iGaming space are required to be flexible and change with the times to remain relevant, serving modern players with slots that are a feast for all senses, but those that take it upon themselves to develop games for retro slot fanatics get to reap the benefits of catering to a loyal community of mature gamers.

The key to our success has been developing slots that target modern players without alienating  the fans of classic slot experiences, and we have no plans to stray from this strategy.

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Playtika Announces Organisational Changes and New Layoffs

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Playtika Holding Corp. has announced a major restructuring plan for Q1 2026. In the streamlining process, the company will dismiss 15% of its workforce during Q1 2026 and will recognise costs of $12-15 million for compensating employees and accompanying costs. At the end of 2024, the company had about 3500 employees. This means the company will shed 500 employees. Estimates are that about 1000 of the company’s employees are in Israel.

Playtika founder and CEO Robert Antokol wrote in a letter to employees, “The decision was not made lightly, and it reflects a fundamental change in the way we operate, so that we can invest in the future and continue to lead in the highly competitive environment of the mobile gaming market.”

Antokol added that for years, Playtika has been operating from a broad growth perspective, while implementing similar resource allocation models across its entire game portfolio. “The economic reality of the industry has changed, and the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is no longer appropriate for the new reality,” Antokol wrote.

According to him, in order to continue leading, the cost structure must be adjusted. “If we do not make the necessary adjustments to the cost structure today, we will compromise our ability to invest in the growth and future of the company. We cannot continue to allocate resources to mature games at the same historical levels while simultaneously trying to build a new future. By precisely adjusting our investment scope across our entire game portfolio, we can free up the resources needed to invest in games with high growth potential,” he explained.

Antokol continued: “This time is different,” because the change opens a new chapter for the company that will create new growth opportunities for it. “This is not a retreat, but a proactive move to focus strength and power. Our aim remains unchanged: to be the leading independent mobile games company in the West,” Antokol wrote, adding that Playtika will do this, among other things, by developing a new game development channel and expanding direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, as well as using AI and automation. “This is our moment to shape the next decade of Playtika. I am confident that with your passion and focus, we will not only get through this period, but we will grow together and lead Playtika to be stronger than ever,” concluded Antokol.

The post Playtika Announces Organisational Changes and New Layoffs appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Mash.fun Expands Crypto Sports Betting with Player Props, Hits $1 Million in Trading Volume

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Mash.fun, the innovative crypto-powered sports trading platform, has officially launched its first player props markets, giving users a new way to trade the performance of individual athletes.

The move comes as Mash.fun celebrates a major milestone, surpassing $1 million in total traded volume.

The new player props feature enables users to speculate on metrics like the aggregate minutes of goals scored by a specific player. For instance, if a player such as Erling Haaland scores in the 61st and 82nd minutes, the market settles at 143. This approach allows traders to long or short individual player performances, offering a more precise and interactive betting experience compared to traditional match outcomes.

“Player props are a natural evolution for Mash.fun, allowing our users to engage with sports betting in a more nuanced way,” said a spokesperson for Mash.fun. “Hitting $1 million in traded volume within weeks highlights strong demand for this innovative trading model.”

Mash.fun combines the user experience of top Gen Z trading apps with sports betting, featuring unique scalar markets, leveraged positions, and dynamic crypto charts. Built on the Solana blockchain, Mash.fun merges the speed and transparency of crypto with the excitement of live sports trading.

In addition to player props, Mash.fun recently introduced Shirts markets, where users trade indices based on the aggregate shirt numbers of goalscorers, further expanding its creative and engaging market offerings.

For more information, visit Mash.fun and explore the future of crypto sports trading

 

The post Mash.fun Expands Crypto Sports Betting with Player Props, Hits $1 Million in Trading Volume appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Logifuture’s Simulate Forecasts Morocco AFCON Glory After 1,000 Final Simulations

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Logifuture’s innovative Simulate sportsbook product has crunched the numbers ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026 final, running the decisive clash between Morocco and Senegal 1,000 times to predict a winner. The results point firmly toward the hosts, with Morocco emerging as favourites to lift their first AFCON title in more than 50 years.

Simulate, Logifuture’s cutting-edge virtual sports betting feature, delivers fast-paced simulations across football and basketball, offering instant results or gameplay over 10- and 30-second intervals. Players can run up to 15 simulations simultaneously, creating a constant stream of betting opportunities and immersive engagement.

AFCON Final Simulation Results: Morocco vs Senegal

According to Simulate’s data-driven modelling, Morocco won 433 of the 1,000 simulated finals (43.3%), while Senegal claimed victory 283 times (28.3%). The remaining simulations ended level after 90 minutes, highlighting the fine margins expected in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Goals are predicted to be at a premium. In line with Morocco’s defensive solidity during the tournament, 67% of simulations (633 matches) finished with under 2.5 goals, reinforcing expectations of a tense, tactical contest.

Early momentum could prove decisive. Only 5% of simulations saw a team recover from a half-time deficit to win in regulation time. Given that Morocco have conceded just once during the tournament, Senegal could face an uphill battle if they fall behind early.

Draws may also shape the outcome, with 28% of simulated matches tied after 90 minutes. Morocco’s resilience under pressure was already demonstrated in their semi-final triumph over Nigeria, where they prevailed 4–2 on penalties.

Third-Place Play-Off: Nigeria vs Egypt

Logifuture’s Simulate also analysed the AFCON third-place play-off between Nigeria and Egypt, running the fixture 1,000 times. The Super Eagles emerged victorious in 467 simulations (46.7%), while Egypt won 333 times (33.3%), with the remaining matches requiring extra time.

Low-scoring outcomes dominated the simulations. Only 267 matches featured over 2.5 goals, while 467 ended with a single goal, underlining expectations of another tightly contested encounter. Goalless draws were rare, occurring in just 67 of the 1,000 simulations, suggesting a breakthrough is likely before full time.

Boosting Sportsbook Performance with Simulate

Beyond predictions, operators using Logifuture’s Simulate have reported sportsbook GGR increases of up to 5%, driven by advanced predictive modelling and enhanced player engagement. By delivering personalised betting experiences and real-time insights, Simulate helps operators optimise offers, improve retention, and drive sustainable long-term growth.

As AFCON 2026 reaches its climax, Logifuture’s Simulate continues to demonstrate how data-led virtual sports betting can enhance fan engagement while delivering measurable commercial impact for sportsbook operators.

The post Logifuture’s Simulate Forecasts Morocco AFCON Glory After 1,000 Final Simulations appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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