Latest News
Wazdan appeals to the traditional slot audience with retro-inspired slots
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.
Powered by WPeMatico
Andrew Cochrane Chief Commercial Officer at Soft2Bet
Soft2Bet Powers NEXT Summit: New York as Headline Partner for Third Consecutive Year
NEXT.io, the World’s iGaming Community, Soft2Bet as Headline Partner for NEXT Summit: New York 2026, marking the third consecutive year of partnership between the two organisations.
Taking place on 10–11 March 2026 at Convene, Brookfield Place, NEXT Summit: New York has become the definitive US-focused iGaming and sports betting event on the East Coast.
As one of the first major industry gatherings of the year, the Summit brings together senior leaders shaping the future of regulated gambling in North America and beyond.
Now entering its third year, the Soft2Bet – NEXT collaboration has evolved into a long-term strategic alliance, reflecting shared growth, stability, and a commitment to advancing meaningful industry dialogue. What began as headline sponsorship has developed into an ongoing partnership that has helped scale the event’s seniority, relevance, and commercial impact year after year.
Overall NEXT Summit: New York 2026 is expected to welcome over 1,500 industry professionals, with a highly curated audience dominated by C-level executives, founders, and directors. The agenda will focus on regulation, market entry, M&A, player engagement, brand trust, and long-term value creation in regulated markets.
As Headline Partner, Soft2Bet’s collaboration with NEXT.io is designed to create a collaborative environment for sharing market intelligence and strengthening professional ties within the iGaming community.
Additionally, Soft2Bet will have key senior executives participate in in various keynote and panel sessions including:
Andrew Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer at Soft2Bet, will deliver a keynote session, drawing on more than two decades of leadership experience across regulated markets, international expansion, and large-scale commercial transformation.
David Yatom Hay, General Counsel at Soft2Bet, will join a panel discussion exploring the evolving dynamics of player engagement, bringing legal and regulatory perspective to one of the industry’s most commercially critical challenges.
“Reaching a third year with Soft2Bet as our Partner says a lot about the strength and stability of this relationship,” said Pierre Lindh Co-Founder and Managing Director of NEXT.io. “We’ve grown together, we’ve scaled together, and we share the same belief that meaningful industry progress comes from collaboration, not just visibility. Soft2Bet consistently shows up with insight, ambition, and a genuine commitment to moving the industry forward, which is exactly what NEXT Summit: New York stands for.”
“Our partnership with NEXT.io is built on alignment, not just sponsorship. We share a belief that sustainable growth in regulated markets comes from open dialogue, transparency and collaboration across the ecosystem. Supporting NEXT Summit: New York for a third consecutive year reflects our commitment to contributing to the industry’s long-term development — bringing operators, suppliers and regulators into the same room to exchange insight and raise standards together.” said Andrew Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer at Soft2Bet.
Soft2Bet is widely recognised for its innovative approach to iGaming product development, including its proprietary Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), as well as its expanding presence across regulated global markets. Its continued headline partnership reinforces both the company’s long-term commitment to North America and its role in shaping the industry’s most important strategic conversations.
NEXT Summit: New York 2026 will also be supported by a dedicated side event, NEXT Focus: Emerging Verticals, alongside an expanded programme designed to maximise senior-level networking, deal-making, and knowledge exchange.
The post Soft2Bet Powers NEXT Summit: New York as Headline Partner for Third Consecutive Year appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Latest News
NdP INTERAZAR 2026 – Participación de Melilla en Interazar
Interazar reunirá de nuevo a Operadores, empresas y administraciones en Madrid los próximos días 28 y 29 de abril
Interazar volverá a ser el gran escaparate donde se mide el pulso real de la industria nacional, y en esta nueva edición contará nuevamente con la participación activa de la Ciudad Autónoma de Melilla, que refuerza así su compromiso con un Sector clave para su estrategia de crecimiento económico y tecnológico.
En este contexto, Melilla llega a la Feria Española del Juego los próximos días 28 y 29 de abril con la intención de seguir ganando visibilidad como destino atractivo para el Juego online y para las empresas tecnológicas que orbitan en torno al Sector. La ciudad ha ido construyendo un entorno competitivo basado en un marco fiscal favorable, acompañamiento institucional y una apuesta clara por la innovación aplicada al Juego.
Interazar se presenta, así, como un escenario natural para seguir avanzando en esta estrategia. La participación de Melilla refleja una estrategia continuada, con resultados visibles, que busca afianzar su posición como uno de los polos emergentes del Juego online y la innovación en España.
The post NdP INTERAZAR 2026 – Participación de Melilla en Interazar appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Conferences
SportsGrid to return to NEXT NYC 2026
Tuesday 3rd March 2026 – SportsGrid has confirmed its renewed media partnership with NEXT.io and will attend NEXT Summit: New York to cover key discussions and insights from North America’s premier iGaming and sports betting event. The content will be syndicated across SportsGrid’s streaming and digital platforms.
NEXT Summit: New York, in partnership with Morgan Stanley, will take place from 10–11 March at Convene 225 Liberty Street, bringing together 1,400 senior-level delegates for two days of high-impact content and networking.
This year, Emerging Verticals will accompany NEXT Summit: New York, providing a dedicated focus on the fast-growing sectors reshaping the industry — including sweepstakes, micro-markets, crypto, esports, new betting formats, and the evolving intersection of technology and capital.
Now in its fifth edition, the Summit continues to deliver insider knowledge, high-level networking, and direct access to the latest innovations shaping the future of the industry.
Across the two days, leaders from the most influential operators, investment firms, regulators, and technology providers will take to the stage.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM;
- Adam Rosenberg, Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure at Blackstone;
- Benjie Cherniak, Principal at Avenue H Capital;
- Lloyd Danzig, Managing Partner at Sharp Alpha Advisors;
- Roger Ehrenberg, Managing Partner at Eberg Capital;
- Ramy Ibrahim, Managing Director at Moelis & Company;
- Joey Levy, Founder and CEO of Betr;
- and Gavin Isaacs, Former CEO of Entain.
The programme will also feature voices from across the regulatory, legal and association landscape including:
- Tres York, VP of Government Relations at the American Gaming Association;
- Paul Burns, President & CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association;
- Kelci S. Binau, Gaming Law Attorney at McDonald Carano;
- and Katie Lever, General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer & Corporate Secretary at Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.
From the casino floor to emerging tech and capital markets, sessions will also include:
- Brooke Hilton, Head of Casino at PointsBet Canada;
- Chris Garrow, Director of Gaming at Prairie Band Casino & Resort;
- Davis Catlin, Managing Partner at Discerning Capital;
- Jeffrey Haas, Venture Partner at DreamCraft VC;
- Jamison Selby, CEO of Rubystone;
- Desiree Dickerson, Founder of THNDR;
- Kevin Scott, Chief Technology Officer at PGA of America;
- and Darren Woodson, Former NFL Player.
“NEXT Summit: New York continues to set the standard as North America’s premier meeting point for senior leaders in online sports betting and iGaming. With Emerging Verticals joining the Summit this year, the conversations are expanding into some of the most disruptive and fast-moving areas of the industry. We’re excited to once again partner with NEXT.io and bring on-the-ground coverage of the event’s most important discussions to a wider audience across SportsGrid’s streaming and digital platforms,” commented Jeremy Stein, CEO, SportsGrid, Inc.
“NEXT Summit: New York is where the industry’s biggest names come together to define the future of online gaming and sports betting,” said Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder & Managing Director at NEXT.io. “With Emerging Verticals accompanying the Summit this year, and more than 1,400 senior decision-makers attending, having SportsGrid on-site strengthens our mission to share critical insights and discussions with the broader iGaming community.”
SportsGrid will be on the ground at NEXT Summit: New York, covering conference sessions, interviews, and key discussions. Content from the event will be syndicated across its streaming video network and relevant media channels, extending the reach of discussions to a broader audience.
This initiative marks the continuation of a long-term collaboration between SportsGrid and NEXT.io, with plans to provide rich, curated content exploring the latest trends, innovations, and developments shaping the global gaming industry.
For more information on NEXT Summit: New York and to register for the event, visit: next.io/summits/newyork/
The post SportsGrid to return to NEXT NYC 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Adjusted EBITDA7 days agoBragg Gaming Announces Select Preliminary Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results, and Issues Full Year 2026 Guidance
-
Bagley-Keene Act7 days agoCalifornia Gambling Control Commission Issues Critical Guidance on Stakeholder Communications and Ex Parte Rules
-
iGaming6 days agoPRAGMATIC PLAY UNEARTHS PROGRESSIVE MULTIPLIERS IN ROLLING IN TREASURES
-
Comatel5 days agoCOMATEL CELEBRARÁ UNA FIESTA PARA CIENTOS DE OPERADORES TRAS FINALIZAR EL PRIMER DÍA DE LA FERIA ESPAÑOLA, INTERAZAR
-
Betty Casino7 days agoBetty Casino Announces Partnerships with Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts
-
Africa7 days agoGroove Targets Africa’s iGaming Boom at SiGMA Cape Town 2026
-
Booming Games6 days agoBooming Games Introduces Instastrike, the Latest Diamond Hits Trio
-
ELA Games6 days agoELA Games Powers the Reels with Retro-Electric Slot “Rapid Wild”



