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.
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eSports
Martin Lycka Joins Oddin.gg as Vice President of Institutional Affairs
Oddin.gg has named Martin Lycka as Vice President of Institutional Affairs, enhancing the firm’s knowledge in regulation and responsible gambling as esports wagering grows in regulated markets worldwide.
Lycka offers over 15 years of high-level regulatory and responsible gambling expertise in Europe, North America, and Latin America. Most recently, he held the position of Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain, where he directed regulatory strategy throughout the Americas and oversaw global esports regulatory issues. He additionally sits on the Board of Directors for the American Gaming Association.
Before joining Entain, Lycka had high-level regulatory positions at GVC Holdings and Paddy Power Betfair, overseeing licensing initiatives and regulatory strategy in various jurisdictions.
In his new position at Oddin.gg, Lycka will collaborate with regulators, policymakers, publishers, tournament organizers, and integrity bodies, making sure the company’s esports betting solutions keep up with changing compliance standards. Situated on the U.S. East Coast, Lycka will aid the company’s growth into more regulated markets worldwide, with this new role highlighting the increasing industry need for suppliers with substantial institutional trustworthiness.
Martin Lycka, VP Institutional Affairs at Oddin.gg, said: “Esports betting has experienced significant development within fully regulated environments. This has been the outcome of proactive engagement, education, transparency, and open dialogue with regulators. Oddin.gg, as an industry pioneer, has built its approach around those principles, and I’m looking forward to supporting the company as it scales across many more global markets.”
Marek Suchar, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Oddin.gg, added: “As esports betting continues to scale, institutional credibility becomes just as important as product quality. Martin brings deep regulatory experience and a practical understanding of what regulators seek to become comfortable with innovative betting products. His appointment strengthens our ability to engage constructively with regulators, addressing integrity, governance, and technological concerns, and to support partners operating in complex regulatory environments.”
The post Martin Lycka Joins Oddin.gg as Vice President of Institutional Affairs appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
IZI Finance
IZI Finance Delivers Impressive Growth Across Its Divisions
IZI Finance plc, the financial subsidiary of IZIGROUP, today revealed impressive interim results for the six-month period ending 31st December 2025, highlighting exceptional growth in all its revenue-producing business sectors. The results showcase the Group’s disciplined financial approach, operational robustness, and the ongoing enhancement of its primary gaming endeavors.
Throughout the reviewed period, the Group maintained steady progress across its varied portfolio, supported by consistent cash flows, careful cost control, and a persistent commitment to long-term value generation for stakeholders. The favorable outcomes further illustrate the Group’s balance sheet robustness and its capability to implement strategic priorities.
The Group reported a turnover of €561 million, representing a 25% increase compared to the previous year, while Player Winnings rose by €104 million relative to the same timeframe last year. This endeavor led to unprecedented Gaming Revenues of €53.9 million, showing a rise of €8.6 million (a 19% enhancement compared to the same timeframe of the prior financial year). The Group additionally announced impressive profitability growth, concluding the 6-month timeframe with an EBITDA of €18.1 million, reflecting a 35% rise in comparison to the same period last year. Net profit before tax rose to €6.9 million, a gain of €4.2 million, signifying a 156% increase compared to the €2.7 million NPBT recorded in the same period last year. The Group is anticipated to exceed the FY2026 financial goals, with forecasted revenue expected to surpass the €1 billion level as Gross Gaming Revenues are projected to reach over €100 million.
These results underpin and support the Group’s international expansion strategy, reinforcing the rationale previously communicated to the market on January 19, 2026, wherein the Board of Directors of IZI Finance plc announced that it is actively seeking to return to the market with a second issuance of bonds on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange. Subject to the necessary regulatory approvals being obtained, the proceeds of the proposed €30 million bond issue would go towards supporting the next phase of IZIGROUP’s growth strategy via international expansion, building on the strong foundations established in recent years. The Group announced that it has already identified several feasible and well-advanced international growth opportunities, and this issuance would be designed to provide the financial latitude required to pursue them in a disciplined and sustainable manner.
Commenting on the outlook, the Board remains confident that the Group is well positioned to build on its current momentum and pursue sustainable growth in the medium to long term. The Board also highlighted that the Group will be leveraging its proven operational expertise, regulatory experience and management of large-scale, concession-based gaming environments, with a view to exporting its successful operating model to international gaming markets.
The post IZI Finance Delivers Impressive Growth Across Its Divisions appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Colombia
ZITRO INSTALLS OVER 70 MACHINES ACROSS GRUPO ALADDIN CASINOS IN COLOMBIA
Zitro is expanding its presence in Colombia with the deployment of more than 70 machines across Grupo Aladdin venues in key cities, including Cali, Bogotá, Barranquilla, and Pereira. This rollout strengthens Zitro’s position in the Colombian market and its partnership with one of the country’s leading casino operators.
The lineup includes proven performers such as Fu Frog, Fu Pots, and King Fu Frog—titles that have delivered strong results in gaming floors nationwide.
“We are also introducing a Wide Area Progressive (WAP) as part of the gaming experience on our Altius Glare cabinets. Given its track record, we are confident this will be a significant success for the group,” says Iván Gómez, Sales Manager at Zitro Colombia.
Jorge E. Vélez, Director of Gaming Technology and IT at Grupo Aladdin, comments: “Expanding our portfolio alongside a leading supplier like Zitro is a significant milestone for us. The performance of these titles has exceeded our expectations, further reinforcing the long-standing trust we place in their products.”
Alejandra Burato, Zitro’s Regional Director for Latin America, adds: “We are very pleased to see our games featured across Grupo Aladdin’s venues. This partnership is a reflection of the success of our expansion strategy in Colombia and our commitment to delivering high-performing products to the market.”
The post ZITRO INSTALLS OVER 70 MACHINES ACROSS GRUPO ALADDIN CASINOS IN COLOMBIA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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