Wazdan - Interview with Izabela Slodkowska-Popiel
In this interview, Izabela Slodkowska-Popiel, Wazdan’s Head of Account Management for North America and Latin America, discussed the company’s strategy and work across those regions.
Izabela spoke about Wazdan’s plans, priorities and key games. At the time, the company was expanding its iGaming business across numerous countries while working on several fronts. Her comments offer a snapshot of Wazdan’s direction then.
Q1: Please introduce yourself and tell us more about your role at Wazdan.
Thank you for inviting me. I’m Izabela, and I joined Wazdan roughly eight years ago as an Account Manager. Over time, I took on increasingly senior roles and became Head of Account Management for North America and Latin America.
Working with people who are enthusiastic about iGaming and bringing a strong work ethic to the job helped me progress through the organization beyond what I imagined when I started. My role at Wazdan offers ongoing opportunities to learn and grow in a fast-moving environment. I’m glad to be part of the team creating some of the best online slots in the industry.
Q2: You have been active for more than 10 years and are always focused on the future. On your portal, you say your goal is to “push the iGaming technology forward!”. How do you do that?
We start with the player. By designing games around players, with inventive features, strong visuals and imaginative stories, we aim to stay competitive.
It’s hard to know in advance whether a new release will resonate with players or what the next industry trend will be. We aim to give players and operators more choice and control through the Freedom of Choice™ suite. Features such as Collect to Infinity™, Cash Infinity™, Sticky to Infinity™, and Hold the Jackpot are other ways we strive to create distinctive experiences and improve our prospects.
Q3: You are expanding into more and more countries and are now present in over 20. You hold the UKGC and MGA. How challenging is it to work in so many countries at once? What challenges do different countries bring?
Before entering new regulated markets, we work to ensure our games meet regulators’ demanding standards. That means understanding the rules and restrictions in every country where we operate and making sure our products comply.
We have seen governments put greater emphasis on firm iGaming rules, following the lead of other major markets. At the time, we expected this positive regulatory trend to continue.
Q4: Are you planning to enter new countries in the near future?
Earlier this year, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) approved us. In Europe, we had recently expanded into Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and the Netherlands.
Our goal was to continue building partnerships with trusted casino operators in regulated markets worldwide. We were also working toward additional certifications, including in newly regulated US markets such as Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The US market was growing rapidly, and we were eager to expand into more states.
Q5: What makes Wazdan stand out from other software providers in iGaming?
Innovation is at the heart of Wazdan’s work. We strive to create compelling themes and original features, set new trends in iGaming, and keep up with emerging technology. Standing out in a crowded market with fresh experiences can be challenging.
Still, we work to make every new release distinctive. Volatility Levels™ allows players to tailor aspects of a game to suit their preferences; we described it as a customisation feature that no other provider offered. We also listen to customers and partners and aim to address their needs as part of our client-focused approach.
Q6: Which of your products has been the most successful so far?
Released in July, 9 Coins™ slot had quickly become one of our top-performing games. Its Cash Infinity™ mechanic was presented as a way to boost player engagement and retention.
After the original proved popular, we added more games to the series. 9 Coins™: 1000 Edition and 9 Coins™: Grand Gold Edition feature larger Grand Jackpots worth 1000x and 1500x the player’s bet, respectively. Both also include the Hold the Jackpot bonus round and Cash Infinity™. We said these features could help partners increase revenue and improve key metrics.
Q7: Which game is your favourite?
My favourite Wazdan game of all time is the popular 9 Lions slot. I enjoy its oriental setting, lively gameplay and exciting bonus rounds, which also add to player engagement.
More recently, Sizzling Kingdom™: Bison has become a favourite. It brings together hallmarks of Wazdan slots: detailed graphics, vivid animation and sound, and inventive bonus features.
Q8: You’ve recently released features such as Collect to Infinity™ and Cash Infinity™. We know they’re available in 9 Coins™, but can players find them in other slots? Could you explain in more detail how they work?
Collect to Infinity™ can appear in Free Spins and Hold the Jackpot rounds. The feature offers what we described as seemingly endless combinations and outcomes, adding to the excitement of these rounds.
At the time, Collect to Infinity™ was also available in Magic Spins™. In its first week after launch, betting totals increased by 129% compared with another strong performer, Fortune Reels. The feature also appeared in Sizzling Eggs™, Sizzling Kingdom™: Bison and Hot Slot™: Magic Bombs.
Cash Infinity™ was featured in 9 Coins™. We said the mechanic could encourage repeat play and improve operator metrics. At the time, we expected it to be added to more games in the 9 Coins™ series and the upcoming Power of Sun™: Svarog slot.
Q9: Do you have any new games or features in development?
Our most recent release at the time, Hot Slot™: Magic Bombs, introduced Sticky to Infinity™, a mechanic developed to support player engagement and operator revenue. During Free Spins, Jackpot Mystery symbols could stay locked on the reels until the bonus round ended, offering jackpots and the potential for large wins.
Another upcoming game, Hot Slot™: Magic Pearls , was set underwater and included features such as the Hold the Jackpot bonus round. It was scheduled to launch on November 10. Burning Sun™ was due two weeks later, on November 24, with Sticky to Infinity™ and Hold the Jackpot. December’s planned releases were 9 Coins™ Grand Gold Edition and Hot Slot™: Mystery Jackpot Joker, while Power of Sun™: Svarog. was intended to kick off the new year’s lineup.
Q10: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Wazdan called it a successful year: the company had entered new markets, won several prestigious awards, released games and features, and attended industry events. The team invited partners to visit booth B46 at the upcoming SiGMA Europe event to preview forthcoming games, and sent its greetings to attendees.
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, specializing in online casino reviews, slot game analysis, and player safety assessments. Their expertise includes casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms, and withdrawal policies. Combining hands-on reviews with independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based coverage to help players understand gambling platforms, their features, and possible risks.
