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Wazdan is the name behind many innovative games and content solutions supporting land-based and online casinos. More specifically, Wazdan games are certified and available in more than 20 jurisdictions, primarily in Europe and North America.
Entering the US gambling space in 2021 after approval in New Jersey, Wazdan quickly expanded into other regulated US online casino states. Apart from the Garden State, the software received licenses in:
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- West Virginia
As part of its expansion strategy, Wazdan recently collaborated with Caesars in Michigan. And again, in PA, Wazdan inked a deal with Rush Street Interactive (RSI), a leading US iGaming operator.
With dozens of releases yearly, Wazdan’s portfolio of online slots keeps increasing. While bringing additional excitement to the gameplay, Wazdan games are famous for their unique features like:
- Volatility Levels
- Hold the Jackpot
- Collect to Infinity
- Cash Infinity
To learn more about the company’s plans, US expansion, and game creation strategy, PlayUSA interviewed Izabela Słodkowska-Popiel, Wazdan’s head of account management for North America and Latin America.
With Wazdan games available to players in NJ, PA, MI, and WV, can you reveal what US online casino markets could be next?
“Wazdan’s global presence has strengthened considerably throughout 2024, with our Online gaining™ approach entering new territories, notably Pennsylvania.
We are delighted to be now operating in four states across America, with New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia having established regulated iGaming markets that have provided significant opportunities for growth. Naturally, plans to expand into new regions across the US depend on a few factors.
Compliance with state-specific regulations, including licensing and testing procedures, and ensuring adherence to the Responsible Gaming and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards in each new state is vital.
With this in mind, we’re open to opportunities in emerging markets like Illinois and Indiana, which are exploring iGaming legislation and states with growing regulatory momentum like Ohio or New York.
“Possible launch timelines depend on how quickly momentum builds and markets open, but we maintain a close eye on all potential opportunities that will allow us to expand our player base and worldwide profile.”
You have recently partnered with RSI’s brands, BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse in PA. What do you expect from that collaboration?
“We’re delighted to have entered another mature iGaming state in America, especially via a renowned player in Rush Street Interactive.
“Wazdan’s leading titles are now available to a new player base, and we are confident their unique features, including Cash Infinity™, Hold the Jackpot™ and Sticky to Infinity™, available to Pennsylvania players for the first time, will help to captivate slot enthusiasts’ attention.
“Wazdan’s innovative game mechanics, complemented by each title’s immersive gameplay and advanced graphics, set us apart from other providers, which we believe will drive strong engagement rates and lead to a fruitful relationship between RSI and Wazdan, aided by increases in GGR for both parties.”
Are you planning on partnering with other online casino brands in mature markets like Pennsylvania and Michigan?
“Absolutely. Our goal is to collaborate with leading online casino brands that share our commitment to delivering top-tier, engaging gaming experiences for players.
“In Pennsylvania, we have made significant strides with RSI’s BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse platforms, and we are exploring further partnerships as we speak to make our mark within the state.
“The same applies to Michigan; we have already secured a host of renowned operators and are actively seeking opportunities to partner with additional brands to deliver our industry-leading content to new player audiences looking for fresh and innovative slot experiences.”
Please mention some of the partnerships crucial to strengthening your presence in the US online casino market.
“We are, of course, grateful to all our partnerships who have collectively played a role in helping Wazdan establish an American footprint.
“To name a few, Caesars Digital, BetMGM and Hard Rock Bet have been instrumental in expanding our New Jersey presence, bringing our games to a wider audience and showcasing our iconic features through well-known platforms.
“PlayStar has enabled us to reach even more players in New Jersey, further cementing our reputation in delivering Online Gaining™ to partners and rewarding players with unparalleled experiences.
“RSI has allowed us to tap into a new market and reinforce our presence in North America.
We value our partnerships immensely; they are not purely business agreements but rather long-term commitments to elevating the slot space.
“Together, we have achieved significant milestones and look forward to future growth.”
Wazdan has a reputation for creating engaging content, superb slot volatility levels and frequently released games. How do you do it, and where does your inspiration come from?
“A commitment to consistent innovation is a core principle for us at Wazdan. Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible led to our unique Volatility Levels™ feature, providing players with the autonomy to customize their gaming experience to tailor their preferences.
“Our development process is highly collaborative, incorporating player feedback, industry trends and our passion for developing rewarding gaming experiences.
We constantly monitor the market to understand evolving player preferences and introduce new exciting features and mechanics on the back of these evolving demands.
“Hold the Jackpot™ and Cash Infinity™ are prime examples of where our inspiration, research, and development have come together to produce revolutionary features for the industry.
“By staying connected to the player’s experience, we can innovate continually, ensuring that each game we release offers something unique and stands out in a competitive market.”
How do you respond to feedback from your players? To what extent do you consider it when creating games?
“We continuously gather data and insights from various channels, including direct player feedback, operator reports and performance metrics. Such information helps us refine our games and develop new features that enhance player satisfaction.
We value player input highly when creating games as it allows us to fine-tune mechanics, themes and the overall gameplay experience.
“Many of our most successful features, like Cash Out™ and Hold the Jackpot™, were influenced by direct player feedback and designed to cater for their needs. Our overall goal is to create games that resonate with players on a deeper level.
“By considering their feedback, we ensure that each title offers an engaging and enjoyable player experience. Player feedback ultimately shapes the direction of game development and drives our innovation and evolution.”
Can you reveal some of your plans for 2024 or early 2025?
“We’re super excited as we gear towards Q4 and 2025, just a few months away. While specific details are still in development, we can confirm we have plans to continue strengthening our US presence and have several initiatives lined up.
“We’re also looking forward to participating in upcoming major industry events, including SBC’s Latinoamerica in Miami this October, where our latest innovations will be showcased, allowing us to reconnect with industry leaders across the country and beyond.
“Our core focus will be delivering high-quality, engaging content and exploring new opportunities to grow our ever-expanding footprint in existing and emerging regulated markets. Stay tuned for announcements that will be following soon!”
