Interview with Toni Karapetrov from Habanero Gaming
In this interview, Toni Karapetrov, Habanero’s Head of Corporate Communications, talks about the studio’s approach to making games and its business plans.
Could you introduce yourself, explain your role at Habanero, and share what you were doing before you joined?
I’m Toni Karapetrov, and I lead Corporate Communications at Habanero.
How does Habanero’s game-making process work, from the first ideas to a finished title?
Our process begins with the team comparing ideas and discussing how to bring them to life. Habanero gives its staff considerable room to create, with each person contributing their own particular strengths.
We also rely on detailed market research when developing content. Understanding what players want helps us tailor products to the region where they are due to launch. One example is our flexible RTP options, which let partners choose an approach that reflects local players’ preferences around risk.
Which considerations guide you when you’re developing a game?
We combine experimentation and new ideas with established approaches that have served us well. The aim is to bring together original features and concepts with proven elements whose value has been demonstrated over time.
Habanero titles are built around striking visuals and engaging sound, while their themes and mathematical models can be adjusted to suit the audience a game is intended for.
We see strong games as appealing across borders, while recognising that adapting content for particular regions can help our partners grow their business.
Against the worldwide challenges of 2020, how did Habanero’s own 2020 unfold?
Businesses and individuals everywhere faced a difficult 2020, including those working in gaming. Lockdowns took a toll on land-based venues and retail betting, while the online sector was not affected to the same degree.
Habanero had a strong year, securing agreements with companies including LeoVegas, Bet365 and Lottomatica. The studio was also busy releasing games for audiences around the world. I’m particularly fond of Scopa, which reimagines the traditional Italian card game as a slot, though players have plenty of other titles to explore.
What does Habanero have planned for 2021?
We’ve already released several successful titles this year and intend to keep bringing out new games. Our latest release, Before Time Runs Out, sends buccaneering players on an action-filled journey through the Middle East. Its Duel Feature offers prizes of up to x1,000,000.
Earlier this year, we released Orbs of Atlantis , an underwater-themed slot with a distinctive reel layout built around our Big Reels feature.
More lively titles are in development. We’ll keep introducing players to the combination of polished graphics, immersive audio and carefully developed mathematics that defines our games.
Habanero is expanding in markets such as Italy and Romania. Where is the company looking next?
In recent weeks, we’ve been expanding our commercial reach internationally. A Critical Gaming Supply licence from the Malta Gaming Authority now gives us a route to agreements with tier one operators, which we look forward to announcing.
We have also secured a supplier licence from Romania’s national regulator, ONJN. It allows us to bring games such as Egyptian Dreams Deluxe and 5 Lucky Lions to players in that market.
Greece and Holland are also on our plans for the coming period, subject to further regulatory developments. We’re preparing for a full schedule in 2021, across Europe and beyond.
With 12+ years of experience in the iGaming industry, Evan specializes in reviewing online casinos, analyzing slot games, and evaluating player safety. Their expertise covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus conditions, and withdrawal policies. Through hands-on testing and independent research, Evan delivers transparent, fact-based reviews to help players better understand gambling platforms, their features, and potential risks.
