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 direction and work across those regions.
In the interview, Izabela discussed Wazdan’s plans, priorities and key games. The company was growing its iGaming business across numerous countries while working on several fronts. Her comments offer a view of Wazdan’s direction at the time.
Q1: Please introduce yourself and tell us more about your role in Wazdan.
Thank you for inviting me. I’m Izabela, and I joined Wazdan roughly eight years ago as an Account Manager. Over time, I moved into increasingly senior roles and became Head of Account Management for North America and Latin America.
Working alongside people who are enthusiastic about iGaming, and bringing a strong work ethic to the job, helped me progress through the organisation beyond what I had imagined when I started. My role at Wazdan offers ongoing chances to learn and develop in a fast-moving setting. I’m pleased to be part of the team creating some of the best online slots in the industry.
Q2: You are active for +10 years and always focusing on the future. On your portal, you write that your goal is to “push the iGaming technology forward!”. Would you tell us how?
Our starting point is the player. By designing games around players, with inventive features, strong visuals and imaginative stories, we aim to stay competitive.
It is difficult to know in advance whether a new release will connect with players or what the next industry trend will look like. We try 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 aim to deliver distinctive experiences and improve our prospects.
Q3: You are making your journey into more and more countries. As of now, you are present in over 20 countries. You hold the UKGC and the MGA. How difficult is it to work in so many countries at the same time? Which are the challenges different countries take with them?
Before entering new regulated markets, we work to make sure our games satisfy the demanding standards set by regulators. That means understanding the rules and restrictions in each country where we operate and ensuring our products comply with them.
We have seen governments place greater emphasis on firm iGaming rules, following the approach of other major markets. We expected this positive direction in regulation to continue.
Q4: Are you planning to enter new countries in the coming future?
Earlier this year, we received approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). In Europe, we had recently entered Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands.
Our plan was to keep building relationships with reputable casino operators in regulated markets around the world. We were also pursuing further certifications, including in newly regulated US markets such as Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The US market was reaching impressive heights, and we looked forward to expanding into more states.
Q5: What makes Wazdan different from other Software Providers in the iGaming field?
Innovation is central to our work at Wazdan. We aim to create engaging themes and fresh features, set trends in iGaming and keep pace with emerging technology. Developing original experiences in a crowded market, however, can be challenging.
Even so, we try to make each new release distinctive. Volatility Levels™ lets players tailor aspects of a game to their preferences; we described this as a customisation feature unavailable from other providers. We also listen to customers and partners and work to respond to their needs, which is part of our client-focused approach.
Q6: Which was your most successful product so far?
Released in July, 9 Coins™ slot had quickly become one of our strongest-performing titles. Its Cash Infinity™ mechanic was described as a way to increase player engagement and retention.
After the original proved popular, we followed it with more entries in the series. 9 Coins™: 1000 Edition and 9 Coins™: Grand Gold Edition offer larger Grand Jackpots of 1000x and 1500x the player’s bet, respectively. Both include the Hold the Jackpot bonus round and the Cash Infinity™ mechanic. We said these features could give partners more ways to grow revenue and improve key metrics.
Q7: Which is your favourite game?
My favourite Wazdan title of all time is the successful 9 Lions slot. Its oriental setting, lively play and exciting bonus rounds make it a game I enjoy, with those rounds adding to player engagement.
Sizzling Kingdom™: Bison has also become a favourite recently. It brings together qualities associated with Wazdan slots: detailed graphics, striking animation and audio, and inventive bonus features.
Q8: You recently released new games’ features such as Collect to Infinity™ or Cash Infinity™. We know they are available in the 9 Coins™ game, but can we find them in other slots? Can you get into details and explain to us how they work?
Collect to Infinity™ can appear during Free Spins and Hold the Jackpot rounds. The feature lets players encounter what we described as seemingly endless combinations and outcomes, adding to the entertainment of those rounds.
At the time, Collect to Infinity™ was also in Magic Spins™. In its first week after launch, betting totals rose by 129% compared with another strong performer, Fortune Reels. The feature was also included in Sizzling Eggs™, Sizzling Kingdom™: Bison, and Hot Slot™: Magic Bombs.
Cash Infinity™ appeared in 9 Coins™. We said the mechanic could encourage repeat play and lift operator metrics. At the time, we expected it to reach more games in the 9 Coins™ series and the forthcoming Power of Sun™: Svarog slot.
Q9: Any new game or new feature in the pipeline?
Our then-latest release, Hot Slot™: Magic Bombs, introduced Sticky to Infinity™, a mechanic we developed to support engagement and operators’ revenue. During Free Spins, players could keep Jackpot Mystery symbols fixed on the reels until the bonus round ended, with Jackpots and large wins on offer.
Another upcoming title, Hot Slot™: Magic Pearls , was set beneath the sea and included features such as the Hold the Jackpot bonus round. Its planned launch date was the 10th of November. Burning Sun™ was scheduled to follow two weeks later, on the 24th of November, featuring Sticky to Infinity™ and Hold the Jackpot. For December, the planned releases were 9 Coins™ Grand Gold Edition and Hot Slot™: Mystery Jackpot Joker, with Power of Sun™: Svarog. intended to begin the new year’s slate.
Q10: Is there anything you want to add?
Wazdan described it as a successful year: the company had entered new markets, received several prestigious awards, launched games and features, and attended industry events. The team invited partners to visit booth B46 at the upcoming SiGMA Europe event for a preview of forthcoming games, and closed with a greeting to attendees.
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.
