Exclusive Pragmatic Play Interview with Anastasios Ioannidis

Pragmatic Play is known for its dominance across multiple categories thanks to its incredible selection of online and mobile slots, live casino games, Daily Drops and Tournaments, and Crash games. We got to spend time with Anastasios Ioannidis to learn more about this iconic igaming company, their love of cutting-edge technology, and how they deliver these world-class online gambling experiences.

Q: Pragmatic Play offers a wide range of gaming products, including slots, live casino, bingo, and more. Which two product categories are the most innovative, and what differentiates them from competitors?

A: All Pragmatic Play products have distinctive qualities, but Slots and Live Casino are the two categories that really stand out.

Slots are Pragmatic Play’s bread and butter. New games are released at a rate of around nine a month, not counting operator and country exclusives. With each new release, there is a concerted effort to engage and reward players in new and exciting ways. Sometimes, this can be pretty noticeable, such as in Sumo Supreme Megaways™, which introduced a novel mechanic that randomly awards cash prizes, multipliers, or expanding wilds whenever the combined weight of sumo wrestlers landing on a reel exceeds the target weight.

There are also games such as Bow of Artemis, which takes the familiar tumbling reel mechanic to a new level by introducing multiple levels of rewards. What differentiates Pragmatic Play from its competitors is the sheer range and quality of its big-name releases, from the likes of Sweet Bonanza 1000 and Big Bass Vegas Double Down Deluxe to the upcoming Wisdom of Athena 1000 and The Dog House – Muttley Crew.

With Live Casino, Pragmatic Play continues to twist, transform, and elevate content to produce unrivalled entertainment experiences for players. From twists on traditional table games to original new game shows, Pragmatic Play delivers a unique live product. Its next release, Bet Behind Pro Blackjack, provides a perfect example, as it will bring an entirely new concept to the market. In the game, bots occupy all seven seats, with players betting behind any or all of them – I think we’ll see beginners and experienced blackjack players alike drawn to this unique game.

Q: Pragmatic Play is known for its extensive slot portfolio. Could you highlight some of Pragmatic Play’s most popular titles and explain what makes them resonate well with players?

A: The award-winning Greek Gods series is a great place to start. Bow of Artemis is the latest instalment in this epic franchise, introducing a range of spin modifiers and a multi-level bonus game offering jackpot wins of up to 10,000x. The 1000 series started with the classic Gates of Olympus which adds 1000x multiplier symbols to the action, alongside Sugar Rush 1000 and Sweet Bonanza 1000 – players just love the sweet-themed slots!

Big Bass is another player favourite, as is The Dog House range of games. Every one of these online slots offers something different, which I think resonates especially well with players. The appeal of Pragmatic Play’s collection of slots is the variety available, with diverse and unique gaming experiences catered to all kinds of players.

Q: The online slots industry is highly competitive. What key factors have contributed to Pragmatic Play's success and its ability to stand out in this crowded market?

A: Quality and consistency. Each of Pragmatic Play's releases combines an original theme with industry-leading gameplay to entertain and engage players. With around nine new slots released every month, players have plenty of choices available to them.

Whether you’re looking for a trip to Ancient Japan or adventure in the Wild West or prefer cluster pays or pays anywhere slots, Pragmatic Play has a game for you.

Q: Pragmatic Play has won numerous awards over the years. How do these recognitions influence its approach to product development and maintaining high standards?

A:  Whether it’s your first award or your 100^th, recognition from the industry is always an amazing thing to receive. Releasing an award-winning product is both hugely gratifying and a strong signal that the development strategy – and the execution of it – is working. But an award win should also catalyse further change and development.

There are always new ideas and original experiences waiting for players, and ultimately, player demand shapes the kinds of experiences which Pragmatic Play creates. Receiving an award proves that you're on the right track and to keep building on that success.

Q: Fairness is the cornerstone of quality games in the industry. How does Pragmatic Play ensure randomness in its slots?

A: Pragmatic Play is licensed in more than 30 regulated markets across the globe. All slots undergo millions of rounds of internal tests before being independently assessed and certified externally. Every game round is subject to one or more separate RNG (random number generator) calls, meaning the outcome of every reel spin and tumble is always random.

Q: Live casino games have been a significant growth area for Pragmatic Play. What features stand out in its live casino products, and how do they enhance the player experience?

A: Pragmatic Play’s Live Casino delivers a range of player experiences. Classic casino gameplay is there for players looking for a traditional experience, while there’s also a range of tables with exciting twists. And not just the games themselves, Smart Studio technology allows operators to tailor the look and feel of the products to match their brands.

Blackjack League is the largest online blackjack promotion, with 500 daily prizes and a monthly prize pool of €1,000,000. And the prizes keep coming – Drops & Wins celebrates its 5^th anniversary this year, with Mega Roulette Madness just one of the events marking the occasion. Starting on 16^th October 2024 for 12 weeks, over 100,000 cash prizes are up for grabs from a €1,500,000 total prize pool.

Q: What can the industry expect from Pragmatic Play for the rest of 2024?

A: There is always something exciting in the pipeline at Pragmatic Play. Having recently released its third Crash Game, High Flyer, the supplier will drop headline titles across Slots and Live Casino. Wisdom of Athena 1000 and The Dog House – Muttley Crew are next up on the slots front, with live game Bet Behind Pro Blackjack introducing a unique concept to market when it launches in early October. Towards the end of the year and into 2025, you can expect many more fantastic new games that build on Pragmatic Play’s growing success across all product categories.

Enjoy the Best of Pragmatic Play Casino Games

We can't help but applaud Pragmatic Play for consistently pushing the boundaries of online casino entertainment. Their innovative games and immersive experiences make them a powerhouse in the iGaming world.

To make sure you never miss out on their latest releases or where to play them, we’ve set up a dedicated Pragmatic Play page. Dive into their current line-up and be the first to discover what exciting games they roll out next.