Exclusive Interview: Anastasios Ioannidis Discusses All Things Pragmatic Play
Anastasios Ioannidis has been a mainstay of the iGaming industry for almost 15 years, with the Greek national working for multiple operators and affiliate brands in the hub of Malta. Nowadays, he is Head of Affiliate Marketing at ARRISE, a global iGaming software and services leader and a key partner to Pragmatic Play, making him ideally placed to discuss how 2026 has been so far for the popular slot provider.
In this exclusive interview, he sat down with WIN.gg to cover multiple topics and talk about some of the studio’s biggest releases.
New releases
Pragmatic Play is renowned for its prolific approach to new games, and we wanted to get the lowdown on how some of the biggest slots have performed so far.
WIN.gg: Jelly Express released at the end of March — how has this sweet-themed slot performed so far?
Anastasios: Jelly Express has performed well across key audience segments compared to the average Pragmatic Play slot release. This will likely come as no surprise to anyone who has played the game, which offers rich audio-visuals and prize-packed gameplay. Pragmatic Play supplies around nine new slots every month, and all are potential big hitters, such is their quality. Jelly Express is a unique addition to the provider’s catalogue of sweet-themed slots, which includes hits such as Sweet Bonanza, Sugar Rush, and Sweet Rush Bonanza.
WIN.gg: The game clearly takes candy inspiration from previous Pragmatic Play releases, but it is the features that really stand out. What was the idea behind including a choice of different bonus options?
Anastasios: The aim is always to enhance the gaming experience for players, and the thematic elements and mechanics behind the scenes are equally important in creating a standout release. Jelly Express is not only packed with personality, but its features are tuned to the max.
After triggering the bonus games, players can choose one of six options, ranging from 25 free spins with 2x-10x wild multipliers to five free spins with 15x-100x slot multipliers. There’s even a mystery choice which adds another layer of excitement. This wide range of choice was all about creating a personalised experience that’s as rich and varied as possible, so that every spin delivers something new and exciting.
WIN.gg: With Gates of Olympus Roulette, what was the thinking behind taking the series in a live dealer direction?
Anastasios: It was a natural next step for the brand. Zeus was made for the big stage, and it doesn’t come much bigger than Gates of Olympus Roulette. Greek mythology really lends itself to live casino, creating the opportunity to deliver an epic, immersive game show experience that appeals equally to fans of the original slot and established roulette players. The challenge was bringing Olympus to life in the live environment, while retaining iconic gameplay from the slot. This was no small feat, but Pragmatic Play has experience in this department, following the success of Sweet Bonanza CandyLand, which brought the popular Sweet Bonanza slot to live casino audiences with a mix of physical and digital effects.
WIN.gg: Is there something about game show live dealer titles such as this that players seem to prefer?
Anastasios: It’s a matter of player choice. Different players tend to enjoy different types of experiences, which will often vary over time anyway. Classic table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat continue to rise in popularity; game show audiences are also growing. Pragmatic Play continues to offer players a mix of traditional and original gaming experiences across live casino, including twists on classic titles and formats.
Streaming
Streaming and slots are now inextricably linked, with both supporting each other when it comes to platforms like Kick. We wanted to get Anastasios’ view on what effect streamers have on their creative decisions — Pika landed a max win on the Fortune of Olympus slot earlier this year, for example, and viral clips follow naturally on social media.
WIN.gg: Are you surprised by the rapid growth of the streaming industry and its link with casino games?
Anastasios: Not at all. Playing online casino games – particularly high-volatility slots of the kind Pragmatic Play is so well regarded – can make for compelling social content.
WIN.gg: Does Pragmatic Play design features specifically for “clip moments” or viral potential?
Anastasios: No. Games are made to be played and enjoyed – and crucially, every spin is always completely random to ensure fairness. With that said, given the proven mechanics, design quality, and win potential of Pragmatic Play slots, there is no shortage of shareable content created organically.
WIN.gg: In a nutshell, how do you see the trend of slot streaming going in say the next 10 years?
Anastasios: That’s too long a look into the future! Who knows? My guess would be that it evolves much in line with other types of streaming.
Pragmatic Play Slots
While new live casino releases may get the headlines, Pragmatic Play is first and foremost a slot provider, with the majority of releases this type of casino game. We questioned Anastasios on how the company seems to always know what the audience wants, as well as what fans can expect for the rest of the year.
WIN.gg: Pragmatic Play seems to have a knack for expanding franchises. When is the right time to do so, and how can the original content be honoured whilst developing the sequel in its own right?
Anastasios: It’s always a challenge balancing the familiarity of an original game or series with something new and refreshing, whether that’s mixing up the mechanics, expanding the betting options, or building on the narrative.
Knowing when comes down to understanding what players really love about the original concept, from the mechanics to the theme, and everything in between. Pragmatic Play is home to some of the biggest slots franchises, so they’re certainly doing something right in that regard. But you can’t just expect a sequel to be a hit because its predecessor was – every new and existing element needs careful consideration. The latest Sweet Bonanza title, for instance, Sweet Bonanza 2500, evolves the player-favourite formula with the potential for bigger multipliers – but it’s still got all the signature sweetness of the original. Meanwhile, The Big Dog House is bursting with the same bold personality as its predecessors but unleashes a bunch of new wild features.
With all this talk of franchises, we can’t forget that original content is equally important. The likes of Hell Butcher plunges players into a completely new game world, introducing a wacky new character, complete with quirky artwork, tongue-in-cheek animations, and fun combinations of features that really add to unique experience. The secret is ensuring the right mix of completely unique experiences and franchise expansions, offering something for every player’s taste.
WIN.gg: From your data, what actually keeps players coming back: volatility, themes, or features?
Anastasios: Players return to their favourite games for all kinds of reasons, including volatility, themes, and features. There’s no single answer, which is why Pragmatic Play makes games that cater to a wide range of interests.
WIN.gg: What is on the horizon for the rest of 2026?
Anastasios: Following the recent launch of Fury of Anubis, a 6×5 pays-anywhere slot featuring progressive tumble multipliers, a bonus game gamble feature, and wins of up to 10,000x, Pragmatic Play has some fantastic slots lined up for the summer. These include Death Dominion, Jade Legends, Gates of Olympus POP, and Ra vs Osiris. Keep an eye out for Gates of Olympus 2500 at the end of September, bringing 25,000x win potential to the series. On the live casino front, Pragmatic Play’s next big release is Color Game Bonanza in August – a vibrant new game show with two bonus game levels and the chance for jackpot wins.
Featured image credit: Pragmatic Play
Ben is the Lead Editor at Win.gg, bringing a decade of iGaming industry experience having worked for both the operator and affiliation sides. With a formal journalism background, he is responsible for ensuring that every piece of content that we publish is relevant, accurate and well-written. In his own time, he enjoys playing video games and especially enjoys Rockstar titles, considering Red Dead Redemption 2 the finest title ever made. He has also spent a lot of time playing GTA V over the years and is fascinated by how streaming is changing the landscape of the industry.
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