Eeze Roulette Interview with Elen Baghadsaryan: Roulette Innovation

We’re kicking off People Behind Our Games, an exclusive interview series Eeze is running with CasinoTrackpot. In this first instalment, Elen Baghdasaryan shares her journey from game presenter to product owner and discusses bringing fresh ideas to roulette without losing its traditional appeal.

Elen Baghadsaryan Eeze

1. Tell me what a day in the life would look like for you – is it the same day-to-day or is it a bet as to what the next day could look like?

Both, honestly… The frame is stable; the picture inside it changes constantly. Mornings are fairly predictable – numbers, standup, whatever has come in overnight.
After that, it’s a bet! One day I’m deep in a math model working through payout liability and table limits, and the next I’m untangling why a feature behaves differently in one environment than another or reviewing a spin parameter that looked innocent until someone asked the right question. The constant is that roulette gives you a very small surface area and an enormous amount of detail hiding underneath it.

2. What challenges come with innovating such a traditional casino format, such as a roulette wheel?

Roulette is about 250 years old, and players have muscle memory for it. That’s the challenge and the gift. Anything you add has to survive three tests at once: the math has to hold, the regulator has to be comfortable in every market you’re licensed in, and the player has to recognise the game in the first two seconds.

Roulette players are the most conservative revolutionaries you’ll meet. They want something genuinely new that feels exactly like what they’ve always played.
Move the wheel one degree in the wrong direction, and they will tell you immediately and in detail!

3. Eeze’s Fusion Roulette takes the traditional roulette experience and adds AR-driven gameplay, multipliers and a highly customisable visual experience. Where do you see the biggest opportunity to innovate without losing what players already love about roulette?

The core loop is sacred: place your bets, spin, outcome. That’s not where you innovate; that’s what you protect! The opportunity is in everything wrapped around it. Anticipation, presentation, the reveal, the moment between “no more bets” and the ball settling. That gap is emotionally the richest part of roulette and historically the least designed.
AR and multipliers work when they make that moment bigger rather than replacing it.

My rule is simple: innovate the theatre, never the engine! If a player has to relearn how to bet, we’ve broken something that took two and a half centuries to get right.

4. Fusion Roulette gives operators a lot of scope to customise the studio, UI, visuals and branding. How important is that flexibility when you’re designing the product?

It matters enormously, because operators aren’t buying a game; they’re buying something that has to feel like theirs in a lobby with forty other roulette tables in it. Brand consistency, market fit, and differentiation. If a product isn’t flexible, it becomes generic, and generic doesn’t survive lobby placement.

That said, flexibility needs guardrails. Configurability isn’t a blank canvas. Every option we expose has to still produce a game that’s readable, compliant and playable. Freedom to express your brand – absolutely. Freedom to make the branding on the wheel unreadable – respectfully, no!

5. How do you decide whether an idea genuinely improves the roulette experience?

I run everything through roughly the same filter. Does the math hold RTP, volatility, payout liability, bet coverage, no unintended exposure? Does it survive integrity review, including the questions nobody asked yet? Is it defensible in every market, not just the friendliest one? And can a player understand it in one sentence, without a tutorial?

Then the honest test: does it still perform after the novelty wears off? First-session engagement flatters everything. Retention doesn’t lie and if I need a slide deck to explain a feature to my own team, the player has no chance.

6. If you were mentoring yourself at the time you started in this industry, what advice would you give?

Learn the math sooner, and stop being polite about it. Ask the mathematicians the question you think is too basic; it usually isn’t, and understanding why a limit or a parameter exists is what separates a PO who ships from one who just coordinates.

Second, compliance isn’t the department that says no. Regulatory constraints are design constraints, and design constraints make better products. The teams that treat them as an afterthought pay for it later, always at the worst moment.

And third, the loudest opinion in the room is never the player’s.

7. What’s one thing people might not expect about you?

I started as a game presenter a decade ago! People are surprised because now I’m the one designing the tables, but what they don’t expect is I still sit down and play them too, just for fun. Dealer, player, and product owner, I’ve seen the table from every seat!

ENJOY Gaming on Diamond Slam: Xtra Power, New Features & Jackpots

Diamond Slam has been one of ENJOY Gaming’s most consistent performers, and Xtra Power builds directly on that success with a fifth jackpot tier and two new features, Stepper and Lucky Slam. Product Owner Taras Stepovyi joins us at CasinoTrackpot today and walks through how the additions change the bonus round, what a free spins round can pay out, and what to expect from ENJOY’s Diamond Drop activation at SBC Summit Lisbon, where a certified black diamond is up for grabs.

Taras Stepovyi

1. Diamond Slam: Xtra Power builds on one of ENJOY’s top-performing titles. What’s changed for a player who already knows the original, and what stays the same?

The 3×3 layout, five fixed paylines and the core trigger stay the same: land three Bonus and/or Diamond Slam symbols and Free Spins kick in. The changes sit on top of that base. We’ve added a fifth jackpot tier, the Maxi, and two new features: Stepper in the main game and Lucky Slam inside Free Spins. These additional features are designed to increase how often players reach the bonus round and how much happens once they’re in it.

2. The new Maxi jackpot sits between the Minor and Major. Why add a tier there specifically?

The Maxi pays 50x the total bet, against 20x for Minor and 100x for Major. That was the biggest gap in the original ladder, so Maxi adds a milestone in between. It works the same way as every other jackpot bar: land three Maxi Slam symbols during Free Spins, fill the bar, and it pays out and resets.

3. The Stepper feature gives players a second shot at triggering Free Spins. How does it work?

It activates when two Bonus or Diamond Slam symbols land in the main game. In the original game, that ended the attempt. With Stepper, those two symbols lock in place and nudge down one position on the next spin, giving the third symbol another chance to land in the trigger position without the player staking a fresh spin for it.

Diamond Slam Xtra Power Slot

4. Lucky Slam is exclusive to Free Spins. What does it add to a bonus round already underway?

At random during Free Spins, Lucky Slam can drop two to four extra Diamond Slam or Bonus symbols onto the reels mid-spin. Bonus symbols pay their value immediately, and Diamond Slam symbols progress a jackpot bar, so a single drop can add to the running win and move a jackpot closer to paying out. If three or more specials land on screen from that drop, the round also picks up an extra spin.

5. With five jackpots in play, how does a Free Spins round unfold from trigger to payout?

Free Spins are triggered by landing three special symbols, including at least one Diamond Slam, whether that happens naturally, through the Extra Free Spins top-up, or via the Stepper. The round starts with six spins, and three or more specials on screen add another. Only Bonus and Diamond Slam symbols appear inside Free Spins: Bonus pays 1x, 2x, 3x or 5x total bet straight to the running win, and Diamond Slam reveals as a Mini, Minor, Maxi, Major or Grand token that fills the matching jackpot bar. A filled bar pays out and resets, so a single Free Spins round can pay more than one jackpot, up to the Grand at 1000x total bet.

6. ENJOY will be showing off the Diamond Slam series at SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon with a unique Diamond Drop activation, including a slot tournament and a diamond giveaway. What can attendees expect?

Diamond Drop is built around Diamond Slam, and it’s the centrepiece of our show presence. Attendees register through the Diamond Drop landing page or at stand A231 in Hall One and receive a unique Vault ID by email. Bringing that Vault ID to the stand gets them into the in-person tournament, with the top 10 players qualifying for a live final draw at 15:00 local time on 1st October. The winner takes home a certified black diamond! It’s a fitting way to mark the franchise’s growth, with Diamond Slam having passed 1.2 million unique active players and 600 million bets a month since launch, and Xtra Power now extending that into a broader series.

Diamond Slam Xtra Power Gameplay

7. For anyone wanting to give Diamond Slam: Xtra Power a try for the first time, what’s the one thing you’d want them to know?

That the jackpot bars reset after they pay out. A Free Spins round doesn’t end the moment one jackpot fills: the bar clears, and play continues, so the same round can go on to pay a second or third jackpot, including the new Maxi tier. Stepper and Lucky Slam add more routes into and through that round, which changes how often a session can produce a meaningful win.

8. Looking ahead, how do you see the Diamond Slam series evolving?

The priority for the next release is the same one that shaped Xtra Power: build on what already works rather than start over. With this release strengthening how often players reach the bonus round Slam, we’re turning our attention to enriching the gameplay, without sacrificing the established experience. That would mean elegant features that are corresponding and fitting to the game, like Diamond Slam.

Casino Trackpot x Booming Games – Tasty Rush Sweet Spots Q&A

We’re delighted today here at CasinoTrackpot to be joined by Spokesperson Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, to talk about their upcoming slots release, Tasty Rush Sweet Spots.

Craig Asling Booming Games

1. Tasty Rush Sweet Spots takes place on a 7×7 cluster-pays grid. What possibilities did this format give the development team compared with a more traditional slot featuring conventional paylines?

The 7×7 format gave us a much larger canvas on which to build the game’s cascading action. Rather than looking for combinations along predetermined paylines, players form wins by landing clusters of five or more matching symbols. Those symbols are removed, new ones fall into empty positions, and another cluster can form without requiring a new spin.

That structure was particularly important for the Sweet Spots mechanic. With 49 individual positions, there are many opportunities to create Sweet Spots, revisit them during a cascade and increase their multipliers. It allows a single spin to develop through several stages and gives the player a clear sense of momentum as more of the grid becomes involved.

2. Candy-themed slots are popular among players and operators alike. How did you give Tasty Rush Sweet Spots a visual personality that could stand apart?

The candy theme is familiar, additionally this forms part of our successful “Tasty” Series so it was important that we still linked it to the series but gave the game a recognisable identity of its own. We focused on creating a bright, energetic world with strong colour, satisfying symbol reactions and clear visual feedback whenever a Sweet Spot is created or upgraded.

The Sweet Spots themselves are central to that identity. As winning positions light up and their multipliers grow, the grid visibly changes and becomes more exciting. This means the visuals are not simply decorative; they communicate the mechanics and help tell the story of each cascade.

We wanted to maintain the established appeal of our Tasty series while giving this title its own rhythm and personality. The result is playful and colourful, but the presentation remains clear enough for players to follow the action even when several clusters and multipliers are developing at once.

3. The game’s title places the Sweet Spots mechanic front and centre. Can you explain what Sweet Spots are and the role they play?

When symbols form a winning cluster, they are removed and their positions become Sweet Spots. If another winning symbol subsequently lands on one of those positions during the same cascade sequence, a multiplier is activated, any wins following inside these will have that applied.

The multiplier begins at 2x and doubles each time that position contributes to another qualifying win, progressing through the levels up to a maximum of 128x. Sweet Spots therefore turn particular areas of the grid into increasingly valuable positions.

Their role is to add progression to every cascade. Players are not only watching for another cluster; they are also hoping that new winning symbols connect with the Sweet Spots already created and push their multipliers to the next level.

Tasty Rush Sweet Spots

4. During Free Spins, Sweet Spots remain in position and can carry growing multipliers. What sort of excitement can players expect as the bonus develops?

Persistence is what gives the Free Spins round its real sense of momentum. In the base game, Sweet Spots develop during an individual cascade sequence. During Free Spins, however, the active Sweet Spot multipliers remain on the grid between spins.

This means the bonus can build over time. Early spins can establish valuable positions, while later spins have the opportunity to revisit and upgrade them. A Sweet Spot begins with a 2x multiplier, but repeated winning activity on that position can double it through the levels up to 128x.

As more of the grid becomes populated with multipliers, each new cluster carries greater potential. Players can see the bonus becoming progressively more powerful, which creates a strong feeling that the next cascade could connect several developed Sweet Spots and deliver a significant result. The game offers a maximum win potential of 5,000x the bet.

5. How closely does the finished release resemble the game that was originally pitched, and what changed most during development?

The central idea remained consistent throughout development: we wanted to create a cluster-pays game in which winning positions became more valuable as the action progressed. That combination of cascades, persistent positions and increasing multipliers was the foundation of the original concept and remains at the heart of the finished game.

Most of the evolution came through balancing, pacing and presentation. With a mechanic capable of reaching 128x, it was essential to ensure that every stage of progression felt meaningful and that players could clearly understand how a Sweet Spot had been created or upgraded.

We refined the audiovisual feedback and the way information is presented on the grid, while also tuning how the base game transitions into the more persistent Free Spins experience. The final version is a more polished and focused expression of the original pitch, rather than a complete departure from it.

6. What do you hope players and affiliate reviewers will notice first when they experience the game?

I hope they immediately notice how clearly the game communicates its central mechanic. A cluster disappears, Sweet Spots are created and the grid begins to develop, all within the natural flow of the cascades. It is easy to understand from the opening spins, but there is considerably more potential once multiple positions and multipliers begin working together.

I also hope reviewers recognise that the mechanic is doing more than simply adding another multiplier to a familiar candy themed game. The positions of the Sweet Spots matter, their values can grow and their persistence during Free Spins changes how the bonus develops.

Ultimately, we want players to experience that sense of momentum: one cluster leading to another, multipliers doubling and an ordinary looking grid gradually becoming packed with potential.

Tasty Rush Sweet Spots Bonus Feature

7. Tasty Rush Sweet Spots arrives during another busy period for Booming Games, so what else should players look out for from the studio over the coming months?

We have a very active roadmap covering a broad range of themes, formats and player preferences. Next up is Mr. Oinkster’s Key to Riches, which continues one of our recognisable character led series, and there is plenty more to follow throughout the coming months.

Players can expect new mechanics alongside further development of some of our strongest franchises. Variety is extremely important to us, so our roadmap will include everything from accessible, instantly recognisable games to more feature-rich releases with deeper progression.

What connects them all is our focus on clear gameplay, strong visual identity and features that create memorable moments. Tasty Rush Sweet Spots is a good example of that approach: the concept can be understood quickly, but the mechanics provide plenty of room for the experience to build.

Betgames launches most ambitious crash game yet with skyward Storm

The crash genre continues to evolve quickly, and BetGames has been part of that movement since launching the original Skyward in 2023. The game marked the company’s entry into the vertical and the beginning of a new strategic direction.

BetGames followed this with Skyward Deluxe and has now launched the third title in the series, Skyward Storm, its most ambitious evolution of the franchise so far.

Here at CasinoTrackpot we spoke with Adam Lahouiri, Head of Product at BetGames, about the new release, the thinking behind its features and what comes next for the company’s most successful game series.

Adam Lahouiri

1. What prompted the development of a third instalment in the Skyward franchise?

Appetite for the Skyward brand remains strong, but you cannot stand still in a market that moves as quickly as this one.

The original Skyward was our first step into crash, while Skyward Deluxe expanded the experience with a range of new social features. It was successful, but we could still see plenty of room to further develop the gameplay and respond to changing player expectations.

Competition for players’ attention is stronger than ever, and new products are constantly entering the market. Skyward Storm builds on the social experience of the previous games while introducing more gameplay-focused features, giving players more excitement and variety during every flight.

2. What was the biggest challenge when deciding which new features to integrate?

The appeal of crash games comes largely from their simplicity and speed. We wanted to move the series forward, but any new mechanic had to fit naturally into the experience without slowing the game down or making it harder for new players to understand.

That balance shaped most of our development decisions.

Both of the main in-game additions, Lightning Events and Safe Altitude, work without requiring players to make extra decisions during the flight. They add more depth and unpredictability while keeping the pace and quick bet settlement that crash players expect.

3. Skyward Storm introduces Quad Play. How does this level up the crash experience?

Most crash games, including the previous Skyward titles, offer two bet spots. Quad Play adds another two, giving players four bet spots and twice as many potential winning opportunities during each flight.

Combined with Auto Play, Auto Cashout and Safe Altitude, it gives players much more flexibility over how they approach the game. They can use different cashout targets and strategies across their four bets without adding unnecessary complexity to the core experience.

Skyward Storm Logo

4. In-game feature additions include Lightning Events and Safe Altitude. What inspired these additions?

Players are looking for fast-paced entertainment and the excitement of big win potential. Slots have always delivered that well, and we wanted to bring some of that energy into Skyward Storm without losing what makes crash games appealing.

Lightning Events can influence a flight in either direction and can activate up to three times in a single round. Lightning Boost increases the current multiplier by up to 10x, while Lightning Strike instantly halves it. The possibility that the multiplier can change at any moment creates more tension and gives every flight the potential to develop differently.

Safe Altitude acts as a safety net. If the multiplier reaches a predetermined level before the plane flies away, the player receives a consolation payout. Reaching 5x returns the original stake, reaching 10x returns twice the stake, and reaching 100x awards 10 times the stake.

It works alongside Auto Cashout and gives players another factor to consider when deciding how they want to approach each flight.

5. How do these mechanics support the series’ strong sense of community?

Skyward Deluxe introduced Winboards and Community Jackpots alongside the existing Leaderboards and live chat. With Skyward Storm, we wanted the new in-game mechanics to contribute to that community experience as well.

A big Lightning Boost can increase winnings across the round and create a shared moment for players, while Safe Altitude can provide some collective relief when a flight ends unexpectedly.

From discussing strategies in live chat to celebrating Community Jackpots and Lightning Boosts or competing on the leaderboards, each part of the experience gives players something to share with the wider community.

6. Do you think the genre is moving beyond the simple ‘cash out before you crash out’ formula?

The genre has evolved significantly since the earliest crash games. Players still want the simplicity and speed of the core format, but they are also looking for more variety, stronger win potential and features that make each round feel different.

As the boundaries between verticals become less defined, we are seeing crash games take inspiration from slots and other casino products. The challenge is adding that extra depth without losing the accessibility that made crash popular in the first place.

For us, the right approach is to combine simple gameplay with more strategic options and unpredictable moments, all within a social environment that players can enjoy together.

7. With three Skyward titles in the portfolio, where is the franchise heading next?

There is definitely more to come from Skyward, and it may be sooner than people expect…

Relax Gaming Adds Imagine Live to Powered By Relax Network

Relax Gaming has strengthened its live casino offering after agreeing a new distribution partnership with Imagine Live through its Powered By Relax programme.

The agreement will give Imagine Live access to Relax Gaming’s extensive operator distribution network, opening the door to further expansion across regulated markets worldwide.

Imagine Live currently operates more than 200 live tables and supplies a mixture of traditional live dealer games and game show-style products. Its content is available across 16 regulated markets, including the UK, Malta, Sweden, Romania, Belgium, Greece and Brazil.

The provider has also introduced AI-powered technology across areas such as security, risk management and real-time dealer behaviour monitoring, adding another technology-led element to its live casino operation.

Jennifer Buttigieg, Head of Commercial & Partnerships at Relax Gaming, said, “Imagine Live has quickly established itself as a provider that challenges conventions within the live casino space. Its blend of premium table games, original game-show content and cutting-edge studio production makes it a valuable addition to our Powered By Relax programme.”

Imagine Live Targets Further International Growth

Joining Powered By Relax gives Imagine Live access to a significantly wider distribution network without requiring individual integrations with every operator it wants to reach.

For Relax Gaming, the agreement also strengthens an aggregation platform traditionally associated heavily with slots by adding further live casino content to its offering.

The deal comes as competition across live casino continues to increase, with suppliers expanding beyond traditional blackjack, baccarat and roulette tables into game shows and alternative live formats.

At CasinoTrackpot, we track live casino games and results from some of the industry’s biggest providers, with the continued expansion of suppliers such as Imagine Live giving players an increasingly broad selection of live titles to choose from.

Nadiya Attard, CCO at Imagine Live, described the partnership as an important step in the company’s international growth strategy, with Powered By Relax providing the distribution required to reach more operators across regulated markets.

With more than 200 tables already operating and content available in 16 regulated jurisdictions, the Relax Gaming partnership could now significantly accelerate Imagine Live’s international reach.

CasinoTrackpot – Iconic21 Keno interview

We are delighted today here at CasinoTrackpot to be joined by Iconic21’s spokesperson and Chief Product Officer, Edvardas Sadovskis.

Iconic21 Spokesperson and Chief Product Officer, Edvardas Sadovskis

1. Keno is a game that’s stood the test of time; it’s simple to play and doesn’t require too much in the way of learning. What was it that prompted you to add Keno to your portfolio?

Yes, Keno has been a popular game for years and has become a staple in the gaming industry. Even people who are not as familiar with gameplay will probably recognise the format and the mechanics. We wanted to add it to our portfolio because it is a fun game and the pared-back format is approachable for newcomers and regulars alike.

2. For those who haven’t actually given Keno a try before, can you talk them through the basic rules of the game?

It’s as simple as setting your bet amount, choosing a Risk Level (Low, Medium or High), selecting between 1 and 10 numbers from the grid and pressing Play to start the round.

The game will randomly draw 10 numbers from the grid. If any of your selected numbers match the drawn numbers, a winning multiplier may be applied according to the selected risk level and number of matches.

3. Modern casino games often compete by adding more features and increasingly complicated mechanics. Was Keno deliberately designed as an alternative for players who simply want something straightforward and easy to pick up?

A lot of the market competes by layering on mechanics. That works for some players, but other players might feel overwhelmed by it. Keno is perfect for the player who wants to start immediately. They don’t need to watch tutorials or “how it works” videos because the game is easy to understand. There are no cluttered UI/UX or bombastic animations in other types of games. This is uncluttered, simple, and instant to learn, making the barrier to entry really low.

However, we do want to add that Keno is meant to sit alongside more complex products, not replace them. A portfolio is stronger for carrying different levels of complexity.

Iconic21 Keno Betting

4. Players can choose between Low, Medium and High risk levels. Do you think giving players control here helps them better understand the type of session they are choosing, particularly compared with games where the volatility may be less obvious?

Yes. The three levels make the shape of the session an upfront choice rather than something a player only discovers mid-play. Making volatility a choice up front is something we think matters for enjoyment and for responsible play because the player is choosing the experience that suits them.

5. Was there any temptation on your part to add new features and mechanics to Keno, or is this the sort of game that deserves to retain its original gameplay mechanics?

We definitely didn’t want to add too many mechanics. Adding mechanics would undo the one thing that makes Keno work: that it needs no explanation. However, we did make it more flexible with three risk levels, a 1,000x ceiling, and operator customisation. None of it changes how the game is actually played because we think the beauty of the game is in its simplicity.

Iconic21 Keno Gameplay

6. What’s your personal approach to playing Keno? Do you use Auto Pick and Autoplay and let things play out, or do you like to meticulously pick your own numbers?

I’m definitely more of a pick my own numbers guy. I have a few numbers I keep coming back to: birthdays, numbers I like, and numbers that for some reason just feel lucky. Of course, they have exactly the same chance as any other numbers, but it makes the game more special and fun for me.

For me, that’s how Keno should be played: for fun. Sometimes my lucky numbers hit and I get a nice win, which is always great. Other times I lose, and that’s part of the game too. I don’t chase losses; I just enjoy the excitement of each draw and see where my lucky numbers take me.

7. Most modern players are more accustomed to slots and crash games. Can you give them a reason to give Keno a try instead?

There’s no learning curve. You’ll understand it in one round! Think of it as a change of pace rather than a rival to slots or crash. It’s something uncomplicated to have in the rotation.

Just Slots x Casino Trackpot Interview

We are delighted today here at CasinoTrackpot to be joined by Jon-Paul Calleja – Marketing & Commercial Specialist at Just Slots.

1. Thanks for joining us. Can you start by telling us who you are and what your role is at Just Slots?

Thanks for having us, it’s a pleasure. I’m Jon-Paul Calleja, and I handle commercial operations and marketing at Just Slots.

In practice that puts me on both sides of every release: telling the story of what our games actually do, and working directly with the operators who host them so each launch lands successfully.

So I spend my days close to the games, close to the players and close to the casinos that host them.

2. When was the studio formed, what is its long-term mission, and which of your games should our readers be playing?

Just Slots is a Malta-based slot studio. Our first games went live at the end of 2024, and the mission hasn’t changed since then: create high-quality, friction-free slot games that deliver better experiences for players.

There are three games I’d start with. Firstly, Ice Vacation, it’s our latest release, and it’s the first game on our new UI and in-game shop, which is where the new Vortex feature lives. It’s the clearest look at where we’re heading.

Rain & Ruin is my personal favourite and one of our most successful games. It came directly out of Shogun Skylord, our second-ever release: same 5×6 grid, same 40 lines, and the same hook, where expanding wild multipliers lock onto a reel and stack with every new one that lands, so the bonus builds across the grid.

Shogun did well enough that we wanted to push the idea harder, so Rain & Ruin added Rival Reels, which puts two multipliers on the same reel to fight it out until one survives. It reaches a 50,000x max win.

My final suggestion would be Book of Arcane 100, our first go at the book mechanic, and the 100 in the name is the ceiling on its expanding symbol multiplier. Book of Abyss then took the same core and widened the ladder so the multiplier climbs in more steps and retriggers stack new ones on top of what you’ve already built. Arcane reaches 100,000x and Abyss 150,000x, the highest potential in our catalogue.

Beyond those three, it really comes down to personal preference. Shogun Skylord and Jade Empress are ideal for fans of Expanding Wild Multipliers. Dynamo’s Show offers an explosive Hold and Collect feature, whilst Shadow Pirates introduced our COIN collection mechanic. For something completely different, try our debut release Sugar Heaven or Unholy Mystery: Freaky Fiesta for a lower-volatility experience.

3. Ice Vacation has been very well received for its volatile gameplay and varied features. What elements stand out most for you?

Honestly, the rhythm of it. Ice Vacation is a high-volatility 5×4 game over 20 paylines, and it pays two ways at once: your normal line wins, plus instant COIN prizes running from 0.5x up to 1000x your total bet, dropping in on the same spin. That dual-prize feel keeps every spin alive.

Then the snowball. Mystery symbols land in groups and all reveal the same thing, and that can be a COIN just as easily as a paying symbol.

In free spins they turn sticky, so once one lands, it stays put for the rest of the round, and their multipliers keep adding up, all the way to 100x. Watching that total climb across the feature is the good part, and the game tops out at 10,000x.

The theme is deliberately quirky too. Ice is a Polar Bear, and for the whole base game he’s exactly where you’d expect to find one: at home in the cold, winter hat on. It’s only when the free spins trigger that he actually gets his holiday. Land 3 or more scatters, and the hat comes off, the floral shirt goes on, because the free spins are his vacation.

Ice Vacation is also the first game on our new UI, so every route into the features sits in one place now: the VIP Shop, one tap under the spin button. Bonus Buys, HOTSPIN and Vortex, side by side.

Ice Vacation

4. Did you have a specific audience in mind for Ice Vacation, or do you prefer broader appeal?

Both, and that’s by design. The core game is simple and clean: 20 lines, one clear sticky mystery mechanic, easy to pick up.

That’s the broad-appeal layer. On top of it we layered features for different tastes. COIN and instant-prize fans get the collect overlay. Mystery and bonus-hunter players get the sticky, summing multipliers.

If you’d rather not wait for the free spins, there are three routes in: a bonus buy at 150x, 250x or 500x; HOTSPIN, or Vortex. On volatility, we deliberately pitched Ice Vacation a step below the more pushed-out games in our range.

It still swings, and it still serves up the big, streamable hits you’d expect from us, the moments people actually want to watch. But it lives at the more reachable end of our portfolio, and that was the point. We spent a long time on the balance so the game rewards you between the big moments rather than just grinding you down to them.

Volatile, but not brutal!

5. We were intrigued by HOTSPIN. How important is it to let players move closer to a bonus through an extra bet in an age where speed and instant access are valued?

Very, and it comes back to one of our core beliefs: make it easy. Players want control over their own pace, so we design that control in.

In Ice Vacation, HOTSPIN costs 3x your base bet and raises your chance of triggering the free spins. The exact cost varies from game to game across the portfolio.

Though honestly, I don’t think it is really about speed. It is about choosing your own way in, and each way is a genuinely different experience, not just a different price tag.

With HOTSPIN you tilt the odds of reaching the Free Spins while still getting to enjoy the Base Game. Vortex allows you to gamble a fraction of the buy price, and the gamble itself becomes the moment.

And finally, our bonus buy options allow you to go straight into the main event, no waiting.

6. You’ve introduced the Vortex feature, which lets players access a buy bonus for less than the standard cost. Talk us through it, it’s a genuinely novel idea for bonus hunters.

Just Slots New Shop

Vortex is the one we’re proudest of. In a line: it lets you gamble a fraction of a bonus buy’s price for a shot at winning the whole bonus.

You pick the Bonus Buy you want, stake a fraction of its price, and choose how many Vortex Wheels to spin. Every single wheel has to land. If one misses, your stake is gone and you’re back in the base game; land them and you’ve made your way to Free Spins. That makes for genuinely suspenseful moments that players and streamers love, with a real pay-off when the wheels hit.

The novel part is the pricing, and it is the thing I would most want your readers to get. Your stake is your odds. Stake 40% of a Bonus Buy’s price and you have exactly a 40% shot at winning your way in.

You can stake anywhere from 10% to 90%, in 10% steps, and your chance always matches what you paid. There’s no hidden edge, no small print. Choose more wheels, and the tension stretches across more spins, while the odds stay tied to what you paid.

You are not paying to skip the fun. You are paying into a different kind of fun. Which is very us, really: more ways into the fun, not fewer. If people love the bonus round, we would rather open more doors to it than gate it behind a single price.

7. To wrap up, what’s coming up in the not-so-distant future at Just Slots?

Plenty. The team is working hard in the background so we can deliver more frequent releases with a broader set of mechanics, tuned to what the market needs and to the way players actually play our games.

There are also some exclusive releases on the way that I can’t say much about just yet. Deliberately vague, I’m afraid. Keep an eye out.

Dream Drop MEGA Jackpot Finally Falls After 89-Day Wait

A lucky Dream Drop player has landed the network’s MEGA jackpot, taking home an incredible €1,997,229.73 after the top prize had remained unclaimed for more than 89 days.

The life-changing jackpot was won at 01:45 UTC on 19th July 2026, ending one of the longest waits for a Dream Drop MEGA payout in recent months.

According to CasinoTrackpot’s Dream Drop tracker, the jackpot had been building for 89 days and one hour since the previous MEGA winner was crowned on 21st April, when another player collected €1,871,372.93.

The latest win also becomes the largest Dream Drop MEGA jackpot of 2026 so far, comfortably surpassing the previous payouts recorded in March and April.

One of the Longest Dream Drop Runs of the Year

Dream Drop has built a reputation for producing frequent millionaire winners, but the latest jackpot required considerably more patience than players have become accustomed to.

Before Sunday’s payout, the previous intervals between MEGA jackpots stood at just under 33 days and 31 days, respectively. This latest run stretched to almost three months, well above the network’s current average interval of around 61 days.

That longer build-up allowed the jackpot to climb close to the €2 million mark before eventually dropping.

For players following the network, it was another reminder that while Dream Drop jackpots are guaranteed to fall before reaching a fixed ceiling, exactly when that winning spin will arrive remains impossible to predict.

Track Dream Drop Jackpots Live

CasinoTrackpot continues to monitor every Dream Drop jackpot in real time, including the MEGA prize, complete jackpot history, previous winning amounts and average payout intervals.

With the latest jackpot now reset, the countdown to the next Dream Drop millionaire has already begun.

Whether the next MEGA prize lands in a matter of weeks or takes another extended run remains to be seen, but as history has shown, every spin across the Dream Drop network has the potential to create the next multi-millionaire.

Merkur Group Agrees Deal to Acquire White Hat Studios

The deal will bring one of the fastest-growing US slot suppliers into the Merkur portfolio, strengthening the group’s online and omni-channel content offering. White Hat Studios has expanded rapidly since launching in 2021 and now supplies games across all seven regulated US iGaming states.

Its portfolio includes the 7s Fire Blitz series, a growing collection of branded slots and the Jackpot Royale progressive jackpot network. These products will sit alongside Merkur’s wider gaming operations as the company continues to build its presence in North America.

The acquisition follows Merkur’s recent purchase of Nevada-based supplier Gaming Arts, suggesting the company is pursuing a broader US expansion strategy across both digital and land-based gaming.

White Hat Gaming’s platform and white-label divisions are not included in the transaction and will remain under their existing ownership. The acquisition is also still subject to regulatory approval.

Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, said: “Working alongside the hugely experienced Merkur team will open new possibilities for us across iGaming and enhance our ability to develop a world-class omni-channel proposition.”

Merkur Group has agreed to acquire White Hat Studios as part of a wider push into the regulated US iGaming market.

The acquisition follows Merkur’s recent purchase of Nevada-based supplier Gaming Arts, suggesting the company is pursuing a broader US expansion strategy across both digital and land-based gaming.

Merkur Strengthens Its Position in US iGaming

This is more than a standard content partnership. By acquiring White Hat Studios, Merkur gains direct access to an established supplier with distribution across every regulated US online casino market.

The deal also adds another progressive jackpot product to Merkur’s portfolio through Jackpot Royale, at a time when linked jackpot networks remain an important part of player engagement across online casinos.

For CasinoTrackpot readers, the acquisition is another sign of consolidation among major gaming suppliers. Larger groups are increasingly buying proven studios rather than relying solely on individual integrations or distribution agreements.

Merkur already owns Blueprint Gaming, which it acquired in 2012, and the addition of White Hat Studios would give it a stronger mix of European and North American content, established slot brands and jackpot-led products.

With regulatory approval still required, the deal is not yet complete. However, it represents one of the more significant supplier acquisitions of 2026 and could reshape Merkur’s position in the US market.

CasinoTrackpot Launches Gold Vault Roulette Tracker

CasinoTrackpot has expanded its live casino coverage with the launch of a dedicated Gold Vault Roulette tracker, giving players a new way to follow one of Evolution’s latest live roulette releases.

The new tracker records every spin in real time, allowing users to analyse historical results, identify number frequencies and monitor how the game has performed over a range of different time periods.

Gold Vault Roulette builds on the familiar European roulette format while introducing the Gold Vault bonus feature, where randomly selected numbers can unlock multipliers for the chance of significantly larger payouts.

With the addition of Gold Vault Roulette, CasinoTrackpot continues to grow its collection of live casino tracking tools, helping players explore game data beyond individual spins.

Real-Time Statistics and Historical Results

The Gold Vault Roulette tracker provides continuously updated results alongside a range of statistics designed to help players monitor the game over time.

Players can browse recent spin history, view number frequencies and identify hot and cold numbers, making it easier to explore longer-term trends rather than relying on individual outcomes.

Like all CasinoTrackpot trackers, the tool is designed for players who enjoy analysing live casino data and following how games develop over thousands of spins.

The launch follows the continued expansion of CasinoTrackpot’s live casino coverage, which already includes dedicated trackers for popular Evolution titles such as Crazy Time, Lightning Roulette, Monopoly Roulette, Red Door Roulette and other live casino games.

Blueprint Gaming Expands Rapid Fire Jackpots With NetBet

Blueprint Gaming has strengthened its partnership with NetBet by expanding the rollout of its Rapid Fire Jackpots mechanic across the UK operator’s online casino.

The agreement will see a growing collection of Rapid Fire Jackpots titles added to NetBet’s casino lobby, building on an existing partnership that began in 2025. The first batch of games is already live, including Fishin’ Frenzy Big Catch 3, The Goonies Quest for Treasure 2 and Fishin’ Frenzy Even Bigger Fish 2.

The rollout continues Blueprint Gaming’s strategy of expanding its jackpot portfolio across major UK operators, giving players access to more frequent jackpot opportunities alongside its established slot franchises.

Jack Lawson, Senior Account Manager at Blueprint Gaming, said: “Rapid Fire Jackpots has added a new dimension to our portfolio since launch, giving players access to more frequent jackpot drops alongside the premium gameplay experiences our content is known for.”

Blueprint Continues Expanding Its Jackpot Portfolio

Since launching in 2024, Rapid Fire Jackpots has become an important part of Blueprint Gaming’s jackpot offering, complementing the supplier’s well-established Jackpot King network.

While Jackpot King focuses on larger progressive prizes, Rapid Fire Jackpots has been designed to deliver more regular jackpot wins across a growing collection of games, giving players another way to enjoy jackpot gameplay.

For CasinoTrackpot readers, the continued expansion of Blueprint’s jackpot products reflects the growing importance of progressive and linked jackpot mechanics across the online casino industry. We actively track major jackpot networks, including Jackpot King, allowing players to monitor prize values and jackpot activity as they grow.

With more Rapid Fire Jackpots titles expected to roll out across NetBet over time, the partnership further strengthens Blueprint Gaming’s position as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of jackpot-focused casino content.

Veltium Launches to Support Sportsbooks and Prediction Markets

Veltium has officially launched with a focus on supporting sharp sportsbooks and prediction market businesses through customer service, compliance and marketing services.

The Ireland-based company has been created to help iGaming operators build the structure needed to enter or expand within the fast-growing prediction market space. Its leadership team brings experience from the sharp betting sector, including betting exchanges and market-making environments.

Veltium is led by CEO Enda Kendrick, who has worked in prediction markets for more than 10 years. His background includes roles with Matchbook, Betdaq and Moon Intelligence, a specialist data company serving market makers and sharp betting groups.

The launch comes at a time when prediction markets are becoming more visible across the wider betting and gaming industry. As more operators explore the sector, demand is likely to grow for support around compliance, customer operations and market-specific marketing.

Kendrick said, “It’s evident that lots of iGaming groups require support to build a robust, corporate structure in their organisations in order to enter the prediction markets space.”

Prediction Markets Continue Moving Into the Mainstream

For CasinoTrackpot readers, Veltium’s launch is another signal that prediction markets are moving beyond niche audiences and becoming a more serious focus for betting businesses.

The company is positioning itself as a support partner for operators that want to enter the space but need stronger operational structure before doing so. That includes areas such as customer service, compliance and marketing, all of which become more important as prediction markets attract wider attention.

CasinoTrackpot has already expanded into this area through its prediction market tracker, which follows live market activity and helps users monitor how events move over time.

As the line between sportsbooks, exchanges and prediction markets continues to blur, more specialist companies are likely to emerge around the sector. Veltium’s launch shows how the supporting infrastructure around prediction markets is now starting to develop alongside the platforms themselves.