Anastasios Ioannidis of ARRISE on Pragmatic Play’s Strategies, Top Titles, and Future Focus

In today’s competitive iGaming landscape, Pragmatic Play is setting the standard for quality and innovation, and at the center of this momentum is Anastasios Ioannidis, Head of Affiliate at ARRISE, the service group powering the iconic game provider. In this exclusive interview with CasinoRIX, Anastasios shares a behind-the-scenes look at Pragmatic Play’s fast-paced content pipeline and its drive to create captivating gaming experiences across multiple markets. From its expanding portfolio of player-favorite slots to its strategic growth in promising regions like LatAm, Anastasios highlights how Pragmatic Play’s commitment to quality and variety keeps it at the forefront of the industry.

Q: As a leading game supplier, how many titles does Pragmatic Play release each month/year?

A: Pragmatic Play releases around nine new titles a month, not to mention dozens of country and operator exclusives. And that’s just slots – new products are regularly released across all verticals, with a range of unique titles and more than 80 live casino tables added so far in 2024. There are also product expansions across the supplier’s crash games, virtual sports, jackpots, bingo, and sportsbook offerings. And with Drops & Wins, there are always new promotions on offer. The aim is to deliver high quality at a fast, consistent rate, and Pragmatic Play does this exceptionally well.

Q: Let’s talk about an average game — how much time does it take to develop one, and how many team members are involved in the process?

A: There’s no such thing as an average game at Pragmatic Play! Without getting into the details, the process of bringing new games to market is extremely efficient. Some games may take a little longer than others, especially if the mechanics are new or complex, but the teams involved – that’s everyone from strategists and mathematicians to designers and developers – work together like a well-oiled machine. It’s a diverse and large-scale operation that functions seamlessly to ensure the release of fantastic new games each month.

Q: Focusing on slots, which Pragmatic Play releases are the most popular? 

A: That depends on your time frame. One of the best things about Pragmatic Play’s varied and expansive catalogue of slots is that you can find all kinds of fan favourites. Whether you prefer a Greek Gods theme or a Wild West setting, a cluster-pays slot or a Megaways™ variation, there’s something for everyone.

Sweet-themed slots have been a mainstay of Pragmatic Play’s portfolio for years, with the upcoming Candy Corner soon to be the latest addition. Sweet Bonanza 1000 and Sugar Rush 1000 are certainly up there in terms of most popular games in 2024, as is Gates of Olympus 1000 and various titles from the iconic Big Bass and The Dog House series. And the original Sweet Bonanza, Sugar Rush and Gates of Olympus titles are among the most popular slots of all time in the industry. With so many high-quality titles launching each month, it’s sensible to consider their popularity over both the short term and long term.

Q: Are the most popular games also the most profitable?

A: Not necessarily. It goes without saying that a game which proves sticky over years rather than weeks will attract more bets. But it’s also reasonable to point out that a game which continues to attract and retain players over a long period will likely be delivering a highly entertaining and rewarding experience. In any case, I think popularity is best measured by unique players over time.

Q: Where does Pragmatic Play operate, and which geographic region is the most promising for growth?

A: Pragmatic Play is licensed in more than 30 regulated markets around the world. All geographic regions are important. In terms of growth potential, LatAm is arguably one of the more promising markets, but as a supplier of award-winning gaming content, Pragmatic Play’s focus is very much on providing operators and players globally with the best products.

Q: What’s your favourite Pragmatic Play game, and why?

A: My answer to this question changes every time! There are so many great games available. Right now, I would say Sweet Bonanza 1000 or Sugar Rush 1000 – both very different in terms of features and mechanics, albeit visually similar as they share the same theme. I also have a fondness for the famous fisherman, with Big Bass Vegas Double Down Deluxe a personal favourite as it includes two exciting bonus trails in the feature. But then, how could I not say Gates of Olympus 1000 or Wisdom of Athena 1000 or The Dog House Muttley Crew? 
Impossible question. 
Maybe Bow of Artemis.