Michal Imiolek, CEO of Wazdan, discusses the development of Brazil’s regulated online casino market 13 months on from its launch in January 2025. Imiolek touches on the compliance challenges, player behaviours and Wazdan’s appearance at SBC Summit Rio.
iGaming Expert: What have been the biggest challenges in the Brazilian market since regulation was introduced last year?
Michal Imiolek: The introduction of regulation in Brazil was not a single defining moment, but rather an ongoing process. Both operators and suppliers have had to adapt to new technical requirements and compliance standards, while continuing to operate without disruption.
From a supplier’s perspective, one of the key challenges has been aligning products with the new regulatory framework without compromising the player experience. Certification, reporting standards and operational adjustments require precision, but the objective remains unchanged – to deliver engaging and competitive games.
The first year has shown that regulation does not limit innovation. It does, however, require structure. In a regulated environment, preparation, technical stability and product clarity ultimately determine long-term success.
iGX: How have player demands evolved over the past year as the market has developed?
As the market matures, players are becoming more informed and more selective. They are paying closer attention to mechanics, volatility profiles and the way features are structured.
There has been a noticeable shift towards clear and predictable gameplay models. Players want to understand how bonuses are triggered, how modifiers function and what progression looks like. Transparency and playing comfort have become increasingly important.
This does not mean that demand for excitement has decreased. Rather, it confirms that engagement must be built on clarity. A consistent structure and transparent rules build trust, and in regulated markets, trust has a direct impact on retention.
iGX: What is Wazdan’s product development strategy in Brazil and how much attention do you pay to player trends?
Our strategy is based on proven structures that can scale across jurisdictions. We do not focus on short-term experimentation, but on long-term portfolio development.
Series such as Coins™ provide a stable mathematical and structural foundation, while still allowing for thematic and mechanical variation. This enables us to reflect local preferences without fragmenting the overall portfolio.
We closely monitor market trends, but we interpret them through the lens of product structure. The key is maintaining a balance between local relevance and global portfolio integrity.
iGX: How difficult is it to maintain a long-term product strategy when preferences can change quickly?
Shifting preferences are a natural part of any developing market. The important distinction is between short-term fluctuations and lasting behavioural change.
A sustainable strategy must be grounded in mathematics, repeatable structures and thoughtful system design. When the core framework is stable, flexibility comes from within the structure rather than from reactive adjustments.
In our approach, adaptability is built into the framework itself. The portfolio can evolve gradually without losing coherence or direction.
iGX: Which games are you going to showcase at SBC Summit Rio, and why these titles in particular?
In Rio, we will present titles that represent different pillars of our portfolio:
- Bumba Meu Boi Coin™ demonstrates how a strong local cultural reference can be incorporated within the established Coins™ structure, combining familiarity with a predictable and proven mechanic.
- Fisherman’s Luck™ represents a classic slot format enhanced by our engagement-driven features and volatility tools.
- Mighty Wild™: Gorilla showcases a more progressive engagement model, built around structured development and balanced gameplay.
Each of these titles has already proven its performance in regulated markets, which remains a central element of our long-term strategy.
iGX: How does SBC Summit Rio fit into Wazdan’s wider 2026 marketing strategy?
SBC Summit Rio is an important part of our presence in the LatAm region. Regional events enable direct, focused discussions about local market dynamics – operator priorities, regulatory developments and evolving player behaviour.
Global events provide scale, while regional events provide context. Both are essential in maintaining consistent communication while ensuring local relevance.
iGX: What does Wazdan’s product roadmap look like throughout 2026?
In 2026, our focus remains on further developing proven frameworks and strengthening established series such as Coins™.
Our approach is evolutionary rather than disruptive. It centres on refining structures, deepening engagement layers and ensuring that each new release aligns with the requirements of mature, regulated markets.
