Interview with Niko Mazger, CEO of Fugaso: EPICWAYS, Jackpots and Global Growth

Fugaso is an online slot and table game developer founded in late 2016 by iGaming veterans. In this exclusive interview, CasinoBonusTips author Daniel Velasquez speaks with Niko Mazger, CEO of Fugaso, about how the studio was built, how it adapts to regulated markets and which games players love most.

Key takeaways:

• Fugaso was founded at the end of 2016 by professionals with backgrounds at companies such as 888, Playtech and Bwin.
• At the time of the interview, the studio was live in regulated markets including Italy, Ukraine and Belarus.
• The EPICWAYS series, including The Mummy Win Hunters EPICWAYS with wins of up to 50,000x the bet, is its standout franchise.
• The DAY 2 DAY Jackpots system pays out dozens of jackpots per day across several titles.

The interview was conducted in June 2021; plans and figures reflect that time.

Interviewer: Daniel Velasquez (DV). Respondent: Niko Mazger (NM).

DV: Thank you very much for accepting this interview. Please introduce yourself to our readers – when and why did you start working in this industry?

NM: It’s a pleasure to be given an opportunity to present our story and how it all came together, so thank you.

My name is Niko Mazger and I am the CEO of Fugaso. I have been a part of the iGaming industry for the last 17 years, and I feel that the industry has grown enormously in the last few years, which makes us more than happy to be a part of it as one of the most entertaining game providers.

Fugaso was established towards the end of 2016 by a group of highly experienced iGaming professionals who had worked at companies like 888, Playtech and Bwin since the early 2000s.

Ever since our inception, we have continued to provide state-of-the-art video slots and table games for online casinos while providing players with a safe and responsible gaming environment.

DV: Tell us about Fugaso’s software. In which markets does the company operate, and how does it adapt to regulation in different regions?

NM: We strive to operate on a global scale in various regulated markets, and we have already managed to enter Italy, Ukraine and Belarus, which are just the beginning for us.

Adapting for further regulated markets isn’t an easy process, but we keep in mind that there are plenty of restrictions for the sake of a safe and responsible gaming environment. We always strive to develop our content under the technical standards of the highest and most prestigious regulatory authorities.

Adapting to new regulations is indeed a challenge, but what makes it easier for us is that our games have been developed under strict technical standards from the start. Understanding the regulations and the bigger picture of each market also allows us to adapt in a more diverse way.

DV: Looking at the games you have prepared for your partners – what would you pick as the best in your catalogue? What can players look forward to?

NM: It is very hard to say which are the top games, because they differ in every market due to different end users, different currencies and so on.

Our team of professionals is always keen on new designs, maths and whatever will excite the player. Our goal is to bring a whole new level of entertainment to the table, and we have big plans to do so which will unfold in the very near future – you will hear all about it very soon!

DV: Briefly describe the audience of Fugaso fans – geography, age, gender. Why do they love your games?

NM: Our fan base is very diverse. Since we started, the CIS has been a big growth region for us. We managed to partner with major brands in various CIS markets and build strong relationships, which then led to more global exposure in countries like Turkey, Finland, Germany, Norway, Armenia and even Asia, where we continue to grow.

Our player audience is quite varied: from old-school players who moved from land-based to online and look for similar content, such as the classic slots we offer in plenty, to a younger generation who find more diverse, funny and entertaining blockbuster-style games more interesting. We have seen this since the release of our well-known blockbuster Trump It Deluxe EPICWAYS and the whole EPICWAYS series in general, which has a more attractive feel for younger players.

This is just the beginning for us, and we are certain that the upcoming releases will grow and diversify our player and fan base even further.

DV: Which of Fugaso’s games is your favourite, and why?

NM: This one is hard to answer, as it depends on so many different aspects.

From our point of view, and according to the results we have been seeing, I must say it is most probably The Mummy Win Hunters EPICWAYS. It takes you on a mysterious journey through a beloved Egyptian-themed rollercoaster with a wide range of features, and what excites players the most is the chance to win big – with up to 50,000x your bet, it’s definitely an option. We have seen some huge wins since the release of our EPICWAYS series in general.

Another beloved set of games features our newest addition, the DAY 2 DAY Jackpots system, which can be found in some of our favourite titles: Magic Spinners, Stoned Joker, Clash of Gods, Book of Tattoo 2 and Stoned Joker 5.

In these games, players usually win between 50 and 60 jackpots per day. This tool gives players a chance not only to win often but also to win big: a simple bet of 0.03 EUR can result in a win of over 2,500 EUR, which is a multiplier of more than 83,000x.

DV: In 2019, Fugaso was nominated for the AskGamblers Award for Best Provider, but the award went to Pragmatic Play. Did you agree with this decision?

NM: It was a great honour to be nominated as one of the best providers at the prestigious AskGamblers Awards.

I do think that Pragmatic Play is a worthy game provider that deserved first place. Players voted, and anyone from the top 10 finalists deserved to win, as everyone did a phenomenal job.

Cleopatra’s Diary being a top 10 video slot among hundreds, if not thousands, of slots is a big achievement, and we are grateful for the appreciation of our hard work.

DV: When will Fugaso be among the top three slot providers? And who do you think are the top three today?

NM: In such a diverse industry with so many different providers, it’s practically impossible to say. Everything is relative, and we focus on our own progress regardless of what everyone else is doing.

Our goals are not measured against others but against our own vision. Once that vision is achieved, if we are considered among the top providers, it will be a very big achievement for us.

Choosing the top three game providers is very difficult for me, so I will mention the providers I think deserve to be considered: Evolution, Red Tiger Gaming, Play’n GO, NetEnt, Microgaming and Pragmatic Play.

DV: Fugaso has been around for about five years. How would you rate the results?

NM: Building a regulated and very popular game development studio with so many powerful titles within just 4.5 years, while managing a small team of professionals, is a hell of a challenge. We are very proud of and grateful for where we are today. Our biggest success is exactly where we are now and what we are about to introduce to the industry over the next few years – you will want to see that, believe me. We are only getting started!

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