Michal Imiolek, the Group CEO of Wazdan, had always been drawn to the digital world, a fascination fueled by his love of online gaming and technology. However, little did he know that his casual interest would one day lead him to the helm of a leading gaming software company.
After a move to a new town, Michal found himself seeking a fresh challenge. His path would take an unexpected turn through a chance encounter with a friend. A recruitment agent, intrigued by Michal’s open-mindedness and curiosity, approached him with a vague yet promising offer. There were no specifics about the company or the role, only a tantalizing hint of an “interesting position” that required a willingness to explore.
Driven by a sense of adventure, he decided to leap. What began as a speculative decision soon led him to become one of the foremost names in the gaming industry. From humble beginnings, Michal quickly adapted to the dynamic world of online gaming. He reflects, “I rose through the ranks, learning everything while doing it, and here we are.” With each new challenge, he honed his skills, mastering the industry’s intricacies from the ground up.
His dedication and talent propelled him through the ranks until he found himself at the pinnacle of his career, leading Wazdan to new heights in his current position.
Steering Innovation in a Dynamic Gaming Landscape
He is one of “The 10 Most Innovative CEOs Reshaping Tech Industry in 2024,” reflecting his unwavering commitment to harnessing technology to solve complex problems and create a better future. Not just that, Michal has been instrumental in transforming Wazdan into a gaming powerhouse.
As its Group CEO, his role is anything but routine. With over 250 games in the portfolio, his daily responsibilities span far beyond the typical executive duties. The veteran focuses on steering the company towards its long-term strategic objectives while keeping a pulse on day-to-day operations. He leads the senior management team and collaborates closely with department heads to ensure that product development, marketing, and customer experience perfectly align with the company’s growth ambitions. With Wazdan’s expansion into new markets, he actively oversees the Compliance Department, ensuring smooth progress toward obtaining licenses and approvals.
But what truly sets Michal’s leadership apart is his attention to the gaming portfolio. “We’re always adding something new to our titles,” he explains, ensuring each game stands out in graphics and offers a unique experience. With diverse math models and out-of-the-box features, the goal is to create games that resonate with a wide range of players, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Finding Balance in the Hustle: Approach to Work-Life Harmony
Pursuing the perfect balance between life, work, and pleasure is a common thread that weaves through everyone’s aspirations. This quest has always been a delicate act for Michal, especially when you treat the company you manage like your own child. A dedicated professional, Michal thrives on long hours and the sense of accomplishment that comes with driving productivity and watching his business grow. “It’s an addiction,” he admits, reflecting on the steady upward trajectory his company has experienced in recent years. But maintaining that balance doesn’t come without support. His wife, understanding of his deep commitment, plays a vital role in helping him stay grounded. Her uncompromising support allows Michal to fully embrace his passion for work, knowing there’s harmony at home, even when his focus leans heavily toward the business.
A Proud Milestone
For Michal, stepping into the role of Group CEO at Wazdan has been both his greatest challenge and his proudest achievement. In his words: “Every day brings something new, which, in most cases, leads to improvement or development.” Whether it’s refining a product, launching a business project, or strengthening team dynamics, this constant evolution drives him. Surrounded by a team he describes as “the best in the world,” Michal takes pride not only in their collective accomplishments but also in the recognition they’ve earned. The highlight? Winning Casino / Slot Developer of the Year at the SBC ceremony in Lisbon—a moment that, for Michal, validated the team’s relentless efforts and fueled their motivation to scale new peaks.
Driving Innovation at Wazdan
This tech-savvy innovator underlines that at Wazdan, the team prioritizes continuous innovation by staying ahead of emerging trends in the gaming industry. He notes that whether it’s through enhanced graphics or unique gameplay features, they constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible to create the best experiences for their players. While predicting a game’s success can be challenging, he believes that closely analyzing data provides valuable insights into what players enjoy and what keeps them engaged. Given the industry’s stringent regulations, Michal assures that they remain proactive by adhering to all necessary compliance standards and maintaining transparent, ethical business practices.
Shaping the Future of Gaming
Michal believes that Wazdan’s commitment to cutting-edge solutions, such as Adjustable Volatility Levels™, Mystery Drop™, and Jackpot Rain™, will significantly impact future generations of online casino game developers and players. He asserts that these innovations are already pushing the boundaries of how games are experienced and will inspire developers to explore new avenues for enhancing gamification. This diversity, he explains, enhances player engagement and ensures the gaming ecosystem caters to a wide variety of tastes and preferences. As the industry evolves, Michal is confident that this inclusive approach will contribute to shaping a more varied and vibrant gaming landscape for both players and developers.
Braving the Storm in the Gaming World
So, has it been a smooth ride for Michal, or has he had to scale some formidable mountains? Without a doubt, it’s the latter. As CEO of Wazdan, he recognizes that one of his most significant challenges lies in managing the ever-evolving regulatory landscape of the online gaming industry. With each country imposing its own unique rules and requirements, ensuring compliance across various jurisdictions can feel like navigating a complex maze.
To address this daunting task, Michal has prioritized building a strong compliance team and cultivating relationships with regulators in key markets. By staying proactive, he asserts that they not only meet requirements but often exceed them, which ultimately builds trust with regulators and players alike.
A Bold Vision for Wazdan’s Future Growth
As he gazes into the future, Michal envisions a transformative journey for Wazdan over the next five years. One of his key ambitions is to extend Wazdan’s reach into emerging markets, particularly in North and Latin America, where the online gaming sector is booming. He passionately believes that localizing games to resonate with these regions’ distinct tastes and regulatory landscapes will be vital to their success.
In addition to venturing into new territories, this resilient trailblazer emphasizes the importance of solidifying Wazdan’s presence in established European markets. He plans to forge strong partnerships with local stakeholders and regulators, ensuring that Wazdan remains a trusted name in the industry. Michal acknowledges that expanding into fresh markets comes with its challenges, particularly navigating strict regulatory guidelines, but he’s committed to prioritizing compliance with global standards, including responsible gaming regulations.
Ultimately, Michal’s grand vision for Wazdan centers around innovation. He aims to continually enrich Wazdan’s portfolio with exciting new games, cutting-edge features, and dynamic gamification tools. With game-changers like the latest Mystery Drop™ and the iconic Cash Drop™, he’s determined to offer a diverse array of content that captivates players and keeps Wazdan at the forefront of the gaming industry.
Insights for Aspiring Leaders in Tech and Gaming
A proficient veteran, Michal passionately shares that aspiring leaders and innovators in the tech and gaming industries can make their mark by embracing vision, adaptability, and a people-centric approach. He urges them to commit to lifelong learning in a landscape that evolves at lightning speed. He advises, “Whether you’re developing a game or launching a tech product, ensure that it solves a real need of your target audience.”
He also highlights the importance of fostering a mindset inviting feedback and seeing failures not as setbacks but as stepping stones to success. Michal points out that no great achievement is done in isolation. Surrounding oneself with talented individuals and cultivating a vibrant, collaborative environment is essential. By encouraging the free flow of diverse ideas, tomorrow’s leaders can ignite innovation and drive significant impact in their industries.
Leveraging Experience: Michal on Success at Wazdan
When asked how his previous experiences and skills contributed to his success at Wazdan, Michal shared that his most significant business journey unfolded within the company itself. While his background in the land-based business gave him a solid starting point, he reveals that these two worlds are way different than many realize. He remarks, “I have been with the company since the beginning, and we grew together.” Over the past 14 years, he’s immersed himself in every company facet—management, marketing, and product development. Michal describes this as a “fantastic learning curve,” he firmly believes that “people are your most valuable asset.”
A Retrospective: Key Milestones in Wazdan’s Growth and Development
In the ever-evolving world of iGaming, success is often a tapestry woven from significant milestones, each contributing to a company’s legacy. For Wazdan, these milestones represent not just achievements but the embodiment of innovation, resilience, and a commitment to enhancing player experiences. Michal reflects on the key moments that have shaped the company’s journey, recalling how each step has propelled the company forward.
He recalls that 2011 marked a significant turning point for Wazdan as the company officially established itself in the iGaming world. This year also saw Wazdan secure its first gaming licence from the Malta Gaming Authority, allowing it to introduce its unique games to players within a trusted regulatory framework.
By 2015, Michal notes a pivotal transformation: Wazdan fully embraced HTML5 technology, which made its games accessible across various devices. He describes this as a major leap towards providing seamless, mobile-first gaming experiences.
Reflecting on 2017, Michal highlights another crucial milestone when Wazdan obtained a licence from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. This opened the doors to one of the most competitive markets in the online gaming industry, marking a new chapter for the company.
The introduction of the innovative Volatility Levels™ feature in 2018 is another standout moment for Michal, who emphasizes how this development allowed players to adjust the variance of their gameplay, thus redefining personalization in online slots.
Further expanding its reach, Michal recounts 2019, when Wazdan was granted a licence by the Swedish Gambling Authority, solidifying its presence in the Scandinavian market.
In 2020, Wazdan achieved ISO/IEC 27001 certification, underscoring its commitment to risk management and information security. Michal recalls the launch of the Cash Drop promotional tool, which enhanced player engagement through targeted rewards, and the company’s expansion into new markets, including Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain.
Looking back on 2021, Michal views Wazdan’s entry into the U.S. market as a key moment in its global expansion strategy, tapping into a rapidly growing and competitive landscape.
By 2022, Wazdan had gone live in Ontario, Canada, extending its North American footprint. Michal points out the introduction of the innovative features Collect to Infinity™ and Cash Infinity™, which added exciting new dimensions to player experiences.
The year 2023 brought significant achievements, as Michal highlights the success of the Mystery Drop™ promotional tool, which won two industry awards, including Game Feature of the Year at the CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards. He also mentions the launch of the Chance Level™ mechanic and the Jackpot Rain™ promo tool, both of which elevated player engagement and excitement, culminating in a total prize pool of €4,000,000 in Mystery Drop™ Network Promotions.
Finally, in 2024, Michal reflects on Wazdan’s comprehensive rebranding, which raised the bar for quality and innovation in the iGaming sector. This new identity signifies the company’s evolution and commitment to excellence in gaming entertainment. He proudly remarks that Wazdan received the Casino/Slot Developer of the Year title during the SBC ceremony in Lisbon, marking another high point in its journey.
Wazdan’s Blueprint for Global Market Compliance
As the gaming industry evolves, Wazdan emerges as a compliance leader—a crucial element that can make or break a gaming company—expertly navigating regulations. Michal emphasizes that thriving in over 30 regulated markets relies heavily on securing essential licenses from diverse regulatory bodies. He points out that building strong relationships with these agencies and conducting regular audits of internal systems are key to maintaining compliance. According to him, having a dedicated team of Legal and Compliance Experts is vital, as they keep abreast of the ever-changing regulations in different regions, ensuring the company remains compliant wherever it operates. This team maintains open communication with regulators, allowing Wazdan to stay informed about potential changes and swiftly update its games to meet new requirements. Michal notes that collaboration with accredited testing labs, like GLI or Gaming Associates, is essential for certifying games before their launch, thereby establishing trust and adherence to market standards. Furthermore, he highlights the importance of regular training sessions for employees on regulatory requirements, ensuring that everyone—from developers to marketers—understands the legal landscape in which Wazdan operates. This approach cultivates a compliance-first mindset that does not hinder innovation.
