Exclusive interview with Anastasios Ioannidis of ARRISE: Insights on Pragmatic Play’s latest slots launch and industry trends

by Angelina Vodenicharova, 23 December 2025

With a wealth of experience in the iGaming affiliate sector, Anastasios Ioannidis is a key voice at ARRISE, the powerhouse behind leading game provider Pragmatic Play. As an Affiliate Manager, he plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between innovative new games and the players who enjoy them. Now, he offers his unique insights on the launch of the highly-anticipated Fortune of Olympus slot and discusses wider industry trends in this exclusive Online-Casinos.com interview.

Exploring the Realm of Fortune of Olympus

Fortune of Olympus shares clear similarities with Gates of Olympus, Gates of Olympus 1000, and Gates of Olympus Super Scatter. Which specific elements from the series have been incorporated into this new slot?

Anastasios: The similarities are striking because Fortune of Olympus is the latest release in Pragmatic Play’s popular Gates of Olympus series. The aim was to build on the game world enjoyed by players worldwide, while venturing deeper into Zeus’ realm and adding an explosive selection of new features designed to amplify the excitement.

Fans of the series can expect favourite features, including tumbling reels and almighty multipliers of up to 500x. As with the game’s predecessors, when several multipliers strike down together during a tumbling sequence, their values combine to supercharge wins.

What are the key differences between Fortune of Olympus when compared to other successful games in the Gates of Olympus series?

Anastasios: Fortune of Olympus pushes the fan-favourite series into thrilling new territory. A gold-filled throne room now sets the stage for electrifying gameplay, with an even mightier Zeus presiding over proceedings from his golden throne, armed with a powerful new trident.

The King of the Gods has gained more than just muscle mass since his last outing. Most striking of all is the game’s giant 7×7 grid, adorned with ancient Greek symbols. There’s also the switch to cluster pays – a first in the series – and the maximum non-multiplier prize has been increased too, with clusters of 5-15+ matching symbols awarding wins of up to 150x.

Then there’s the 15-30 free spins which can be unleashed in the bonus game – that’s up to twice as many as in the previous games. Another standout difference is the way multipliers boost wins in the bonus game. Every multiplier that hits during the feature is collected and added to the total multiplier, which is applied to all subsequent wins in the round – not just those which include a multiplier.

Players in certain markets can also buy entry to Free Spins or Super Free Spins (minimum 5x multiplier) and choose from four special bets, one of which guarantees a minimum 50x multiplier on every spin in the base game.

Is this slot designed for those new to slot games, or is it geared towards the more experienced player?

Anastasios: Slots players can expect a mix of both fresh and familiar features. As with all games in the series, Fortune of Olympus is a high-volatility slot, which means players can expect larger but less frequent wins compared to low-volatility slots. Volatility aside, Fortune of Olympus is not a game that requires any significant learning curve or understanding of the series or even the mythology behind it. With an exciting bonus game, easy-to-understand gameplay, and a 10,000x max win, there’s plenty to appeal to both beginners and those with a little more slots experience under their belt.

Game Design and Industry Favourites

Which Pragmatic Play title stands as your personal favourite, and what specific game mechanics or features make it special to you?

Anastasios: That’s a tough one. Right now, I’d have to say Fortune of Olympus for what it adds to the Gates of Olympus series, introducing a fantastic combination of features. Sweet Rush Bonanza is also one of my favourites. With these two classic themes in mind, I’m very much looking forward to Sugar Rush Super Scatter and Zeus vs Hades – Gods of War 250 coming in January.

Tournament offerings such as those in Drops & Wins have become immensely popular. Could you explain how the prize pools work and how these promotional structures benefit both operators and players?

Anastasios: Drops & Wins has awarded over €100,000,000 to players since it launched five years ago. It remains the industry’s largest provider-funded prize pool, adding another level of anticipation to Pragmatic Play’s latest and greatest slots.

There are over 50,000 prizes up for grabs each week in the current season, including bet multipliers, free spins, and instant bonus prizes. These are awarded by way of Wheel Drops – Drops & Wins’ newest addition which randomly awards wheel segments – or based on Daily Tournament rankings. There are also regular network promotions for players to enjoy in most markets throughout the year, such as Sweet Holiday Chase, which is set to give away €5,000,000 over this festive season.

For players, it’s all about enriching the gaming experience with even more chances to win in their favourite slots, which of course increases engagement. And because it’s funded by Pragmatic Play, it really is a win-win for operators and their players.

Innovation and Future Trends

Live game shows have really come into their own in recent years. How does Pragmatic Play ensure its live casino experiences stand out?

Anastasios: Pragmatic Play is always working on ways to elevate and diversify the experience for players. Fortune Roulette, for example, is a thrilling twist on the classic casino game where the slots-style bonus round offers wins of up to 9,000x. Meanwhile, recent blockbuster release, Money Time, is one of Pragmatic Play’s most feature-packed game shows. It has four exciting bonus rounds: Cash Roll, Coin Rush, Bank Heist, and Money Time. Each delivers a unique experience and win potential, with the game’s 40,000x max win up for grabs in Bank Heist.

Beyond game shows, Pragmatic Play delivers a premium selection of roulette, blackjack, and baccarat titles, in addition to live poker games. The focus is very much on providing high-quality products that entertain and reward like nothing else.

Aside from interactive gameplay and feature-filled bonus rounds, what else does Pragmatic Play offer to keep live casino players engaged?

Anastasios: Pragmatic Play offers local and network promotions throughout the year, delivering a mix of in-game rewards such as prize drops, tournaments, and cashback. Gamification tools are also available, with the likes of Free Chips rewarding players with bonus rounds and physical Bonus Cards offering instant prizes. These promotional tools aim to enhance the overall gaming experience while delivering even more ways to win

Final Word

We thank Anastasios for his time and for providing such an expert look into the innovation driving Pragmatic Play forward.