CasinosOnline.com has the pleasure of sharing our chat with Habanero’s own Toni Karapetrov.
The company’s Head of Corporate Communications was so kind as to let us in on the latest updates from the headquarters. We also got to learn what a typical day in Habanero looks like.
Scroll down to read more.
- Hello and great to meet you! Welcome to CasinosOnline.com, the hub of the most up-to-date gambling-related info! It’s an honor talking to you, Mr. Karapetrov. Would you mind introducing yourself?
It’s fantastic to meet you! My name is Toni Karapetrov, and I’m Head of Corporate Communications at the premium slot and table game provider Habanero. We’re hugely popular across the world, with our games now available to more and more European and LatAm players than ever before.
- What’s your favorite bit about working at Habanero?
That’s an easy one – my colleagues! It’s a pleasure to spend each day working alongside such a talented, dedicated and fun bunch of people.
We’ve certainly had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day the fantastic professional dynamic that exists between each member of our team shows itself in the incredible quality of our final product.
- Habanero manufactures slots, table games, and video poker. Which one is your favorite and why?
That’s a very difficult decision to make! Gun to my head, I’d have to say our stunning slots! Take the example of our highly engaging recent launch, Return to the Feature. The attention-grabbing title fuses a 1980s-style adventure with ultramodern features, such as Money Re-spin, which multiplies prizes by x10 when its symbols fill the grid, and Rewind, which can double rewards for lucky players.
It's an ideal choice for players on the lookout for something new and different – along with a time-honoured visual theme harking back to days gone by. We’re all about delivering experiences that not only make players feel at home, but also leave them with a lasting impression of how quality a premium gaming experience can really be.
- Congratulations on entering Spain with 888casino! What are your expectations from the new market?
Our partnership has gotten off to a fantastic start, and we’re really excited to see where it takes us next! 888 is an acclaimed industry-leader whose reputation precedes it, and we are thrilled to have linked up with such a widely renowned operator.
Spain is a market that shares a lot in common with Italy, where we are one of the fastest-growing suppliers, so we feel very confident about the potential that it holds. Even though our commercial relationship with 888 is still at an early stage, we cannot wait to see what the future brings and are keeping an eye on any new markets where there is potential to widen the scope of the partnership. Do stay tuned for more!
- Does Habanero intend on acquiring licenses from any other countries? What about other business plans and scaling for the upcoming period?
Following our acquisition of a Critical Gaming Supply Licence from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), we’re looking to go big in those locations that rely on Maltese frameworks, which includes the Scandinavian markets and – further to the South – Germany.
Those territories play a hugely significant role within our industry, so it’s fantastic to be stepping up our presence within them. Further afield, regulated LatAm and African markets remain a key area of focus for expansion, and we’re looking forward to seeing what comes next!
- While you are in the Communications department, you seem to be keen on the games themselves, as well? What is your favorite part about creating a new Habanero game?
We’re giving a really wide scope to think outside the box and come up with ideas that will really stand out from the crowd – that’s how Habanero has ended up with such a strong portfolio of products.
We start with a blank canvas, brainstorming any potential ideas that bring something new and different – not only to our offering, but to the industry as a whole. If I had to identify one part of our game development process as my favourite, it would have to be that one!
- Our readers have learned about the newest release Return to the Feature. What is your opinion on the new title, and do you like it as much as the other novelty in the portfolio – Before Time Runs Out?
Both titles have their own great strengths. Return to the Feature combines retro visual effects with high-tech gameplay features to create an all-in-one entertainment experience like no other, but Before Time Runs Out takes players on an enchanted adventure to the Middle East, with a Coin Respin Feature bringing multipliers of up to x50 available to be discovered along the way!
It's very difficult to measure to titles against each other when both are of such an outstandingly high quality. My recommendation? Players try both games out and make a decision for themselves!
Thank you for your time; we enjoyed chatting with you. We hope to talk you again sometime soon!
To find out more about Habanero and their games, click here.
