By Ulises Gil, journalist at G&M News.
Mancala Gaming has gone from being a small team to an international company with nearly 100 people and over 80 titles. How would you describe this evolution and what lessons has this growth brought you?
Our evolution has been fast but very organic. We started as a small team with clear ideas and a strong ambition to do something different in the industry. Today, with almost 100 people and over 80 titles in our portfolio, we can say that our growth has been the result of a combination of vision, execution, and the trust of our partners. One of the key lessons has been understanding the importance of scaling at the right pace without losing our identity. We have built a multicultural team that brings a variety of perspectives, and that has been fundamental in keeping us innovative, close to the market, and flexible in the face of change.
Among your recent launches, titles like Diego’s Spicy Truck and Caishen Gold: Infinity Dragon have captured the audience’s attention. What innovative elements are you prioritizing in your new games?
We are prioritizing the combination of mechanics that deliver an entertaining and deep experience at the same time. Titles like Diego’s Spicy Truck mix a fun aesthetic with high volatility and different types of bonuses designed for players who enjoy dynamism. On the other hand, with Caishen Gold: Infinity Dragon, we went for a more aggressive Asian-style presentation but with a very engaging progression system. We are also constantly looking to put a twist on the traditional, whether through art, sound, or new functionalities such as progressive jackpots, stage multipliers, or mini-games that break the linearity of the classic spin.
Your focus on games with skill-based mechanics and interactive bonus tools has generated interest. How do you balance innovation with user experience and retention?
We achieve this balance thanks to a very collaborative development process. Our math department designs structures with different levels of complexity, and our art and sound teams make the experience as immersive as possible. The important thing is that innovation is not just visual, but that it has a real impact on gameplay. In addition, our gamification tools, such as the Trigger Bonus system, allow operators to adapt promotions and rewards dynamically, enhancing retention without altering the player’s core experience.
You have established key partnerships with different platforms. What impact have these alliances had on your global reach and commercial strategy?
These alliances have been fundamental in accelerating our international presence. Both Gamingtec and NuxGame allow us to reach operators in regions where entry is usually complex without a robust integration. They have also opened doors to new opportunities, giving us visibility with operators who value innovative content and customized retention tools. At a strategic level, they let us focus resources on content and tools while they support us with distribution.
What are your expectations for the remainder of 2025, both in terms of commercial expansion and new product development?
We have quite an active roadmap. On the commercial side, we will continue our expansion in markets where we have already been well received, in addition to opening new opportunities in regions currently undergoing regulation. We are working with labs to re-enter different markets and expand into others, with Latin America remaining a key focus for the future of our company. On the product side, we are defining new bonus mechanics and experiences that incorporate more dynamic progression elements. We are also planning new titles with more advanced features and new mechanics. The goal is clear: more personalization for the operator and more fun for the player.