Scaling Quality and Relationships: ELA Games’ 2026 Vision with Business Development Team Lead Yaroslav Soloshenko

In this interview for GBC Time, Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development at ELA Games, shares the company’s strategic roadmap for 2026 and beyond. From raising the bar on product quality and delivering more complex, immersive gameplay mechanics to expanding into new regulated markets across Europe and North America, Yaroslav outlines how consistency and discipline shape the studio’s long-term growth.

As Head of Business Development, what are your key priorities for ELA Games in 2026?

The plan is to use that momentum to raise the bar on our product. We are focused on delivering new games with the highest quality design and even more layers to the gameplay. We want more complex features and mechanics, and for all of that to fit into a package that makes sense, creating captivating atmospheres within each game.

This level of quality is crucial as we take our success into new regulated markets. We have been consistently announcing major partnerships with key brands in regions like Scandinavia. In Denmark alone, for example, we entered into multiple partnerships last year. We need to build on that work elsewhere in Europe, showing we are reliable, compliant, and ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the big names.

But underneath that strategy, my philosophy remains simple: invest our resources in relationships. If we nurture our partners to the best of our ability, the results will naturally follow, that’s my ultimate belief.

Which new markets are currently at the top of ELA Games’ expansion roadmap, and why?

We are actively researching North America and some EU countries for potential entry.

We chose these places because market research suggests the player base there appreciates high-quality mechanics and responds well to immersive design. We see a strong fit between what those markets demand and what we produce, so it is the natural next step.

We actually believe Greece has the potential to become our top market in the near future. We are seeing a unique alignment there; the market is moving toward exactly the kind of premium content we design. The opportunity for us there is massive.

What types of partners is ELA Games most focused on right now?

Our top priority will always be to build strong relationships with all of our clients. To us, every partner is significant. We are dedicated to supporting everyone, including major aggregators and specialized operators, both big and small.

We approach every collaboration with the same level of enthusiasm because we believe that great results come from truly understanding each other. You can see this in our recent work with partners like Betsson and ComeOn Group, among many others.

How do you balance short-term commercial goals with long-term brand building?

I’m not a great believer in short-term goals. The market is simply too competitive to allow for them.

The path we choose is based on consistency. Much like in sports, it’s the daily routine and the discipline to maintain it that make a champion. At ELA Games, we do the same thing: analysis, implementation, work on any mistakes, and then repeat.

That is how we approach our product. We don’t chase quick results; we stick to that cycle and build our quality over time.

What trends in player behavior are currently influencing your strategy?

To be honest, trends have not really changed. Games with Hold & Win mechanics and collection features still perform the best across most markets.

The real secret, though, is how we approach the player experience as a whole. Sound, UI, tutorials, anticipation, and ‘game feel’ are the factors that determine if you stand out or not. We aim to execute every detail to such a high quality that it enhances the entire gaming experience for players, and we don’t have to rely on any single mechanic.

Wealth of the East marks a new chapter. What makes this title especially important?

This game is really a case in point for that level of execution. It is a living example of how all the small details matter.

We put a tremendous amount of work into this title and made no excuses when it came to the quality. We went all in on the atmospheric lighting and visual richness because we know that in a crowded market, the immediate visual appeal is the first thing that hooks a player.

How would you describe the studio’s core strengths in one sentence?

I would describe it as creativity grounded in consistency.

It is about constant analysis and improvement. We take a great idea, run with it, and from there, we look at our mistakes honestly. We refine every aspect of the game almost obsessively until it meets our standard. That discipline is what turns a good idea into a great product.

Without giving away too much, what can you tell us about upcoming releases?

We are definitely going to focus on polishing the user experience. We are putting a lot of work into the details of our upcoming releases: sound, reel animations, themes, and optimization.

We always keep an eye on industry trends and adjust our plans accordingly, so although I can’t give specific names just yet, I’m really excited about the games we are going to release this year!

What role will new technologies play in your plans?

New technology is not always a game-changer, and chasing industry buzzwords will not automatically make you a leader. We rely on research first. We need to see how a specific technology will actually affect our product, will it make the game better, or just complicate things?

With AI, for example, on the surface, it looks cost-effective and fast. But in reality, you cannot simply take AI art and put it into a game. It requires a lot of polishing and even more time from the art team to make it work properly.

About Yaroslav Soloshenko

Yaroslav Soloshenko is a seasoned professional currently holding the position of Head of Business Development at ELA Games, a dynamic iGaming provider known for its innovative approach to game development. Yaroslav has over 4 years of industry experience, combining strategic thinking with a deep understanding of partner engagement, communication, and negotiation. At ELA Games, he plays a key role in expanding the company’s presence in global markets, utilising his experience to build meaningful relationships and drive long-term growth. Before joining ELA Games, Yaroslav held senior positions at various iGaming companies, where he worked for some of the industry’s most prominent studios. With a strong academic background in international relations, Yaroslav combines analytical acumen with business acumen, making him an outstanding expert in iGaming development.

About ELA Games

‍ELA Games is an innovative slot provider in the iGaming industry, dedicated to creating an immersive experience for players through its engaging slots. Since its formation in 2022, it has been working to establish a strong reputation in the sector through its games’ top-quality graphics, highly interactive nature, and creative gameplay. The provider's portfolio currently includes over 50 games for players to enjoy. Their goal is to provide a safe and fun gaming experience for all our players while also creating the hottest game titles to appeal to every player out there.