From a near-rejected game to a global hit, Spadegaming’s journey led by Riccardo Furlan proves that bold design and cultural flair can conquer the slots world. We had the pleasure to video interview Riccardo Furlan, the Head of Product & Commercial of Spadegaming. The video is also available on YouTube.
Date: June 12, 2025
Location: SBC Summit Malta 2025
Interview with Riccardo Furlan at Ice Barcelona 2026:Date: January 23, 2026
Location: Ice Barcelona 2026
Founded in 2007, Spadegaming set out with a mission to create fun and entertaining slot games tailored for the Asian market. Since then, the company has transformed significantly, expanding its presence globally, opening an office in Malta, and securing certifications such as the MGA and Curaçao Gaming Licence (CGA). Today, Spadegaming operates in Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, and North America.
We interviewed Riccardo Furlan, Head of Product & Commercial at Spadegaming, to learn more about the studio’s global growth and creative approach.
Spadegaming currently offers more than 120 games and releases a new game every month. Despite the pace, Riccardo emphasizes that their focus remains on quality over quantity. The team is working on obtaining further certifications for markets such as Brazil and Italy.
"We produce one game per month. It’s more about quality than quantity."
Each game goes through a rigorous internal quality assurance process and is then certified by independent laboratories. This gives players confidence in the fairness and transparency of the games.
"We certify the games with an independent laboratory... so they know that the game is fair."
Riccardo shared his personal motivation for joining Spadegaming. Coming from a European game development background, he was excited by the chance to learn more about the Asian market and begin developing for it. He described Asia as a fascinating and fast-growing market with enormous potential.
One humorous story from his early days at Spadegaming involved reviewing four new game concepts. He gave critical feedback on one game’s visuals, only to find out later that it became their top-performing title.
"I said the art was not so nice... but fun fact, that game is our best performing title!"
Spadegaming’s most successful game is Legacy of Kong Maxways. According to Riccardo, it is performing exceptionally well in several markets and has become a hit with players across the globe.
"This game is a real blockbuster worldwide."
Riccardo explained how the game development process begins with identifying the target market. Based on that, the team selects a suitable theme and then builds the gameplay mechanics around it. The goal is to make the game appealing at first glance but also engaging enough to keep players coming back.
"The first things players see are the art and theme, but what keeps them playing are the mechanics and math."
He highlighted the growing trend of three-part game mechanics, originally popular in land-based gaming, now gaining traction in the online space.
"These mechanics come from land-based... and now they perform very well online too."
What sets Spadegaming apart is its unique Asian-style design. Riccardo described this style as the company’s creative signature, which gives their games a distinctive feel that appeals to players everywhere.
"You can get a really different sensation... we produce games with an Asian style, that is our footprint."
To new and existing players, Riccardo extends a warm invitation to explore what Spadegaming offers.
"Try our games! You’ll experience something different and exciting."
With a growing global footprint and a culturally distinctive design approach, Spadegaming continues to stand out in the world of online slots.
Back at ICE Barcelona 2026, we had the chance to speak again with Riccardo Furlan, Head of Product & Commercial at Spadegaming. In this follow-up interview, Riccardo introduces their latest game for the 2026 Chinese New Year, highlights Spadegaming’s signature features, and shares updates on the company’s global expansion.
Riccardo showcases their newest release celebrating the upcoming Year of the Horse. The slot features several unique mechanics such as:
“2026 will be the year of the horse. Our game is a win-ways game with silver frame symbols that change and give a random symbol. Then, you can also get all-out wilds and expanding wilds on the horizontal line.”
Spadegaming stands out thanks to its fishing shooting games, a mechanic that originated from old arcade games and was adapted for iGaming with multiplayer functionality.
“Fishing shooting games come from old arcade mechanics and were ported to iGaming with gambling mode. Players love the interactive experience, especially the multiplayer aspect.”
Players select characters, shoot, and earn rewards in a dynamic environment that blends action with entertainment.
For first-time players, Riccardo recommends trying the fishing shooting titles or any slot featuring the silver frame mechanic. This multi-stage transformation increases win potential:
“If the silver frame is part of a win, it becomes a golden frame and shows a random symbol. If that golden frame is part of another win, it turns into a wild symbol. Players love it.”
Spadegaming’s arcade-inspired games are gaining traction outside of Asia too. Western audiences, especially those who grew up with arcade machines, connect with the gameplay style and mechanics.
“In the West, players are surprised. Especially the older generation that played arcade games, they recognize the mechanics, and the fun is surprising.”
On the B2B side, Riccardo says Spadegaming focuses on fast partner integration and adapting games for new jurisdictions.
“We’re very fast in integrating new clients and offering them our best-performing games. We also propose dedicated games for each new market.”
Riccardo describes Spadegaming as a fast-paced and dynamic company where the team constantly explores new ideas and rarely has time to get bored.
“It’s a very dynamic company. We do a lot of new things, and people have fun. We never get bored.”
Last year was a milestone for Spadegaming. The team completed major certifications and entered several new markets:
“2025 was amazing. We certified everything: our RGS, RNG, all our games. We went live in Belarus and 13 African countries, and now we’re certifying for South Africa.”
In 2026, Spadegaming is going live in three major new markets:
“We go live in Brazil in Q1, and then Italy and South Africa in Q2. The focus is to consolidate performance and expand into new regulated markets.”
With a growing portfolio, proven mechanics, and rapid global expansion, Spadegaming continues to be one of the most exciting studios in the iGaming world.