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CT Interactive Interviews: Leading with classic games

Interview with leadership team of CT Interctive, a leading game studio in the iGaming industry with a strong portfolio of 200+ HTML5 games, and award-winning solutions. As part of CT Gaming, they are one of Bulgaria's first publicly traded companies. CasinoLove interviewed Monika Zlateva (Chief Commercial Officer), Dimitar Nikolov (Chief Product Officer), and Martin Ivanov (Chief Operating Officer).
  • #4 - Jan, 2026
  • #3 - Sep, 2025
  • #2 - Jan, 2025
  • #1 - Nov, 2024
  • Interview with Monika Zlateva at Ice Barcelona 2026 (January 26, 2026).
    Interview with Monika Zlateva and Dimitar Nikolov at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 (September 24, 2025).
    Interview with Martin Ivanov at Ice Barcelona 2025 (January 25, 2025).
    Interview with Monika Zlateva at SiGMA Malta 2024 (November 17, 2024).

    1st Interview: Introducing CT Interactive

    Monika Zlateva is the Chief Commercial Officer at CT Interactive, a leading casino slot game provider. Established in 2012, the company serves as the online division of the renowned land-based gaming firm CT Gaming (also known as Casino Technologies). CT Interactive has harnessed decades of expertise from its land-based roots and is committed to pioneering innovative online casino games.

    The Foundation and Evolution of CT Interactive

    CT Interactive was founded in 2012, leveraging the extensive experience of its parent company in land-based gaming. "Back in 2012, the company adapted and taken advantage of all the experience and know-how from the land-based operation," Zlateva shares. The company has steadily evolved, incorporating new techniques and trends, such as cluster game systems and "buy bonus" mechanics.

    Over the years, CT Interactive has achieved significant milestones, acquiring producer licenses in various jurisdictions, including Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Malta. The company now boasts a portfolio of over 250 games and releases at least two new games each month, with plans for future expansions and new offices worldwide.

    Game Development and Industry Engagement

    CT Interactive prioritizes attending major industry events, where it connects with partners to understand market needs and player preferences. "We visit all the major events in the industry... to meet our partners, to understand their needs, and what players want," Zlateva states, emphasizing the importance of feedback for creating engaging and enjoyable games.

    Responsible Gaming and Fair Play

    On responsible gaming, Zlateva explains that it involves balancing player risk with game mechanics. "Responsible game development for a studio means following certain directives and rules," she says. CT Interactive ensures fair play by working with certified RGS (RNG) systems and external auditing companies. "Our average RTP is about 96% and above," Zlateva highlights, showcasing the company's commitment to transparent and fair gameplay.

    "We make sure that our games are paying according to the RTP... so the players know that the games are fair and they are paid accordingly."

    Message to Players

    Zlateva concludes the interview with a heartfelt message to both new and loyal players: "First of all, I would like to thank all the players who are enjoying, trying our games, and giving us the chance with each and every title." She hints at exciting upcoming releases for 2025 and invites newcomers to explore the company's games through demo versions available on their corporate website.

    "For those who haven't tried: go to our corporate website ct-interactive.com, choose a title, play the demo. If you like the demo, try the real deal on your favourite website."

    2nd Itnerview: Entering new markets

    Martin Ivanov, Chief Operational Officer at CT Interactive, assumed the role in early 2024, marking the beginning of a new era for the company as it expanded its global presence. With a career spanning years of expertise, Ivanov has transitioned seamlessly from land-based operations to the digital realm of online gaming.

    Before his promotion to COO, Ivanov spearheaded business development efforts in Latin America, gaining valuable knowledge about regional markets. His contributions helped CT Interactive establish a foothold in emerging economies. Today, his leadership drives innovation and growth across a diverse range of markets worldwide.

    “My experience in Latin America taught me the importance of tailoring our approach to the unique needs of each market.”

    CT Interactive's Plans for 2025

    At ICE 2025, Ivanov presented a strategic vision for the future of CT Interactive. A central focus for 2025 is expanding operations in regulated markets, with Brazil identified as a key priority due to its substantial growth potential. Regulatory advancements in Brazil make it an essential target for the company’s expansion.

    In addition, CT Interactive is committed to strengthening its presence in the 18 jurisdictions where it currently operates. This includes introducing more games to its certified portfolio to cater to evolving client and player needs.

    “Our goal is to offer fresh, engaging content while maintaining the high standards that our clients expect.”

    Another cornerstone of CT Interactive’s 2025 plans involves enhancing relationships with existing clients while forging new partnerships.

    “Our clients are the heart of our business, and their success drives ours.”

    Challenges of Entering New Markets

    Entering uncharted markets presents unique challenges. Ivanov highlighted two primary obstacles CT Interactive encounters:

    1. Compliance: Adjusting to each jurisdiction’s specific regulations requires significant effort. The company’s compliance team ensures its products adhere to all necessary legal standards.
    2. “Navigating regulations is an ongoing effort, but it’s essential to our success.”
    3. Understanding Players: Different regions exhibit unique player preferences. CT Interactive conducts thorough market research to determine the types of games that resonate most with local audiences.
    4. “It’s about finding the perfect balance between innovation and familiarity.”

    By tackling these challenges head-on, CT Interactive positions itself as a compliant and competitive player in diverse markets.

    Standing Out in a Competitive Environment

    The gaming industry is crowded with competitors, especially at events like ICE 2025, where countless developers vie for attention. Despite this, CT Interactive has established a distinct identity. Ivanov attributed the company’s success to its deep-rooted history, which began with Casino Technology and evolved into CT Interactive.

    “We’ve built a legacy that players and operators trust.”

    Long-term relationships with operators, many of whom transitioned from retail to online gaming, have played a significant role in the company’s growth. These partnerships are built on years of trust and collaboration.

    “In any business, relationships are the key. We’ve nurtured these partnerships for years, and they’ve been central to our growth.”

    CT Interactive also benefits from its ability to internally test and refine products, enabling swift responses to market demands.

    “This ensures our games are always delivered in their best form, meeting the expectations of both partners and players.”

    By embracing innovation and analyzing player data, CT Interactive stays ahead of trends, delivering relevant and engaging products that resonate in an ever-evolving market.

    3rd Interview: Trust is one of our USPs

    In our interview in 2025 at SBC Summit Lisbon, we interviewed Monika Zlateva, the Chief Commercial Officer of CT Interctive, and Dimitar Nikolov, the Chief Product Officer of CT Interctive.

    Players at the core

    CT Interactive frames each release around entertainment value and long-term engagement, aiming for a steady cadence of fresh titles.

    “We put the player at the center of what we do.”

    Game design and innovation

    The studio builds on classic slots shaped by 25+ years of production. Expect familiar mechanics like Expanding Wilds alongside newer options such as Buy Bonuses to widen player choice.

    Building trust through transparency

    Trust is a core differentiator. CT Interactive is the first publicly traded iGaming company in Bulgaria and maintains broad regulatory coverage:

    This mix of public oversight and licensing depth supports durable partnerships and player confidence.

    The Diamond Tree jackpot

    Diamond Tree augments top titles with higher engagement, more frequent wins, and a jackpot chase. The mechanic originated in land-based play and was refined for online audiences.

    “The upgrade delivers a stronger online experience.”

    Partner-first philosophy

    Operators gain from portfolio breadth, certified reach, and a tailored approach. The team also develops branded games aligned to partner identity, market trends, and site design.

    “We help partners tell their brand story.”

    Global expansion strategy

    Growth targets include Brazil and Argentina in LATAM, South Africa in Africa, and Greece in Europe.

    The focus is on certified rollouts where local compliance, language support, and payment flows are clear.

    Partner onboarding will prioritize operators with strong mobile traffic and localized CRM capacity.

    “Expansion continues market by market, guided by regulation and partner demand.”

    Upcoming player experiences

    What is next for players:

    Interface changes aim to reduce steps to first spin and surface key features earlier in the journey.

    Accessibility, readability, and touch targets receive special attention for small screens.

    “More players will experience the feature set as availability widens.”

    4th Interview: Building lasting relationships

    Monika Zlateva, Chief Commercial Officer at CT Interactive, shares views on why operators expand their libraries, what defines an ideal game and partner, how trust is earned, and what is coming in 2026.

    Why operators keep adding games

    “More games bring more players and more revenue.”

    Operators look for diversity to stand out. New content offers something unique that can capture attention and retain traffic.

    The goal is a catalog that feels fresh and that keeps players exploring titles across sessions.

    Distribution at scale, shaped by regulation

    “To a great extent the app store analogy is correct.”

    Studios want broad reach and strong visibility. In highly regulated markets plans adjust to local rules and certifications.

    Rollouts follow compliance timelines. Market entry depends on licensing, integrations, and testing capacity.

    What makes an ideal game

    “A sticky game that grabs interest and keeps players engaged.”

    Key traits: engagement, retention, and shareability on social platforms.

    Players should feel invited to go deeper into the experience and stay longer on the device.

    What makes an ideal operator

    “Know the business, act professionally, deliver what was promised.”

    Reliability builds value for players and partners. Clear expectations, stable operations, and on-time launches matter.

    Who chases whom

    “Create demand and operators will rush to the product.”

    If demand is still forming the studio initiates outreach. If demand is proven inbound requests accelerate integration.

    Handling difficult situations

    Work in technology can produce daily issues across AI, machine learning, and platform flows. A simple framework guides responses:

    “Open communication shows how to fix today’s issue and avoid repeating it with the next partner.”

    Trust and how it breaks

    “A single lie can ruin trust between partners.”

    The amount at stake does not change the damage. The shared objective is the player’s enjoyment and a stable long-term relationship.

    Trust from the player’s point of view

    “Trust means RNG working correctly and no technical issues.”

    Fairness depends on a sound RNG, clean integrations, and prompt payouts.

    When systems run smoothly players receive winnings and continue playing, which signals confidence in the product.

    Outlook for 2026

    Industry focus: Watch which jurisdictions regulate next and what requirements will follow. Compliance changes shape release plans and partner onboarding.

    CT Interactive roadmap: A new interface, more certifications, and expanded product lines.

    “This is a very big start for CT Interactive and we will work to meet market demand.”

    Giveaway

    CT Interactive giveaway gifts to the CasinoLove community