As one of the most recognisable names in online slots, Pragmatic Play. has spent the last few years quietly building one of the industry’s most expansive live casino portfolios. What began with a handful of live tables in 2019, has since developed into a full-scale live division spanning classic table games, high-energy game shows, and hybrid formats that borrow mechanics from slots.
At the LiveCasino.ie Awards 2025, Pragmatic Play’s game show Money Time emerged as one of the standout titles of the year, competing in a category that has become increasingly crowded and technically demanding.
To mark the launch of the first edition of the LiveCasino.ie Awards, we spoke with Anastasios Ioannidis, Affiliate Manager at ARRISE, about Pragmatic Play’s evolution in live casino, the thinking behind Money Time, Pragmatic Play’s flagship live game show released in 2025, and where the studio sees the live game show format heading next.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Anastasios Ioannidis |
| Current Title | Head of Affiliates |
| Company | ARRISE powering Pragmatic Play |
| Industry | iGaming / Online Casino / Affiliate Marketing |
| Current Role | Leads the global affiliate strategy for Pragmatic Play via ARRISE, managing partnerships across tier-1 markets with a focus on scalable affiliate programmes, performance optimisation and long-term collaboration. |
| Previous Experience | Has held affiliate and marketing roles at major iGaming operators including William Hill International / Mr Green, Betsson Group and Bet-at-home. |
LiveCasino.ie: This is the first edition of the LiveCasino.ie Awards. How would you summarise Pragmatic Play’s journey in the live casino space over the last few years for readers who mostly know about the company from slots?
Anastasios: Pragmatic Play may be synonymous with online slots, but it has expanded its reach over the years to encompass live casino, bingo, crash games and more, driven to deliver the same high level of quality player experience, no matter the product. That live casino journey began with the unveiling of Pragmatic Play’s first dedicated studio and tables in 2019. It wasn’t long before live game shows joined in the fun, with Mega Wheel marking the first of many to come.
Since then, a whole host of classic table games have been given a Pragmatic Play makeover, with refreshing twists including Fortune Roulette, feature-rich game shows like Money Time, and of course classic table games such as Blackjack and Roulette.
2025 proved to be a particularly busy year for Pragmatic Play’s live division, with several major launches and feature upgrades.
LiveCasino.ie When you look back at 2025 specifically, what stands out as the key milestone for Pragmatic Play’s live division?
Anastasios: Too many to mention! The 2025 live casino calendar has certainly been a bumper one for Pragmatic Play, with milestone after milestone including debut poker release Casino Hold’em, the headline launch of Double Down After Split across blackjack tables, and a collection of new roulette titles.
Fortune Roulette kicked things off in January, adding a game show twist to the live casino classic with multipliers on all inside bets and a thrilling slots-style bonus game unlocking wins of up to 9,000x. More recently, Mega Roulette 3000 struck in October, supercharging the original hit game with bigger and more multipliers – up to 3,000x on every spin for even more mega wins.
The unveiling of Money Time was undoubtedly the most momentous of all, taking a new spin on the classic wheel-based format to deliver a truly unique and dazzling game show experience. With its spectacular mix of high-energy gameplay, four distinctive bonus games, bet spot multipliers, and epic win potential of up to 40,000x, Money Time became an instant fan-favourite.
LiveCasino.ie: The live game show space has become one of the most competitive verticals in online gambling. Where do you see Pragmatic Play’s main strengths compared to other established studios in this segment?
Pragmatic Play’s attention to detail is another key differentiator. From the costume design and props to digital and sound design, every element of a live casino experience is carefully considered to ensure a spot-on performance every time.
Anastasios: Pragmatic Play’s strength lies in the wide variety its portfolio offers casino operators and their players. The provider is always looking for opportunities to elevate the player experience in new and original ways, as well as tailoring it for audiences across the globe.
With a growing appetite for more targeted content, Pragmatic Play continues to roll out localised versions of its games. For instance, Mega Roulette is available to players in Italy and Brazil with local dealers engaging in their native language to enhance the experience.
LiveCasino.ie: Money Time enters the same broad genre as high-energy wheel-based game shows that have become hugely popular in recent years. When developing this title, what were the key elements you wanted to contribute to the category, and how did you ensure the game had its own identity?
Anastasios: Money Time perfectly exemplifies Pragmatic Play’s dedication to diversifying the gaming experience and catering to various player tastes. Featuring bold, bright backdrops and a classic game show wheel similar to those showcased in the likes of Mega Wheel and Treasure Island, the game delivers familiarity with a touch of flair. Even the hosts’ glittering uniforms have been meticulously crafted to complement the overall look and feel.
But it’s the four thrilling bonus games – Cash Roll, Coin Rush, Bank Heist, and Money Time – that really differentiate the game show. During Cash Roll, a die is rolled to decide which of six golden briefcases is opened to reveal a prize. In Coin Rush, coin symbols offering multiplier prizes are shuffled on an 8×8 grid, with each player selecting a coin before all prizes are revealed. Numbered balls are drawn to reveal multipliers or prizes in Bank Heist. And Money Time is set in a golden vault with three spinning reels.
Together, these features make Money Time one of the most comprehensive, action-packed and engaging live game shows in the Pragmatic Play vault.
LiveCasino.ie: Without revealing confidential details, what kind of innovations can players expect from Pragmatic Play’s live game shows in 2026 and beyond – is it mainly new formats, new side bets, deeper gamification, or something else?
Anastasios: Pragmatic Play rounded out a year of unique and innovative live casino titles with two dazzling game shows. Great examples of how fresh concepts can be injected into classic formats, The Bingo Spot introduces random multipliers and massive wins to the timeless game, while 24D Spin offers unique roulette-inspired entertainment.
The stage is set for another blockbuster year in 2026, with plenty more classic titles, unique twists, and entertaining game shows waiting in the wings. An ongoing area of focus is the exciting crossover between Pragmatic Play’s live casino titles and its portfolio of industry-leading slots, merging familiar slot mechanics and iconic IPs with a live entertainment format as we saw in the ever-popular Sweet Bonanza CandyLand.
First up this April, Gates of Olympus Roulette is set to bring one of Pragmatic Play’s most iconic slots franchises to the live casino stage, supercharging the player-favourite roulette format with dynamic multipliers, lucky numbers, plus a thrilling slots bonus round. Add to that the incredible studio and costume design bringing the Olympus universe the life and you have a high-energy game show experience worthy of Zeus himself.
Also keep an eye out for a contemporary new studio design concept coming to Blackjack – this one is all about expanding the choice offered to casino operators and their players, providing an alternative, more visually expressive style to the traditional casino aesthetic.
LiveCasino.ie: Finally, what would winning a category like Best New Game Show at the first LiveCasino.ie Awards mean for the team behind Money Time?
Anastasios: Money Time epitomises everything that Pragmatic Play sets out to achieve, and its success is a testament to the dedication and passion of all those working in front of and behind the scenes. It would be an absolute honour for the team to be recognised with the award, particularly as it is voted for by players.
With player voting placing Money Time among the most talked-about live game shows of the year, Pragmatic Play enters 2026 with clear momentum in a segment that continues to evolve rapidly. As live casino formats grow more ambitious and competitive, studios that can balance spectacle, mechanics, and production detail are increasingly setting the standard.
Player voting for the LiveCasino.ie Awards reflects not only popularity, but how these games are experienced in real play, and Money Time has clearly struck a chord.
Your dedicated guide to the world of live casino gaming
Your dedicated guide to the world of live casino gaming. We cover everything from live dealer tables and interactive game shows to trusted operators and new studio releases.
