As part of our ongoing conversations with leading industry media, our CEO Ondrej Lapides sat down with OC24 Ltd. to discuss Tom Horn Gaming’s strategic direction, product philosophy and plans for the future. From developing high-performing slot titles to expanding across Europe, Latin America and Asia, Tom Horn Gaming continues to strengthen its position as a premium slot developer driven by quality, innovation and long-term partnerships. In this interview, Ondrej shares insights into what powers our growth and what operators and players can expect from us in 2026 and beyond.
Q: Hello, thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us today. To begin, please introduce yourself briefly. Who are you at Tom Horn Gaming? What are your main responsibilities, and what key challenges are you and your team currently facing?
My name is Ondrej Lapides, and I’m the CEO of Tom Horn Gaming. I’m responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company, from product vision and market expansion to partnerships. Our main focus right now is scaling smartly. The industry is highly competitive and constantly evolving, so the challenge is to keep raising the bar in terms of product quality while expanding into new markets and strengthening our position in the ones where we already perform well. It’s about balancing innovation with consistency and delivering games that players genuinely enjoy and operators trust.
Q: Could you tell us about the heart of Tom Horn Gaming? What is the company’s mission and vision, and what are the key values or principles that guide the team when you’re creating games and working together every day?
At the heart of Tom Horn Gaming is a very simple idea: create slot games that players love to play and operators love to offer. Our vision is to be a long-term market leader in slot development by focusing on quality over quantity. We build games with strong mechanics, polished design and carefully tuned math models which hit the sweet spot of players in different markets. Every title must feel exciting, fair and rewarding.
As a team, we value creativity, technical excellence and responsibility. We want our games to be enjoyed in a safe and transparent way, which is why fairness, compliance, and trust are so important to us. At the same time, we actively encourage innovation and bold ideas. That balance between trust and creativity is what truly defines us.
Q: You attend various gambling events, including ICE Barcelona, where we met. What is the purpose of your participation in conferences? Is this an effective way to promote and find new B2B partners?
Events like ICE are very important for us. They’re not just about visibility; they’re about relationships. Face-to-face meetings allow us to present our roadmap and discuss concrete business opportunities. It’s also a space to strengthen existing partnerships. In our industry, trust and transparency matter a lot, and conferences are the best place to build both.
Yes, it’s absolutely an effective channel for finding new B2B partners, especially when you come prepared with a strong content offering and a clear strategy.
Q: Which markets are Tom Horn games performing well in right now? Are there any new regions or GEOs you’re looking in 2026, and would you be able to share or hint at any upcoming plans?
Our games are performing strongly across a wide range of regions, from established European markets to Latin America and Asia. This broad footprint reflects the versatility of our portfolio - we create content that travels well, while still allowing for localisation where needed.
Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is twofold. First, we want to further strengthen our presence in the markets where we already have momentum. Second, we’re actively preparing to enter new regions where there is growing demand for high-quality, well-balanced slot content. While I can’t reveal everything just yet, we are preparing several strategic market entries supported by tailored content and local partnerships.
Q: Retention is one of the most important things for operators these days. From a wider perspective, how does Tom Horn build game mechanics, volatility, RTP, bonus features and similar elements to help keep players engaged and coming back over the long term?
Retention starts with experience. If a game feels exciting, fair and entertaining, players come back. We design our math models very carefully. Volatility, hit frequency and bonus structure are always aligned with the theme and intended player profile. Some players enjoy steady gameplay with regular wins. Others prefer high volatility and bigger potential moments. We make sure our portfolio offers both. We also invest in proprietary mechanics like QuickX™ and BlastX™, which add dynamic elements without overcomplicating the gameplay. The goal is simple: keep the game easy to understand but hard to get bored of.
Q: Which games from your portfolio have proven to be real retention champions? The ones that stay high in the charts for months or even years because of their mechanics and design. Could you name two or three and explain what makes them so sticky for players?
Majestic Coins, Tao Tree Coins, and 3 Ribbon Pots have shown a very strong performance across multiple markets. Majestic Coins and Tao Tree Coins are built around the classic Hold & Win feature, which remains one of the most engaging bonus formats for players. It’s simple, clear and full of anticipation — every locked symbol brings the potential for something bigger.
In Majestic Coins, the focus is on collecting coins and jackpots within a clean, high-impact structure that players immediately understand. Tao Tree Coins introduces a similar core mechanic but wraps it in a distinct visual identity and atmosphere, providing players with a unique emotional experience while maintaining accessible and rewarding gameplay.
3 Ribbon Pots takes the concept further. In addition to the Hold & Win bonus, it introduces seven dynamic combinations within the feature, plus a Super Hold & Win round that brings together multiplier, jackpot and collector symbols. When all three interact, the bonus becomes far more layered and intense, creating stronger progression and more memorable win moments. It adds depth without making the game complicated.
Alongside these newer titles, our evergreen performers remain incredibly strong. The Crystal Fruits series and its extended family continue to deliver stable, long-term results. The reason is simple: familiar fruit slot DNA combined with modern mechanics and multiple ways to win. It appeals to traditional players while still feeling contemporary. That balance between innovation and recognisable gameplay is what makes these titles “sticky” and keeps them performing well over time.
Q: There is a lot of interesting statistics and data on trends available online, depending on the market and its characteristics. Do you take into account the preferences of players when developing games?
Absolutely. Data is an important part of our development process. We analyse market preferences, popular themes, volatility trends and performance benchmarks. However, we don’t simply copy trends. We use insights to guide us, but we always add our own creative direction. The combination of data-driven decisions and strong internal expertise allows us to develop games that resonate locally while still maintaining a recognisable Tom Horn identity.
Q: Holidays and seasonal periods usually bring a big boost in player activity. Many providers release themed slots for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and local celebrations. Do you make versions tailored to certain regions, for instance Day of the Dead themes for Latin America or Lunar New Year elements for Asia, or do you prefer a more consistent global style for festive releases?
We take a balanced approach. Seasonal themes like Christmas or Halloween work globally and remain very popular. At the same time, we are open to culturally relevant themes for specific regions when the opportunity makes strategic sense. The key is authenticity. If we create a regionally inspired game, it must feel genuine and well-researched, not just a superficial design change. Players recognise the difference.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, we'd love to hear about any exciting initiatives, key releases, or strategic expansions that are already in the works and you're happy to share a bit about.
In 2026, we will focus on strengthening our position as a premium slot developer. We are expanding our portfolio with new mechanics and stronger narrative elements. At the same time, we’re enhancing our distribution through additional integrations and partnerships. Our focus remains clear: deliver high-quality slot experiences that entertain players and generate sustainable value for operators. If we continue doing that consistently, growth follows naturally.