Engineering the Jackpot: A 2026 Roadmap for Just Slots

Key Takeaways: Just Slots 2026 Roadmap

  • Just Slots is following a Tech-Driven Growth approach by upgrading the core tech stack to balance high-speed production with premium game quality.
  • Shifting towards Player-Centric Math models for faster gameplay, shorter sessions, and instant feedback to match modern player behavior.
  • Actively shifting towards AI Integration to audit code, balance math models, and streamline development workflows.
  • Prioritizing Performance by incorporating “lightweight” game engines to ensure stability and speed across all devices and network conditions.
  • Moving toward WebGPU for better graphics and exploring multiplayer features that redefine player engagement, thereby ensuring a future-proof model.
  • Partnering with platforms like Timesofcasino.com to provide honest, clear reviews that build long-term player trust Through Transparency.

Just Slots is a renowned slots game website that caters to players of different tastes and interests. It has high-quality offerings from popular developers and is a go-to website for slots enthusiasts. At Times of Casino, we had the opportunity to interact with Nenad Cikic, CTO for Just Slots, who gave us an insight into the roadmap that Just Slots is looking to take in 2026 and beyond.

Just Slots’ 2026 Roadmap — More Games or Better Games?

Q1:

We know that sequels don’t win markets. So, after hits like Dynamo’s Show and Rain and Ruin, what is the real priority for Just Slots in 2026—shipping more titles faster, or fundamentally upgrading the tech stack behind them?

At the moment, we are working on balancing both. We are definitely aiming to produce more titles this year; however, we are always committed to improving our tech stack and pushing our technology further. From our perspective, these priorities go hand in hand. Better technology enables better production, which ultimately results in more high-quality games being released to players.

Data, Math, and Retention—Where Slots Are Really Won

Q2:

The phrase “data-driven” is overused because everyone claims to rely on it as a metric. So, for games like Book of Abyss or Shogun Skylord, what specific player behaviors are shaping your math models and mechanics today?

I can’t reveal all of the secret sauce behind our games, but the math is definitely where players win. One major shift in recent years has been the demand for faster gameplay, quick sessions, instant feedback, and minimal friction. I believe slot games should increasingly reflect that behavior.

At the same time, our technology allows us to feed learnings from live performance directly back into new projects very quickly. Because our tech stack is agile, we can iterate on math models, mechanics, and pacing without long feedback loops. That ability to learn fast and apply those insights immediately is a big advantage for us.

Q3:

With analytics everywhere, where do you draw the line between optimizing for retention metrics and preserving player enjoyment?

Slots should always be designed for players. If players genuinely enjoy a game, retention naturally follows. The real challenge today, in such an over-saturated market, is simply reaching players. Standing out on release day among countless other launches is becoming harder every year.

That’s where positioning and execution make a difference, and I’m glad we have a commercial team that excels at this. From a product standpoint, making the experience memorable in the first few seconds is critical. This is where our smooth gameplay and high-quality graphics really shine and help preserve enjoyment while supporting retention.

The CTO Problem—Code, Scale, and Reality

Q4:

As an expert, it’s always important to stay in touch with your product and know what’s going on under the hood. With Just Slots continuously growing, how do you personally balance hands-on engineering with building scalable processes—and what breaks first if that balance is wrong?

Personally, I never want to stop writing code. I don’t want to be a CTO who loses touch with what we’re actually building. I still regularly review merge requests and have open discussions with developers.
We also maintain a very flat structure within the engineering team.

ith the recent advances in AI tooling, it’s now possible to achieve significantly more with a smaller, highly capable senior team than was possible before. That balance only works if leadership stays technically engaged.

Q5:

Tools are an important support system for any operation. Which internal tools or workflows make the biggest difference in delivering games reliably to operators, and which ones are overrated?

Any internal tool that removes friction between teams has a major impact on delivery. Whether it’s integrating sound and art assets, or transferring math models to RGS developers, anything that streamlines these handoffs reduces unnecessary iterations and shortens timelines.

Even with asynchronous communication, there’s always a cost to coordination. In game development, developers are often the final assembly point before QA and certification. So optimising how inputs from all other teams come together is what truly moves the needle on speed and reliability.

Lightweight Games, Heavy Constraints

Q6:

When it comes to online gaming, performance is a factor that no one wants to compromise on. “Lightweight” games are critical in regions with slower networks. What hard technical trade-offs did you face optimizing engines without sacrificing visuals or volatility?

In our first two years, we focused heavily on high-quality animation and sound, which naturally made our games heavier. While performance has always been a priority, we recognise that in regions with slower connections or older devices, this can still be a challenge.

In the coming year, we will place a stronger emphasis on delivering more lightweight games, particularly for those markets. This isn’t only about network limitations, it’s also about optimising gameplay itself and enhancing the overall player experience.

Q7:

By 2026, do you see engine performance becoming as important as art or math models when operators choose slot providers?

Most definitely. Efficient and stable engines are a key factor for operators. A reliable platform reduces customer support issues, and that alone makes operators far more willing to work with you. Being easy to integrate, stable, and dependable is essential and not optional.

AI in Slot Development—Tool or Threat?

Q8:

The AI revolution is happening as we speak, with many industries gunning to incorporate the technology in their core business functionalities. Beyond assets and testing, have you used AI to audit, refactor, or optimize slot code or math models—and did the results meet production standards?

Yes. Over the next year, I believe we’ll confidently use AI to assist with balancing math models and developing core game features. We’ve already conducted successful tests, and while no live game has yet been developed entirely this way, we do have games currently in production that rely on AI-assisted workflows. AI will help both RGS developers and mathematicians, whether it’s understanding simulation results or fine-tuning game balance.

WebGPU, VR, Blockchain—Signal or Noise?

Q9:

With WebGPU gaining browser support, is Just Slots experimenting already—and do you see it as the real path to console-quality graphics in browser slots, or an overhyped transition?

We haven’t yet transitioned to WebGPU, but it’s definitely something we plan to explore. I don’t think this is hype. WebGPU has real potential to improve both graphics quality and performance, and it’s a natural evolution we’re keeping a close eye on.

Q10:

When it comes to blockchain, VR, or provably fair slots, which technologies have real commercial potential, and which are still solving problems players don’t care about?

Regardless of market cycles, blockchain is here to stay and will play a significant role in the gambling industry. As for VR, it’s not something we’re currently focused on. Our priority in our current growth phase is creating great slot games for where the majority of the player base actually is.

That doesn’t mean VR is a gimmick. It has its use cases, but it’s not right for us at this stage. Regarding provably fair slots, both we and our RGS are well positioned to support them. While we don’t have a live product yet, I expect that to change in the near future.

The Next Big Leap in Slots

Q11:

The gaming market is extremely demanding, and the slightest of innovations can often make or break the popularity of a particular slot title. What is the next major leap in slot technology that developers are already working on, even though players haven’t consciously noticed it yet?

We’re moving toward increasingly crafted experiences with games designed for smaller, more specific player segments. Over time, players may even be able to describe the type of game they want and receive a tailored experience.

Another major shift will be multiplayer features that go beyond jackpots. That evolution is still early, but it has the potential to redefine engagement.

Q12:

Over the next 3–5 years, how does Just Slots plan to set standards in a €100B+ slots market rather than just follow them?

As a smaller studio competing with large players, our focus is on quality and speed of delivery without sacrificing player experience. We aim to eliminate inefficiencies and optimize every part of our development and delivery pipeline.

Operators, Aggregators & Media Visibility

Q13:

For operators integrating Just Slots via aggregators like iGaming Deck, what integration mistakes most often kill performance post-launch?

Communication breakdown: Performance dies when operators launch games without a coordinated exposure plan, leaving the provider unable to support the release with marketing or player-facing buzz.

Commercial Transparency: Providers lack visibility into final rates, which can result in margins that discourage operators from giving them premium lobby placement.

Promotional neglect: High-value engagement tools and updates get lost in large aggregator feeds, because of which operators miss out on the very features that drive player retention.

Lack of data: Aggregators often strip away granular player behavior data, making optimisation difficult.

Technical latency: Every extra integration layer between the providers, aggregators and operators increases load times, causing early player drop-off.

Algorithmic burial: Automated lobby sorting buries new titles by older, high-volume games before they can gain traction.

Q14:

Trust is one of the primary factors responsible for attracting players to a gaming site. How can platforms like Timesofcasino.com collaborate with Just Slots on exclusive reviews, embeds, or launches that actually move player trust—not just impressions?

Building trust is never about being the loudest. Instead, it’s about being the most helpful and honest. Clear, consistent reviews that explain game mechanics in simple terms go much further than hype. When players understand how a slot works, trust follows. That transparency benefits everyone, including the platform, the provider, and most importantly, the player.

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Engineering the Jackpot: A 2026 Roadmap for Just Slots
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Engineering the Jackpot: A 2026 Roadmap for Just Slots
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Amitesh Dhar is the Content Manager and Editor at Times Of Casino - his focus being where the iGaming, online casino and sports betting world is at. Drawing on a few years now of doing the rounds in gaming, esports & digital entertainment at some top outlets, he's got a knack for taking all the frantic happenings in the industry and making them make sense for players and readers. At Times Of Casino he combines a stiff journalistic approach with a down to earth grasp of the inner workings of online gambling and what makes players tick, to come up with reviews, articles and guides that help people cut through the noise and figure out where they stand in the ever-shifting online gaming and betting world.
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