【New Le Bandit slot】Yan Shif: MegaFair’s strategy – innovation meets proven success

In this exclusive interview, Yan Shif, the CEO and co-founder of MegaFair, explains how the company is growing beyond the skill-based gaming segment, adding new RNG titles to the portfolio, and developing games that will retain players for the long run.

Transparency, fairness, and a people-first mindset are the foundation of MegaFair. MegaFair is not only developing games, but also fostering a business built on strong ethical foundation. In this article, Yan explains the unique proposition of MegaFair, how the team strikes the right balance between.

NEXT: Tell us about MegaFair’s origins; why did founders Yan & Alex decide to set up the business?

Yan Shif: I’ve been in marketing for more than 20 years — I’m a serial entrepreneur, investor, and have built a successful affiliate business in iGaming. Over the years, I’ve worked with some of the biggest brands in the industry, helping them scale through performance marketing and affiliation. That experience gave me deep insight into player behaviour, market trends, and where the real opportunities lie.

Alex, my co-founder, has over 25 years of experience as a developer. He was previously the Chief Architect for a major social casino company, where he led the development of large-scale gaming platforms. Sergey brought additional expertise in technology and product development. Together, we saw a major gap in the market — there was a rising demand for skill-based games, but the industry was still dominated by slots and traditional gambling products.

The idea for MegaFair started in late 2021 when I first noticed skill-based gaming gaining traction in mobile apps. At first, I didn’t pay much attention, but as I looked deeper, I realised this industry was growing fast. These games combined elements of gambling with casual gaming, but because they were skill-based, they didn’t fall under strict gambling regulations.

Originally, we considered launching a B2C mobile app, but the competition in that space was tough. Instead, we pivoted to a B2B provider model, offering skill-based games to online casinos. This approach gave us a strategic advantage — we could provide casinos with a new category of games that attracted players who wanted more than just slots. By 2022, we founded MegaFair, and after two years of development, we successfully launched our platform. Today, we’re focused on scaling globally and leading the skill-based gaming revolution in iGaming.

NEXT: What specific opportunities does MegaFair see in the skill-based gaming sector, compared to traditional online gambling?

YS: Skill-based gaming is a huge opportunity because it offers something different from traditional online casinos. Many players, especially younger generations, don’t enjoy slots — they want competition, strategy, and the excitement of real-money tournaments.

What makes this sector exciting is that it blends gambling with casual gaming. Players feel more engaged because they have control over the outcome. From a business perspective, skill-based games are also much easier to market than traditional gambling because they don’t fall under the same strict regulations. That means casinos can promote them more freely, reaching audiences that might not be interested in slots but still want a chance to win money through their skills.

For us, another key advantage is that we operate on a global matchmaking system. This allows players from different locations to compete fairly, creating a better experience and increasing engagement.

NEXT: What vision does MegaFair have for the future — both for the business itself and for the iGaming sector in general?

YS: Our vision is clear: we want to be the biggest skill-based game provider in the world, but at the same time, we are not limiting ourselves to just the skill-based segment. We strongly believe that skill-based gaming will grow, and we see it as a key part of the future of iGaming. However, we also recognise that RNG games are still performing well and remain a dominant force in the market.

For MegaFair, the right approach is a balanced one. 70% of our efforts will go into proven strategies — building on what already works in the industry, optimising mechanics, and creating engaging experiences that players love. At the same time, 30% of our efforts will go into experiments — pushing the boundaries with new mechanics, fresh game designs, and innovative concepts that have the potential to shape the next generation of iGaming.

We are focused on current market needs, but we also want to introduce new and exciting experiences that can redefine the space. That means developing skill-based games but also experimenting with new formats and mechanics in categories that are already performing well.

So, while skill-based gaming remains a core part of our strategy, you will definitely see other types of games from MegaFair soon — games that combine innovation with market-proven engagement models, ensuring we stay ahead of industry trends and deliver what both players and operators are looking for.

NEXT: How many employees does MegaFair have, and what is it like to work for the business?

YS: MegaFair currently has over 35 employees, and we are continuously growing. From the very beginning, our focus has been on building a strong, diverse, and highly skilled international team. Our employees come from different parts of the world, bringing unique perspectives that help us enhance our product offerings and navigate different regional gaming markets effectively.

We believe in a people-oriented culture, where employee well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance are top priorities. At MegaFair, we see our employees as our greatest asset, and we foster an environment where transparency, integrity, and respect drive all interactions. One of the things our team values most is the strong sense of support, teamwork, and the dynamic startup spirit that makes us agile and innovative.

We are proud to have a flat structure with open communication, ensuring that there are no barriers between management and employees. Everyone has a voice, and every idea is heard. As one of our team members put it, “There’s no ‘I’m the manager, you’re the subordinate’ feeling here.” This collaborative, human-centred approach allows us to stay innovative, solve problems quickly, and maintain a motivated and engaged team.

Beyond just skill-based gaming, we are positioning ourselves as one of the top gaming companies in the iGaming industry, and that includes being an employer of choice. We are actively working on strengthening our employer brand, ensuring that MegaFair remains a place where people want to work, grow, and contribute to shaping the future of gaming.

NEXT: Is the company growing at the moment and hiring new people?

YS: Yes, MegaFair is actively growing, and we are expanding our team. While we started as a skill-based gaming provider, we are now broadening our portfolio beyond skill-based games to include a wider range of engaging gaming experiences. This expansion allows us to cater to a larger audience and meet the evolving demands of the iGaming market.

Right now, our main focus is on game development and optimising the integration process to ensure seamless adoption of our games by operators. As we scale, we are looking for talented professionals in game development, product management, and tech integration to help us bring new innovations to life.

NEXT: Tell us about some of MegaFair’s products — what sets your games apart from others?

YS: At MegaFair, we focus on creating engaging, high-quality gaming experiences that cater to evolving player preferences. While we started with skill-based games, we are actively expanding our portfolio to include a wider range of game types, incorporating innovative mechanics and monetisation models beyond just skill-based competition.

The Real Money Gaming market is growing rapidly, with a projected increase from $19.4bn in 2024 to $62.88bn by 2033, at a CAGR of 13.92%. North America is currently leading this market, fuelled by a strong consumer base and advancements in gaming technology. This presents a major opportunity for us to develop new game formats that align with player demand and market trends.

What truly sets MegaFair apart is our player-first approach. We don’t just follow industry trends — we actively analyse behavioural shifts across multiple industries to anticipate how gaming preferences are evolving. This allows us to create games that resonate with players, whether they enjoy competitive real-money games, RNG-based experiences, or innovative new formats that offer fresh excitement.

We are committed to innovation and long-term engagement, ensuring that our games offer fairness, transparency, and compelling gameplay. As we continue to expand our game portfolio, we aim to bring new levels of entertainment, competition, and rewards to the iGaming space, delivering high-performance products that drive player retention and revenue growth for operators.

NEXT: How have innovative games like Mega Bingo Cash or Mega Wild Fish been received by players around the world?

YS: Our games engage the brain’s natural reward system, which reinforces motivation, learning, and achievement. When players strategise, compete, and win, their brains release dopamine, creating an engaging and rewarding experience.

What sets our games apart is their ability to trigger multiple engagement mechanisms: instant feedback, surprises, skill progression, and social competition. Unlike passive entertainment, skill-based games actively involve strategic thinking and problem-solving, stimulating cognitive growth and deeper engagement.

Mega Wild Fish has been well received because it offers more than just a game — it creates an immersive, visually engaging experience with cozy mechanics that make gameplay enjoyable and rewarding. The game strikes a balance between challenge and relaxation, offering satisfying progression and a sense of achievement. As we expand our portfolio, we continue to craft games that are not only engaging and competitive but also visually appealing, intuitive, and enjoyable to play, ensuring players keep coming back for more.

NEXT: What is the value of MegaFair’s game portfolio for operators and aggregators?

YS: MegaFair’s game portfolio is designed to build long-term, strategic relationships with players, rather than just driving one-time transactions. Our focus is on player retention, engagement, and sustained lifetime value (LTV), ensuring that operators and aggregators benefit from a steady, loyal player base instead of short-lived spikes in activity.

Our games go beyond just entertainment — they are designed to create habits, encourage mastery, and keep players coming back. With fair matchmaking, engaging tournament structures, and retention-driven features like daily bonuses and leaderboard competitions, we craft experiences that foster continuous player involvement.

For operators, this means higher player retention, longer session times, and increased engagement—key factors in maximising sustainable revenue. By offering well-balanced game mechanics that prioritise fairness, challenge, and entertainment, MegaFair helps operators establish a loyal community rather than just attracting quick-play gamblers.

We believe the future of iGaming is not about one-time wins but about consistently delivering value and excitement, and that’s exactly what our portfolio is built for.