Bilyan Balinoff’s quest to build the ultimate casino empire

Lea Hogg January 9, 2025

SiGMA news

Bilyan Balinoff is a man who commands attention. Charismatic and forward-thinking, he exudes the confidence of someone who believes the odds are always in his favour. During our intriguing interview, it became clear that his magnetic personality is matched with an insatiable drive to innovate. As the founder of Felix Gaming, VegasLegends, and Casombie, Balinoff has carved a niche in the gaming industry, blending creativity with cutting-edge technology to captivate audiences around the globe. Beyond gaming, his fascination with biohacking showcases a relentless pursuit of optimization—not just for business, but for life itself.

LH: Your emphasis on delivering player-driven experiences has been evident. How does player feedback influence your development strategies, and can you share an example where it led to a notable change?
Bilyan Balinoff: Having spent years in land-based casinos, I’ve had countless conversations with players, so I truly understand how critical player feedback is for building a successful casino. A great example comes from Felix Gaming. Through our casino backend data, we noticed players often search for certain keywords—like “Book” and “Joker”—when looking for games. After analysing months of data, we saw these terms consistently topping search lists. This insight inspired us to create games with these keywords in their titles, and the response was incredible. It’s a simple concept but underscores how listening to players can lead to game-changing decisions.

LH: Given the dynamic nature of global gaming regulations, how does VegasLegends approach compliance challenges, and what measures are in place to ensure responsible gaming practices?
Bilyan Balinoff: All the brands under VegasLegends operate on trusted casino platforms that strictly adhere to responsible gaming practices. This is non-negotiable for us. Drawing from my land-based experience, I’ve learned how essential trust and player satisfaction are. To retain regular players, you need to create an environment of joy and reliability. If a player wins big, they’ll often move on to another casino. If they lose too quickly, they’ll also leave. The key is balance—offering an enjoyable, trustworthy experience that keeps players coming back for the right reasons.

LH: Winning the “Best Rising Star Industry Operator” award is a significant achievement. How do you plan to leverage this recognition to further enhance VegasLegends’ presence in the iGaming sector?
Bilyan Balinoff: 2024 was a breakout year for VegasLegends. In just a few months, we earned three prestigious awards on the industry’s biggest stages. We had a presence at all the major expos, connected with thousands of partners, and saw our brand awareness skyrocket—everyone in the industry was talking about VegasLegends. Building on this incredible momentum, our next goal is clear: to secure the title of “Best Industry Operator.” It’s ambitious, but with our trajectory, it’s within reach.

LH: Felix Gaming has introduced unique features like HyperJump and Line Booster. How do you envision incorporating similar innovations into VegasLegends to enrich player engagement?

Bilyan Balinoff: Felix Gaming is a very special project for me. My partners there bring over 25 years of experience creating slots, and we’ve always been bold enough to experiment with new features. Not all of them succeed, but when they do—like Line Booster—they redefine the market. My co-founder Cedomir Tomic and I share that same visionary spirit. We don’t follow trends; we set them. Every brand we launch involves extensive research and development. From crafting a compelling theme to selecting the best platform and creating standout casino features like innovative bonuses and achievements, we’re always looking for ways to break new ground

LH: With the iGaming industry continually evolving, especially in 2025, what emerging trends do you believe will most significantly impact online gaming platforms like VegasLegends?
Bilyan Balinoff:The iGaming industry has been booming in recent years, with hundreds of new brands launching every month, all competing fiercely for first-time depositors (FTDs). In my opinion, the game-changer in 2025 will be a strong focus on CRM and player retention. I believe the brands that will truly stand out are those that find innovative ways to keep players engaged for the long haul. It’s not just about attracting new players—it’s about building loyalty and providing experiences that keep them coming back.

LH: You expressed an ambition to claim the “Best Industry Operator” title at this year’s SiGMA Central Europe 2025 awards. What strategic initiatives are you implementing to achieve this goal, and how do you plan to differentiate VegasLegends from its competitors?
Bilyan Balinoff:At VegasLegends, our strategy isn’t just about being different from our competitors—it’s about being unique within our own portfolio. Each brand we launch stands out with its own theme, design, and features, tailored to captivate a specific audience. For example, Talismania immerses players in the mystique of ancient Egypt, TikiCasino brings a vibrant beach vibe, and RomanCasino transports players back to the grandeur of the Roman Empire. By offering such diverse experiences, we ensure every player finds a theme that resonates with them, making their time with us more personal and enjoyable. Alongside these creative concepts, we focus heavily on exclusive bonuses, player retention strategies, and exceptional service. It’s this combination of variety and quality that will set us apart and bring us closer to earning the title of “Best Industry Operator”