Phil Pearson: iGaming Industry 2025 in Review

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #185 with Simon Lidzén, CEO and CO-Founder at Fast Track. In this in-depth conversation, Simon takes us through the journey of starting Fast Track, highlighting the motivations and challenges that spurred its inception. He shares valuable lessons on navigating the complexities of business scaling, emphasizing the critical balance between empowering teams and maintaining strategic oversight. Simon also sheds light on the importance of having a clear vision and robust principles, which have guided him in driving a strong company culture and effective decision-making. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:43 - Sponsors 01:41 - Old Times with Simon 02:47 - Fast Track Origins  20:04 - Business Scaling Challenges 23:40 - Struggles with Delegation 31:02 - Simon's Advice on setting up Vision and Principles 38:45 - Infusing Founder Values in the Team 43:38 - Values in the Recruiting Process 46:41 - Accountability Within the Teams 49:26 - Fast Track in Three Years  💼 About Simon Lidzén:  Simon is a specialist in technology, product development, innovation and organisational scalability, with over 15 years of experience in iGaming.  Having held senior positions at Betfair and within the Betsson Group, he co-founded Fast Track in 2016 as a direct response to the challenges that operators face in running an efficient, scalable business. He is now on a mission to digitalise the iGaming industry. 🔔 LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE... 🔗 CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/  ✩ Instagram - @next.io ✩ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/next...

30 Huhti 202451min

🎙️ Welcome to episode #11 of Vested Interest, with hosts Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig,Benjie Cherniak & Special guest: Joe Asher, President of Sports Betting at IGT.   In this episode, Lloyd and Benjie discuss the recent betting scandals and explore the repercussions these incidents could have on both public trust and the regulatory landscapes of the industry. The conversation then shifts to a topic close to many entrepreneurs' hearts: founder burnout. They discuss the common signs of burnout and the crucial steps that founders can take to safeguard their mental health amidst the high-stakes environment of iGaming.  Fundraising, a critical aspect of any startup's journey, is up next. The duo shares their experiences, highlighting both their favourite and least favourite moments from past fundraising rounds. To cap off the episode, Joe Asher joins the trio as a special guest. Joe brings his extensive experience to the table, discussing where he sees the industry heading in the next few years. His insights into emerging trends and potential market shifts are not to be missed, as they offer a glimpse into the future of iGaming.

25 Huhti 20241h 2min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #183 with Dijana Radunović, General Manager, AskGamblers. In this episode, we celebrate AskGamblers' 18th anniversary joined by Dijana, who shares a detailed exploration, and insights into the foundational story of AskGamblers, the intricacies of its ranking system, and the integrity-driven approach that has guided its affiliate listings. Additionally, we delve into the evolution of affiliate marketing, the role of the community in sustaining success, and the future of SEO in affiliate strategies. A key highlight of our conversation is the examination of the Annual AskGamblers Casino Complaint Service Report for 2023, which provides an in-depth look at the trends and outcomes of user submissions over the past year. Read the full article here: https://www.askgamblers.com/gambling-news/ag-news/annual-askgamblers-casino-complaint-service-report-2023 ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction 00:52 - Thanks to Our Sponsors 01:26 - Celebrating AskGamblers' 18th Anniversary with Dijana 02:40 - The Story Behind AskGamblers 07:36 - Explaining AskGamblers Ranking System 11:07 - Integrity in iGaming: AskGamblers' Approach to Affiliate Listings 14:45 - Addressing Major Complaints15:54 - AskGamblers Joins Catena Media 20:21 - Steering Through Controversy 27:27 - Different Reasons for Traffic Search 30:00 - Evolution of Affiliate Marketing Over the Years 35:05 - Thriving as a Content Provider in the AI Age 43:29 - The Future Outlook on SEO and Affiliate Marketing 49:00 - The Role of Community in AskGamblers' Success 53:03 - Dijana's Current Priorities and Projects at AskGamblers 55:44 - Where Will AskGamblers Be in Three Years? 💼 About Dijana Radunović Dijana, in her current role as General Manager of AskGamblers, serves as the central meeting point for all aspects of the AskGamblers brand. With a wealth of industry expertise, commercial background and a strong network, she is fully immersed in the iGaming sector. Dijana's primary motivation lies in collaborating with individuals and spearheading engaging projects. Her pivotal role in the AskGamblers Awards for the seventh consecutive year underscores her unwavering dedication to excellence within the iGaming industry. 🔔 LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333?l=en-GB Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=492c49f0c9334d0d 🔗 CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - @next.io ✩ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextdotio/?viewAsMember=true

23 Huhti 202459min

This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, we're examining the highly anticipated merger between BlueBet and Betr, a move that's stirring the iGaming industry. The episode will provide an in-depth analysis of this significant union, offering insights and implications drawn from our latest articles. We start with "BlueBet Halts Trading Ahead of Expected Merger," an article that sets the stage for this big announcement. Then, we delve into "BlueBet and Betr Confirm Merger," a comprehensive piece that covers the merger's finalization. This article explores the synergy between BlueBet and Betr, the objectives and expectations from this merger, and what it means for both companies' future. 🗞 Read the full story here: BlueBet halts trading ahead of expected Betr merger https://next.io/news/bluebet-halts-trading-ahead-expected-merger/  BlueBet and Betr confirm merger and A$20m equity raise https://next.io/news/bluebet-and-betr-confirm-merger/  Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We'll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week.    Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

11 Huhti 202430min

In this week’s episode of NEXT.io Weekly News, we delve into the strategic rebranding of 888, now Evoke plc, and the potential this transformation holds for revitalizing the company’s fortunes. The discussion will explore the reasons behind the rebranding, including the desire to refresh the company’s image and align more closely with its evolving business strategy and market goals. We’ll examine the expected impacts of this change on 888’s market position and stakeholder perceptions, as well as the broader implications for the iGaming industry. 🗞 Read the full story here: https://next.io/news/888-strategic-reset-rebrand-focus-core-markets/ Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We’ll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week.  Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

11 Huhti 202428min

In the latest episode of NEXT.io Weekly News, we spotlight a groundbreaking development in the iGaming industry: Endeavor's plan to go private in a massive $13 billion deal with Silver Lake. We delve into the specifics of the deal, analyzing why Endeavor, a major player in the industry, has chosen to make this move and how Silver Lake's involvement plays a crucial role. Additionally, we touch upon the broader trend of companies leaving public markets as highlighted in "Peel Hunt: London Stock Exchange Exodus." 🗞 Read the full story here: - Silver Lake to take OpenBet owner Endeavor private in $13bn deal Peel Hunt: London Stock Exchange exodus expected in coming years Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We'll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

4 Huhti 202438min

In this episode we digest a successful NEXT: NYC, we discuss the Betting Startups report published by Jesse Learmonth where he surveyed 68 start-ups in the online betting space. Benjie & Lloyd also talk about how they measure the success of their investments. Finally, the panels grill Chris Bevilacqua, CEO & Founder of Simplebet to understand the present and the future of the company better

1 Huhti 20241h 1min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #181 with Matt Duea, Co-founder of Roobet.  In this episode, we delve into Roobet's journey with its founder Matt Duea. We explore its origins, assess the impact of NFTs, and analyze the success behind crash games and ambassador partnerships. Matt addresses challenges, responds to critics, and shares insights from Twitch's ban and the creation of Kick.com.   ⏰ Timestamps:   00:00 - Introduction  00:46 - Sponsors  01:38 – Matt's Background  02:39 - The Birth of Roobet 05:30 - Navigating the NFT and Crypto Market  08:38 - Roobet's Strengths and Weaknesses 11:04 - The Rise of Crash Games 14:42 - Brand Ambassadors Partnerships  18:59 - Selecting the Perfect Ambassadors 25:36 - Overcoming Obstacles 28:45 - Addressing the Critics 34:29 - Learning from Feedback 37:25 - Twitch's Ban Impact: Navigating Unregulated Gambling Sites  42:23 – Matt's Thoughts about Kick.com Platform 45:34 - Roobet’s Future and Industry Trends  49:26 - The Importance of Community in Roobet's Journey  💼 About Matt Duea   Before joining Roobet, Matt's career track as an entrepreneur has been focused on leading digital marketing strategy, technology & growth teams for nearly two decades. He fell down the blockchain rabbit hole in 2016 and hasn't looked back.  🔔Subscribe for more insightful episodes!    🔗 Connect with Us:  Website: www.next.io   _____  This episode of the NEXT.io Podcast is hosted by Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder/MD at NEXT.io, and is brought to you by:  Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.  Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

1 Huhti 202453min