Phil Pearson: iGaming Industry 2025 in Review

🎙NEXT.io Podcast #20 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig, Benjie Cherniak & Special Guest, Justin Park.In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak explore the rise of challenger brands in iGaming, questioning whether new players can still break into a market dominated by giants like FanDuel and DraftKings. They also dive into what makes a great leader, from startup resilience to scaling with strong teams.Special guest Justin Park, CEO of Betty, shares how Betty is thriving by focusing on slots, in-house user acquisition, and global expansion strategy.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:19 - Sponsors01:38 - NEXT Summit: New York 2025 03:21 - The Role of Challenger Brands in iGaming07:18 - Key Factors for Challenger Brands’ Success09:47 - Market Expansion & Regulation Challenges15:39 - What Makes a Great Leader?19:47 - Startup Leadership: Challenges & Success Factors25:00 - Special Guest: Justin Park, CEO of Betty27:45 - The Betty Business Model & Market Positioning32:01 - Execution & Growth Strategy at Betty35:13 - Overcoming Skepticism from Industry Veterans38:11 - Expansion Strategy41:03 - Entrepreneurship Key Lessons46:14 - Justin's Mentor & Book Recommendations49:20 - Closing Marks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/videosCONNECT WITH NEXT.IO✩ Website - https://next.io/This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by:Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.https://pragmatic.solutions/Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

3 Maalis 49min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #225 with David Carruthers, CEO at David Carruthers Consulting Limited.In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, David Carruthers shares his extraordinary journey in the iGaming industry. From leading a billion-dollar company to serving time in federal prison, David shares his rise, fall, and ultimate reinvention of himself. As the former CEO of BetOnSports, he built one of the most dominant online sportsbooks, until a U.S. crackdown changed everything.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:30 - Sponsors01:48 - David’s Carruthers Journey04:15 - Entering the Gambling Industry at 1806:00 - Climbing the Ladder at Ladbrokes07:04 - Turning Point: Leaving Ladbrokes09:06 - Landing in Costa Rica & Becoming CEO of BetOnSports13:30 - Scaling BetOnSports into a Billion-Dollar Business18:26 - Legal Grey Areas & Risks of U.S. Expansion22:18 - The U.S. Crackdown & His Arrest30:00 - House Arrest for 4 Years in the U.S.37:00 - Accepting a Plea Deal to Avoid 80 Years in Prison42:00 - Life Inside Federal Prison50:00 - Rebuilding Life After Prison1:04:00 - Re-Entering the Gambling Industry1:15:00 - The Future of Gambling & Emerging Markets1:20:00 - Lessons from His Journey1:28:00 - Closing Marks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO✩ Website - https://next.io/This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by:Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.https://pragmatic.solutions/Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

28 Helmi 1h 30min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #224 with Nigel Eccles, Former FanDuel CEOIn this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, Nigel Eccles, Former FanDuel CEO shares his incredible journey in the company the challenges faced during its growth, including legal battles and regulatory scrutiny, and the eventual exit to Flutter Entertainment.He reflects on the lessons learned from raising capital, the importance of ethical investors, and his current venture into the crypto casino space with BetHog, emphasizing the need for innovation in the gaming experience and the potential for future growth in regulated markets⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:32 - The Genesis of FanDuel05:05 - Navigating Early Challenges09:53 - The Rise of Daily Fantasy Sports15:01 - The Competitive Landscape20:05 - Legal Battles and Industry Growth24:56 - The Peak and Its Aftermath30:17 - The Inside Information Controversy33:09 - Legal Challenges and Regulatory Battles36:16 - Merger Talks with DraftKings40:48 - The Fallout from the Failed Merger46:02 - The Exit to Flutter Entertainment54:07 - Lessons Learned from Raising Capital58:00 - Entering the Crypto Casino Space01:01:54 - Innovating in the Gaming Experience01:06:28 - Future of Crypto Regulation and Market Strategy🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO✩ Website - https://next.io/This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by:Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.https://pragmatic.solutions/Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

20 Helmi 1h 8min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #223 withJesse Learmonth, Founder of BettingstartupsIn this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, Pierre Lindh and Jesse Learmonth dive deep into the evolving landscape of gaming startups in North America.They also discuss the importance of solving pain points for operators, and the resilience of bootstrapped entrepreneurs, current investment trends, and the launch of The Starties, an award show dedicated to celebrating startup success in the gaming industry.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:34 - Sponsors02:18 - Transitioning from Hobby to Business09:31 - Dynamics of the US Gambling Market17:22 - Innovative Startups in Gambling24:33 - Exploring Gambly's AI Innovations30:47 - Fluid Payments: Enhancing Cashier Experience32:37 - Solving Pain Points for Operators36:29 - Innovative Business Models in Gaming41:31 - The Resilience of Bootstrapped Startups47:07 - Emerging Startups to Watch50:12 - Investing Trends in the Gaming Industry52:46 - The Starties: Celebrating Startup Success01:02:54 - Future Ambitions and Personal Reflections🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bcApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO✩ Website - https://next.io/✩ Instagram - /nextdotio✩ X/Twitter - /nextdotio✩ LinkedIn - /nextdotioThis episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by:Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.https://pragmatic.solutions/Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

14 Helmi 1h 6min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #222 with Sarah Robertson, CCO at Kambi.  In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Pierre Lindh sits down with Sarah Robertson, CCO at Kambi, to discuss the company’s shift from a turnkey sports betting provider to a modular approach. They dive into how AI-driven odds are shaping the industry, the role of traders in an evolving landscape, and Kambi’s latest product innovations, including the Tzeract AI-powered trading platform.  The conversation also covers emerging markets, with a focus on Brazil, Texas, and California, and Kambi’s competitive strategy in an increasingly crowded space.  ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Sponsors 01:49 - Welcoming Sarah Robertson, CCO at Kambi 02:22 - Kambi’s Transformation: From Turnkey to Modular Approach 05:45 - The Shift from Turnkey to Modular 09:10 - Challenges & Opportunities in Repositioning Kambi 12:25 - AI in Sports Betting: The Role of Traders vs. AI-Driven Odds 15:54 - Tesseract: Kambi’s AI-Powered Trading Platform 19:08 - Global Product Roadmap & Key Tech Innovations 22:18 - Brazil’s Regulation & Kambi’s Expansion in LATAM 26:34 - Future Emerging Markets 30:00 - How Kambi Stays Ahead in a Crowded Market 34:20 - Kambi’s Vision & Growth Plans 37:30 - Closing Remarks 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bc Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - /nextdotio ✩ X/Twitter - /nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - /nextdotio This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/ Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

6 Helmi 33min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #19 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig & Benjie Cherniak. In this episode, Pierre, Lloyd and Benjie explore the rise of prediction markets in the U.S., the regulatory grey area between investing and gambling, and the disruptive potential of new betting models. They also discuss the evolution of competitive socialization venues like Topgolf, the tech behind real-money gaming integrations, and key lessons for investors and founders in iGaming. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:31 - Sponsors 02:01 - The explosion of prediction markets & the role of CFTC regulations 05:10 - Are futures contracts just sports betting in disguise? 09:14 - The impact of Robinhood & crypto platforms on the betting ecosystem 17:12 - The rise of competitive socialization: Topgolf, darts, bowling & beyond 21:40 - How real-money gaming is integrating into entertainment venues 30:12 - The state of iGaming investment: What makes a successful exit? 37:15 - Lessons from bootstrapped vs. VC-backed gaming ventures 45:38 - Closing marks 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bc Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - /nextdotio ✩ X/Twitter - /nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - /nextdotio This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/ Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

3 Helmi 44min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #221 with David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt. In this episode, Pierre sits down with David Mann, CEO of Swintt, to discuss the evolving landscape of game studios in iGaming. David also shares insights on Swintt’s strategy, partnerships, and the impact of regulation on game providers. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Sponsors 02:02 - Welcoming David Mann 02:50 - David’s Journey to CEO of Swintt 04:35 - Swintt’s Growth and Aggregation Model 06:11 - Regional Game Preferences 10:08 - Market Saturation and Competition 13:38 - Game Success: Quality vs. Commercial Push 17:10 - Industry Consolidation and Acquisitions 20:57 - Swintt’s Aggregation and Partnerships 23:50 - Scaling Aggregation and Challenges 26:53 - Partnering with Twin Win, Samurai, and Elysium 30:48 - The Future of Game Studios 32:00 - Live Casino Growth and Competition 35:48 - Regulation vs. Grey Markets 39:06 - Black Market and Channelization 41:36 - Gamification, Jackpots, and Player Trends 45:02 - The Game Studio Landscape in Three Years 46:47 - Closing Remarks and Industry Reflections 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - / nextdotio ✩ X/Twitter - / nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - / nextdotio This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/ Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

30 Tammi 47min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #220 with Thomas Lefebvre, Co-Founder at Lagio Gaming In this episode, Thomas Lefebvre, Co-Founder at Lagio Gaming, opens up about the challenges and emotional journey of losing his business partner and mentor, Henri Etrillard. Discover how Thomas navigated the unexpected loss, kept the business afloat, and honored Henri’s legacy through resilience and innovation. CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - /nextdotio ✩ X/Twitter - /nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - /nextdotio This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/ Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

23 Tammi 49min