Vested Interest #5 Interest Rates & Start-ups, Big-4 Disruption, Pitch Deck Tips & Jackpot.com deep dive

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #244 with Jesper Kärrbrink, CEO, Immense Group and Pontus Lindwall, CEO, Betsson LIVE at NEXT Summit Valletta 2025.In 2022, they shared the stage for the first time at iGaming NEXT Valletta. Now, we’re bringing them back for round two. This power-packed session reunites these industry stalwarts for a straight-talking, no-nonsense discussion on the biggest forces shaping iGaming today.From M&A shake-ups and industry consolidation to shifting regulations, they’ll break down what’s happening, what’s next, and most importantly what it means for operators, suppliers, and investors. ⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro: Big picture thinking and leadership00:43 - Sponsors02:10 - Welcoming Jesper Kärrbrink and Pontus Lindwall03:19 - Icebreakers: DJs, spandex, and roulette pit bosses08:26 - The rivalry between Betsson and Svenska Spel in the 2000s10:58 - How Betsson disrupted the monopoly system13:46 - Guerilla tactics, market pressure, and industry transformation15:06 - The founding of Betsson and NetEnt18:42 - The Betsson Ibiza trip: when culture clashes with leadership23:01 - Personal style and individuality in the iGaming industry26:46 - Leadership philosophies from two industry veterans30:33 - Why work-life balance makes better leaders33:44 - Most overrated companies in iGaming today36:40 - Are European regulations hurting the industry?39:47 - Mutual respect and reflection on decades of impact🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: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/

14 Elo 202541min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #243, Magnus Carlssen, World Chess Champion LIVE at NEXT Summit Valletta 2025.Live from NEXT Summit Valletta 2025, Pierre Lindh sits down with Magnus Carlsen for an unfiltered conversation about obsession, mastery, and staying on top.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro: Mastery, mindset & loving the game00:43 - Sponsors01:47 - Welcoming Magnus Carlsen live on stage03:20 - What it takes to be the best out of 600 million players05:55 - Talent vs. training: where real chess mastery begins06:59 - Magnus' early years: flags, Legos & concentration08:12 - From beating his sister to studying chess at every meal10:02 - When did Magnus realise he could become world #1?12:44 - Becoming #1 in the world: how it really felt14:46 - Magnus’ interest in poker: could it have replaced chess?17:02 - Staying motivated after reaching the top18:49 - Looking back: any sacrifices or regrets?20:12 - Finding his own path in chess🎥 Recorded live in partnership with Betby at NEXT Summit: Valletta 2025🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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/

5 Elo 202520min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #242, Mathias Larsson, Commercial Director in Europe at Awager.Live slot machines are here: how Awager is changing online casino? Is this the next big leap in real-money gaming?In this episode, Pierre interviews Mathias Larsson, Commercial Director at Awager, the company turning physical slot machines into live-streamed online games. It's not just innovation it could be the future of online slots, live casino, and omni-channel iGaming.⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro00:43 - Sponsors02:08 - Welcoming Mathias Larsson03:20 - The story behind Awager and its evolution06:16 - Is Awager the next Evolution-style disruptor?08:25 - Why players prefer live-streamed slot machines11:33 - Can the model scale if it’s one player per machine?13:50 - Why FanDuel and U.S. operators backed Awager early16:07 - Choosing markets with strong land-based culture18:39 - The real roadblocks to innovation in iGaming23:26 - The innovator’s dilemma in iGaming25:15 - Cracking the sales cycle for a product no one knows29:57 - Biggest challenges: logistics, regulation & timing32:57 - Awager’s business model explained36:29 - Superstition, trust & the psychology of land-based play38:40 - Target markets for 2025–2026 expansion40:42 - Where Awager will be in 3 years🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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/

30 Heinä 202543min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #241, Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler.Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler, discusses the company's journey from startup to a leading payment provider in the Nordics, emphasizing the importance of focusing on a specific niche and building strong relationships with customers. He also shares insights on leveraging AI and adapting to the evolving payments landscape, particularly within regulated industries like iGaming.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:43 - Sponsors02:03 - Welcoming Johan Strand03:04 - From startup to leading Nordic Payments Providers09:03 - Why size doesn’t matter and how focus beats scale11:23 - The importance of finding your own niche16:24 - The next wave: payments innovation and AI20:42 - Back-office automation and AI23:26 - How Zimpler is embracing AI internally28:14 - Could the payment landscape could be at risk?31:47 - Relationships matter more than product35:11 - Post-COVID relationships and real connection37:53 - Sales cycles, trust, and human moments42:01 - Final remarks: Where will Zimpler be in 3 years?🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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/

23 Heinä 202544min

🎙NEXT.io Podcast #23 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak.In this episode, we discuss the evolving landscape of collectibles and mystery boxes, drawing parallels to gambling mechanics. They explore the regulatory challenges these new products face, the recent shifts in the venture capital landscape, and the current headwinds for North American operators in the gaming industry.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:43 - Sponsor Messages02:02 - Welcoming Lloyd & Benjie03:06 - Mystery Boxes: Gambling in Disguise?06:26 - Digital Buybacks and Market Liquidity08:44 - Slot Mechanics in Collectibles10:14 - Legal Risks & Regulatory Grey Zones13:38 - Market Volatility & Platform Liquidity15:11 - How Regulated Operators Might React18:14 - Physical vs. Digital Collectibles Landscape20:25 - Scaling Problems: Supply Chains & Pricing24:12 – Why Most Gaming Funding Isn’t Broad-Based26:19 – AngelList Trends & New LP Appetite28:42 – The Category Leader Obsession31:13 – Regulated Operator Headwinds in North America35:44 – Regulatory Moats vs. Challenger Agility38:45 – Long-Term Strategy: Fight or Join?40:31 – Can There Be a National RMG Framework?41:02 – Final Thoughts🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcasts 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/

18 Heinä 202544min

In this episode of NEXT In-Depth, host Conor Mulheir explores the growing trend of reselling bets on secondary markets in the US. Guest speaker Travis Geiger, the co-founder and CXO of betting and fantasy sports marketplace WagerWire, explores the emergence of this novel vertical and the driving forces behind why US bettors choose to participate in it. From cultural attitudes towards sports betting to the kinds of bets which attract the most attention for resale, the pair explore the developing trend of bet reselling and how it’s shaping the US market today.

17 Heinä 202538min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #240, Kasra Ghaharian & Simo DragicevicKasra Ghaharian, IGI Director of Research, and Simo Dragicevic , research at AiR Hub, discuss AI in the gaming industry, highlighting the need for trust and benchmarking. They introduce Air Hub, a research hub focused on AI ethics and governance in gaming. Key projects include a state of AI in gaming report, consumer protection measures, and developing benchmarks for AI algorithms, particularly in responsible gambling.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:42 - Sponsors message03:00 - Reflecting on Predictions from 5 Years Ago05:27 - Introducing AIR Hub: The AI Research Initiative08:42 - AIR Hub’s Flagship Projects13:40 - How regulators can use AI benchmarks16:45 - The full scope of AI in iGaming22:30 - The State of AI in the Industry Today26:30 - Generative AI and infinite content30:02 - The Infinite Slot Era: What Wins When Anything Can Be Built?34:00 - Explainable AI: The Next Essential Layer35:00 - Autonomy, Agents, and the Limits of AI in iGaming38:43 - The Risks of Poor Training Data and Output Guardrails40:48 - Will AI Replace Your Job?46:02 - The Future Vision for AIR Hub49:40 - Final remarks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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/

17 Heinä 202551min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #239, Denys Parkhomenko, CPO at GR8 TechMore features don’t always mean more value. In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Pierre Lindh sits down with Denys Parkhomenko, Chief Product Officer at GR8 Tech, to unpack why "less but better" is becoming the winning mindset for the next generation of iGaming platforms.With a legacy in B2C and deep experience scaling complex sportsbook products, Denys shares a clear-eyed view on what operators really need from their platforms and what they should avoid at all costs.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:21 - Sponsors message01:38 - Welcoming Denys Parkhomenko02:31 - GR8 Tech’s approach: less but better04:32 - Why sports betting platforms all look the same and how to stand out06:11 - How to stand out in the market09:03 - Balancing client requests with product strategy12:07 - GR8 Tech’s “extendable platform” mindset14:15 - What true scalability looks like in platform infrastructure16:14 - Casino CoPilot, internal automation, and writing code with AI18:01 - How new operators should evaluate platforms19:33 - Why reputation, results, and transparency matter most21:08 - Trust-building through onboarding & long-term collaboration23:52 - Conferences vs coffee lines: where real conversations happen27:25 - What’s next for GR8 Tech🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTCONNECT 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/

10 Heinä 202530min