Karolina Pelc #2 - Rafi Ashkenazi, Ex-CEO The Stars Group (A journey through the stars)

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #238 Denis Romanovskiy, Deputy CTO at SOFTSWISSIn this episode, Pierre Lindh is joined by Denis Romanovskiy, Deputy CTO at SOFTSWISS, to unpack the findings from their latest 50-page report and dive deep into the technical, financial, and strategic factors new operators need to consider before launching their brand.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:00 - Why SOFTSWISS released a build vs buy report04:30 - Key findings: who should build, who should buy07:27 - Biggest mistakes new operators make09:35 - Why testing & tracking matter from day one12:33 - When should operators consider building in-house?15:12 - How to choose the right platform partner18:30 - The importance of cultural alignment & service21:16 - Scalability: it’s not just tech, it’s people24:00 - The advantage of ecosystem-level integration28:10 - Products in the SOFTSWISS suite31:04 - Time to market: build vs buy34:06 - What’s next: SOFTSWISS roadmap & modular infrastructure36:00 - AI-generated code and fully autonomous tech teams?38:16 - Closing marks 🔗 Download SOFTSWISS report here: https://www.softswiss.com/reports/igaming-software-development-playbook/🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST\YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsThis 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 Heinä 39min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #236 Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore GroupSam Sadi sits down with Pierre Lindh to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the online sports betting industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and strategic advantages to compete with established brands, particularly in regulated markets.⏰ Timestamps 00:00 - Intro00:17 - Sponsors message01:38 - Sam’s 30-year journey03:31 - Building Bwin Interactive Entertainment06:07 - The origins of LiveScore09:58 - Why LiveScore launched its own sportsbook15:27 - Competing in the UK18:00 - Why most media-betting integrations fail20:32 - Simplicity vs complexity: is betting too confusing for new users?23:35 - Why customers adapt faster than you think25:31 - Why niche sportsbooks rarely succeed in regulated markets29:58 - DFS as the starting point33:11 - LiveScore’s product philosophy: match 80%, innovate the rest34:37 - The capital and access problem in U.S. regulation37:18 - Trend 1: Southeast Asia’s unspoken potential44:49 - Trend 2: The real AI transformation57:30 - Trend 3: Innovation vs Incrementalism01:09:54 - Trend 4: The black market problem01:21:41 - Can cutting off suppliers beat the black market? Why it’s short-term thinking01:26:34 - Why the industry’s future might mirror the AI arms race01:32:04 - Closing remarks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/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/

12 Kesä 1h 29min

The rules of online marketing are changing fast, and the iGaming industry is feeling the impact like never before. In this episode of NEXT In-Depth, ShieldHub founder Ulrich Gilot dives into the seismic shift away from traditional SEO and affiliate models driven by Google’s evolving search landscape, where zero-click results and AI-driven answers are reshaping player acquisition. We’ll explore what this means for iGaming marketers, the rising importance of brand building, and how new measurement frameworks like attention metrics can unlock smarter growth. Plus, hear insights on navigating stricter regulations and emerging strategies for future-proofing marketing in a competitive, privacy-focused world. Whether you’re an operator, affiliate, or marketer, this is your guide to adapting and thriving in the zero-click era.

12 Kesä 54min

🎙NEXT.io Podcast #22 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak.From summer slumps to AI disruption, the trio returns to unpack three high-stakes themes shaping the future of gaming startups:👇 Here’s what they cover:- How to keep growing through the summer slowdown- Why skill-based games are booming (again) and what’s different this time- The state of affiliate businesses and how AI, SEO, and chatbots are reshaping the model⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:18 - Sponsor messages01:38 - Welcoming Benjie and Lloyd02:10 - Can you grow during summer? Founders vs. excuses07:42 - How NEXT.io handles seasonality with strategic summer planning13:52 - Skill-Based Gaming14:30 - The evolution and new wave of real-money skill games16:21 - Triumph, FanDuel, Bring It On and global market potential22:14 - Regulatory arbitrage and go-to-market benefits24:44 - What happens when operators join in? M&A and mainstream interest26:58 - The Affiliate Collapse27:35 - Market dip, SEO crashes & winners like Gambling.com31:04 - Fewer state openings, changing user behavior32:52 - Why SEO isn't enough anymore 35:56 - Lessons from Catena Media and the danger of single-market bets39:29 - What affiliate SEO looks like in the LLM era40:44 - Final thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotioCONNECT 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/

11 Kesä 42min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #236 with Kyle Welcher, CEO of TESTAKyle Wiltshire has spent over 15 years embedded in Asia’s iGaming infrastructure. In this episode, hosted by Pierre Lindh, he shares what it really takes to succeed in Southeast Asia, a region full of opportunity, complexity, and massive cultural nuance.⏰ Timestamps00:00 - Intro 00:33 - Sponsors message01:48 - Welcoming Kyle Wiltshire04:44 - Kyle’s background & the origin of TESTA08:41 - How iGaming evolved in Asia10:22 - Cultural differences SEA13:01 - First entry into the market tips 22:09 - Etiquette, hierarchy & saving face26:14 - Doing business as a woman in SEA28:54 - Contracts, negotiations & expectations31:53 - The importance of senior leadership in SEA sales34:35 - SEA: country-specific breakdowns41:01 - Regulation outlook: where is SEA heading?42:18 - Player psychology & live casino dominance44:33 - Infrastructure challenges in the region46:51 - What TESTA does & how they help operators adapt51:19 - Macro view: will Asia dominate the global economy?53:36 - Closing remarks🔔 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/

29 Touko 56min

M&A activity continues to have a huge impact on the iGaming sector, and acquisition news never fails to grab people’s attention. But what happens after the negotiations are finished, the money is handed over, and the deal is complete? The truth is, that’s when the real work begins. In this episode of NEXT In-Depth, host Conor Mulheir asks EveryMatrix CEO Ebbe Groes to explain how his company has integrated recent acquisitions — like FSB Technology, Fantasma Games and DeepCI — in order to deliver a return on its investments. Groes explores what has gone well (and what hasn’t) when integrating these businesses into his own, and gives a teaser of where EveryMatrix’s appetite for acquisition could go next. Don’t miss out on the first of this two-part special on the art of integrating acquired businesses!

16 Touko 37min

🎙NEXT.io Podcast #21 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak.In this episode, Pierre, Lloyd, and Benjie break down the biggest questions facing iGaming investors today:-How do you invest during uncertain, disruptive times?- Is AI in gaming hype or truly transforming the industry?- Has the classic B2B “picks and shovels” strategy held up or is it time to rethink?⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro 00:39 - Sponsors message03:33 - Investing in iGaming during uncertain times06:28 - Early-stage investment strategy v.s macro volatility08:38 - Regulatory risk v.s macro risk10:02 - Trump presidency and prediction markets13:24 - Lipstick index v.s lottery index17:19 - AI in gaming – hype or commercial reality?22:13 - Challenges: long sales cycles and limited proof points25:26 - What’s still missing in AI innovation26:41 - Spotlight: Blask and AI-powered black market insights28:14 - Can AI accurately measure offshore activity?30:22 - The problem with AI auditability32:06 - B2B vs B2C: risk-adjusted returns and market consolidation36:07 - The realities of bootstrapping and long integration timelines38:35 - Why sales cycles are so long in North America41:05 - Internal complexity and product prioritization at large operators43:05 - Closing remarks 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotioCONNECT 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/

16 Touko 43min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #235 with Jason March, VP of Gaming at DraftKingsJason March built DraftKings' iGaming division from scratch and in this episode, hosted by Pierre Lindh, he takes us behind the scenes of how it's become a tech-first, content-driven casino powerhouse.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:18 - Sponsors message01:38 - Welcoming Jason March02:10 - Why Jason joined DraftKings and built the iGaming division04:58 - How DraftKings became a tech-first casino operator07:36 - Trends in U.S. iGaming: live dealer, jackpots, social and multiplayer10:04 - Building in-house content and launching a game studio11:20 - What makes a hit game? Risk, failure, and unexpected winners15:04 - The importance of player choice and interaction16:25 - Sneak peek: new interactive games coming soon18:25 - Jason’s personal casino favorites20:57 - Live casino evolution and the rise of game shows23:37 - Challenges of state-by-state ring-fencing for live game content26:31 - How to approach DraftKings with a new game or product27:27 - Why entering the U.S. is hard and worth it28:04 - Balancing in-house games vs third-party content30:34 - Strategy behind DraftKings’ proprietary game studio31:50 - Lottery and Jackpocket: cross-sell strategy and player acquisition33:47 - The future of U.S. iGaming and why more states will legalize35:19 - The black market problem and the push for regulation36:20 - Responsible gaming and why regulation matters36:56 - 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/

13 Touko 35min