Vested Interest #22: Exploring the Future of Skill-Based Gaming
NEXT.io Podcast11 Jun 2025

Vested Interest #22: Exploring the Future of Skill-Based Gaming

🎙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 PODCAST

YouTube: 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/

Episoder(468)

#18 - Martin Collins, Director of Business Development GiG

#18 - Martin Collins, Director of Business Development GiG

With 2 decades of experience in digital markets, Martin has a passion and drive to help organisations flourish. Through both internal and external strategic analysis, he can drive positive improvement in performance, as well as help identify new business opportunities. Always remaining one step ahead, Martin empowers organisations to truly perform and drive revenue and growth.

25 Aug 202046min

#17 - Martin Lycka, Director of Regulatory Affairs GVC Holdings

#17 - Martin Lycka, Director of Regulatory Affairs GVC Holdings

Martin Lycka, solicitor, is Director of Regulatory Affairs at GVC Holdings. Martin has been senior legal and regulatory advisor to global listed gambling business for over 10 years. He serves as Vice President of the German Online Casino Association, a Board member of the EGBA as well as a Trustee of the GVC Global Foundation and the GVC Foundation US.

18 Aug 20201h 3min

Power Hour #2 - Tsachi Maimon, CEO Aspire Global (How to win 2030)

Power Hour #2 - Tsachi Maimon, CEO Aspire Global (How to win 2030)

Duringa recent iGaming NEXT: Power Hour, Pierre discusses how to nagivate through the current challenges in order to win the year 2030, with Tsachi Maimon, CEO of Aspire Global.

12 Aug 202031min

#16 - Scott Dodson, CMO - Hero Gaming (Growth Marketing braindroppings)

#16 - Scott Dodson, CMO - Hero Gaming (Growth Marketing braindroppings)

Scott joined Hero Gaming April 2020 as CMO. Prior he was CPO and then of language learning app, Lingvist. Prior to Lingvist, Scott Joined Gamesys as Chief Product Owner and went on to lead Virgin Poker as Business Owner and Head of Marketing. Previously he was co-founder and CEO of Flying Rhino Studios, Divide by Zero Games, and Tenacious Games; and co-founder/CPO of Bobber Interactive. Scott loves startups and mentors for Techstars & other incubators around the world, (Seattle, New York, London, Paris, Tallinn, and Berlin)

6 Aug 202052min

Power Hour #1 - Pontus Lindwall, President - Betsson AB (M&A in iGaming)

Power Hour #1 - Pontus Lindwall, President - Betsson AB (M&A in iGaming)

In this fireside chat, Pierre & Pontus Lindwall discuss if the iGaming industry will consolidate into only a few powerful players

5 Aug 202022min

#15 - Sam Brown, CCO - Hero Gaming (2020 Innovation Game Changers)

#15 - Sam Brown, CCO - Hero Gaming (2020 Innovation Game Changers)

Sam Brown has been in iGaming since 2004, working across numerous verticals on both operator and supplier side. Sam has been involved in start-ups and also held senior roles at major listed companies. He has a passion for gambling both personally and professionally, which today Sam channels into his role as the Chief Commercial Officer of Hero Gaming.

22 Jul 20201h 5min

#14 - James Marshall, CEO - Push Gaming (Entertainment/iGaming industry comparisons)

#14 - James Marshall, CEO - Push Gaming (Entertainment/iGaming industry comparisons)

CEO and one of the two co-founders of Push Gaming, James Marshall started up the company in 2010. Highly passionate about games, and dedicated to offering premium quality entertainment products, James firmly believes that in business, "it is always the end-user who decides the way forward". This approach and focus on players, coupled with his extensive years of experience within the industry, is what has led to the continuous innovation and success that the company continues to enjoy today.

14 Jul 202049min

#13 - Jesper Kärrbrink, Chairman - Green Jade Games (The future is bright)

#13 - Jesper Kärrbrink, Chairman - Green Jade Games (The future is bright)

Jesper Kärrbrink has a background in e-commerce, media and gambling. Several CEO positions since 1993, among those; Svenska Spel and Mr Green. Co-founder of gaming studio Green Jade Games.

9 Jul 202058min

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