Vested Interest #24: Prediction Markets Special

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #229 with Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2bet.Martin Collins, joins Pierre Lindh to discuss why the U.S. iGaming market is still full of untapped opportunities, despite recent operator exits. Martin shares why Soft2Bet is entering the U.S. now, how they plan to disrupt the market with a fresh UX approach, and what the future holds for tribal operators, iCasino expansion, and alternative betting models.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:50 - Sponsor02:08 - Martin Collins Returns & Soft2Bet’s Growth04:53 - Why Entering the U.S. iGaming Market Now?05:37 - Soft2Bet’s B2B & B2C Strategy in the U.S.09:47 - New Jersey as the First Step & Proof of Concept11:21 - Turning Data Into a Winning B2B Strategy13:35 - The Future of Tribal & Non-Traditional Operators14:55 - The U.S. iGaming Opportunity & Market Shift16:06 - Why U.S. iGaming UX is Outdated & How to Fix It19:50 - More States Will Regulate iGaming23:06 - Alternative Market Entries: Sweepstakes, DFS 2.0 & Crypto25:11 - What’s Holding Back iCasino & When Will It Take Off?28:38 - Can Anyone Challenge FanDuel & DraftKings?29:27 - AI, Personalisation & The Future of iGaming32:28 - Soft2Bet’s Global Expansion & US Ambitions36:03 - What Success in the U.S. Looks Like for Soft2Bet40:31 - Soft2Bet at NEXT Summit: New York 202542:33 - Closing Marks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bcApple: 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/

13 Mars 42min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #228 with Robbie Bressler, CFO at Bragg Gaming Group.In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Robbie Bressler, CFO of Bragg Gaming , dives deep into why the U.S. iGaming market remains one of the biggest opportunities in the industry. Despite slow state-by-state regulation, Robbie explains why Bragg Gaming is betting big on the U.S., the role of sweepstakes in shaping future laws, and whether new challengers can compete with FanDuel & DraftKings in online casino.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:20 - Robbie Bressler’s background in iGaming05:01 - Bragg Gaming’s market cap: 2021 peak & decline07:25 - Leadership changes & rebuilding investor trust08:53 - Special committee: Why it disbanded & key takeaways12:23 - Bragg Gaming’s U.S. expansion strategy16:05 - Will more U.S. states legalise iGaming?18:33 - The impact of sweepstakes22:42 - Bragg Gaming’s stance on sweepstakes partnerships25:40 - The potential for new iGaming entrants28:35 - Bragg Gaming’s approach to customer retention34:51 - CPA challenges & barriers for new operators35:57 - Bragg Gaming's expansion into Brazil & LATAM38:21 - Regulated vs. unregulated markets41:27 - Will regulators clamp down on crypto casinos?42:53 - The future of iGaming regulation & policy shifts45:03 - Bragg Gaming’s 2025 vision & long-term investment case46:51 - 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/

10 Mars 47min

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #227 with Roger Ehrenberg, Managing Partner at Eberg CapitalIn this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Pierre Lindh welcomes investor and venture capitalist Roger Ehrenberg for a deep dive into money, success, leadership, and investing. Roger shares insights from his Wall Street career, his transition into venture capital, and the mindset needed to build and back successful businesses.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:49 - Sponsors02:09 - Roger Ehrenberg’s Background03:07 - The Meaning of Money & Success06:28 - Does More Money Bring Happiness?09:10 - The Source of Ambition & Early Challenges12:56 - Why Founders with a Chip on Their Shoulder Succeed15:41 - What Investors Look for in Founders19:59 - Balancing Vision & Flexibility in Startups22:57 - Red Flags Investors Avoid in Founders25:28 - Breaking into Venture Capital Without a Network30:07 - The Importance of Preparation When Pitching Investors32:22 - Perseverance vs. Knowing When to Quit38:21 - Roger’s Investment Strategy & Market Trends41:49 - The Future of Sports, Gaming & Media44:06 - Eberg Capital’s Investments in iGaming & Sports Betting50:42 - WagerWire & Betting as Entertainment52:14 - How U.S. iGaming is Evolving53:09 - Career Advice for Founders & Entrepreneurs55:45 - Powerful Business Lessons57:17 - Public Speaking & Overcoming Fear1:00:28 - Closing Marks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@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/

7 Mars 1h

🎙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 Mars 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 Feb 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 Feb 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 Feb 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 Feb 33min