🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #224 with Nigel Eccles, Former FanDuel CEO

In 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 - Introduction

01:32 - The Genesis of FanDuel

05:05 - Navigating Early Challenges

09:53 - The Rise of Daily Fantasy Sports

15:01 - The Competitive Landscape

20:05 - Legal Battles and Industry Growth

24:56 - The Peak and Its Aftermath

30:17 - The Inside Information Controversy

33:09 - Legal Challenges and Regulatory Battles

36:16 - Merger Talks with DraftKings

40:48 - The Fallout from the Failed Merger

46:02 - The Exit to Flutter Entertainment

54:07 - Lessons Learned from Raising Capital

58:00 - Entering the Crypto Casino Space

01:01:54 - Innovating in the Gaming Experience

01:06:28 - Future of Crypto Regulation and Market Strategy

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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333

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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #223 withJesse Learmonth, Founder of Bettingstartups

In 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 - Introduction

00:34 - Sponsors

02:18 - Transitioning from Hobby to Business

09:31 - Dynamics of the US Gambling Market

17:22 - Innovative Startups in Gambling

24:33 - Exploring Gambly's AI Innovations

30:47 - Fluid Payments: Enhancing Cashier Experience

32:37 - Solving Pain Points for Operators

36:29 - Innovative Business Models in Gaming

41:31 - The Resilience of Bootstrapped Startups

47:07 - Emerging Startups to Watch

50:12 - Investing Trends in the Gaming Industry

52:46 - The Starties: Celebrating Startup Success

01:02:54 - Future Ambitions and Personal Reflections

🔔 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/

🎙 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #19 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig & Benjie Cherniak.

🎙 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #220 with Thomas Lefebvre, Co-Founder at Lagio Gaming

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Like so many of the people whose lives he touched, we were devastated to hear of the sudden and untimely death of our Weekly News co-host, Nico Jansen, on 9 January.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #219 with James Curwen, CEO at Yggdrasil Gaming

In this episode, James Curwen, CEO at Yggdrasil Gaming, shares his journey of transforming a company in decline into a thriving, tech-driven industry leader. Discover his strategies for reinvention, leadership, and innovation in the competitive iGaming space. .

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:31 - Sponsors

01:50 - Welcoming James Curwen

02:30 - Tackling the challenges of turning a company around

04:06 - Why rapid action is crucial in a declining business

06:03 - Becoming the largest content aggregator

07:49 - Building a scalable tech platform and innovating with AI

10:46 - Balancing culture and connection

12:22 - The four pillars of transformation: Efficiency, sustainability, disruption, and innovation

18:48 - The risk of complacency: Reinventing before decline

20:08 - Why bravery and risk-taking are essential for leadership success

24:27 - Balancing being friendly vs. being a leader

27:27 - Fostering a culture of engagement and accountability

33:36 - Attributes of great leaders

40:19 - Building a high-performing, skilled team

45:02 - Letting go to move forward

50:18 - From decline to double growth

52:45 - What’s next? James’s vision for the future of the company

🔔 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/

This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, we’re diving into the latest legislative developments in the iGaming world, covering major updates on Maryland, Virginia, Ukraine, and Thailand. Elsewhere, Ukraine’s president opts to enact legislation to close down the country’s gambling regulator.

🗞 Read the full stories here:

- Maryland legislature to debate online gambling legalization

- Virginia iGaming legislation makes its first appearance

- Ukraine President dissolves gambling regulator

- Thailand eyes legalizing online gambling

Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We’ll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week.

Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

This episode is brought to you by:

Hub88.io

https://hub88.io/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #218 with Shimon Akad, COO of Playtech

In this episode, Pierre Lindh sits down with Shimon Akad, COO of Playtech, to explore the cutting-edge innovations reshaping the iGaming industry. From Playtech’s strategic growth in North America and Brazil to its groundbreaking partnership with MGM Resorts, Shimon reveals how the company is blending land-based and online casinos for the ultimate player experience. 

🔔 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/