NEXT.io Podcast

Join us on NEXT.io Weekly News as we discuss the UK Treasury’s consideration of increasing gambling taxes, and the strong industry backlash it has prompted. Industry leaders, including the Betting and Gaming Council and Flutter's CEO, argue against the hike, citing potential negative impacts. Additionally, we'll cover DraftKings' acquisition of Mustard Golf and Openbox's purchase of Boldplay, highlighting strategic expansions in the sector.

Join us on this week’s NEXT.io Weekly News for key updates in the iGaming sector. We cover Playtech's lawsuit against Games Global over IP infringement and the backlash against Playtech’s $100 million bonus scheme. Additionally, we spotlight Wynn Resorts' significant strides in the UAE, including securing a pioneering gaming license and boosting their resort budget.

This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, we spotlight major regulatory updates from Brazil and the US. Brazil's Finance Minister unveils a strict enforcement plan for iGaming, and temporary bans affect major brands during the transition. 

Meanwhile, in the US, Kalshi prepares to relaunch election betting, and California tribes gain the right to sue cardrooms, potentially altering the gambling landscape.

🗞 Read the full stories here:

- Brazil’s finance minister outlines illegal gambling enforcement plan

https://next.io/news/regulation/brazil-finance-minister-outlines-enforcement-plan/

- Brazil bars major brands from market during transition phase

https://next.io/news/regulation/brazil-bars-major-brands-transition-phase/

- Kilt to launch election bets again after winning latest legal fight

https://next.io/news/regulation/kalshi-to-launch-election-bets-again/

- California tribes able to sue cardrooms after Newsom signs bill

https://next.io/news/regulation/california-tribes-able-to-sue-cardrooms/

This week's sessions are brought to you by:

Playson: https://playson.com/ 

Sponsored by: 

Hub88: https://hub88.io/

Join Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen every Thursday at 3pm CET across all our social media channels to get the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. 

Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #205 with Matevž Mazij, CEO of Bragg Gaming Group.

In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Matevž Mazij, CEO of Bragg Gaming Group, returns for an in-depth discussion about the company’s progress and the future in the rapidly evolving iGaming industry. 

A year after his first appearance in the studio, Matevž reflects on Bragg’s growth, new leadership hires, and strategic focus on key markets including North America, Latin America, and Europe.

⏰ Timestamps: 

00:00 – Introduction

00:31 – Sponsors

01:34 – Welcoming Matevž

02:28 – Overview of Bragg Gaming’s business model

05:00 – A year in review: Bragg’s strategic progress

07:00 – Strengthening the executive leadership team

10:05 – Industry M&A trends and their impact on Bragg

12:15 – Long-term strategy for achieving profitability

16:30 – Bragg’s growth in regulated markets

20:20 – Key growth opportunities for Bragg

24:20 – How to grow revenue in the US market

27:30 – Competition in the US market

31:50 – The online lottery landscape

35:27 – Focus on the Canada market

37:54 – Opportunities in the Latin American market

41:01 – Growth opportunities in Europe and emerging regulations

46:00 – Strategic goals for Bragg over the next year

48:03 – Closing remarks and future outlook

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This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by:

Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.

https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

https://pragmatic.solutions/ 

Episode sponsored by:

https://www.creedroomz.com/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #204 with Oleg Profatylo, Head of Marketing, Playson

In this episode, Oleg Profatylo discusses the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, comparing it with B2C strategies and highlighting the key trends shaping the future. He shares invaluable insights on brand building, lead generation, and the importance of a people-centric approach in today's business world. Learn how to balance long-term brand growth with short-term sales goals, and discover the essential tools every B2B marketer needs to succeed in 2024.

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:27 - Sponsors 

01:42 - Welcoming Oleg Profatylo

03:01 - Key Differences Between B2B and B2C Marketing 

06:11 - Building Reputation 

08:03 - Marketing Trends for 2024

11:02 – Personalization in B2B Marketing

16:14 – Balancing Brand Building and Lead Generation

18:25 - Essential Marketing Tools for B2B Strategy

23:06 – How to Stand Out in an Increasingly B2B Landscape

27:27 – The Role of AI in B2B Marketing

30:50 – Common Mistakes in B2B Marketing

33:31 – Oleg’s Strategy for Playson’s Marketing Success

36:46 - Oleg's Top B2B Brands 

40:00 – Closing Marks 

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

_____

This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by:

Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.

https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

https://pragmatic.solutions/ 

Episode sponsored by:

https://www.creedroomz.com/

Join us this week on NEXT.io Weekly News as we delve into Light & Wonder's stock decline following a legal injunction against their Dragon Train game. We'll explore how analysts view this as a potential investment opportunity.

Additionally, we highlight WA Technology's acquisition of Onseo and Boyd Gaming’s purchase of Resorts Digital’s online operations, assessing their impacts on the tech and gaming sectors.

🗞 Read the full stories here:

- Light & Wonder hit with injunction in Dragon Link infringement case

https://next.io/news/casino/light-wonder-injunction-dragon-link-case/ 

- Truist: Light & Wonder 20% stock dip a ‘buying opportunity’

https://next.io/news/investment/truist-light-wonder-stock-dip-buying-opportunity/

- WA.Technology acquires Onseo in multi-million euro deal

https://next.io/news/investment/wa-technology-acquires-onseo/ 

- Boyd Interactive grows NJ presence with Resorts Digital acquisition

https://next.io/news/investment/boyd-acquires-resorts-digital-online-operation/

This week's sessions are brought to you by:

Playson: https://playson.com/ 

Sponsored by: 

Hub88: https://hub88.io/

Join Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen every Thursday at 3pm CET across all our social media channels to get the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. 

Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #203 with Leo Judkins, Wellbeing & Performance Coach, Habit Rewire.

In this episode, Leo Judkins and Pierre discuss turning managers into high-performance leaders. They cover the Peter Principle, avoiding micromanagement, effective delegation, and preventing burnout. Key takeaways include the difference between managers and leaders, building team trust, and transitioning from task-focused management to empowering leadership.

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:42 - Sponsors

02:01 - Peter Principle in Fast-Growing Markets

04:28 - Advice to Avoid the Peter Principle

06:35 - Can Everyone Become a Great Leader?

08:25 - Red Threads Leaders Struggle With

09:53 - Balancing Autonomy and Micromanagement

13:23 - Is Micromanagement Always Bad?

16:43 - Performance Management and Trust in Teams

20:22 - How Perfectionism Impacts Leadership

22:15 - Preventing Burnout in New Managers

24:44 - Struggling With Doubts and Creating Healthy Environments

28:37 - Recognizing an Unsustainable Work Environment

30:02 - Stress Management

31:11 - Gaining Trust as a New Leader

34:50 - Learning to Be a Great Leader

41:42 - Differences Between Managers and Leaders

43:20 - Closing Marks

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #202 with Jesper Svensson, CEO of Betsson Group.

Betsson Group was one of the first companies to enter the LATAM market. We discuss with Jesper Svensson, CEO of Betsson Group, the early stages, the challenges they faced, and how the market has evolved. Jesper also analyzes current opportunities in other regions, such as the U.S., Africa, and addresses regulatory hurdles in Europe.

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:37 - Sponsors 

01:36 - Welcoming Jesper

02:50 - Industry Changes in the last 20 years

05:15 - Strategic Decision to Focus on Latin America

09:01 - US B2B and B2C Strategy Test Case

14:12 - Sweeps Stakes and Opportunities in the U.S. 

16:07 - Early Entry into Latin America

20:13 - Increasing Competition in Latin America

20:21 - Brazil's Regulatory Environment

25:12 - Challenges Entering New Markets: Africa

28:33 - Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Europe

33:16 - Black Market Operators vs. Regulated Markets

37:04 - Regulators and Black Market Operators

41:38 - Malta's Role in the iGaming Industry

44:43 - Betsson’s M&A Strategy

47:23 - Trends in the Industry: Local Heroes

50:07 - Dealing with the Pressure from being the CEO

53:01 - Betsson in Three Years Time

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.

This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, Conor and Nico discuss a plethora of iGaming M&As, including Flutter's £2.3bn purchase of Snaitech, FDJ's acquisition of Kindred, and more.

Tune in to Weekly News live every Thursday at 3pm CET on YouTube, LinkedIn, and X.

https://next.io/news/investment/flutter-buys-snaitech-from-playtech/

- EveryMatrix makes €18.5m public offer for Fantasma⁠

https://next.io/news/investment/everymatrix-makes-public-offer-fantasma/⁠

- FDJ brings forward Kindred closing date to October

https://next.io/news/investment/fdj-brings-forward-kindred-closing-date-october/

This week's sessions are brought to you by:

Playson: https://playson.com/ 

Sponsored by: 

Hub88: https://hub88.io/

Join Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen every Thursday at 3pm CET across all our social media channels to get the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. 

Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #201 with Vladimir Malakchi, CEO of Xanada Investments

00:00 - Introduction: Analysing mistakes and risks

00:31 - Example of startups: "No competitors" myth

00:37 - Sponsors: Pragmatic Solutions and Pragmatic Play

01:32 - Podcast begins: Welcoming Vladimir from Xanada Investments

02:23 - Xanada Investments: Background and challenges

04:50 - Strategies for scaling businesses with investors

06:14 - Avoiding dependency on single clients

07:18 - The role of investment funds beyond capital

09:04 - Importance of a clear and concise pitch deck

11:03 - Keeping it simple: The “Apple rule” for clarity

13:02 - Capturing investor attention through concise pitches

16:07 - Networking to stand out in the investment landscape

18:06 - Accessibility of iGaming investors

19:25 - People vs. ideas: What investors focus on

22:04 - Founders’ energy and commitment over ideas

24:40 - Handling failure and turning it into opportunity

27:04 - Showing investors how you cover risks

30:40 - The rise of CIS products in the iGaming industry

43:00 - Xanada Investments' goals for the next three years

46:04 - Closing remarks: Advice for founders

Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.