NEXT.io Podcast

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #241, Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler.Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler, discusses the company's journey from startup to a leading payment provider in the Nordics, emphasizing the importance of focusing on a specific niche and building strong relationships with customers. He also shares insights on leveraging AI and adapting to the evolving payments landscape, particularly within regulated industries like iGaming.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:43 - Sponsors02:03 - Welcoming Johan Strand03:04 - From startup to leading Nordic Payments Providers09:03 - Why size doesn’t matter and how focus beats scale11:23 - The importance of finding your own niche16:24 - The next wave: payments innovation and AI20:42 - Back-office automation and AI23:26 - How Zimpler is embracing AI internally28:14 - Could the payment landscape could be at risk?31:47 - Relationships matter more than product35:11 - Post-COVID relationships and real connection37:53 - Sales cycles, trust, and human moments42:01 - Final remarks: Where will Zimpler be in 3 years?🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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 #23 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak.In this episode, we discuss the evolving landscape of collectibles and mystery boxes, drawing parallels to gambling mechanics. They explore the regulatory challenges these new products face, the recent shifts in the venture capital landscape, and the current headwinds for North American operators in the gaming industry.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:43 - Sponsor Messages02:02 - Welcoming Lloyd & Benjie03:06 - Mystery Boxes: Gambling in Disguise?06:26 - Digital Buybacks and Market Liquidity08:44 - Slot Mechanics in Collectibles10:14 - Legal Risks & Regulatory Grey Zones13:38 - Market Volatility & Platform Liquidity15:11 - How Regulated Operators Might React18:14 - Physical vs. Digital Collectibles Landscape20:25 - Scaling Problems: Supply Chains & Pricing24:12 – Why Most Gaming Funding Isn’t Broad-Based26:19 – AngelList Trends & New LP Appetite28:42 – The Category Leader Obsession31:13 – Regulated Operator Headwinds in North America35:44 – Regulatory Moats vs. Challenger Agility38:45 – Long-Term Strategy: Fight or Join?40:31 – Can There Be a National RMG Framework?41:02 – Final Thoughts🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcasts 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/

In this episode of NEXT In-Depth, host Conor Mulheir explores the growing trend of reselling bets on secondary markets in the US. Guest speaker Travis Geiger, the co-founder and CXO of betting and fantasy sports marketplace WagerWire, explores the emergence of this novel vertical and the driving forces behind why US bettors choose to participate in it. From cultural attitudes towards sports betting to the kinds of bets which attract the most attention for resale, the pair explore the developing trend of bet reselling and how it’s shaping the US market today.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #240, Kasra Ghaharian & Simo DragicevicKasra Ghaharian, IGI Director of Research, and Simo Dragicevic , research at AiR Hub, discuss AI in the gaming industry, highlighting the need for trust and benchmarking. They introduce Air Hub, a research hub focused on AI ethics and governance in gaming. Key projects include a state of AI in gaming report, consumer protection measures, and developing benchmarks for AI algorithms, particularly in responsible gambling.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:42 - Sponsors message03:00 - Reflecting on Predictions from 5 Years Ago05:27 - Introducing AIR Hub: The AI Research Initiative08:42 - AIR Hub’s Flagship Projects13:40 - How regulators can use AI benchmarks16:45 - The full scope of AI in iGaming22:30 - The State of AI in the Industry Today26:30 - Generative AI and infinite content30:02 - The Infinite Slot Era: What Wins When Anything Can Be Built?34:00 - Explainable AI: The Next Essential Layer35:00 - Autonomy, Agents, and the Limits of AI in iGaming38:43 - The Risks of Poor Training Data and Output Guardrails40:48 - Will AI Replace Your Job?46:02 - The Future Vision for AIR Hub49:40 - Final remarks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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 #239, Denys Parkhomenko, CPO at GR8 TechMore features don’t always mean more value. In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Pierre Lindh sits down with Denys Parkhomenko, Chief Product Officer at GR8 Tech, to unpack why "less but better" is becoming the winning mindset for the next generation of iGaming platforms.With a legacy in B2C and deep experience scaling complex sportsbook products, Denys shares a clear-eyed view on what operators really need from their platforms and what they should avoid at all costs.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:21 - Sponsors message01:38 - Welcoming Denys Parkhomenko02:31 - GR8 Tech’s approach: less but better04:32 - Why sports betting platforms all look the same and how to stand out06:11 - How to stand out in the market09:03 - Balancing client requests with product strategy12:07 - GR8 Tech’s “extendable platform” mindset14:15 - What true scalability looks like in platform infrastructure16:14 - Casino CoPilot, internal automation, and writing code with AI18:01 - How new operators should evaluate platforms19:33 - Why reputation, results, and transparency matter most21:08 - Trust-building through onboarding & long-term collaboration23:52 - Conferences vs coffee lines: where real conversations happen27:25 - What’s next for GR8 Tech🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTCONNECT 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 #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/

Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore Group, dives into the online sports betting industry, drawing on his rich 30-year journey. He unveils four pivotal trends: the potential of Southeast Asia, the transformative power of AI, the importance of innovation over mere incrementalism, and the looming challenge of black market competition. Sam emphasizes the need for strategic advantages in a saturated market while discussing the struggles many new sportsbooks face. He champions the integration of media with betting, urging for proactive adaptation to stay ahead.

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.

🎙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/

🎙 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/