NEXT.io Podcast

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #245 with Brian Christopher Slots, Casino Gaming Content Creator and Founder & CEO at VC Venture. Brian Christopher, a prominent gambling streamer, discusses his journey from uploading casual casino videos to building a multifaceted brand with a strong community focus. He emphasizes authenticity, transparency, and responsible gambling as key elements of his success and future plans.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:27 - Sponsors01:47 - Welcoming Brian Christopher03:32 - Turning viral YouTube videos into a career05:58 - What BC Slots is today: media, cruises, team07:16 - Big milestones: MGM, Carnival, SportsGrid09:31 - Building a strong and loyal fan community14:40 - Best win ever and the power of authentic play17:19 - Group pulls & playing with fans18:28 - Thoughts on RTP, volatility & Vegas trends20:41 - Favorite slots and game features22:29 - Content creation tips for new streamers: thumbnails and branding25:41 - Changing viewer habits & competition28:47 - Why Brian turned down crypto casino deals32:19 - Real numbers: how much Brian wins & loses34:41 - What’s next: TV shows, SportsGrid & future goals35:59 - Brian’s Maltese roots and future travel plans37:04 - Wrap-up and final thanks🔔 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 #244 with Jesper Kärrbrink, CEO, Immense Group and Pontus Lindwall, CEO, Betsson LIVE at NEXT Summit Valletta 2025.In 2022, they shared the stage for the first time at iGaming NEXT Valletta. Now, we’re bringing them back for round two. This power-packed session reunites these industry stalwarts for a straight-talking, no-nonsense discussion on the biggest forces shaping iGaming today.From M&A shake-ups and industry consolidation to shifting regulations, they’ll break down what’s happening, what’s next, and most importantly what it means for operators, suppliers, and investors. ⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro: Big picture thinking and leadership00:43 - Sponsors02:10 - Welcoming Jesper Kärrbrink and Pontus Lindwall03:19 - Icebreakers: DJs, spandex, and roulette pit bosses08:26 - The rivalry between Betsson and Svenska Spel in the 2000s10:58 - How Betsson disrupted the monopoly system13:46 - Guerilla tactics, market pressure, and industry transformation15:06 - The founding of Betsson and NetEnt18:42 - The Betsson Ibiza trip: when culture clashes with leadership23:01 - Personal style and individuality in the iGaming industry26:46 - Leadership philosophies from two industry veterans30:33 - Why work-life balance makes better leaders33:44 - Most overrated companies in iGaming today36:40 - Are European regulations hurting the industry?39:47 - Mutual respect and reflection on decades of impact🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: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 a vibrant conversation, World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen shares insights into what it takes to excel among 600 million players. He reflects on the balance of talent and rigorous training that forged his path to mastery. Carlsen opens up about his early obsession with chess, beginning with games against his sister. He discusses the curious intersection of his interests in poker and chess, and the ongoing quest to stay motivated. Finally, he looks back at his journey, weighing the sacrifices made against his remarkable achievements.

Mathias Larsson, Commercial Director at Awager, discusses the cutting-edge live-streamed slot machines that could revolutionize online casinos. He explains why players favor these immersive experiences over traditional games. The conversation also highlights the significant challenges in innovating within the iGaming industry, including logistics and regulatory hurdles. Larsson shares insights on market expansion strategies and the intricate dynamics of player psychology in live casino environments.

🎙 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/