

NEXT.io Podcast
NEXT.io
The primary podcast of the iGaming industry. Hosted by Pierre Lindh, it brings you episodes that are packed with expert insights, dynamic discussions, and inspiring stories from industry leaders. Whether you're seeking leadership tips, energy management strategies, or insider knowledge, NEXT.io podcasts are your go-to resource for staying ahead in the industry.
Check out our YouTube channel for more content:
https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio
Dive into our website to explore more:
https://next.io/
Check out our YouTube channel for more content:
https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio
Dive into our website to explore more:
https://next.io/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 4, 2024 • 39min
📺 Weekly News: Endeavor plans to go private
In the latest episode of NEXT.io Weekly News, we spotlight a groundbreaking development in the iGaming industry: Endeavor's plan to go private in a massive $13 billion deal with Silver Lake.
We delve into the specifics of the deal, analyzing why Endeavor, a major player in the industry, has chosen to make this move and how Silver Lake's involvement plays a crucial role.
Additionally, we touch upon the broader trend of companies leaving public markets as highlighted in "Peel Hunt: London Stock Exchange Exodus."
🗞 Read the full story here:
- Silver Lake to take OpenBet owner Endeavor private in $13bn deal
Peel Hunt: London Stock Exchange exodus expected in coming years
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!

Apr 1, 2024 • 1h 1min
Vested Interest #10: NEXT NYC, Startups report, Measuring investment success & Simplebet deep dive like 1
In this episode we digest a successful NEXT: NYC, we discuss the Betting Startups report published by Jesse Learmonth where he surveyed 68 start-ups in the online betting space. Benjie & Lloyd also talk about how they measure the success of their investments. Finally, the panels grill Chris Bevilacqua, CEO & Founder of Simplebet to understand the present and the future of the company better

Apr 1, 2024 • 53min
Matt Duea: Roobet DEEP DIVE
🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #181 with Matt Duea, Co-founder of Roobet.
In this episode, we delve into Roobet's journey with its founder Matt Duea. We explore its origins, assess the impact of NFTs, and analyze the success behind crash games and ambassador partnerships. Matt addresses challenges, responds to critics, and shares insights from Twitch's ban and the creation of Kick.com.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction 00:46 - Sponsors 01:38 – Matt's Background 02:39 - The Birth of Roobet 05:30 - Navigating the NFT and Crypto Market 08:38 - Roobet's Strengths and Weaknesses 11:04 - The Rise of Crash Games 14:42 - Brand Ambassadors Partnerships 18:59 - Selecting the Perfect Ambassadors 25:36 - Overcoming Obstacles 28:45 - Addressing the Critics 34:29 - Learning from Feedback 37:25 - Twitch's Ban Impact: Navigating Unregulated Gambling Sites 42:23 – Matt's Thoughts about Kick.com Platform 45:34 - Roobet’s Future and Industry Trends 49:26 - The Importance of Community in Roobet's Journey
💼 About Matt Duea
Before joining Roobet, Matt's career track as an entrepreneur has been focused on leading digital marketing strategy, technology & growth teams for nearly two decades. He fell down the blockchain rabbit hole in 2016 and hasn't looked back.
🔔Subscribe for more insightful episodes!
🔗 Connect with Us:
Website: www.next.io
_____
This episode of the NEXT.io Podcast is hosted by Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder/MD at NEXT.io, and is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

Mar 26, 2024 • 29min
Tyler Bronson & Krysta Muscat: Why you fail at hiring people?
🎙 Welcome to the Podcast NEXT.io series, featuring our host Heidi Lofthus, Project Director of HR Connect, and special guest Tyler Bronson, Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Manager at Enteractive and Krysta Muscat, Senior Partner at Van Kaizen.
The core of the episode delves into the current state of hiring processes, emphasizing the significance of establishing strong relationships with hiring managers and the necessity of educating and training hiring leads. Discussions also cover the impact of candidate losses on organizations and conclude with Tyler’s strategic insights on recruitment and practical tips for optimizing interview processes.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:22 - Sponsors
01:13 - Krysta's and Tyler’s Backgrounds
03:31 - What Hiring Processes Look Like Today
08:57 - Developing Relationships with Hiring Managers
13:26 - The Importance of Educating and Training Hiring Leads
16:48 - Impact on Candidate Losses
20:47 - Tyler’s Recruitment Strategy
22:14 - Consequences of Poor Recruitment Processes
23:13 - Tips for a Successful Interview Process
💼 About Tyler Bronson Krysta Muscat
From the Music Industry to Talent Acquisition, Tyler brings his straight-forward talking and controversial opinions about Human Resources to the next level. With over 8 years of experience in Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding. Hiring people globally and locally. Tyler gives most of his opinions straight to the point. Take with a pinch of salt or with a hand full. Whichever you prefer.
💼 About Krysta Muscat
Krysta is a seasoned and quality-obsessed recruiter with a true love for anything that involves providing positive impact, both candidates and clients alike, backed up by a Psychology bachelor’s degree. She has well over 13 years of experience under her belt both in the house and consultancy side, mainly in the wonderful fast-paced world of iGaming.
Krysta boasts a portfolio of close to 100% client retention and satisfaction and has led multiple teams over the years, generating a respectable annual revenue, predominantly as a Recruitment Director for an international Recruitment Consultancy Krysta feels part of her success is due to her strong unwavering ethics, bold integrity, immediate resonance, and relationship building skills as well as thorough prospecting and motivational leadership qualities.
🔔 Subscribe for more insightful episodes!
🔗 Connect with Us:
Website: www.next.io
_____
This episode of the NEXT.io Podcast is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

Mar 21, 2024 • 38min
📺Weekly News: Evolution accuser could be unmasked in major US court case
This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, we explore a critical legal case involving Evolution, a key player in the iGaming industry, where a court decision might reveal an accuser's identity, potentially setting a privacy and legal precedent. We'll examine the reasons behind this potential unmasking and its implications for both the accuser and the company, considering the wider legal and ethical impacts.
Additionally, we will briefly review the acquisition of XL Media Assets by Gambling.com Group, highlighting strategic movements within the industry during these dynamic times.
🗞 Read the full story here:
https://next.io/news/evolution-accuser-could-be-unmasked/
https://next.io/news/evolution-law-firm-misuse-attorney-client-privilege/
https://next.io/news/gambling-com-group-acquires-xlmedia-assets/
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!

Mar 14, 2024 • 30min
📺 Weekly News: Is Entain up for sale?
On this week's episode of NEXT.io Weekly News, we delve into a buzzing topic in the iGaming industry: the possibility of Entain putting up its non-integrated brands for sale, a detailed examination of Entain's current position in the market and the reasons behind contemplating such a decision.
This development raises intriguing questions about the future direction of Entain and how it plans to streamline its operations for greater efficiency and market focus. We will explore the factors that might influence Entain's decision and what this could mean for competitors and investors in the space.
🗞 Read the full story here:
- Report suggests Entain considering sale of non-integrated brands
https://next.io/news/entain-consideri...
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!

5 snips
Mar 14, 2024 • 1h 10min
James King: Flows DEEP DIVE
🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #180 with James King, CEO of Flows
Join our enlightening chat with James, exploring his journey from founding his company to its current success. We revisit our first podcast, delve into Flows' vision, mission and products, and dive into discussing market competition. James, shares also some thoughts on a crucial moment in the company's history, and how strategic partnerships and the careful selection of shareholders have been pivotal in the company's growth.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome
01:13 - Reflecting on Our First Podcast Together
02:08 - James’ Journey Building Flows
05:32 - Exploring Flows: Vision & Products
09:06 - A Turning Point At Initial Funding
13:15 - The Light & Wonder Partnership Story
17:44 - Choosing Shareholders Wisely: Synergy & Strategy
25:50 - Key Advice for First-Time Capital Raising
32:35 - The Long-Term Vision of Flows
39:13 - Navigating Industry Competitors
40:26 - Self-Learning Flows Products
42:08 - Strategies for Scalable Growth
44:29 - Securing Sustained Funding
54:03 - Keeping Motivation and Drive High
59:37 - Overcoming Obstacles: Resilience in Business
01:02:20 - James’ 3-Year Vision for the Company
01:04:27 - What's Next for James? Future Endeavors Revealed
💼About James King:
Experience Over 10 years experience in the iGaming space. Track record Served as the director of sales at leading industry tech and media powerhouse Gaming Innovation Group. Group Sales Director at Clarion responsible for delivering all revenue across the portfolio following the successful sales of iGaming Business (in which he served as part of the mgt team) to Clarion in late 2015.
🔔Subscribe for more insightful episodes!
🔗 Connect with Us:
Website: www.next.io
_____
This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

Mar 7, 2024 • 34min
📺 Weekly News: Entain reports 2023 loss as 888 confirms US exit
In this episode of NEXT.io Weekly News, we focus on two significant developments in the iGaming industry: Entain's financial results for 2023 revealing a loss, and 888 Holdings confirming its strategic exit from the US market.
First, we dissect Entain's fiscal year 2023 performance. We'll explore the challenges and external factors that influenced Entain's financial outcomes, discussing what this means for the company's future strategies and its position in the global iGaming landscape.
Then, we turn our attention to 888 Holdings and their decision to exit the US B2C operations, as detailed in "888 Strategic Review: US B2C Operations." This segment will delve into the reasons behind 888's significant decision to withdraw from the US market, examining the strategic implications for the company and the potential impact on the US iGaming sector.
🗞 Read the full story here:
FY 2023: Entain reports loss and warns of £40m 2024 regulatory impact
https://next.io/news/fy-2023-entain/
888 to explore US exit amid $50m split from Sports Illustrated
https://next.io/news/888-strategic-review-us-b2c-operations/
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!

Mar 4, 2024 • 57min
Jesse Learmonth: Real Money Gaming Start-Up Report Analysis
🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #179 with Jesse Learmonth, Founder of Bettingstartups
This episode provides a blend of personal stories, expert analysis, and insights into the future of gaming start-ups, making it a compelling listen for professionals and enthusiasts alike. As we delve into the professional realm, Jesse presents a comprehensive analysis of the start-up landscape in North America, drawing from his extensive report on the subject.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:30 - Sponsors
01:26 - Jesse's First-Time Fatherhood
04:08 - Jesse's Start-up Report for North America
07:09 - Report Summary
10:27 - Investment Landscape Overview
13:58 - Survival Mode at All Costs
19:22 - Jesse's View on Start-ups Now
25:19 - Survey Insights: Conference Scene"
34:04 - Jesse’s Organic Network with Investors and Start-ups
44:00 - North American Industry Trends
47:58 - High Margin Products and Games
53:18 - Jesse's Alternative Career Path
💼 About Jesse Learmonth
Jesse Learmonth has worked at the top levels of the global betting industry since 2010 as founder, supplier, and operator. Currently he hosts The Betting Startups Podcast, operates the industry's largest job board, and advises several promising industry startups. Prior to this, he spent six years with Pinnacle.com as Director of Product Management and member of the executive leadership team. He also co-founded Bet Smart Media, which he led for five years as CEO until it was acquired by Pinnacle in 2015.
🔔Subscribe for more insightful episodes!
🔗 Connect with Us:
Website: www.next.io
_____
This episode of the NEXT.io Podcast is hosted by Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder/MD at NEXT.io, and is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

8 snips
Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 27min
Todd Haushalter: Evolution DEEP DIVE
🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #178 withTodd Haushalter, CPO at Evolution Gaming.
In this insightful episode, Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution Gaming, shares his expertise in online gaming innovation. We revisit Evolution's key strategies and achievements in 2023, including the development of RNG products and new gaming tools. Todd discusses the company's growth in the North American market and reflects on the competitive dynamics in the industry.
The conversation also explores Evolution's approach to game creation, highlighting the use of AI and the impact of new technologies. Todd addresses challenges and shares his vision for the future, offering a unique glimpse into the trends shaping the online gaming world.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:27 - Sponsors
01:20 - Recapping Previous Episodes and Welcoming Todd Back
02:54 - Evolution 2023: Year in Review
05:38 - Evolution's "One-Stop Shop" Concept and Tools
08:42 - RNG Products: 2023 Performance and Future Prospects
12:38 - Classic Titles and RNG Reliability
15:27 - Todd's Exciting Games and Tools for 2024
18:02 - Using AI in Game and Content Creation
29:39 - Todd's Strategies for Growing the North American Market
33:56 - Evolution vs. Competition
46:13 - Acquiring Livespins and Insights into the M&A Process
54:34 - Innovations in the Gaming Industry
01:00:24 - The Key to Successful Gaming
01:05:34 - B2B Marketing and Branding Strategies
01:12:22 - Todd on Building and Sustaining Success
01:16:07 - Strategies for Attracting New Players to New Games
01:18:10 - The Impact of Addressing Accusations Against Evolution
01:21:05 - Predicting Evolution's Future in Three Years
💼vAbout Todd Haushalter:
Todd Haushalter is Chief Product Officer at Evolution Gaming. Todd is responsible for all aspects of Evolution’s game innovation and new product development, including the creation of award-winning titles such as MONOPOLY Live and Lightning Roulette. Prior to this, he was Corporate Vice President of Gaming Operations at MGM and Vice President of Business Strategy at Shuffle Master. He has a wide and varied knowledge of the casino industry.
🔔 Subscribe for more insightful episodes!
🔗 Connect with Us:
Website: www.next.io
_____
This episode of the NEXT.io Podcast is hosted by Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder/MD at NEXT.io, and is brought to you by:
Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider.
Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.


