NEXT.io Podcast

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #171 with Tim Heath, CEO and Founder at Yolo Group. Join us in an enlightening conversation with Tim Heath, General Partner of Yolo Investments and a visionary in the iGaming and emerging technology sectors. With a rich background as the founder and former CEO of Yolo Group, operating leading crypto-gaming brands like Bitcasino.io and Sportsbet.io, Tim is a forerunner in the industry.  🚀In this episode, we delve into the transformative impact of cryptocurrency and blockchain on iGaming, Yolo Group’s investment strategies, some guidance for entrepreneurs, organizations and start-ups and last but not least, some insights about Tim Heath’s Industry leadership.  ⏰Timestamps  00 - Introduction 00:56 - Welcoming Tim Heath: The Alpha of the IGaming Industry  4:14 - Overview of Yolo Group’s First Fund 12:21 - Key Trends in the iGaming Industry by Tim Heath 14:59 -Crypto Ecosystem's Impact on iGaming Product Development 19:15 - Removing friction and coming to simplicity when it comes to money movement / Streamlining Money Movement in iGaming 21:00 - Generative AI within the iGaming ecosystem 27:25 - Prospects of Legalizing Gambling in the Middle East 32:12 - Insights into Yolo Group's Second Fund Launch 36:36 - Criteria for Yolo Group's Investment Selection 41:57 - Process for Attracting External Investment  47:46 - Benefit of the Networking Dinners  49:49 - Tim Heath's Approach to Identifying Investment Opportunities  52:23 - Tips for Entrepreneurs Seeking Yolo Group's Investment 58:55 - Essential Attributes for Successful Startup Founders  1:04:34 - Tim Heath: Motivations and Aspirations 1:13:43 - Future Vision for Yolo Group  💼About Tim Heath Tim specialises in transforming ideas into successful business. Since founding Yolo Investments, the venture capital firm has rapidly grown. It now holds assets in more than 80 businesses, with an AUM in excess of €620 million. A strong believer in the power of crypto to improve the lives of people around the world, he is now increasingly focused on the fintech and blockchain spaces, and where emerging technology can disrupt the traditional banking industry. 🔔Subscribe for more insightful episodes! 🔗 Connect with Us: Website: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... LinkedIn:  / posts   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextdotio/?... Youtube:   / @nextdotio   _____ 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.

🎙️ Welcome to episode #08 of Vested Interest, hosted by Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig & Benjie Cherniak and special guest Charles Gillespie.  🚀 In this episode, the speakers explore startups and investment strategies for 2024, including exit planning and long-term vision. They discuss venture capital decisions, leverage pitch sessions for investor insights, and analyze common startup failures. The episode highlights 2024's investment opportunities, and current U.S. market trends, and profiles Charles Gillespie's journey with Gambling.com.  ⏰ Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction   01:02 - New Year Greetings  01:51 - Exit Strategies Plan for Startups  04:38 - The Importance of Long-Term Vision in Early Stages  11:54 - Founders’ Decisions on Venture Capital 13:09 - Leveraging Pitch Sessions to Prospect Investors  17:25 - Common Causes of Startup Failures  22:20 - Discipline in Business: Avoiding Premature Expansion Book reference: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap and Others Don't - James Collins 28:06 - Lloyd's Expectations for Startup Updates 29:48 - Investment opportunities in 2024  36:07 - Current Focus of US Market Operators 39:39 - Emerging Startups: Promising Opportunities 42:32 - Introducing Charles Gillespie: Background Overview 46:29 - Establishing Gamgling.com in China  48:48 - Transitioning the Business to Europe 52:47 - Leadership Evolution: A Personal Journey 55:42 - The story behind the Galmbing.com domain  58:43 - Guidance for Selecting the Right Domains 01:01:15 - Acquisitions: Identifying Suitable Company Fits 01:04:49 - The Future of SEO and Affiliate Marketing within Generative AI 💼 ABOUT Charles Gillespie Charles Gillespie is the Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Director at Gambling.com, a position he has held since the Company’s inception in 2006. Through his tenure, Mr. Gillespie has overseen the Company’s operations across multiple jurisdictions including Europe and the United States. Under his leadership, the Company has prioritized technological investments and has completed four acquisitions to expand the breadth of the Company’s portfolio. He has built a reputation as a recognized leader and was named Sports Betting Community Leader of the Year in 2019. Mr. Gillespie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Entrepreneurship from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. _____ 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.

Morgan Stanley forecasts rapid growth for US online gaming sector. Hang out with Jake Evans, Nico Jansen and Conor Mulheir 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. This is your chance to join the conversation, share your thoughts, and connect with a community of iGaming enthusiasts. Tune in to the NEXT.io Weekly News Roundup for a real-time, unfiltered take on the industry's hottest developments. Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #169 with Phil Pearson,CEO and Co-Founder at White Label Casinos.  🚀Explore the dynamic world of iGaming in our latest episode, where we delve into the high-stakes legal battles of Swedish companies, review Evolution's adventurous leap into slot games, and celebrate the groundbreaking Phil Pearson Awards. We also weigh the value of in-person versus online networking in the industry and share insights on the future of legacy operators. Concluding with a special segment on the MSPCA Charity Drive made by Phil Pearson, this video is a treasure trove of information for enthusiasts and professionals keen on the latest trends and shifts in iGaming. ⏰ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:57 - Betsson and Swedish iGaming: The Court Battle Unfolds 6:00 - Navigating Legalities in Gambling Cases 11:53 - Legacy Operators: The Changing Impact 14:28 - The Phil Pearson Awards 17:07 - Game-Changing Innovations in iGaming 34:25 - Networking Value at ICE  40:12 - In-Person vs. Online Meetings 42:44 - Spotlight Story: Denise Coates from BET365 45:06 - Unveiling the Best Christmas Hampers 51:54 - 2023's Missed Marks 59:22 - Evolution's Growth Predictions 1:04:37 - A Fresh Start for Evolution: Necessity or Choice? 1:07:58 - "Evolution’s Slot Games: Triumph or Trial?" 1:09:53 - Play'n GO and Haas Formula 1 Partnership 1:13:48 - Taylor Swift and the iGaming Boys Band 1:20:26 - Kick vs Twitch Predictions 1:23:46 - Online Poker Players Controversies 1:34:32 - Psychedelics in Gambling Addiction Treatment 1:38:20 - Deutsche Regulatory Landscape 1:46:55 - General Predictions for 2024 2:07:27 - The Charity Drive for MSPCA 💼 ABOUT Phil Pearson Phil is the CEO and co-founder of White Label Casinos, the world's only independent casino White Label Company. WLC offers clients the freedom of choice in casino back office, games, and payments, and can handle as much or as little of the day-to-day casino management as the client requires. Not one to shy away from controversy, Phil is outspoken on LinkedIn and other platforms, pushing for a fairer and more transparent iGaming community. Outside of work, Phil enjoys NFL, visiting as many random and remote holiday destinations as possible, and now has 39 rubber ducks in a pool for some tranquillity. 🔔Subscribe for more insightful episodes! 🔗 Connect with Us: Website: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nextdotio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14068596/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextdotio/?hl=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333?l=en-GB Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=2dac04ba77a34bb0

🎙 Podcast with Michael Pedersen and Jon Bowden, CMO at PlayStar. How does an online casino with no brick-and-mortar presence and no sports betting product succeed when going up against the US giants in a sports-dominated market? Apart from courage, CMO Jon Bowden takes us through the marketing strategy and product philosophy they have deployed when dealing with Uncle Sam. 00:00 - Introduction 00:50 - Jon’s Background at PlayStar 3:10 - US Market vs. European Market 8:00 - The US Online Casino Market 11:53 - Reeducating New Casino Players 15:00 - Building Trust in Online Casinos 18:35 - Possibilities for Smaller Casinos Entering the US market  22:35 - Funnel Marketing Strategies 26:12 - Reverse Funnel Marketing Technique 28:18 - Jon's Approach to Budget Management 32:27 - Traffic Leads from Mobile Apps 34:06 - Product Philosophy at PlayStar 37:20 - Strong Loyalty and VIP Systems in the US 40:19 - The Importance of Personalization 43:03 - New Tools for Better Personalization 46:10 - Organization and Related Teams 51:16 - Predictions for the Future of the US Online Casino Market 💼 About Jon Bowden: Jon Bowden is CMO at PlayStar. Jon has amassed over a decade’s worth of experience managing and developing iGaming brands. He has a proven track record of launching and reinventing brands in the sector and overseeing aggressive market share and revenue growth. Before joining PlayStar, Jon was with Entain where he was responsible for the Gala and Foxy suite of brands, delivering record revenues, leading to the brands becoming some of the fastest-growing in the sector. _____ This episode of the NEXT.io Podcast is hosted by Michael Pedersen, CCO at Livespins and is brought to you by: Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #168 with Megan Easey, Director of Operations at Wizard Games.  🚀 In this insightful episode, you’ll uncover Megan's inspirational books, her effective performance management strategies, the harmony between personal authenticity and professional roles in the iGaming industry, and delve into the ups and downs of remote work and AI." Join Pierre Lindh as he engages in a captivating conversation with Megan Easey, Director of Operations at Wizard Games.  ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Influential Books: "Little Prince" & "Seagull" 05:07 - Megan’s Industry Background 08:54 - Inspired by Nelson Mandela 11:09 - Megan’s Leadership Philosophy 13:50 - Leadership Feedback Methods 19:05 - Balancing Feedback Types 21:15 - Successful Leadership Traits 26:00 - Friendships vs. Professional Bonds 30:03 - Personal vs. Professional Persona 37:13 - Authenticity in Leadership 41:40 - Performance Management Insights 44:10 - Importance of Strong KPIs 49:10 - Measuring Team Success 57:02 - Dealing with Toxic Leadership 1:02:31 - Megan's Inspirational Leaders 1:04:59 - Remote Work Pros & Cons 💼 About the Guest: Megan Easey, with her extensive background in performance management, brings a unique perspective on leadership, team dynamics, and operational excellence. Her experiences growing up during the Nelson Mandela era have influenced her professional ethos and leadership style. 🔔 Subscribe for more insightful episodes! 🔗 Connect with Us: Website: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nextdotio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14068596/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextdotio/?hl=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio _____ 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 Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #167: With Sami Kurvinen co-Founder at Casinowizard 🚨 Dive into an insightful exploration in our latest episode! Join host Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder/MD at NEXT.io, as he engages in a thought discussion with Sami Kurvinen, co-founder of Casinowizard. They'll dissect the current state of affiliate relationships with tier-1 operators in the iGaming industry. 🎧 ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Background of Sami in iGaming 06:00 - The Reason Behind Sami's Article 09:00 - Affiliate Perspective 12:00 - Operators' Perspective 16:00 - Is it a Short-Term Situation? 20:00 - Challenges in Working with Operators 23:00 - Rise of the Black Market 26:00 - Evolution of Affiliation Challenges Over the Past 10 Years 30:00 - Future Trends of the Black Market 33:00 - Strategies for Affiliates to Navigate the Current Landscape 💼 ABOUT Sami Kurvinen: Sami Kurvinen is an iGaming expert with 15+ years of experience in the online gambling industry across various roles with a specific specialisation in affiliation. This episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, hosted by Pierre Lindh, promises to offer in-depth analysis and forecasts on the shifting trends in affiliate-operator relationships, providing listeners with valuable insights into the future of iGaming. _____ This episode of the iGaming NEXT Podcast is hosted by Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder/MD at iGaming NEXT and is brought to you by: Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #166 with Magnus Olsson, CCO at Play’n GO. 🚨 Embark on a captivating journey through our newest episode! Join your host, Pierre Lindh, as he delves into a compelling conversation with Magnus Olsson, where they unravel the intricacies, explore challenges, and forecast the future of Playn’ GO amidst the ever-evolving iGaming landscape. 🎧 ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Haas F1 Partnership 03:35 - Formula 1 as B2B Sponsorship 09:20 - Sitting Out on ICE 12:46 - Play N Go As Acquisition Target 16:30 - Key Role of US Market Entry 20:15 - Pros and Cons of Going Public Trading 21:16 - US vs. European Market Differences 28:35 - Magnus's thoughts on competing companies 32:06 - The Role of Core Games in Company Strategy 37:51 - Potential to Live Casino Expansion 40:14 - Growth through M&A 44:12 - Play N Go Music 48:48 - Company Growth Over the Years 58:18 - Refraining from using bonuses 1:06:37 - Magnus’s Favorite Game Studio 1:09:46 - Outlook for Play N Go’s future 💼 ABOUT Magnus Olsson: Play’n GO is one of the largest game producers in the world, leading the industry in providing premium entertainment to regulated casino operators in more than 20 jurisdictions. As the Chief Commercial Officer, Magnus is responsible for carrying the Play’n GO portfolio of games and software to the market. Heading up a growing team including Sales, Account Managers, Support and Integration, his department addresses operators around the world to provide the company’s award-winning products and the best customer experience in the industry. Before joining Play’n GO, Magnus held various Director positions at Juniper Networks and Hewlett Packard and has over 20 years’ of experience in developing, leading and managing international sales teams. Since joining the company, Magnus has grown the commercial team significantly, established a strong position in the Latin American market and helped to establish the company as a de facto leader in Europe, with a special focus on all global regulated markets. _____ 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.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #165 with Igor Samardziski, CEO of TrueLAB Games Studios, Investor & Tech Enthusiast. 🚀 Explore diverse dimensions with our latest episode! We'll navigate through diverse realms, from understanding the intricacies of life on the Spectrum to uncovering the potential of psychedelics as a potential solution for Gambling addictions. Shift gears as we delve into the corporate landscape, shedding light on how companies are implementing AI and exploring how operators are shifting towards emerging trends. Brace yourself for an intriguing chapter on resilience and strategy, as we delve into the challenges of entering the US market despite the lobby challenges. 00:00 Intro 00:56 - Life on the Spectrum 15:36 - How the Spectrum Can Affect Your Professional Career? 20:13 - Leveraging the Spectrum: Success Stories of Tech Start-Ups 30:58 - Clinical Evaluation of Psychedelics 37:57 - Psychedelics as a Potential Approach for Gambling Addictions 42:26 - Controlled micro-dosing 44:58 -Exploring the EGO and Super EGO Concepts 50:17 - Ayahuasca and Revelations of Truth with Yourself 1:06:12 - Social Structures and Alternate Scenarios 1:10:04 - The Concept of Happiness and Purpose in Modern Society 1:14:19 - Igor’s thoughts on AI's future perspective 1:20:00 - Utopian Realities According to Gambling Analogies 1:22:25 - Outcome from Creating AGI 1:25:11 - Deep Dive into Open AI and Sam Altman 1:28:35 - Controversial Events at Open AI Board Management 1:39:20 - New Products Coming Up Next Year in Open AI 1:44:56 - Companies Implementing AI 1:53:53 - The Game’s Costs of Production After AI 1:56:31 - AI's Game Revolution: Projecting Massive Creations 1:59:29 - Operators' Shift Towards Emerging Trends 2:08:42 - Regulators in Europe vs. Regulators in the US market 2:11:05 - Entering the US Market Despite Lobby Challenges 2:17:58 - What markets the industry is leading to? 2:29:15 - Global Markets, and Societal Evolution 💼 ABOUT IGOR SAMARDZISKI: A highly proficient individual, specializing in gaming systems, start-up, operation and efficiency of Online Gaming and E-commerce business models, by expanding product verticals in new and existing businesses. Very entrepreneurial in spirit. Highly knowledgeable in every area catering to an online gaming operation such as Fraud, AMLO, Bonus Abuse and Advantage Play from both an in-depth function perspective as well as management of resources and KPIs with a focus on Customer Service and operations resource management. Founder of Big Data BI analytic software (and logic models) with a key focus on CRM, Churn Management and Customer Reactivation, Macro/Micro-Segmentation models and in-depth player management. Executive consultant to the development of Social Casino Games based on volatility and hit rate metrics. Developed BringIt - an Affiliate Program with a focus on the recruitment and maintenance of key Affiliate partners. The affiliate marketing programs employed by our casino, sports, binary and bingo operations yield an average nROI success rate of 1.7 + per quarter. _____ 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.

2023 predictions revisted as Jette exits Entain! - Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen steps down amid investor pressure. - Activist fund Corvex circles Entain with company at “critical juncture”. ...and much more! Hang out with Jake Evans, Nico Jansen and Conor Mulheir with an expert panel of special guests 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. This is your chance to join the conversation, share your thoughts, and connect with a community of iGaming enthusiasts. Tune in to the NEXT.io Weekly News Roundup for a real-time, unfiltered take on the industry's hottest developments. Be cool, be curious, be in the know.