NEXT.io Podcast

🎙 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.

🎙️ Welcome to episode #07 of Vested Interest, the podcast where iGaming and sports betting enthusiasts find their edge, hosted by Pierre Lindh. In this episode, listeners are treated to an insightful exploration of the dynamic online gambling and betting start-up ecosystem, the current state of ICasino in New York City, and the future prospects of American tier-2 operators. Join Pierre as he delves into venture capital, investment strategies, and the entrepreneurial journey within the iGaming industry. This episode promises to offer a rich blend of expert analysis and practical advice for budding entrepreneurs and investors alike. 🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Online Gambling/betting Start-up Landscape Vibe Check 13:12 - ICasino in NYC: Current State 17:35 - Interesting Investments in the Last Period 23:40 - Future of American Tier-2 Operators 37:30 - Instilling Confidence in Investors When Raising Capital 48:00 - Fundraising and Approaching a VC 56:30 - VC Return Expectations Join Pierre and his guests: Lloyd Danzig, Managing Partner & Benjie Cherniak, Principal. Together, they navigate through the complexities and opportunities in the iGaming sector, offering a glimpse into the future trajectory of the industry. For essential iGaming knowledge, like, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Don't miss out on monthly episodes brimming with expert analyses, captivating stories, and the latest developments in iGaming. Dive deep into the vibrant core of the iGaming universe right here. 🎲🎰🎧 _____ 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 #163 with Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS 🌐 🚨 Tune into this captivating episode of the NEXT.io Podcast for an insightful discussion on "2024 iGaming Marketing Trends"! Join our esteemed host Pierre Lindh as he welcomes Valentina Bagniya. 🎧 In this episode, Valentina Bagniya unpacks her marketing strategies and offers an in-depth analysis of the SOFTSWISS Report. The conversation extends to a comparative of the Alcohol and Tobacco industries, providing unique insights into their marketing dynamics. Valentina and Pierre also delve into predictions for 2022-2024, discussing the industry's direction post-LATAM expansion and the future of marketing in a cookieless world. This episode is full of knowledge on emerging technologies, industry parallels, and key priorities for operators in 2024. 🔍 Find the SOFTSWISS trend link below: https://www.softswiss.com/igaming-trends-2024 ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction of Valentina Bagniya 01:56 - Valentina Discusses Her Marketing Strategies 08:42 - Pierre's Insights from the SOFTSWISS Report 18:22 - Valentina's Analysis of the SOFTSWISS Report 23:37 - Comparing the Alcohol and Tobacco Industries 31:40 - Valentina's Predictions for 2022-2023 39:38 - Industry's Next Steps after LATAM 41:08 - Valentina's Predictions for 2024 42:41 - The Future Without Cookies: Implications for Marketers 45:03 - Pierre's Predictions for 2024 and Emerging Trends 58:00 - Emerging Technologies in the Industry 01:00:42 - Drawing Parallels between the Gambling, Alcohol, and Tobacco Industries 01:02:08 - Top Three Priorities for Operators in 2024 💼 ABOUT Valentina Bagniya: Valentina boasts a career in marketing that spans multiple industries, from FMCG to iGaming, and many brands such as British American Tobacco, Nestle and Heineken. Her expertise in marketing strategy, market research, management, and trade marketing has been sharpened through years of experience leading the marketing departments of regional spirits and beer companies. Thanks to Valentina's team's hard work, SOFTSWISS has become the number one brand in the media over the past two years, receiving industry recognition and awards such as the International Gaming Award for Crypto Company of the Year 2022, SiGMA Europe Awards for Company of the Year 2022 and many more. The Global Gaming Awards London 2023 has shortlisted Valentina for the Executive of the Year category. 🔔 Don't miss this deep dive into the future of iGaming marketing. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe to NEXT.io for more insightful discussions with industry leaders! _____ 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.

This week, BetMGM set out its plans to reach $500m in annual EBITDA by 2026 following an “investment year” in 2024, while NeoGames faces a legal battle over the previous M&A activity of Aspire Global. Join NEXT.io editor Conor Mulheir and senior reporter Zak Thomas-Akoo as they take a deep dive into the week’s biggest stories. Link to the articles: - BetMGM aims for $500m EBITDA after 2024 “investment year”. - NeoGames locked in legal battle over Aspire Global M&A disputes. - Entain legally bound to exit unregulated markets as part of DPA.

- Kindred Group to quit US market and slash headcount by 300. - Q3 2023: Kindred Group dented by 13% dip in sports betting revenue ...and much more! Hang out with Jake Evans & Nico Jansen 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.

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #161 with Marina Ilina, CEO of PIN-UP Global & Founder of PIN-UP Foundation 🌐 🚨 Dive into the fascinating world of iGaming in this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast! Join our host Pierre Lindh as he engages in a deep-dive conversation with Marina Ilina. 🎧 Marina Ilina sheds light on the strategies fueling PIN-UP's ascent, delving into effective leadership tactics and the organization's response to contemporary challenges. This episode explores the impact of the team's core values on business outcomes and examines how the internal dynamics within the ecosystem have revolutionized PIN-UP's workplace. It also delves into the lofty ambitions of the PIN-UP Foundation and its vision for the future.🔍 ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction of Marina Ilina 00:49 - The Secret Behind PIN-UP's Success 02:30 - Key Traits of Effective Leadership 09:26 - Recent Challenges Faced by PIP-UP 12:30 - Embracing Diversity in the Workplace 14:00 - The Establishment and Objectives of the PIN-UP Foundation 18:42 - Overview of the Current Start-Up Landscape 20:20 - PIN-UP's Anti-Fraud System 23:40 - Marina's Forecasts for the iGaming Industry in the Next 3 Years 💼 ABOUT Marina Ilina: Marina Ilina worked as a product/operations manager in an IT company and as a consultant for technology companies since 2014. Following that, she founded her own product, which grew into an international business ecosystem, in 2016. Today, it is the PIN-UP Global, where Marina Ilina serves as the CEO. Is a full-cycle ecosystem with in-house products and services for the gaming industry: software development, customer service, management, marketing, legal and financial support, and much more. Today PIN-UP Global is represented in six countries (Cyprus, Ukraine, Poland, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Peru), has more than 2200 employees, and operates in eight different areas – PIN-UP.TECH, PIN-UP.BUSINESS, PIN-UP.CRM, PIN-UP.TRAFFIC, PIN-UP.PLAY, PIN-UP.CARE, PIN-UP.TEAM, PIN-UP.INVESTMENTS. In 2022, Marina Ilina founded the charitable foundation PIN-UP Foundation. 🔔 Join us for this insightful journey into the dynamics of iGaming leadership and innovation. Don't forget to hit the like button, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe to NEXT.io for more exclusive content with industry leaders! _____ 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 #162 with Pierre Lindh and Kristian Nylén, Co-founder & CEO 🌐 🚨 Tune in to an insightful episode of the NEXT.io Podcast! Join our host Pierre Lindh as he engages in an in-depth conversation with Kristian Nylén. They delve into the inner workings of Kambi, exploring its rise, challenges, and strategic moves in the dynamic world of sports betting. 🎧 Kristian Nylén offers an exclusive peek into his journey, shedding light on Kambi's strategic successes and hurdles in the US market. The episode dives into the reasons behind Kambi's acquisitions, its potential as an acquisition target, and the company's aspirations in emerging technologies like AI and micro betting. 🔍 ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction of Kristian Nylén 01:05 - Kristian's Background 02:33 - Kambi's Success in the US 05:20 - Kambi's Challenges in the US 10:47 - Kambi as an Acquisition Target 15:57 - Rationale Behind Kambi’s Acquisitions 19:14 - Expectations in Esports 21:17 - AI Opportunities in Sports Betting 27:12 - AI Tool Predictions for Kambi 30:53 - MicroBetting and Current Betting Experience 35:18 - Future Revenue Goals and New Markets for Kambi 40:12 - Emerging Technologies 41:55 - Personal Motivation Behind Work 💼 ABOUT Kristian Nylén:Kristian first entered the industry as a sports trader with Unibet in 2000 and within three years had assumed responsibility for Unibet’s entire Sportsbook operation. Kristian became CEO of Kambi upon its formation in 2010, leading the company to become the world’s leading sports betting partner. 🔔 Dive deep into the world of sports betting with this episode! Hit the like button, share your thoughts, and remember to subscribe to NEXT.io for unparalleled insights and direct encounters with the luminaries of the industry! _____ 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