

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

Dec 8, 2023 • 1h 15min
Vested Interest#7: Startup Landscape: Boosting VC Confidence, Return Expectations, and Future of Tier-2 Operators
🎙️ 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.

6 snips
Dec 7, 2023 • 1h 4min
Valentina Bagniya: 2024 iGaming Trends
🎙 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!
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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.

Dec 7, 2023 • 32min
Weekly News: BetMGM sets out plans for 2024 as NeoGames faces legal battle
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.

Nov 30, 2023 • 39min
Weekly News: Kindred calls time on doomed US venture
- 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.

Nov 30, 2023 • 26min
Marina Ilina: PIN-UP deep-dive & Thriving as a leader
🎙 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!
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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.

Nov 28, 2023 • 44min
Kristian Nylén: Kambi Deep dive
🎙 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!
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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

Nov 23, 2023 • 36min
Weekly News: Catena Media fire sale continues
- Catena Media ends strategic review with €19.8m sale of Italian assets.
- Q3 2023: Catena Media sees investor exodus after 28% revenue drop.
- Catena Media defends risk appetite as AskGamblers “thrives” at GiG.
- Entain faces further investor scrutiny as US hedge funds enter the fray.
Hang out with Jake Evans & Nico Jansen with an expert panel of special guests on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3PM 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.

Nov 17, 2023 • 57min
Weekly News: DraftKings' epic turnaround, plus FanDuel, ESPN Bet and SiGMA
- LIVE from our studio with the three musketeers- Jake Evans, Pierre Lindh & Nico Jansen!
- DraftKings' epic turnaround
- FanDuel, ESPN Bet
-SIGMA
... and much more!
Hang out with Jake Evans, Pierre Lindh & Nico Jansen with an expert panel of special guests on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3PM 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

Nov 15, 2023 • 39min
Weekly News: Regulatory overreach and Q3 results round-up
- Bigwinboard battles UK Gambling Commission over affiliate legal rights
- Learnings from earnings: Margins squeezed as bookies lament Q3 sports results
Hang out with Jake Evans, Conor Mulheir & Nico Jansen with an expert panel of special guests on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3PM 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

Nov 14, 2023 • 1h 15min
Vested Interest #6: G2E Post Mortem, ESPN Bet logo controversy, Future of Sweepstakes & Eberg Capital DEEP DIVE
🎙️ Welcome to episode #06 of Vested Interest, the podcast where iGaming and sports betting enthusiasts find their edge, hosted by the insightful Pierre Lindh. This episode delivers a comprehensive dissection of the G2E event, ESPN Bet's logo controversy, the evolving landscape of Sweepstakes Casinos, and an exclusive deep dive into Eberg Capital with Roger Ehrenberg.
Embark on a knowledge-rich journey with Pierre, as he navigates through the vibrant and complex world of iGaming. This episode delves into the nuances of public relations and growth hacks of industry giants to the entrepreneurial qualities that forge success in the iGaming sphere.
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00-G2E Feedback
05:07-Different PR Techniques
20:13-Tinder Creation and Their Growth Hacks
24:44-The Definition of Sweepstakes Casinos
37:52-Attributes Needed for a Founder to Be Successful
50:17-Roger Ehrenberg’s Introduction
55:05-SlamBall and Alternatives
58:54-Challenges as a VC and How to Overcome Them
01:03:42-What Roger Looks for in a Founder
01:08:54-How Much of a Business's Success Comes Down to the Founder
01:11:11-Roger's Book Recommendations for Founders
Join Pierre and his guests: Lloyd Danzig, the astute Managing Partner; Benjie Cherniak, the Principal with a keen eye for innovation; and Roger Ehrenberg, the Managing Partner of IA Capital Partners, IA Sports Ventures, and Eberg Capital, as they explore the intricacies and the future trajectory of iGaming Industry.
💼 ABOUT Roger Ehrenberg:
Managing Partner, IA Capital Partners, IA Sports Ventures, and Eberg Capital
Founding is an investment firm focused on sports franchise and sports-related venture capital investments. Previously Founding Partner of IA Ventures, a top performing seed stage venture firm based in NYC. Also run the Eberg Family Office which has an array of investments across early and late-stage venture capital, real estate, hospitality and sports. Member of the ownership groups of Alpine F1 Racing, the Miami Marlins and Real Salt Lake. Deeply committed to the rejuvenation of Downtown Detroit through investments in affordable housing and related neighborhood projects.
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 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.