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/

  1. Kevin Mullally: The UAE opportunity

    HACE 4 H

    Kevin Mullally: The UAE opportunity

    🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #263 with Kevin Mullally, CEO, International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) In this episode, Pierre sits down with Kevin to break down the current state of the UAE's iGaming market, the global battle against the black market, the fracture inside the American Gaming Association, and why prediction markets may be gambling's next regulatory crisis. Kevin Mullally built one of the most closely watched new gaming regulators in the world from scratch, in under six months. As the former CEO of the UAE's General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) and now CEO of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), Kevin brings a rare perspective on what modern regulation should look like and what the global industry is getting dangerously wrong. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - Sponsor messages 02:01 - Introduction: Kevin Mullally & UAE market overview 02:59 - Building the UAE regulator from scratch 05:31 - Rethinking regulation: compliance vs enforcement 08:46 - Policy goals: why the UAE regulates gaming 10:13 - UAE strategy: ecosystem over revenue 13:43 - Land-based market structure (Emirates approach) 16:47 - Licensing progress: Wynn, lottery & early milestones 18:32 - Online market structure & licensing model 22:25 - B2B opportunity: “technology should lead” 25:02 - Case study: Yolo & entering the UAE market 30:14 - Relationship-first approach to market entry 33:29 - IAGR: global regulation & role of collaboration 37:06 - The black market problem (global perspective) 39:14 - Regulation vs illegal markets: growing tension 44:43 - What works in fighting the black market 46:04 - Need for global collaboration 48:25 - Prediction markets vs regulation 50:01 - State rights, consumer protection & policy conflict 53:03 - Future of regulation: need for global dialogue 56:00 - Closing thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST YouTube: 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/ Sponsored by: Hard Rock Games: https://www.hardrockgames.com/

    57 min
  2. Savvas Fellas: How MrQ confronts UK’s new 40% tax regime

    26 MAR

    Savvas Fellas: How MrQ confronts UK’s new 40% tax regime

    🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #262 with Savvas Fellas CEO and Founder of MrQ. UK Tax Shock, Black Market Risk & The Future of Operators In this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, Savvas Fellas, CEO of MrQ, breaks down the real impact of the UK’s upcoming gambling tax changes and what they mean for operators, players, and the wider industry. With tax increases expected to reach up to 40% of revenue, this conversation explores how operators are adapting, where margins are being squeezed, and why the next 12 months could reshape the UK market. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:26 - Sponsors message 01:48 - Welcoming Savvas Fellas 03:48 - Building MrQ & company philosophy 07:40 - Impact of the 40% tax increase 12:17 - Crisis vs opportunity: how companies respond 16:20 - Cost cuts across the industry (RTP, suppliers, structure) 19:18 - Acquisition, affiliates & marketing challenges 22:00 - Black market risk and player behaviour 25:16 - Trust vs value: why players choose operators 30:09 - Market consolidation & economies of scale 33:59 - Survive vs thrive: strategy for MrQ 36:31 - Focus vs expansion: staying in the UK 39:05 - Regulation, UKGC & industry responsibility 44:43 - The future of the UK market 48:44 - Consolidation: fewer, larger operators 51:50 - How to build a strong gaming brand 53:49 - Final thoughts: winners vs losers 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST YouTube: 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/

    55 min
  3. Jesse Learmonth: The state of iGaming startups in 2026

    19 MAR

    Jesse Learmonth: The state of iGaming startups in 2026

    🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #261 with Jesse Learmonth from The Betting Startups. In this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, Jesse Learmonth joins us to discuss the current state of the iGaming startup ecosystem, what investors are actually looking for today, and why building new companies in gaming has become significantly harder. As the founder of Betting Startups, Jesse works closely with early-stage companies and investors across the industry. In this conversation, we explore how the funding environment has changed, why distribution and partnerships are critical for growth, and what skills founders need to succeed when launching new gaming businesses. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Jesse Learmonth returns to the NEXT.io Podcast 01:15 - The role of Betting Startups in the ecosystem 03:10 - The current state of iGaming startups 07:45 - Why building startups is harder today 11:10 - Funding environment & investor expectations 14:00 - What makes a startup investable 18:00 - Innovation in iGaming 22:30 - Where startups can still win 27:00 - Scaling challenges for gaming startups 31:00 - Partnerships, distribution & market access 35:30 - The biggest mistakes founders make 40:00 - Why distribution is everything 44:30 - The role of networks & industry relationships 48:30 - Advice for founders entering iGaming 52:30 - The future of gaming startups 55:30 - Closing thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G826Guf8uHM&list=PLo43Fota-gt1sMzujpavaGmRbTiRXETKE Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website: https://next.io/ This episode of NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technologyhttps://pragmatic.solutions/ Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content providerhttps://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

    58 min
  4. Why congresswoman Dina Titus plans to put an end to Sports Prediction Markets

    5 MAR

    Why congresswoman Dina Titus plans to put an end to Sports Prediction Markets

    🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #260 with Congresswoman Dina Titus | US Gaming Policy, Prediction Markets & The Fair Bets Act In this episode, Congresswoman Dina Titus — Representative for Nevada’s 1st District (home to Las Vegas) — discusses the growing regulatory battle around prediction markets and sports event contracts in the United States. As co-chair of the Congressional Gaming Caucus, Titus recently introduced the Fair Markets and Sports Integrity Act, a bill designed to prevent prediction market operators from offering sports-based contracts outside established state gaming frameworks. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:26 – Sponsors message 01:45 – Welcoming Congresswoman Dina Titus 02:37 – Titus’ background and representing Las Vegas 03:49 – The Fair Markets and Sports Integrity Act 05:29 – Prediction markets vs regulated sportsbooks 06:42 – Why the CFTC shouldn’t regulate sports contracts 08:26 – The political fight over prediction markets 09:53 – Real risks for players and the industry 11:12 – Could prediction markets expand across gaming? 13:09 – Industry divisions and the role of the AGA 16:07 – Innovation vs regulation debate 18:03 – The Fair Bets Act and the 90% tax deduction issue 20:31 – What happens next in Congress 22:16 – Engagement with prediction market operators 23:01 – Closing thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST YouTube: 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/

    23 min
  5. Wojciech Stellmach on Prediction Markets, Sweeps & Paid Media: What Actually Works

    19 FEB

    Wojciech Stellmach on Prediction Markets, Sweeps & Paid Media: What Actually Works

    🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #259 with Wojciech Stellmach, CEO of BugsyEmpire. In this episode, Wojciech Stellmach CEO of BugsyEmpiere, explains what’s actually working right now across emerging verticals: from sweepstakes (sweeps 2.0) to prediction markets and why “easy money” is a myth. We unpack the shift from talking about grey markets to “grey products”, why payments + marketing access can create real advantage, and what operators must get right in marketing tech, tracking, and foundations before spending big. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:31 - Sponsors message 01:50 - Welcome Wojciech 04:15 - Why BugsyEmpire moved into sweepstakes and emerging verticals 06:55 - The real USP: platform relationships + deep product/tech checks 09:23 - “Grey products” vs grey markets 10:53 - Sweepstakes hype vs reality 11:17 - What “grey products” means 14:43 - Other emerging verticals: prediction markets, DFS, pari-mutuel + more 20:41 - Ad rules tightening (Google/TikTok) 23:28 - Why emerging verticals can beat black market brands 28:53 - Why most operators fail at paid media 39:13 - Paid media breakdown: social vs search vs brand/programmatic 01:06:10 - Winning operators checklist: focus, tech, payments, lean teams 01:07:49 - NEXT New York + Emerging Verticals Summit (9 March) 🔔 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 technologyhttps://pragmatic.solutions/ Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content providerhttps://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/

    1 h 12 min
  6. Sargis Poghosyan: The Journey of CreedRoomz, Game development and Expansion

    29/12/2025

    Sargis Poghosyan: The Journey of CreedRoomz, Game development and Expansion

    🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #257 with Sargis Poghosyan, CPO at CreedRoomz In this episode, Sargis Poghosyan, CPO at CreedRoomz, joins Pierre Lindh to unpack how one of the industry’s most ambitious live studios is pushing innovation through show games, in-house R&D, and flagship productions like Road to El Dorado. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Meet Sargis Poghosyan from CreedRoomz 00:22 - Sponsors 01:41 - Global studio expansion: Armenia to Brazil 03:58 - Why CreedRoomz is betting big on show games 05:14 - Road to El Dorado: The flagship title 08:24 - Boom Blast: Volatility, risk & strategy 12:00 - Marble Race: Physical tracks meet gamification 14:14 - 100+ people for one game? Behind the scenes 17:05 - Dice Fight: RNG, multipliers & hardware 20:00 - Bonus feature: Pyramid pick game 21:44 - What’s next: Lucky Colours, Rock Paper Scissors 24:13 - Crash mechanics in live casino: AVA & crypto 26:21 - The Choice: Turning childhood games into iGaming 27:44 - Why instant games are exploding in popularity 28:43 - New twists on blackjack and classics 31:51 - Future plans: Studios, mechanics & markets 33:23 - Blending live casino with sportsbook and slots 35:06 - CreedRoomz’s advantage: R&D and experimentation 36:31 - Final thoughts ahead of ICE Barcelona 28:43 - New features in classic titles: Gambling side bets in blackjack 31:51 - Vision: Expanding to new studios, markets, and mechanics 33:23 - Merging live casino with sportsbook and slots 35:06 - CreedRoomz’s edge: R&D culture and relentless experimentation 36:31 - Final thoughts and looking ahead to ICE Barcelona 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bc Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 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/ Sponsored by: Creedroomz - https://www.creedroomz.com/ NOWPayments: https://nowpayments.io/

    37 min
  7. James Curwen: How Yggdrasil is completely revamping the business model of a game supplier (Part 3)

    23/12/2025

    James Curwen: How Yggdrasil is completely revamping the business model of a game supplier (Part 3)

    🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #257 with James Curwen, CEO of Yggdrasil. The slot industry is producing more games than ever yet standing out has never been harder. In this episode, James Curwen joins Pierre Lindh to explain why the era of reskinned slots is coming to an end and what will replace it. From rising production costs and algorithm-driven distribution to player fatigue and creative stagnation, James breaks down why the traditional slot development model no longer works. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Sponsors message 02:08 - The 3-part journey of transforming Yggdrasil 05:03 - Rebuilding tech: Platform, back office, AWS, scalability 06:59 - The cost of game production and the reskin problem 09:08 - Game in a Box: From 10-month dev cycles to 1 month 12:03 - How the business model is shifting 14:55 - €22K Game in a Box offer 16:04 - Studio in a Box: The €60K turnkey solution 18:06 - Target customers: studios, streamers, affiliates, operators 20:33 - Why this isn’t AI gimmickry 24:22 - Building and refining games faster with full creator control 27:00 - Lower costs, faster ROI, and a new model for suppliers 29:08 - AWS collaboration and scaling without service sacrifice 31:59 - Commercial growth expectations 34:52 - Tool capacity vs. support limits 37:19 - Flooding the market vs. empowering operators 39:59 - Is this killing small studios or saving them? 42:02 - Unity, player data, and creative freedom 43:28 - Going niche 46:40 - Game in a Box available launch 48:02 - Become the world’s biggest game producer 50:01 - Competing with Pragmatic, Play’n GO, and levelling the field 51:21 - Getting visibility and operator positioning 53:44 - New service: Dedicated sales support for small studios 54:36 - Final thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bc Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 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/ Sponsored by: Creedroomz - https://www.creedroomz.com/

    55 min
  8. Phil Pearson: iGaming Industry 2025 in Review

    18/12/2025

    Phil Pearson: iGaming Industry 2025 in Review

    🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #256 with Phil Pearson, iGaming Consultant. Another year. Another cycle of hype, pressure, pivots, and hard lessons. In this episode of the NEXT.io Podcast, Phil Pearson joins Pierre Lindh to unpack what really happened across iGaming in the past 12 months beyond the headlines. Together, they explore the widening gap between innovation headlines and real progress, the pressure leaders are facing behind the scenes, the growing importance of focus over scale, and why many companies are quietly reassessing their priorities. It’s a grounded conversation about what moved the needle, what didn’t, and what lessons are worth carrying into the year ahead. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:41 - Sponsor messages 02:04 - Welcome Phil Pearson 04:06 – Yolo’s move into regulation: why it matters 06:38 - Personal reset: health, sabbatical & perspective 11:55 - Biggest industry stories of the year 14:19 - Charity, Dar Bjorn & responsibility in iGaming 16:17 - Investigative journalism 33:27 - Game Studio Awards: overview 33:33 - Best studio of the year 39:29 - Best newcomer studio 40:39 - Worst studio of the year 44:01 - Most underwhelming game releases 49:56 - Live game of the year 51:21 - RNG game of the year 52:36 - Best industry freebies & swag 57:23 - Grey products explained 58:12 - Sweepstakes, prediction markets & loopholes 01:12:56 - The defining trend of 2026: grey products 01:30:02 - Events review: what worked, what didn’t 01:49:00 - Final outlook: where the industry is heading 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bc Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 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/ Sponsored by: Creedroomz - https://www.creedroomz.com/

    1 h 58 min
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Información

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/

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    NEXT.io
  • Años en activo
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodios
    473
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Derechos de autor
    © NEXT.io
  • Sitio web del podcast
    NEXT.io Podcast

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