Business of Betting Podcast

Business of Betting Podcast
  • 4.6 (55)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast covering the sports betting industry from the perspective of bettors, operators, and industry insiders. Hosted by Jeff Edelstein, Senior Analyst at InGame.com. Presented by Optimove.

  1. E264 - Bernard Marantelli from White Swan Data

    1D AGO

    E264 - Bernard Marantelli from White Swan Data

    On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Bernard Marantelli, Founder of White Swan Data and Colossus Bets, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of pool betting, and what innovation looks like in a changing global gaming landscape. Hear them discuss: 01:00 – Bernard’s background growing up in a family of bookmakers and how that shaped his career in data, biotech, and gambling 02:00 – The Texas Lottery caper: why a 2023 jackpot became +EV, how Bernard’s team bought 25M+ tickets, and the massive logistical hurdles they overcame 05:00 – The math behind beating a state lottery, from permutations to public participation to splitting risk across millions of tickets 10:30 – What it actually looks like to print, store, and organize millions of physical lottery slips (including hiring an Uber driver on the spot) 15:00 – Introducing iBankroll: why crypto casinos have a liquidity and credibility problem and how his company underwrites VIP risk 17:00 – Understanding “Black Swan” risk for high-stakes casino action and why decentralized bankrolls reduce catastrophic exposure 22:00 – Why crypto casinos are growing fast globally as regulated markets tighten KYC, RG, and deposit limits 24:30 – Bernard’s candid take on prediction markets, their regulatory uncertainty, and why the economics, not politics, may determine who survives 30:00 – Lessons from a lifetime in gambling: building edge, information, diversification, and the constant search for expected value 38:00 – Why opportunities are cyclical, why secrecy isn’t always the winning strategy, and why the next “Texas moment” is unlikely under modern rules   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    42 min
  2. E263 - Casey Hurbis from BetMGM

    NOV 7

    E263 - Casey Hurbis from BetMGM

    On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Casey Hurbis, Chief Marketing Officer of BetMGM, to talk about his path from automotive and mortgage marketing to leading one of the biggest brands in sports betting.   Hear them discuss: 01:00 – Casey’s career journey from Chrysler and Rocket Mortgage to the fast-paced world of gaming 03:00 – The surprising similarities between marketing cars, mortgages, and sportsbooks 05:00 – How BetMGM uses data-driven celebrity partnerships, from Jamie Foxx to Jon Hamm 08:00 – Building a brand rooted in entertainment, trust, and the MGM legacy 11:00 – Differentiating BetMGM in a crowded market through loyalty, experiences, and exclusives 14:00 – Why BetMGM aims to attract an “elevated player” and what “Make It Legendary” really means 17:00 – The growing crossover between sportsbook and iCasino players and how AI personalizes their journeys 22:00 – Marketing within tight regulations and embedding responsible gambling from the start 25:00 – How AI and rapid tech change are transforming marketing faster than ever before 29:00 – What the industry still gets wrong about brand-building and why long-term trust beats short-term promos   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    32 min
  3. E262 - Francesco Borgosano from Huddle

    OCT 31

    E262 - Francesco Borgosano from Huddle

    On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Francesco Borgosano, CEO of Huddle. Hear them discuss: Francesco's unique journey from academia to the sports betting industry The evolution of sports betting, particularly in the American market, and the impact of technology on betting practices Integrity in betting and the need for collaborative efforts to address challenges The role of data sharing and monitoring in ensuring fair practices within betting The evolving role of AI in the sports betting industry, addressing misconceptions and the need for proper infrastructure The growth of prop betting and the coexistence of prediction markets and traditional bookmakers His outlook on the future of the sports betting industry   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    39 min
  4. E261 - Daniel Zimmermann from Verse Picks

    OCT 24

    E261 - Daniel Zimmermann from Verse Picks

    On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Daniel Zimmermann, CEO and Co-Founder of Verse Picks, the app bringing a “parlay anything” experience to the next generation of bettors. Hear him discuss: How his college experience running Barstool Syracuse sparked his entrepreneurial journey The early days of Verse Gaming and the pivots from DFS to skill games to prediction markets Why the team spent years building toward a “bet on anything” model — and how legality shaped its evolution How Verse’s new “Parlay Anything” feature bridges the gap between traditional betting and prediction markets Lessons from operating under the sweepstakes model and navigating shifting state regulations His perspective on DraftKings, Kalshi, and the future of CFTC-approved prediction exchanges The retention challenges facing prediction markets and how Verse plans to gamify the experience Building a lean, agile startup team — and the value of staying alive through constant pivots How younger generations see gambling differently, shaped by crypto, trading, and gamified culture The long-term vision: becoming a top-tier prediction operator within five years   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube   ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    30 min
  5. E260 - Adam Robinson from American Bettor’s Voice

    OCT 17

    E260 - Adam Robinson from American Bettor’s Voice

    On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Adam Robinson, CEO of Hireology and board member of the American Bettor’s Voice.   Hear them discuss: 02:00 – Adam’s background building Hireology and how he found his way into gaming policy 04:00 – Why he joined American Bettor’s Voice and how player limits inspired his advocacy 06:00 – The challenges of parenting in an era where gambling ads are everywhere 08:00 – Breaking down the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and the real risks of the proposed gambling tax 12:00 – How tax policy could drive bettors offshore and reshape state revenues 14:00 – New data from Massachusetts proving sharp bettors get limited more often 16:00 – The sports betting business model vs. prediction markets — and where regulation may land 18:30 – The “grand bargain” path for prediction markets, following Uber and Airbnb’s playbook 21:00 – Parallels between sports betting, financial markets, and probabilistic thinking 23:00 – Predicting human fit at work vs. predicting outcomes in sports — and how both rely on data 27:00 – How thinking like a gambler can improve decision-making in business and life Check out Adam's paper here.   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube   ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    30 min
  6. E259 - Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos

    OCT 10

    E259 - Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos

    On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by legendary professional bettor Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos. Hear them discuss: 02:00 – The origins of Spanky’s nickname and early identity in the betting world 03:00 – The story of Bet Bash: from rooftop meet-up to industry-defining event 06:00 – Founding the American Bettor’s Voice and advocating for players 07:30 – Balancing industry ventures with running a betting team 09:00 – How the betting landscape has changed, from bookies to account limitations 11:00 – Prediction markets: why Spanky hasn’t gone deep (yet) 12:00 – Escaping the Wall Street “rat race” and building a career in betting 16:30 – Lessons from gambling applied to parenting and life with a child with autism 22:00 – Growing up in Jersey City: hustling, losses, and turning points 26:00 – Spanky’s pro wrestling detour and the painful lessons learned in the ring 32:00 – Reflections on Jersey pride, diversity, and raising kids in the suburbs   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube   ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    37 min
  7. E258 - Adhi Rajaprabhakaran

    OCT 3

    E258 - Adhi Rajaprabhakaran

    On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Adhi Rajaprabhakaran, writer, and author of the Substack 50 Cent Dollars. Hear them discuss: 02:10 – Adhi’s background in economics and how he discovered prediction markets 04:15 – Lessons from trading during January 6th: finding edges in uncertainty 07:00 – Influence of Nate Silver’s The Signal and the Noise on his trading approach 09:50 – Key differences between prediction markets and traditional gambling 12:00 – Why Adhi writes about prediction markets 16:00 – Takeaways from the SEC–CFTC roundtable on prediction markets 20:15 – The introduction of parlays on Kalshi and their industry impact 25:30 – Forecasting when prediction markets could break into the mainstream 27:10 – Market controversies and rule challenges 32:00 – Prediction markets as information vs. sportsbooks as entertainment   Learn more 👇 ➡️ 50 Cent Dollars substack  ➡️ Adhi Rajaprabhakaran on Twitter   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube   ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    38 min
  8. E257 - Jeff Edelstein from InGame

    SEP 26

    E257 - Jeff Edelstein from InGame

    On this special episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason Trost is joined by Jeff Edelstein, writer at InGame. After hosting 86 episodes, Jason signs off as the show’s host, passing the microphone to Jeff as the new voice of the podcast.   Hear them discuss: 01:10 – Jason announces this will be his final episode and passes the torch to Jeff 01:51 – Jeff’s background and ambitions for the podcast 05:00 – Jeff’s vision for the future of the show 08:01 – Why Jeff aims to get to know each future guest on personal levels 12:19 – Jeff’s perspective on the sports betting industry and his relationship to it 15:20 – How Jeff approaches his role as a journalist in the industry 18:21 – Should sports betting and financial trading be regulated differently? 21:26 – Jeff’s view on the prediction markets and speculation vs. investment 23:10 – What the gambling industry might look like in 30 years 25:32 – Jason’s farewell and his next steps 25:40 – Reflecting on three years of hosting and what the podcast has meant to Jason   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube   ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Get your first month free: https://optimove.com/businessofbetting

    29 min
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4.6
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

A podcast covering the sports betting industry from the perspective of bettors, operators, and industry insiders. Hosted by Jeff Edelstein, Senior Analyst at InGame.com. Presented by Optimove.

Information

  • Creator
    Business of Betting Podcast
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    266
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Business of Betting Podcast

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