iGaming Real Talk

Surya Palli
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Welcome to iGaming Real Talk, formerly known as The Manesh Palli Show, a podcast where real conversations take centre stage. I speak with founders, creators, and leaders. Most of them come from the iGaming world, and some from beyond. We talk openly about what it really takes to grow, lead, and keep going. If you're building something of your own, leading a team, or simply figuring things out, you'll find something here that resonates. Hosted by Surya Palli, maneshpalli.com

  1. JAN 15

    AI Slots, 100% RTP Myths & Why Most Games Feel Disposable ft. Aziz Akylbekov, CPO 18Peaches

    Can AI-Slots replace human-made slot games? or players can feel when consistency and craft is missing?In this episode of iGaming Real Talk, I sit down with Aziz Akylbekov, Chief Product Officer at 18Peaches to talk about where slot games are heading and what most studios are getting wrong.We cover:- Why “100% RTP” claims are pure marketing- Whether players actually understand RTP and volatility- Why most slots today feel like reskins- How 18Peaches approaches game narratives and consistency- The real limits of AI-generated slot games- Why players can feel when a game is “off” even if they can’t explain why- Taking creative risks with themes, mechanics, and storytellingAziz shares an interesting perspective on why not every game needs to solve a pain point and why making games “tastier” might matter more than chasing trends.If you work in iGaming, game development, or product, this one will make you rethink how games should be built. 🎙️ Hosted by Surya Palli 🎧 Like, follow & share if you found this episode useful.

    23 min

  2. 12/18/2025

    Why Online Casinos Fail (And What Founders Get Wrong) ft. Henk Wolff

    Do online casinos fail because of traffic issues? or they fail because they launch as a template, chase fast revenue, and ignore retention? In this episode, we have Henk Wolff joining me for a quick discussion on the topic. He is specialised in turning around regulated and pre regulated online casinos. He goes deep into the patterns he sees repeatedly, what must be true before a launch, why “go live in 14 days” is usually a trap, and how over regulation can push players into the charcoal market. We also get into crypto casinos, privacy, licensing, and what regulators could do differently if they actually want channelisation to regulated operators. If you’re launching an online casino soon, this episode is for you. 🔗 Follow Henk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henk-wolff/ 🔔 Do LIKE & SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications to catch new episodes every week. 👇 Comment below: what part of Henk’s approach resonated with you most? ---- 🎙️ Hosted by Manesh Palli 🎧 Like, follow & share if you found this episode useful.

    27 min
  3. How to Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn by Adar Ziv

    12/08/2025

    How to Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn by Adar Ziv

    In this episode of The Manesh Palli Show, I sit down with Adar Ziv for an informal, no-BS conversation on how he generated 1.7 million impressions on LinkedIn in just one year. We break down why LinkedIn remains one of the most underpriced opportunities for founders and operators, how to build real visibility without gimmicks, and what actually drives reach, conversations, and business outcomes on the platform. Adar shares how he experiments in public, uses content to test ideas, and turns posts into partnerships and long-term relationships. With over 13 years in the iGaming industry across operators and affiliates, Adar has recently launched a crypto iGaming community while using LinkedIn as his primary channel to build relevance and impact. His approach is practical, authentic, and refreshingly simple. If you’re a founder, CEO, or professional looking to grow your personal brand, create meaningful connections, and use LinkedIn as a real business asset, this episode is for you. 🔗 Connect with Adar: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adarziv 🎙️ Hosted by Manesh Palli 🎧 Like, follow & share if you found this episode useful.

    25 min
  4. From Startup to Scale to Exit | Prash Patel on How to Grow a B2B iGaming Brand

    09/25/2025

    From Startup to Scale to Exit | Prash Patel on How to Grow a B2B iGaming Brand

    In this episode of The Manesh Palli Show, I sit down with Prash Patel, a veteran marketer, serial entrepreneur, and board advisor who has been building and scaling businesses for over three decades. Prash is currently the CMO of Phoenix Rising, an online slot gaming studio creating high-quality content for regulated markets around the world. Across his career, he’s worked at every stage of the business lifecycle—from early startups to scale-ups and exits—and brings a rare, grounded perspective on what actually drives long-term success. We talk about the power of client-centric thinking, why most startups get it wrong, and how marketing needs to evolve as a business grows. Prash shares where B2B iGaming companies miss the mark with brand, events, and messaging, the real ROI of caring about people, and the biggest lessons he’s learned from 30+ years in business. He also opens up about what keeps him excited and motivated at 61—and why patience beats pressure, especially for younger marketers. If you’re building a B2B brand in iGaming, leading teams, or trying to find your footing in the industry, this episode is packed with perspective and hard-earned wisdom. 🔗 Connect with Prash: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/prash-patel-b7681913 🎙️ Hosted by Manesh Palli Fractional CMO for iGaming and Crypto companies. More: https://maneshpalli.com 🎧 Like, follow & share if this conversation resonated with you

    1h 3m

  5. 09/10/2025

    Jonathan Shaw on Leading Through Change, Reframing Your Mindset & Real Lessons in Strategy

    In this episode of The Manesh Palli Show, Jonathan Shaw and I go deep into the real side of leadership: doubt, decision-making, mindset shifts, and the emotional weight of leading people through change. Jon is a changemaker and former CEO of Retail Marketing Ltd., where he led one of Malta’s most complex mergers and helped transform Welbee’s into a leading supermarket brand. He’s also a certified Cognitive Behavioural Coach, the author of Forty: Be the Change, and a partner at Hatten Advisory, where he works closely with companies navigating M&A, transformation, and strategic growth. We talk candidly about what leadership really looks like during mergers and transitions, why your thoughts aren’t always facts, and how reframing mindset can radically change outcomes. Jon shares lessons on building brands instead of chasing impressions, letting people go with respect, common startup pitfalls, and the importance of internal awareness and community when leading teams through uncertainty. If you’re building a company, leading people, managing change, or simply trying to develop a stronger, clearer mindset, this episode will hit home. 🔗 Connect with Jonathan: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonshaw Book – Forty: Be the Change (Amazon) Hatten Advisory – https://hattenadvisory.com 🎙️ Hosted by Manesh Palli Fractional CMO for iGaming and Crypto companies. More: https://maneshpalli.com 🎧 Like, follow & share if this episode resonated with you.

    1h 1m

  6. 08/12/2025

    How 1w Scaled Telegram App to 24 Million Users | Mike, CMO of 1win Crypto | The Manesh Palli Show

    In this episode of The Manesh Palli Show, I sit down with Mike, CMO of 1win Crypto, the team behind one of the largest Telegram casinos in the world, scaled to over 24 million users. Mike brings deep experience across both B2B and B2C iGaming, having worked with platforms, affiliate businesses, and land-based betting operators before stepping into his current role. As CMO of 1win Crypto, he leads strategy across the 1win Token, global community growth, and web3 integration across the product ecosystem. We talk about how Telegram mini-apps unlocked explosive growth, why Telegram traffic often converts better than traditional web traffic, and what most crypto casino founders get wrong when chasing scale. Mike shares real-world lessons on user acquisition, retention, token utility, and how to think about marketing in highly competitive, often unregulated markets. We also get into platform selection, team building over technology, and what actually matters when building a sustainable crypto casino brand. If you’re thinking about launching a crypto casino—or already building one—this episode is required listening. 🔗 Connect with Mike: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedanshin 🎙️ Hosted by Manesh Palli Fractional CMO for iGaming Providers. More: https://maneshpalli.com 🎧 Like, follow & share if you enjoyed this episode.

    49 min

  7. 07/21/2025

    How To Build A Brand That Dominates In iGaming | Martin Zarian - Factory 39 | The Manesh Palli Show

    Martin Zarian, co-founder of Factory 39 and full-stack brand builder, joins me on this episode of The Manesh Palli Show for a deep conversation on why brand strategy beats product-led growth in today’s saturated markets—especially iGaming. We unpack why “build it and they will come” is a dangerous myth, how only a small percentage of customers are ever ready to buy at any given moment, and why the strongest brands win by owning mental real estate long before conversion happens. Martin shares why most iGaming companies look the same, how brand foundation should come before product features, and where performance marketing breaks without brand support. We also explore the real role of AI in branding, the rise of the fractional CMO, and why personal branding has become a powerful growth lever for founders and operators building in highly competitive environments. 🔗 Connect with Martin: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinzarian Agency – https://www.factory39.io 🎙️ Hosted by Manesh Palli Fractional CMO for iGaming Providers. More: https://maneshpalli.com 💡 This episode is powered by Bettorify White-label and turnkey iGaming solutions, deeply local and built for Asia. Built for operators who want beyond ordinary. More: https://bettorify.com 🎧 Like, follow & share if this episode helped you rethink how brands actually win.

    55 min
  8. Valentina Diaco from ProfitMatches on Building Human-First Brands in iGaming

    07/07/2025

    Valentina Diaco from ProfitMatches on Building Human-First Brands in iGaming

    Valentina Diaco spent nearly two decades in B2C iGaming before making the leap to start her own consultancy: Profit Matches. In this episode of The Manesh Palli Show, we dive into the real story behind her transition from agency and operator life to building a human-first business.We talk about:• The turning point that led her to leave full-time roles• Why she believes success comes from alignment, not hustle• How AI is transforming iGaming workflows (and what’s missing)• What “Profit Matches Purpose” really means• Red flags in short-term-only strategies• Brandformance: Blending brand building with performance marketing🔗 Connect with Valentina:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-diaco-2b62526/Newsletter – https://www.profitmatches.com⸻🎙️ Hosted by Manesh PalliFractional CMO for iGaming Providers.More: https://maneshpalli.com⸻💡 This episode is powered by BettorifyWhite-label and turnkey iGaming solutions, deeply local and built for Asia.Built for operators who want beyond ordinary.More: https://bettorify.com⸻🎧 Like, subscribe & share if you enjoyed this episode.

    51 min
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About

Welcome to iGaming Real Talk, formerly known as The Manesh Palli Show, a podcast where real conversations take centre stage. I speak with founders, creators, and leaders. Most of them come from the iGaming world, and some from beyond. We talk openly about what it really takes to grow, lead, and keep going. If you're building something of your own, leading a team, or simply figuring things out, you'll find something here that resonates. Hosted by Surya Palli, maneshpalli.com

Information

  • Creator
    Surya Palli
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Surya Palli
  • Show Website
    iGaming Real Talk