Jesse Learmonth: The state of iGaming startups in 2026

🎙️ 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 - Intro00:42 - Sponsor messages02:01 - Introduction: Kevin Mullally & UAE market overview02:59 - Building the UAE regulator from scratch05:31 - Rethinking regulation: compliance vs enforcement08:46 - Policy goals: why the UAE regulates gaming10:13 - UAE strategy: ecosystem over revenue 13:43 - Land-based market structure (Emirates approach)16:47 - Licensing progress: Wynn, lottery & early milestones18:32 - Online market structure & licensing model22:25 - B2B opportunity: “technology should lead”25:02 - Case study: Yolo & entering the UAE market30:14 - Relationship-first approach to market entry33:29 - IAGR: global regulation & role of collaboration37:06 - The black market problem (global perspective)39:14 - Regulation vs illegal markets: growing tension44:43 - What works in fighting the black market46:04 - Need for global collaboration48:25 - Prediction markets vs regulation50:01 - State rights, consumer protection & policy conflict53:03 - Future of regulation: need for global dialogue56:00 - Closing thoughts🔔 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/Sponsored by:Hard Rock Games: https://www.hardrockgames.com/

🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #262 with Savvas Fellas CEO and Founder of MrQ. UK Tax Shock, Black Market Risk & The Future of OperatorsIn 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 message01:48 - Welcoming Savvas Fellas03:48 - Building MrQ & company philosophy07:40 - Impact of the 40% tax increase12:17 - Crisis vs opportunity: how companies respond16:20 - Cost cuts across the industry (RTP, suppliers, structure)19:18 - Acquisition, affiliates & marketing challenges22:00 - Black market risk and player behaviour25:16 - Trust vs value: why players choose operators30:09 - Market consolidation & economies of scale33:59 - Survive vs thrive: strategy for MrQ36:31 - Focus vs expansion: staying in the UK39:05 - Regulation, UKGC & industry responsibility44:43 - The future of the UK market48:44 - Consolidation: fewer, larger operators51:50 - How to build a strong gaming brand53:49 - Final thoughts: winners vs losers🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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/

🎙️ 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 - Introduction00:28 - Jesse Learmonth returns to the NEXT.io Podcast01:15 - The role of Betting Startups in the ecosystem03:10 - The current state of iGaming startups07:45 - Why building startups is harder today11:10 - Funding environment & investor expectations14:00 - What makes a startup investable18:00 - Innovation in iGaming22:30 - Where startups can still win27:00 - Scaling challenges for gaming startups31:00 - Partnerships, distribution & market access35:30 - The biggest mistakes founders make40:00 - Why distribution is everything44:30 - The role of networks & industry relationships48:30 - Advice for founders entering iGaming52:30 - The future of gaming startups55:30 - Closing thoughts🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G826Guf8uHM&list=PLo43Fota-gt1sMzujpavaGmRbTiRXETKEApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333CONNECT 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/

🎙️ NEXT.io Podcast #260 with Congresswoman Dina Titus | US Gaming Policy, Prediction Markets & The Fair Bets ActIn 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 – Introduction00:26 – Sponsors message01:45 – Welcoming Congresswoman Dina Titus02:37 – Titus’ background and representing Las Vegas03:49 – The Fair Markets and Sports Integrity Act05:29 – Prediction markets vs regulated sportsbooks06:42 – Why the CFTC shouldn’t regulate sports contracts08:26 – The political fight over prediction markets09:53 – Real risks for players and the industry11:12 – Could prediction markets expand across gaming?13:09 – Industry divisions and the role of the AGA16:07 – Innovation vs regulation debate18:03 – The Fair Bets Act and the 90% tax deduction issue20:31 – What happens next in Congress22:16 – Engagement with prediction market operators23:01 – Closing thoughts🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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/

🎙️ 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 message01:50 - Welcome Wojciech04:15 - Why BugsyEmpire moved into sweepstakes and emerging verticals06:55 - The real USP: platform relationships + deep product/tech checks09:23 - “Grey products” vs grey markets10:53 - Sweepstakes hype vs reality11:17 - What “grey products” means14:43 - Other emerging verticals: prediction markets, DFS, pari-mutuel + more20:41 - Ad rules tightening (Google/TikTok)23:28 - Why emerging verticals can beat black market brands28:53 - Why most operators fail at paid media39:13 - Paid media breakdown: social vs search vs brand/programmatic01:06:10 - Winning operators checklist: focus, tech, payments, lean teams01:07:49 - NEXT New York + Emerging Verticals Summit (9 March)🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsCONNECT 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #257 with Sargis Poghosyan, CPO at CreedRoomzIn 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 CreedRoomz00:22 - Sponsors01:41 - Global studio expansion: Armenia to Brazil03:58 - Why CreedRoomz is betting big on show games05:14 - Road to El Dorado: The flagship title08:24 - Boom Blast: Volatility, risk & strategy12:00 - Marble Race: Physical tracks meet gamification14:14 - 100+ people for one game? Behind the scenes17:05 - Dice Fight: RNG, multipliers & hardware20:00 - Bonus feature: Pyramid pick game21:44 - What’s next: Lucky Colours, Rock Paper Scissors24:13 - Crash mechanics in live casino: AVA & crypto26:21 - The Choice: Turning childhood games into iGaming27:44 - Why instant games are exploding in popularity28:43 - New twists on blackjack and classics31:51 - Future plans: Studios, mechanics & markets33:23 - Blending live casino with sportsbook and slots35:06 - CreedRoomz’s advantage: R&D and experimentation36:31 - Final thoughts ahead of ICE Barcelona28:43 - New features in classic titles: Gambling side bets in blackjack31:51 - Vision: Expanding to new studios, markets, and mechanics33:23 - Merging live casino with sportsbook and slots35:06 - CreedRoomz’s edge: R&D culture and relentless experimentation36:31 - Final thoughts and looking ahead to ICE Barcelona🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bcApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333CONNECT 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/

🎙 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 - Intro00:43 - Sponsors message02:08 - The 3-part journey of transforming Yggdrasil05:03 - Rebuilding tech: Platform, back office, AWS, scalability06:59 - The cost of game production and the reskin problem09:08 - Game in a Box: From 10-month dev cycles to 1 month12:03 - How the business model is shifting14:55 - €22K Game in a Box offer16:04 - Studio in a Box: The €60K turnkey solution18:06 - Target customers: studios, streamers, affiliates, operators20:33 - Why this isn’t AI gimmickry24:22 - Building and refining games faster with full creator control27:00 - Lower costs, faster ROI, and a new model for suppliers29:08 - AWS collaboration and scaling without service sacrifice31:59 - Commercial growth expectations34:52 - Tool capacity vs. support limits37:19 - Flooding the market vs. empowering operators39:59 - Is this killing small studios or saving them?42:02 - Unity, player data, and creative freedom43:28 - Going niche46:40 - Game in a Box available launch48:02 - Become the world’s biggest game producer50:01 - Competing with Pragmatic, Play’n GO, and levelling the field51:21 - Getting visibility and operator positioning53:44 - New service: Dedicated sales support for small studios54:36 - Final thoughts🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bcApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333CONNECT 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/

🎙 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 - Intro00:41 - Sponsor messages02:04 - Welcome Phil Pearson04:06 – Yolo’s move into regulation: why it matters06:38 - Personal reset: health, sabbatical & perspective11:55 - Biggest industry stories of the year14:19 - Charity, Dar Bjorn & responsibility in iGaming16:17 - Investigative journalism33:27 - Game Studio Awards: overview33:33 - Best studio of the year39:29 - Best newcomer studio40:39 - Worst studio of the year44:01 - Most underwhelming game releases49:56 - Live game of the year51:21 - RNG game of the year52:36 - Best industry freebies & swag57:23 - Grey products explained58:12 - Sweepstakes, prediction markets & loopholes01:12:56 - The defining trend of 2026: grey products01:30:02 - Events review: what worked, what didn’t01:49:00 - Final outlook: where the industry is heading🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=bf60dedab34e45bcApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333CONNECT 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #255 with Valentina Diaco, Founder at Profit Matches. AI has officially moved beyond hype. In 2025, it’s reshaping iGaming in real, tangible ways — from CRM and engagement to compliance, marketing, content creation, safe gambling, and game development.In this episode, Valentina Diaco, one of the industry's most respected marketing and AI strategists, breaks down 10 AI companies that are already transforming iGaming today.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:23 - Sponsors message02:09 - Welcoming Valentina & Profit Matches04:52 - What AI Match is and why she built it06:00 - Where AI in iGaming stands today09:12 - AI: the real value is what you do with it11:17 - Why AI fails in companies12:30 - AI-to-AI economy & the future of data infrastructure15:14 - AI agents & conversational interfaces18:10 - The 10 AI companies reshaping iGaming19:09 - Golden Whale: AI for UA, retention & bonus orchestration23:40 - Field Stream AI: profitability engine for marketers27:51 - Text.com AI: customer support & proactive assistance33:15 - Let’s .IO: regulatory intelligence for compliance38:11 - Gamblitude: AI-powered BI & data warehouse41:58 - MaxFusion: AI content & UGC generation46:47 - Mindway AI: responsible gambling detection51:00 - insightplay.ai: conversational betting assistant53:37 - Xenia AI: game development & personalisation56:28 - Bettor Faster AI: development & automation agency58:20 - Why companies resist AI adoption01:00:16 - Biggest blockers: lack of capacity & too many tools01:07:01 - The real cultural barrier01:10:16 - The future: smaller, smarter, AI-native companies🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYoutube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo43Fota-gt1sMzujpavaGmRbTiRXETKE&si=R7VbrUspVkL1JyoxCONNECT 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #254 with Emilie Jirsch, CMO at Dabble. Dabble has become one of the fastest-growing betting brands on the planet — not by outspending competitors, but by out-innovating them with community, culture, and entertainment-first marketing.In this episode, Emilie Jirsch, CMO at Dabble, reveals how the purple brand went from a small NSW startup to 1 million+ active customers, explosive US growth, and global expansion across Australia, the US, and the UK.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:29 - Sponsor message01:50 - Welcoming Emilie Jirsch, CMO at Dabble02:21 - How Dabble started 04:45 - Launching in Australia & hitting 1M active customers06:03 - Product differentiation & brand awareness07:09 - The “purple cow theory” explained 08:32 - Dabble’s growth strategy11:23 - Creating talkable moments that build brand memory13:22 - Moderators, culture, and self-policing communities15:10 - $1M Hole-in-One PGA activation: the story behind it17:00 - The true definition of disruptive brand marketing20:49 - The “cool sh*t budget” explained24:01 - Launching in the US through DFS 29:08 - Why the US embraced Dabble instantly33:00 - Competitors 36:25 - Inside Dabble’s internal culture40:06 - What’s next: UK launch, Ireland license, expansion41:54 - Final thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYoutube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo43Fota-gt1sMzujpavaGmRbTiRXETKE&si=jDpUksylKP-4_8T0CONNECT 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/