Vested Interest #22: Exploring the Future of Skill-Based Gaming

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #238 Denis Romanovskiy, Deputy CTO at SOFTSWISSIn this episode, Pierre Lindh is joined by Denis Romanovskiy, Deputy CTO at SOFTSWISS, to unpack the findings from their latest 50-page report and dive deep into the technical, financial, and strategic factors new operators need to consider before launching their brand.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:00 - Why SOFTSWISS released a build vs buy report04:30 - Key findings: who should build, who should buy07:27 - Biggest mistakes new operators make09:35 - Why testing & tracking matter from day one12:33 - When should operators consider building in-house?15:12 - How to choose the right platform partner18:30 - The importance of cultural alignment & service21:16 - Scalability: it’s not just tech, it’s people24:00 - The advantage of ecosystem-level integration28:10 - Products in the SOFTSWISS suite31:04 - Time to market: build vs buy34:06 - What’s next: SOFTSWISS roadmap & modular infrastructure36:00 - AI-generated code and fully autonomous tech teams?38:16 - Closing marks 🔗 Download SOFTSWISS report here: https://www.softswiss.com/reports/igaming-software-development-playbook/🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST\YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio/podcastsThis 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #236 Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore GroupSam Sadi sits down with Pierre Lindh to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the online sports betting industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and strategic advantages to compete with established brands, particularly in regulated markets.⏰ Timestamps 00:00 - Intro00:17 - Sponsors message01:38 - Sam’s 30-year journey03:31 - Building Bwin Interactive Entertainment06:07 - The origins of LiveScore09:58 - Why LiveScore launched its own sportsbook15:27 - Competing in the UK18:00 - Why most media-betting integrations fail20:32 - Simplicity vs complexity: is betting too confusing for new users?23:35 - Why customers adapt faster than you think25:31 - Why niche sportsbooks rarely succeed in regulated markets29:58 - DFS as the starting point33:11 - LiveScore’s product philosophy: match 80%, innovate the rest34:37 - The capital and access problem in U.S. regulation37:18 - Trend 1: Southeast Asia’s unspoken potential44:49 - Trend 2: The real AI transformation57:30 - Trend 3: Innovation vs Incrementalism01:09:54 - Trend 4: The black market problem01:21:41 - Can cutting off suppliers beat the black market? Why it’s short-term thinking01:26:34 - Why the industry’s future might mirror the AI arms race01:32:04 - Closing remarks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio Apple: 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/

🎙NEXT.io Podcast #22 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak.From summer slumps to AI disruption, the trio returns to unpack three high-stakes themes shaping the future of gaming startups:👇 Here’s what they cover:- How to keep growing through the summer slowdown- Why skill-based games are booming (again) and what’s different this time- The state of affiliate businesses and how AI, SEO, and chatbots are reshaping the model⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:18 - Sponsor messages01:38 - Welcoming Benjie and Lloyd02:10 - Can you grow during summer? Founders vs. excuses07:42 - How NEXT.io handles seasonality with strategic summer planning13:52 - Skill-Based Gaming14:30 - The evolution and new wave of real-money skill games16:21 - Triumph, FanDuel, Bring It On and global market potential22:14 - Regulatory arbitrage and go-to-market benefits24:44 - What happens when operators join in? M&A and mainstream interest26:58 - The Affiliate Collapse27:35 - Market dip, SEO crashes & winners like Gambling.com31:04 - Fewer state openings, changing user behavior32:52 - Why SEO isn't enough anymore 35:56 - Lessons from Catena Media and the danger of single-market bets39:29 - What affiliate SEO looks like in the LLM era40:44 - Final thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotioCONNECT 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #236 with Kyle Welcher, CEO of TESTAKyle Wiltshire has spent over 15 years embedded in Asia’s iGaming infrastructure. In this episode, hosted by Pierre Lindh, he shares what it really takes to succeed in Southeast Asia, a region full of opportunity, complexity, and massive cultural nuance.⏰ Timestamps00:00 - Intro 00:33 - Sponsors message01:48 - Welcoming Kyle Wiltshire04:44 - Kyle’s background & the origin of TESTA08:41 - How iGaming evolved in Asia10:22 - Cultural differences SEA13:01 - First entry into the market tips 22:09 - Etiquette, hierarchy & saving face26:14 - Doing business as a woman in SEA28:54 - Contracts, negotiations & expectations31:53 - The importance of senior leadership in SEA sales34:35 - SEA: country-specific breakdowns41:01 - Regulation outlook: where is SEA heading?42:18 - Player psychology & live casino dominance44:33 - Infrastructure challenges in the region46:51 - What TESTA does & how they help operators adapt51:19 - Macro view: will Asia dominate the global economy?53:36 - Closing remarks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #236 Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore GroupSam Sadi sits down with Pierre Lindh to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the online sports betting industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and strategic advantages to compete with established brands, particularly in regulated markets.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:17 - Sponsors message01:38 - Sam’s 30-year journey03:31 - Building Bwin Interactive Entertainment06:07 - The origins of LiveScore09:58 - Why LiveScore launched its own sportsbook15:27 - Competing in the UK18:00 - Why most media-betting integrations fail20:32 - Simplicity vs complexity: is betting too confusing for new users?23:35 - Why customers adapt faster than you think25:31 - Why niche sportsbooks rarely succeed in regulated markets29:58 - DFS as the starting point33:11 - LiveScore’s product philosophy: match 80%, innovate the rest34:37 - The capital and access problem in U.S. regulation37:18 - Trend 1: Southeast Asia’s unspoken potential44:49 - Trend 2: The real AI transformation57:30 - Trend 3: Innovation vs Incrementalism01:09:54 - Trend 4: The black market problem01:21:41 - Can cutting off suppliers beat the black market? Why it’s short-term thinking01:26:34 - Why the industry’s future might mirror the AI arms race01:32:04 - Closing remarks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotioCONNECT 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/

M&A activity continues to have a huge impact on the iGaming sector, and acquisition news never fails to grab people’s attention. But what happens after the negotiations are finished, the money is handed over, and the deal is complete? The truth is, that’s when the real work begins. In this episode of NEXT In-Depth, host Conor Mulheir asks EveryMatrix CEO Ebbe Groes to explain how his company has integrated recent acquisitions — like FSB Technology, Fantasma Games and DeepCI — in order to deliver a return on its investments. Groes explores what has gone well (and what hasn’t) when integrating these businesses into his own, and gives a teaser of where EveryMatrix’s appetite for acquisition could go next. Don’t miss out on the first of this two-part special on the art of integrating acquired businesses!

🎙NEXT.io Podcast #21 of Vested Interest with Pierre Lindh, Lloyd Danzig and Benjie Cherniak.In this episode, Pierre, Lloyd, and Benjie break down the biggest questions facing iGaming investors today:-How do you invest during uncertain, disruptive times?- Is AI in gaming hype or truly transforming the industry?- Has the classic B2B “picks and shovels” strategy held up or is it time to rethink?⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro 00:39 - Sponsors message03:33 - Investing in iGaming during uncertain times06:28 - Early-stage investment strategy v.s macro volatility08:38 - Regulatory risk v.s macro risk10:02 - Trump presidency and prediction markets13:24 - Lipstick index v.s lottery index17:19 - AI in gaming – hype or commercial reality?22:13 - Challenges: long sales cycles and limited proof points25:26 - What’s still missing in AI innovation26:41 - Spotlight: Blask and AI-powered black market insights28:14 - Can AI accurately measure offshore activity?30:22 - The problem with AI auditability32:06 - B2B vs B2C: risk-adjusted returns and market consolidation36:07 - The realities of bootstrapping and long integration timelines38:35 - Why sales cycles are so long in North America41:05 - Internal complexity and product prioritization at large operators43:05 - Closing remarks 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotioCONNECT 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #235 with Jason March, VP of Gaming at DraftKingsJason March built DraftKings' iGaming division from scratch and in this episode, hosted by Pierre Lindh, he takes us behind the scenes of how it's become a tech-first, content-driven casino powerhouse.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:18 - Sponsors message01:38 - Welcoming Jason March02:10 - Why Jason joined DraftKings and built the iGaming division04:58 - How DraftKings became a tech-first casino operator07:36 - Trends in U.S. iGaming: live dealer, jackpots, social and multiplayer10:04 - Building in-house content and launching a game studio11:20 - What makes a hit game? Risk, failure, and unexpected winners15:04 - The importance of player choice and interaction16:25 - Sneak peek: new interactive games coming soon18:25 - Jason’s personal casino favorites20:57 - Live casino evolution and the rise of game shows23:37 - Challenges of state-by-state ring-fencing for live game content26:31 - How to approach DraftKings with a new game or product27:27 - Why entering the U.S. is hard and worth it28:04 - Balancing in-house games vs third-party content30:34 - Strategy behind DraftKings’ proprietary game studio31:50 - Lottery and Jackpocket: cross-sell strategy and player acquisition33:47 - The future of U.S. iGaming and why more states will legalize35:19 - The black market problem and the push for regulation36:20 - Responsible gaming and why regulation matters36:56 - Closing marks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio 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/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #234 with Erik Nyman, President EveryMatrix AmericasWhat does it take to double your revenue, double your EBITDA, and break into some of the hardest gaming markets?Pierre Lind sat down with Erik Nyman, President, North America at EveryMatrix, to uncover the strategy behind their global growth.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:38 - Sponsors message01:58 - Welcoming Erik Nyman03:05 - The incredible growth numbers of EveryMatrix05:36 - Erik’s career journey: from NetEnt to EveryMatrix10:15 - Entering the U.S.: licenses, strategy, and clean-slate building12:16 - Inside EveryMatrix’s modular, product-centric structure16:00 - Major milestones: landing lottery clients and breakthrough deals22:38 - When the business really took off: EBITDA surge25:20 - EveryMatrix's Financial Transparency29:30 - The challenges and opportunities in global lotteries34:15 - The U.S. lottery market: why it’s tricky and where it’s headed40:34 - U.S. iGaming landscape44:46 - Canada: Ontario’s rise, Alberta’s potential47:22 - Latin America: Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and the Brazil play51:10 - Emerging markets and operator types of the future52:54 - Why tribal gaming in the U.S. is a huge untapped opportunity56:03 - Where Erik sees EveryMatrix in the next 3 years57:29 - Closing marks🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo43Fota-gt1sMzujpavaGmRbTiRXETKE&si=sLfyEkrJVTQzBePPCONNECT 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/

In this episode of NEXT In-Depth, Conor Mulheir invites Regulus Partners’ Paul Leyland to explain how he approaches the analysis of publicly listed companies’ financial reports. With Q1 reporting season now upon us, the pair will explore the best ways to understand what public companies are telling us – and what they aren’t. As an example, they will take a closer look at Evolution’s Q1 report, which bucked the firm’s trend of consistent growth as it showed a sequential decline in quarterly EBITDA.