Vested Interest #14: DKNG drama, industry trends and Caesars deep dive with Erik Hession

This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, major shifts are underway in the iGaming sector. DraftKings has laid off 101 New Jersey employees, while Caesars Entertainment has cut positions within its Sportsbook creative team, reflecting cost-cutting trends. Meanwhile, Glitnor Group’s acquisition of OneCasino highlights ongoing consolidation in the industry. These moves signal a focus on streamlined operations as companies adapt to changing market dynamics. 🗞 Read the full stories here: Exclusive: DraftKings to shutter NJ live dealer studio, lay off 101 staff https://next.io/news/casino/exclusive-draftkings-lay-off-101-nj-staff/ Exclusive: Caesars cuts creative team behind sportsbook app launch https://next.io/news/people/caesars-cuts-creative-team-behind-sportsbook-app/ Glitnor Group to acquire OneCasino in major European expansion https://next.io/news/investment/glitnor-group-to-acquire-onecasino/ Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We’ll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. Be cool, be curious, be in the know! _____ This episode is brought to you by: Playson: https://playson.com/ Sponsored by: Hub88.io: https://hub88.io/

The consequential US election is just days away. In this episode we catch up with long standing democrat, political expert and gambling veteran Bill Pascrell III on what to look out for during election night, as well as his thoughts on the rise of prediction markets in this cycle. Bill, aka BP3 also talks about the debate around online sportsbetting and gambling right now and what to expect as we move forward into the next political cycle ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Sponsors  01:22 - Welcoming Bill Pascrell 05:52 - Election Cycle Expectations 09:22 - U.S. Election Structure & Electoral College Explanation 10:55 - Post-Election Expectations 14:28 - Observations on Political Polarization 17:45 - Betting Markets vs. Traditional Polling 23:31 - Strategies for Election Night 32:57 - Personal Plans for Election Night 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/409DefE06IKPhZzhDIDpH3?si=f77f63485a8542eb Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/next-io-podcast/id1515442333 CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - / nextdotio ✩ X/Twitter - / nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - / nextdotio _____ This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/ Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/

This special NEXT.io episode brings Pierre Lindh together live with Benjie Cherniak and Lloyd Danzig for a powerhouse discussion on startup essentials.  From mastering fundraising and sidestepping common pitfalls to smart valuation tactics and navigating M&A, they share real-world insights every entrepreneur needs to hear to drive their business forward! ⏰ Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction 00:42 - Sponsors  02:48 - Biggest Fundraising Mistakes 05:01 - Valuation Focus and Risks 08:00 - Overvaluation Consequences 11:06 - Deciding the Right Time for M&A 15:02 - Personal Factors in M&A Decisions 18:04 - Highlighted Investments 21:32 - Closing Remarks 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - / nextdotio ✩ X/Twitter - / nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - / nextdotio _____ This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/ Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/ Episode sponsored by: https://www.creedroomz.com/

This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, we cover significant shifts in the iGaming business landscape. Catena Media is reducing its workforce in response to an expected revenue drop, signaling a strategic adjustment to its operational focus. Meanwhile, XLMedia has announced the sale of its remaining assets to Sportradar, marking a pivotal move in its ongoing restructuring efforts. 🗞 Read the full stories here: - XLMedia to sell remaining assets to Sportradar in $30m deal https://next.io/news/investment/xlmedia-to-sell-remaining-assets-to-sportradar/ - Catena Media cuts jobs, expects revenue to drop at least 30% in Q3 https://next.io/news/people/catena-media-cuts-jobs-expects-revenue-drop/ Social betting firm Dabble mulls Nasdaq or ASX IPO Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We’ll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. Be cool, be curious, be in the know! _____ This episode is brought to you by: Playson: https://playson.com/ Sponsored by: Hub88.io: https://hub88.io/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #206 with Rickard Vikström, Founder and CEO at Internet Vikings Rickard Vikström, CEO and founder of Internet Vikings, returns for an in-depth discussion about the company’s progress and the future of the rapidly changing iGaming infrastructure landscape. Four years after his first appearance, Rickard reflects on Internet Vikings’ significant growth, its expansion into the US market, and the company’s strategic focus on building sustainable infrastructure solutions for iGaming businesses across key markets, including North America and Europe. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:43 – Sponsors 02:01 – Welcoming Rickard 03:16 – G2E Conference Insights 05:15 - The Growing Trend of the Sweepstakes Model 07:05 - Reflecting on Predictions for the U.S. iGaming Market 09:31 – MGM acquiring LeoVegas 12:12 – The Future of BetMGM, Entain, and MGM’s Relationship 16:05 – How COVID Accelerated Online Gambling for Land-Based Casinos 19:00 - Innovation Coming from New Market Entrants 23:57 – Comparing the iGaming Industry in 2020 vs. 2024 30:08 – The Shift Away from Regulation as the Focus in Gambling 33:55 – The Future of Sweepstakes and Crypto in Gambling 37:27: Blurring Lines Between Gaming and Social Games 39:45 - Election Forecasting using Betting markets like Polymarkets 43:44 – Predictions on Crypto Casinos in the Next Four Years 47:03 – Growth Opportunities in Other Markets: Africa and Asia 54:16 - Internet Vikings’ growth and success in the U.S. market 57:57: Predictions on the acquisition of major slot providers and online brands 01:02:00 - The role of AI in the future of game production 01:09:29 - Innovations translating into land-based casinos 01:14:06: Internet Vikings’ success on the company's growth 01:17:19: The future of U.S. state legislation 01:21:03: Closing remarks 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - / nextdotio ✩ X/Twitter - / nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - / nextdotio _____ This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/ Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/ Episode sponsored by: https://www.creedroomz.com/

Join us on NEXT.io Weekly News as we discuss the UK Treasury’s consideration of increasing gambling taxes, and the strong industry backlash it has prompted. Industry leaders, including the Betting and Gaming Council and Flutter's CEO, argue against the hike, citing potential negative impacts. Additionally, we'll cover DraftKings' acquisition of Mustard Golf and Openbox's purchase of Boldplay, highlighting strategic expansions in the sector. 🗞 Read the full stories here: - UK Treasury considering £3bn gambling sector tax hike https://next.io/news/regulation/uk-treasury-gambling-sector-tax-hike/ - BGC calls out “fantasy economics” in UK tax hike debate https://next.io/news/regulation/bgc-calls-out-fantasy-economics-tax-hike-debate/ - Flutter CEO: Sharp gambling tax hike “in no one’s interest” https://next.io/news/regulation/flutter-ceo-tax-hike-in-no-ones-interest/ - DraftKings acquires golf pricing supplier Mustard Golf https://next.io/news/investment/draftkings-acquires-mustard-golf/ -Content distributor Openbox acquires game studio Boldplay https://next.io/news/investment/openbox-acquires-game-studio-boldplay/ Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We’ll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. Be cool, be curious, be in the know! _____ This episode is brought to you by: Playson: https://playson.com/ Sponsored by: Hub88.io: https://hub88.io/

Join us on this week’s NEXT.io Weekly News for key updates in the iGaming sector. We cover Playtech's lawsuit against Games Global over IP infringement and the backlash against Playtech’s $100 million bonus scheme. Additionally, we spotlight Wynn Resorts' significant strides in the UAE, including securing a pioneering gaming license and boosting their resort budget. 🗞 Read the full stories here: - Exclusive: Playtech sues Games Global for IP infringement after spying claims https://next.io/news/casino/playtech-sues-games-global-ip-infringement/ - Playtech investors slam €100m executive bonus scheme https://next.io/news/investment/playtech-investors-slam-100m-bonus-scheme/ - Wynn Al Marjan secures first gaming licence in the UAE https://next.io/news/regulation/wynn-secures-first-uae-gaming-licence/ -Wynn increases UAE resort budget by 31% to $5.1bn https://next.io/news/casino/wynn-increases-uae-resort-budget/ Hang out with Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen on our Weekly News live stream, every Thursday at 3 PM CET across all our social media channels. We’ll dive into the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week. Be cool, be curious, be in the know! _____ This episode is brought to you by: Playson: https://playson.com/ Sponsored by: Hub88.io: https://hub88.io/

This week on NEXT.io Weekly News, we spotlight major regulatory updates from Brazil and the US. Brazil's Finance Minister unveils a strict enforcement plan for iGaming, and temporary bans affect major brands during the transition.  Meanwhile, in the US, Kalshi prepares to relaunch election betting, and California tribes gain the right to sue cardrooms, potentially altering the gambling landscape. 🗞 Read the full stories here: - Brazil’s finance minister outlines illegal gambling enforcement plan https://next.io/news/regulation/brazil-finance-minister-outlines-enforcement-plan/ - Brazil bars major brands from market during transition phase https://next.io/news/regulation/brazil-bars-major-brands-transition-phase/ - Kilt to launch election bets again after winning latest legal fight https://next.io/news/regulation/kalshi-to-launch-election-bets-again/ - California tribes able to sue cardrooms after Newsom signs bill https://next.io/news/regulation/california-tribes-able-to-sue-cardrooms/ This week's sessions are brought to you by: Playson: https://playson.com/  Sponsored by:  Hub88: https://hub88.io/ Join Conor Mulheir and Nico Jansen every Thursday at 3pm CET across all our social media channels to get the freshest iGaming news and explore the most captivating stories of the week.  Be cool, be curious, be in the know!

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #205 with Matevž Mazij, CEO of Bragg Gaming Group. In this NEXT.io Podcast episode, Matevž Mazij, CEO of Bragg Gaming Group, returns for an in-depth discussion about the company’s progress and the future in the rapidly evolving iGaming industry.  A year after his first appearance in the studio, Matevž reflects on Bragg’s growth, new leadership hires, and strategic focus on key markets including North America, Latin America, and Europe. ⏰ Timestamps:  00:00 – Introduction 00:31 – Sponsors 01:34 – Welcoming Matevž 02:28 – Overview of Bragg Gaming’s business model 05:00 – A year in review: Bragg’s strategic progress 07:00 – Strengthening the executive leadership team 10:05 – Industry M&A trends and their impact on Bragg 12:15 – Long-term strategy for achieving profitability 16:30 – Bragg’s growth in regulated markets 20:20 – Key growth opportunities for Bragg 24:20 – How to grow revenue in the US market 27:30 – Competition in the US market 31:50 – The online lottery landscape 35:27 – Focus on the Canada market 37:54 – Opportunities in the Latin American market 41:01 – Growth opportunities in Europe and emerging regulations 46:00 – Strategic goals for Bragg over the next year 48:03 – Closing remarks and future outlook 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nextdotio/ ✩ X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextdotio _____ This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/ Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/  Episode sponsored by: https://www.creedroomz.com/

🎙 NEXT.io Podcast #204 with Oleg Profatylo, Head of Marketing, Playson In this episode, Oleg Profatylo discusses the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, comparing it with B2C strategies and highlighting the key trends shaping the future. He shares invaluable insights on brand building, lead generation, and the importance of a people-centric approach in today's business world. Learn how to balance long-term brand growth with short-term sales goals, and discover the essential tools every B2B marketer needs to succeed in 2024. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:27 - Sponsors  01:42 - Welcoming Oleg Profatylo 03:01 - Key Differences Between B2B and B2C Marketing  06:11 - Building Reputation  08:03 - Marketing Trends for 2024 11:02 – Personalization in B2B Marketing 16:14 – Balancing Brand Building and Lead Generation 18:25 - Essential Marketing Tools for B2B Strategy 23:06 – How to Stand Out in an Increasingly B2B Landscape 27:27 – The Role of AI in B2B Marketing 30:50 – Common Mistakes in B2B Marketing 33:31 – Oleg’s Strategy for Playson’s Marketing Success 36:46 - Oleg's Top B2B Brands  40:00 – Closing Marks  🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextdotio CONNECT WITH NEXT.IO ✩ Website - https://next.io/ ✩ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nextdotio/ ✩ X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/nextdotio ✩ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextdotio _____ This episode of the NEXT.io is brought to you by: Pragmatic Play – Industry-leading content provider. https://www.pragmaticplay.com/en/ Pragmatic Solutions – Leading iGaming platform technology. https://pragmatic.solutions/  Episode sponsored by: https://www.creedroomz.com/