Business Of Betting Podcast

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry, a Canadian company focused on serving a new generation of bettors with a mix of eSports, traditional sports, and gaming products. Hear them discuss: 01:53 - Steven’s view on Canada’s current state, including challenges in healthcare and housing 02:10 - The cost of living in Canada and its impact on citizens 10:49 - Why Rivalry avoided an RTO and opted for a direct listing 20:05 - The struggles of managing a public company on quarterly reporting cycles 26:40 - Rivalry’s transformation to prioritize profitability and player KPIs 30:30 - The benefits of using crypto as a payment processor in the gambling industry 33:40 - How blockchain analysis tools help Rivalry ensure compliance with crypto transactions 34:40 - Why fiat regulations make payment processing more frustrating than crypto 28:40 - Rivalry's innovative approach to catering to a younger, internet-native demographic 30:47 - The challenge

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason hosts an office hours session to kick off 2025. Hear him discuss: 03:40 - DraftKings’ latest attempt to monetize through subscription fees and his perspective on the move 05:30 - Bet365’s impressive revenue growth and its controversial market practices 08:50 - Reflections on the U.S. election results and expectations for Trump’s new administration 14:30 - Jason's New Year’s resolutions, including healthier habits and reduced screen time 16:30 - Predictions for the sports betting industry in 2025 Tune in to hear Jason’s candid insights and plans for the year ahead! ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ 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. iGam

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Adam Krejcik, co-founder and partner at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. Hear them discuss: 00:50 - How Adam's company name creates lasting impressions 03:20 - The services Eilers & Krejcik Gaming provides and their value to stakeholders 07:16 - Adam’s background and his path into the gaming industry 08:50 - The evolving culture of gaming and sports betting in California 12:10 - Challenges and opportunities in regulating gaming in California 15:00 - The proposition system in California and why sports betting legalization efforts have failed 19:10 - A comparison of regulatory environments in California and Texas 21:50 - The rise of sweepstakes gaming and its implications for the industry 24:20 - Advice for entrepreneurs aiming to enter the U.S. sports betting market 26:50 - The potential for disruption in the U.S. sports betting landscape 29:00 - Adam’s reflections on the current market leaders and their growth trajectory ⚡️ Follow Bo

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Nigel Eccles, founder of BetHog and co-founder of FanDuel. Hear them discuss: 3:11 - Why the UK startup scene struggles to compete with the US. 8:23 - Founding FanDuel and the challenges of building a billion-dollar company. 14:27 - Why Nigel stayed in the US and the entrepreneurial energy it offers. 21:00 - Raising massive funding rounds at FanDuel and what it taught him. 38:50 - The FanDuel sale to Flutter and why it wasn’t a win for everyone involved. 42:00 - Nigel’s journey after FanDuel, including launching various ventures before BetHog. 47:20 - Reflections on working with a spouse and how it shaped FanDuel's growth. 53:15 - Why BetHog is Nigel’s next big bet and how it’s making sports betting more social. ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Op

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Jeff Ifrah, Founding & Managing Partner at Ifrah Law. Hear them discuss: 01:30 - Jeff’s reaction to U.S. midterm results and their impact on sports betting. 02:13 - Insights into New Jersey legislation and the issue of "skins." 04:00 - Balancing political realities with free-market ideals in regulation. 07:00 - Legal takes on sweepstakes models and their viability. 09:20 - Why regulators are slow to act on sweepstakes issues. 15:18 - Challenges for small operators in markets dominated by giants. 18:40 - Comparing the U.K. gaming model to the U.S. system. 21:00 - Polymarket and Kalshi: Contrasting legal paths for event markets. 30:20 - The current state of using cryptocurrency in U.S. sports betting. ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ 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

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Rob Davies, COO of PowerPlay. Hear them discuss: 01:00 - Rob’s unique background in philosophy and his PhD on religious toleration 02:15 - Why Rob will always be a Bolton Wanderers fan, no matter what! 03:00 - The importance of accepting fallibility in business and decision-making 06:10 - How Rob transitioned from academia to the betting industry through William Hill 08:40 - Rob and Jason laugh about always being surprised by the “butler” in mystery plots 10:00 - How Rob’s perspective on the morality of gambling has changed over time 13:47 - What is “palpable error,” and how PowerPlay handles it transparently 15:22 - Jason tests Rob’s philosophy background with a counter-case on bet repricing ethics 20:47 - Why not build PowerPlay on top of an exchange model? Rob shares his insights 24:20 - Rob’s advice for startups: the importance of customer service and query resolution 28:10 - The rise of offshore and crypto casinos and their impact o

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by writer, David Hill to discuss his Rolling Stone feature - "Is the $11 Billion Online Sportsbook Bubble About to Burst?" Hear them discuss: 00:51 - David's transition from a union organizer to becoming a writer and how it shaped his immersive storytelling approach. 07:30 - David's upbringing in Hot Springs, Arkansas, a historic gambling hub, and its influence on his interest in gambling. 09:00 - The morality of gambling, societal parallels with alcohol, and reflections on how gambling's perception has evolved. 12:15 - The intertwining history of gambling and sports, including how gambling shaped early sports in America. 15:10 - The industry's current technological challenges, perceived stagnation, and its pricing inefficiencies. 20:30 - The debate around sports betting’s sustainability, public perception, and parallels with other industries. 30:20 - The societal costs of gambling addiction and the industry's responsibility in addressing p

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Jeff Benson, Director of Operations at Circa Sports. Hear them discuss: 02:10 - How Jeff got started in the sports betting industry 03:30 - What brought Jeff to Circa Sports and his early impressions of the company 06:40 - The growth strategy for Circa Sports and its approach to expansion 08:05 - The unique aspects of Circa’s sportsbook operation model 10:50 - How Circa approaches customer service and client relations 12:35 - Circa’s philosophy on offering high betting limits and customer-friendly policies 15:10 - The challenges of balancing profitability with bettor-friendly practices 17:50 - Circa’s stance on responsible gambling and its approach to player protections 21:00 - The impact of sports betting legislation on Circa’s business 24:15 - Jeff’s perspective on the future of the sports betting industry and exchanges ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- T

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by his coach, Liam Forde, Founder and CEO of The Zone. Hear them discuss: 03:00 - How Jason first met Liam and began coaching with him 05:20 - Liam’s views on when strict coaching models may or may not work 06:30 - How to motivate employees without anger, and why clarity and responsibility matter 09:20 - How Jason’s coaching helped him shift from an “angry coach” approach 11:00 - The concept of “flow” and why rest is crucial to reach a flow state 12:20 - Why balance between work intensity and mental relaxation improves productivity 14:40 - Jason’s shift in perspective on health and wellness after working with Liam 20:10 - How Liam encouraged Jason to prioritize health through gentle accountability 24:00 - Balancing the demands of being a CEO with family life, and the impact on productivity 30:10 - Jason’s reflections on how being a CEO impacts his employees and their families 33:30 - The “superpowers” and challenges different types of CEOs t

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Sue Schneider, Co-Founder at Defy the Odds. Hear them discuss: 03:15 - How Sue got started in the betting industry 07:42 - The early days of online gaming and betting 12:33 - Challenges Sue faced in building an industry presence 16:50 - The evolution of regulatory frameworks in online gambling 21:17 - Key milestones in the global expansion of sports betting 27:20 - Sue’s role and experiences working at SBC 29:30 - The role of technology in transforming betting experiences 30:45 - Co-Founding Defy the Odds and setting its goals 34:12 - Differences in gambling regulations across regions 39:45 - Advice for those entering the gaming and betting industry today ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ 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 star

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Adam Small, founder of Third Planet Affiliates. Hear them discuss: 02:01 - Adam’s background and entry into the betting industry 02:40 - Election mania and its impact on business sentiment 03:24 - The role of affiliates in the betting industry 04:23 - Industry insights and trends impacting affiliates 13:44 - Reflecting on the affiliate sector's recent challenges 14:31 - Examining examples of affiliate revenue "baskets" 16:22 - Shifts in cost-per-click and SEO strategies 17:40 - Adam's journey into the affiliate industry 28:00 - Why Adam chose not to become a betting operator 29:30 - The appeal and challenges of being an affiliate 34:08 - The future of growth and potential reckoning in affiliates 37:00 - What’s next for affiliate marketing in betting ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Market

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason answers listener-submitted questions and shares his insights on the latest developments in the industry, including the proposed UK gambling tax, sweepstakes models, and NCAA player prop markets. Hear him discuss: 01:26 - His recent trip to Vegas and G2E conference highlights 03:30 - Impact of proposed UK gambling tax increase 08:00 - Sweepstake models and their rise in the United States 10:45 - Industry optimism from recent G2E and SBC conferences 16:53 - NCAA’s consideration of banning player prop markets due to social media abuse 22:41 - Why PolyMarket and Kalshi predict Trump as the 2024 election favorite, despite traditional polls showing a close race ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ 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 indust

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Stuart Simms, the CEO of FairPlay Sports Media, recorded live at G2E in Las Vegas. Hear them discuss: 01:10 - The strategic shift from OddsChecker to Fairplay Sports Media 04:10 - Stuart’s personal health journey and diagnosis with cancer 08:20 - The impact of diet on health and cancer treatment 12:00 - Key takeaways from G2E and networking insights 13:30 - The changes in OddsChecker’s business model 16:40 - Acquisition of Quarter4 and integrating AI for predictive models in sports betting 19:30 - How AI and real-time data impact tools like Bet Builder 22:00 - The challenges of balancing transparency for consumers and relationships with bookmakers 25:40 - The pricing margins in sports betting 30:10 - Consumer price sensitivity in sports betting 32:00 - The future of betting exchanges and the role of user experience in adoption 33:50 - U.S. market opportunities for data-driven tools in sports betting ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X: https:/

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Dean Sisun from ProphetX. Hear them discuss: 02:04 - The overview of ProphetX and the sweepstakes model 04:12 - Postmortem on why ProphetX moved away from the betting exchange model 08:40 - Challenges with regulatory models in the betting industry 10:00 - Exploring the novelty factor and customer acquisition 11:25 - Predictions for the future viability of betting exchanges in the U.S. 13:32 - Understanding how sweepstakes stacks up to traditional sports betting 14:00 - Legality of the sweepstakes model 16:00 - The mechanics of turning sweepstakes into a cash prize 18:40 - Companies operating in the sweepstakes sports betting market 25:53 - The challenges of implementing the peer-to-peer model 26:51 - Managing a remote team, while moving to Miami ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here --- This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Bill Pascrell, III (BP3) at the SBC Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. Hear them discuss: 01:20 Pascrell’s Journey and Industry Insights shared 02:32 Debating the morality of gambling practices 04:09 Personal reflections and upcoming ethics debate preview 11:32 The Intersection of politics and gambling industry 15:00 Advice on how to engage in political advocacy 18:04 Challenges in legalizing sports betting across states 27:24 Discussing state dynamics and tribal sovereignty issues 29:54 The New Jersey compromise and casino concerns raised 31:57 The role of tribes in political coalitions building 32:27 Public perception and media Influence on gambling 35:22 Political betting and regulatory challenges explained 42:05 Federal vs. state regulation of gambling industry 46:08 Election perspective and political divisions discussed ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here ---

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason returns after a summer break with his first solo "Office hours" episode, where he tackles questions surrounding regulation, prediction markets, bettor limits, the US presidential election, and the latest from within Smarkets. Hear them discuss: 01:00 - Jason’s summer break and family reflections 02:30 - Differences in French vs. American culture 05:00 - Kalshi's prediction markets and CFTC regulation 09:15 - Massachusetts Gaming Commission on limiting bettors 15:00 - The US presidential election race, and what the Smarkets markets are saying 45 days from the election 19:30 - Attending conferences like the upcoming SBC Summit and G2E 23:00 - Smarkets' current projects and updates ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ 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 star

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Dustin Gouker, Founder of Closing Line Consulting, and Joe Brennan Jr., Executive Chairman from Prime Sports. Hear them discuss: 01:35 - DraftKings' new winning surcharge announcement 02:45 - The states affected by the surcharge 03:20 - The stock market's reaction to the announcement 04:05 - Comparison of U.S. and international tax rates 06:30 - The potential impact on DraftKings' profitability 07:55 - The price sensitivity of American bettors 09:00 - Historical context of high tax rates in the industry 10:15 - Implications for competitors like FanDuel and Smarkets 12:50 - The adjusted EBITDA and financial metrics analysis 16:00 - Potential impact on VIP customers and betting volume 18:20 - Product comparison between sportsbooks and exchanges 20:00 - Broader implications for the sports betting industry 22:00 - Predictions on if DraftKings will implement the surcharge ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/X ⚡️ Apply t

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Jamie Hart from Conquer Technology. Hear them discuss: 1:10 - The recent UK elections and environmental concerns 2:22 - Climate change and the role of government in solving big issues 4:16 - Jamie's background in horse racing and initial experiences with betting 7:10 - Early internet betting and its evolution at William Hill 8:28 - The challenges of manual betting systems and early online betting 10:05 - The impact of regulatory changes on sports betting innovation 12:36 - The importance of knowing every aspect of your business operations 14:43 - Jamie's perspective on technology and customer interaction in betting 18:00 - Discussing the stagnation in the betting industry due to regulatory pressures 20:36 - Potential future changes and innovations in the betting industry 23:18 - The challenges and potential of horse racing in modern betting 27:00 - The importance of making betting more accessible and enjoyable 31:10 - Comparing horse rac

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Sam Sadi from LiveScore Group. Hear them discuss: 1:52 - Sam's life after leaving Turkey, and then returning to start a sportsbook in 1998 2:36 - Understanding inflation in Turkey and historical economic comparisons 3:53 - The history of how the LiveScore Group came together 8:26 - How LiveScore Group is differentiate itself from other UK sportsbooks 10:11 - Developing an in-house sportsbook platform, and current efforts to migrate to it 11:35 - Sam's definition of being a world-class sportsbook product 20:29 - How Sam think about buying versus building core pieces of the technology stack 26:02 - Sam's take on the state of sports betting in 2024 28:18 - How Sam views unregulated markets 31:08 - Insights on the role of exchanges in the future of sports betting 35:45 - Regulation, the push for transparency, and consumer empowerment 42:39 - What Sam wants to be when he grows up ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Follow Jason on Twitter/

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jason is joined by Joe "Tall" Bunevith from GLI. Hear them discuss: 01:25 - What GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) does and their global reach. 02:31 - The presidential debate and the relevance of political debates in modern media. 03:29 - Joe's take on the impact of political debates and the change in political dynamics over the years. 10:11 - Poker, Joe's career shift, and his experience in the poker industry. 13:16 - Joe's journey from Massachusetts to Southern California and launching a poker training company. 17:41 - Insight into professional poker life, the importance of emotional control, and the rise of poker solvers. 22:49 - Joe’s role at GLI and the regulatory process for sports betting applications. 25:36 - The GLI 33 certification process and discusses regulatory challenges. 31:38 - The difficulties startups face in the current regulatory environment and the impact on innovation. 34:31 - Joe’s perspective on the lack of new entrants in t