iGaming Checkup

About this Episode: In our final podcast episode this series, Dr Eyal and marketing specialist Elen Barber, ex-CMO of Kindred and Super Group, discuss the topic with so many entertainment platforms available, how do producers manage the biggest problem of all: consumption. Your audience watch, play and consume what you make, but you need to continually match that with making more of it. For example, in casual games you need to produce more levels, and in Netflix you need to produce more shows. A solution for content producers is to speed up production consistently but how achievable is that? Traditionally in iGaming when a strong mechanic is discovered, it will stick around for months or even years. The pair look into whether this reality is changing in iGaming. And if so, why? How does this relate to changes in business models and the need to speed things up? Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/people/igb-podcast-igaming-checkup-with-dr-eyal-consumable-content-rubyplay Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Zjr9IRwoE Chapters (00:00:00) - Coming Up(00:01:07) - Introduction(00:02:06) - Elen Barber on her Career(00:04:31) - The Role of Marketing in a Business(00:08:41) - How to Acquire Players in a Saturated Market(00:15:58) - Operators' Trust(00:19:11) - Gambling: The Consumable Content(00:24:58) - The Future of Gaming(00:32:44) - The Quest for Quality in Media(00:33:11) - The Impact of AI on Content(00:39:22) - The Future of AI & Safety

About this Episode: Australia has its majestic blue seas, otherworldly beaches and iconic wildlife - but did you know that many of today’s most popular casino games actually originated from Down Under? Australia’s iGaming culture and regulation have been quietly shaping global industry standards for decades. In this episode, Dr Eyal and former Crown Resorts CEO Ken Barton unpack the evolution of iGaming - exploring how technology, player psychology and shifting cultural expectations are redefining iGaming entertainment. We also ask whether traditional physical casinos can adapt and survive in an increasingly digital world. Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/igb-podcast-igaming-checkup-with-dr-eyal-pokies-platforms-and-purpose Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZe5z5g5GU Chapters (00:00:00) - Coming Up(00:01:27) - Introduction(00:02:28) - Are Australians the Biggest Gambling People in the World?(00:09:51) - CFO of Crown Resorts(00:19:52) - Australia's iGaming Role(00:27:30) - Can Slot Machines Survive in a Digital World?(00:39:17) - The Future of Slot Machines(00:41:29) - The Culture of Companies

About this Episode: Dr Eyal and former BETonSPORTS CEO David Carruthers tap into how overzealous regulators create a black market in their own back yard. But is this a good or bad thing for iGaming? With the natural shift many companies take from unregulated activity that brings fast cash flow, to regulated activity that brings long term value, the pair examine the two different attitudes from regulators - one that attempts to create a thriving iGaming ecosystem, and one that tries to shut it down. Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/regulation/igb-podcast-igaming-checkup-with-dr-eyal-white-is-the-new-black Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yETEpIzVYUI Chapters (00:00:00) - Coming Up(00:01:18) - Introduction(00:02:17) - The Personal Impact of Regulation in iGaming(00:03:11) - The Coca-Cola of iGaming(00:06:37) - RubyPlay on iGaming Regulation(00:16:16) - Germany's Plan to Regulate Online Gambling(00:21:45) - iGaming and Gambling(00:27:24) - Race Commentary in Betting Shops(00:30:14) - The Role of Regulation in the Sportsbook Industry

Dr Eyal is joined by a big name from the industry this week, Alex Tomic - Founder of Alea, to discuss the shame in iGaming. About this Episode: Why do we say the iGaming industry instead of the gambling industry? In this episode, we unpack the taboo surrounding iGaming. From the professional perspective of those working within the sector to the societal attitudes shaping player behaviour, we unlock why gambling continues to carry shame and what that means for operators, employees and players alike. We’ll look to explore the origins of internalized shame, industry perception and strategies to break the taboo and foster a more honest and inclusive conversation around iGaming. Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/sustainable-gambling/responsible-gambling/igb-podcast-what-a-shame-eyal-loz-alex-tomic Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To0b8krfL3w Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction(00:01:01) - iGaming: Shame in the Industry(00:08:33) - The Problem with Obsession(00:11:09) - Does Gambling Bring Value to us as a Society?(00:19:54) - The Importance of Luck in Gaming(00:23:27) - The House Always Wins(00:29:15) - The Best Employers(00:35:34) - Do iGaming Companies Attract the Smartest Talent?

This time round, Dr Eyal is joined by Kasra Ghaharian Ph.D - Director of Research at UNLV, to discuss core subjects such as ethics in iGaming and slot machine design. About this Episode: Players play to play, not to win. Why? Explore how iGaming products are deliberately designed to prolong user engagement, sometimes to the point of addiction. We discuss what should be done in order to morally and ethically encourage engagement but also look after gamers and protect their wellbeing. Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/sustainable-gambling/responsible-gambling/igaming-checkup-with-dr-eyal-well-give-you-an-offer-you-cannot-refuse Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hDpO046NVs Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction(00:01:00) - Player Behaviours(00:09:49) - Risk and Randomness in Gaming(00:12:28) - Data-Driven Design(00:14:44) - Gambling Data and the Pitfalls(00:18:28) - The UK's £150 Financial Check(00:20:09) - Gambling Incentives

Dr Eyal is joined by Ozric Vondervelden, the man who outsmarted the whole casino industry. Now Co-Founder of Greco, he shares how iGaming companies protect themselves and how to increase trust. About this Episode: The iGaming industry is shrouded in secrecy! But is it? Or is it so complex that it’s too hard to see the jungle from the trees? What monsters hide in this jungle - money laundering, bonus abuse, hacking, fraud, and other such lovely surprises that await iGaming companies from their players. How iGaming companies protect themselves, and how to increase trust. Discover how players legally “print money” by exploiting bonus systems, how operators detect these behaviors, and how AI is changing the future of online casino security. Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/tech-innovation/fraud/igb-podcast-igaming-checkup-with-dr-eyal-the-igaming-jungle Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWsk-MjnawE Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction(00:01:01) - Fighting in the Jungle(00:02:23) - What is Bonus Abuse in Gaming?(00:09:58) - How to spot iGaming frauds(00:19:19) - How to Manage Multi-Gaming in Gaming(00:23:35) - Mixed Motives in Video Games

Dr Eyal chats with Zoe Ebling - VP of Interactive at American Gaming Systems (AGS), an expert when it comes to launching successful games titles across global markets. Together they unpack the psychology behind why players play, what makes a great core game, and how responsible innovation can shape the next generation of online casinos. About this Episode: Gamification is all the rage, but many tools that are created by suppliers and operators are there to maximise player’s matrices. For example, Turbo mode, Boost mode, Buy feature, Ante bet, opt-in jackpots and other such tools. How do these impact the size of a player wallet? Are they good or bad for players and operators? What are the incentives? Why regulators and some operators have such a love-hate relationship with these tools? Listen in to explore the future of gamification, AI and player engagement in iGaming. Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino-games/igb-podcast-igaming-checkup-gamification-dr-eyal Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGlrm2qL66Y   Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction(00:01:01) - "Players, they Play to Win..."(00:04:10) - Core Product: The Need for Gamification(00:08:37) - Marketing: The Case for Gamification(00:11:56) - Free-to-play vs. Upsell(00:17:43) - How Digital Companies are Leveraging Incrementals(00:21:20) - Inflation of Opportunities and Increments(00:23:07) - On Land Based Gaming: The Future of Gamification(00:29:23) - Gambling: Future of AI and Gamification

Dr Eyal opens the series in a discussion with ex-Hollywood actor Travis Geiger, Co-Founder of WagerWire. About this Episode: The Netflix model is often seen as the blueprint for online casinos and sportsbooks operators looking to attract and retain customers - they often want to mirror how Netflix has achieved a massive, international subscriber base through a seamless user experience and targeted content. What lessons can iGaming take from the Netflix model? How is iGaming similar, and how is it different? Find more information here: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino-games/product-technology/igb-podcast-igaming-checkup-with-dr-eyal-can-we-spin-a-netflix Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia7RuaV8RwY   Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction(00:01:23) - The Erdős-Bacon Numbers(00:03:53) - Netflix vs iGaming: The Accessibility Revolution(00:11:38) - Steve Bannon on Las Vegas and Hollywood(00:12:59) - Netflix's Regulatory Obstacles(00:19:31) - Icons vs. Netflix: The Competition(00:28:51) - Will Digital Entertainment dominate Sports Betting?(00:31:28) - How Comedy is dominating the Movie Industry(00:34:22) - Is Entertainment Risk comparable to iGaming?(00:36:44) - Gambling and Media: The 3 E's