The Casino Business Podcast

In this interview, URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, sits down with Tim Brooks, General Manager of Emerald Island and Rainbow Club Casinos, to break down what drives loyalty in a high frequency locals market in Henderson, Nevada. Brooks shares how the properties grew by staying close to the guest, moving quickly as an independent operator, and treating service as the core differentiator. The conversa...

Sports can be a major revenue driver for casinos, boosting foot traffic, customer engagement, and spending across gaming and F&B. However, there is a growing complexity of sports media rights and legal compliance for commercial use.  EverPass Media CMO, Bryan Icenhower, joins URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, for an interview that discusses how EverPass simplifies access to premium sports content for...

Craig Shacklett , URComped CEO, interviews  Iryna Ashyrova , iGaminig product manager and podcaster, to break down the realities of the Ukrainian and Eastern European gambling markets – from their retail beginnings in the 1990s to today's dominant online and crypto-driven landscape. She shares insights into market size, regulatory challenges, corruption, aggressive marketing tactics, and why sport...

Volante Software CEO, Juan Romero, discusses a needed transformational shift in how casino operators should evaluate and manage their slot floors in this interview with URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett. The conversation centers on Slot Trak and its role in helping operations move beyond traditional top-line revenue thinking to a more impactful bottom-line perspective, factoring in costs, downtime, la...

In this interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with Jim Sulima, AKA Super Host 88 and Director of Player Development at Tioga Downs, to break down his 5 Commandments of Player Development and relationship marketing. Drawing from his experience, Jim shares the universal principles that transcend properties, markets, and job titles, outlining his "commandments" for building loyalty, trust...

URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with true industry original Henry Pisano, Player Development OG and owner of Pisano Destinations, for a conversation that spans the evolution of casino hosting from the old-school days to today's data-driven world. From boiler rooms and handwritten player notes to the lost art of negotiation, relationship-building, and service beyond points, Henry shares lege...

From console to casino. In this exclusive interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with Rebecca Martin, CEO and Founder of Spin Pass, to explore how video game-inspired technology is redefining loyalty in the iGaming world. Drawing from proven engagement mechanics found in the video game industry, Spin Pass introduces a modern, dynamic approach to player loyalty that goes far beyond tradi...

In this exclusive interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with the Event Vice President of G2E, Korbi Carrison , to explore how the industry's premier gaming conference has evolved over time. From a look back at what gaming conventions were like before G2E, to the early days that shaped the show's foundation, the conversation traces G2E's growth alongside the rapid transformation of the...

In this insightful interview, Craig Shacklett, CEO of URComped, sits down with Ari Mizrachi, Senior Vice President and Head of North America Business for Tangam Systems, to explore how data-driven intelligence is transforming the casino floor. Together, they dive into why Ari was drawn to Tangam's mission, how the company is bridging the gap between operations and marketing, and the ways their tec...

One of the most influential innovators in modern gaming—Nigel Eccles, co-founder of FanDuel and current CEO and co-founder of BetHog joins URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, for a conversation about his product's growth and development. In this interview, Nigel takes us inside the origin story of FanDuel: how the idea first sparked, how early prediction-market experiments led to a dramatic pivot, and...

In this interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with Nick Ippolito, Player Development Mentor and "The Host Whisperer," to unpack how casino player development really works across markets. Kicking off with Nick's article "I'm Not Talking About Vegas!", the conversation explains why blanket advice fails outside destination markets and how hosts must tailor strategy to property realities l...

In this interview, Hawk Tax Solutions Tax Director and Enrolled Agent Ashley Davis joins URComped CEO Craig Shacklett to answer some of the most common gambling accounting and tax questions players face. She breaks down what qualifies as a professional gambler, how to properly track wins and losses, and which expenses can be deducted. The conversation also covers tricky areas like sweepstakes casi...

In this interview, URComped CEO,  Craig Shacklett , sits down with  Robert Christensen,  Director of Digital Gaming at Choctaw Casino, for an in-depth look at the evolving world of online gaming through the lens of tribal operations. From the launch of Choctaw's Social Casino to the nuances of Class II versus Class III gaming, Christensen breaks down complex regulatory frameworks, the rise of swee...

In this interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett speaks with Edge Boost Founder and CEO Seni Thomas about his innovative payment solution designed to streamline how gamers access funds while playing. They explore how the company's unique approach provides a solution to payment bottlenecks, offering gamers a secure and efficient way to access funds. The discussion explores the benefits of Edge Boost...

After releasing the article, "The Elephant In The Room: Casino Security," Nick Ippolito , Player Development Mentor AKA "The Host Whisperer,"  joins URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett in a deep discussion about customer service. The conversation covers Ippolito's experience at Soboba Casino, issues around casino security, the role of non-gaming employees in player development, the significance of under...

In this engaging interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with Kevin Sweet, Senior Vice President of Slot Marketing and Operations at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, to explore what makes this stunning new property on the Strip a must-visit destination. From exclusive gaming experiences and top-tier dining to luxurious rooms and unforgettable entertainment, Sweet gives an insider's look at what...

In this interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett speaks with Jaimie McGuiness, Marketing Manager, and Charleyn Jacobson, Casino Operations Manager at Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, about the innovative EZ Play Zone powered by Interblock and how it's reshaping traditional table games with modern technology. They break down what makes EZ Play special, including its hybrid design combining electronic be...

In this exciting interview, URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett sits down with Melissa Newman, AKA 'Professor Melissa, ' to go behind the scenes of this cruise content creator. We dive into her journey—from what she was doing before launching her channel to the moment she decided to share her perspective with the world. Known for her viral and sometimes controversial videos, Professor Melissa opens up a...

In this exciting interview, URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett sits down with Melissa Newman, AKA 'Professor Melissa, ' to go behind the scenes of this cruise content creator. We dive into her journey—from what she was doing before launching her channel to the moment she decided to share her perspective with the world. Known for her viral and sometimes controversial videos, Professor Melissa opens up a...

In this insightful interview, Craig Shacklett, CEO of URComped, sits down with Juan Romero, CEO of Volante Software, and James O'Kimosh, Senior Slot Director at Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, to discuss the challenges and strategies behind implementing new systems in casinos. From identifying operational pain points to evaluating vendor solutions, this discussion covers how Desert Diamond...

Jim Sulima, Director of Player Development at Rocky Gap Casino Resort, joins URComped CEO Craig Shacklett to explore effective strategies for reactivating and retaining casino players. The discussion dives into key topics such as identifying inactive players, understanding why they disengage, and analyzing their responses. Sulima shares practical tactics for bringing players back, the best approac...

Nick Ippolito, Player Development Mentor AKA "The Host Whisperer,"  offers a unique perspective on player development within the rapidly growing iGaming space in this interview with URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett. Nick shares the differences between online and in-person gaming environments,  the critical importance of building genuine relationships, and actionable insights for hosts looking to elev...

In this special interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with Vince Lentini, VP of Casino for Margaritaville at Sea, to uncover everything casino players need to know about sailing with this tropical-themed cruise line. Vince dives into the exciting details of the new Players Club loyalty program, including the exclusive Tide Rollers benefit, how players can qualify for offers, and how to...

Dennis Conrad , Lifetime Achievement Award winner in Casino Marketing and Founder of Raving Consulting, has spent over 5 decades impacting the industry with his innovative approach and keen business perception. In this interview with  Craig Shacklett,  URComped CEO, Conrad reflects on his journey- how he climbed the ranks, made pivotal career shifts, and built Raving Consulting. Dennis has always...

In this Casino Innovators interview, Angel Espino , Principal and Creative Director of Casino Gaming Development, sits down with URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett to discuss the world of casino game creation. Espino shares his journey into the industry, the secrets behind successful game ideas, and what it takes to develop a game that captures both players' interest and operators' approval. They dive...