The iGaming Leader

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Antti Koivula, iGaming lawyer at Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law, an expert on Finnish law and a former professional sports bettor.  Antti discusses his transition from a demanding and very successful sports betting career to becoming a legal advisor and shares insights on managing extreme focus, the challenges of long working hours, and the life...

In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Shelley Hannah, CPO at Relax Gaming.  Shelley shares her inspiring 25-year journey from software programming to executive leadership in iGaming.  She opens up about battling perfectionism, navigating self-doubt, leading through rapid industry change, and recovering from a life-altering car accident.  The conversation explores leadership resili...

In this episode of the iGaming Leader Podcast, Leo sits down with Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, a distinguished professional in the gaming industry with over a decade of experience working with prominent organizations such as GVC, Labworks Coral, and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).  Grainne shares her challenging yet brilliant career starting from her return from mate...

In this episode of the iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Fintan Costello, former MD at BonusFinder and current Non-Executive Director at Gambling.com Group. Fintan shares the remarkable journey from launching daring stunts at Paddy Power to scaling an affiliate business through grit, creativity, and relentless execution.  The conversation explores entrepreneurship inside and outside the corporate...

In this episode of iGaming Leader , host Leo Judkins sits down with Nakeeta Janse van Rensburg , former Group CEO of the MEGA Group, co-founder of StratEdge Group, and UK ambassador for Women in Gaming Africa. Nakeeta shares her extraordinary journey through 17 years in iGaming leadership, culminating in her transition to entrepreneurship. The conversation explores leadership , burnout , servant l...

Episode Summary In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Frank op de Woerd, co-founder and CEO of CasinoNieuws.nl. Frank shares his journey from bluffing his way into poker journalism to becoming a respected media figure in the Dutch iGaming industry.  He opens up about burnout, leadership, the emotional fallout of COVID, and why he walked away from high-status opportunities to start...

In this episode of the iGaming Leader, Leo Judkins sits down with John Wright, co-founder of StatsDrone.  John shares challenges and tough decisions he faced, almost going bankrupt and starting over with his business, finding his purpose, the role of therapy in his life, and the way he navigated through some professional and personal setbacks. The conversation explores his experiences with public...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Daniel Beard, Partner at Partis Capital and long-time advisor in the gaming industry.  Daniel shares a raw and honest reflection on his journey—from adoption trauma and imposter syndrome to leading multimillion-pound deals and founding one of the most community-driven events in iGaming. The conversation explores leadership under pressure, emoti...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with several standout members of the iGaming Leader Mastermind to share their deeply personal journeys of transformation.  From burnout and overwhelm to sustainable high performance, these stories reveal the real impact of removing the mask and prioritising wellbeing in the world of leadership.  The conversation explores burnout, work-life balance,...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo Judkins sits down with Vladimir Malakchi, investor, advisor, former CCO of Evoplay and CEO of Xanada Investments.  Vladimir shares how adaptability, integrity, and fearless decision-making shaped his journey from government employee to multi-industry executive and respected leader in iGaming.  The conversation explores personal resilience, navigating uncertai...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Mark Schmidt, Managing Director at EveryMatrix and a seasoned iGaming professional with over 17 years of industry experience.  Mark shares his extraordinary journey from rising through the ranks in sports betting and gaming, to battling addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts—and ultimately rebuilding his life and career. The conversation...

In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Sasha Uman, Chief Commercial Officer at Playtech Live.  Sasha shares her inspiring journey from finance associate to CCO at Playtech Live's division, revealing how bold moves, and supportive networks shaped her career.  The conversation explores her path through the iGaming industry, the importance of asking for opportunities, overcoming impos...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Paris Smith, former CEO of Pinnacle and one of the most influential leaders in the iGaming industry.  Paris shares her journey from sports betting to leading a powerhouse brand, highlighting the challenges, leadership lessons, and industry shifts she has navigated.  The conversation explores high-performance culture, resilience in the face of p...

 Naive or ballsy? Building a company from scratch in an industry you don’t know with Helen Walton In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Helen Walton, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of G Games, an online casino studio.  Helen shares how she went from working on household brands to co-founding a gaming business that supplies games to over 800 operators.  The conversation exp...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Simon Pilkington, former CEO of KaFe Rocks and experienced iGaming executive.  Simon shares his transformative journey, from navigating imposter syndrome and career shifts to prioritizing his health and well-being.  They go deep into leadership challenges, personal growth, and the power of building a strong support system.  Simon shares some va...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Britt Boeskov, an experienced executive in iGaming and digital transformation.  Britt shares her journey from starting as a management trainee to becoming a C-level leader in a fast-paced and highly regulated industry. The conversation explores career progression, leadership challenges, the power of building strong professional relationships, a...

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Elena, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in business transformation and leadership.  Elena shares her journey from starting as a PA to leading billion-pound transformation projects in highly regulated industries.  The conversation explores navigating career transitions, the importance of leadership adaptability, and how diverse per...

In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Georgia Parry , Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint , to discuss her incredible career progression, overcoming adversity, and her leadership philosophy. Georgia shares how she went from an office administrator to a director in just seven years , the lessons she learned from a major health scare, balancing leadership with single parenthood, a...

In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Andrew Bulloss , Partner at Odgers Berndtson , to explore the evolution of leadership in the iGaming industry. Andrew shares his journey from sports recruitment to building one of the most influential executive search practices in betting and gaming. The conversation covers how leadership requirements have changed over the last decade, why cur...

How to Lead Major Industry Events – Alex Pratt on Balancing Success with Well-Being In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Alex Pratt , Group Managing Director at Clarion Gaming , to discuss leadership in large-scale events, business resilience, and the mindset shifts needed to sustain long-term success . Alex shares his journey from sales to leading some of the most influential ev...

From Burnout to Unstoppable Entrepreneurship: Lessons in Leadership and forging your own path with Robert Lenzhofer In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Robert Lenzhofer, Co-Founder & CEO of Hölle Games, to discuss his 20-year journey in the gaming industry, from his early days at Bwin to leading his own tech-driven company. Robert opens up about the lessons he learned from b...

In this inspiring episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, VP at IDnow, to discuss his remarkable journey from his strenuous beginnings to becoming a prominent leader in the iGaming industry.  Roger shares his unique insights about overcoming personal and professional challenges, developing accountability, and maintaining a growth mindset to achieve great success. We d...

From Police Raids to Transforming iGaming Events: Pierre Lindh’s Remarkable iGaming Leadership Story In this episode of the iGaming Leader podcast, Leo speaks with Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Next.io. Pierre shares his entrepreneurial journey, from founding a poker club in his teens to leading Next.io through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores...

The Real Cost of Success as a Founder with Pini Yakuel In this episode of the iGaming Leader podcast, Leo sits down with Pini Yakuel, Founder & CEO of Optimove, to explore the emotional and operational challenges of being a founder. Pini shares some powerful insights into balancing obsession with sustainability, overcoming leadership hurdles, and managing the evolving relationship between a fo...

Episode Summary In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo Judkins sits down with Lex Scott, a seasoned leader with a passion for authenticity and openness. Lex shares his personal journey of navigating mental health challenges, embracing vulnerability, and transitioning into fatherhood—all while redefining his leadership style. This candid conversation covers the importance of self-awareness, buildi...