iGaming Daily

Episode #4 of Dear CEO is here! Dear CEO is our limited series, presented in partnership with iGP where a real life industry CEO, Jovana Popovic Canaki of iGP answers your questions, about your business.  Our host as always is Charlie Horner, and this time he's got a page full of questions from the audience about the always fun topic of KPIs. Jovana tells Charlie about her numbers background, and why as a CEO she's always paying attention the numbers, giving her some fantastic insight into which KPIs are important, what they mean, and what your businesses should care about.  Charlie and Jovana discuss * How important KPIs have evolved over the last 3-5 years and how they will continue to evolve over the next 3-5 * The shift from operators being primarily focused on acquisition to today's focuses of engagement and retention * The impact of technology on KPIs and how technology has changed what operators focus on * How to spot which KPIs are merely vanity metrics * Which KPIs are most predictive of long term success for new market entrants Plus, Charlie and Jovana preview her speaking appearance at the upcoming inaugural SBC Summit Malta!

Jessica Welman returns to the host's chair for today's episode of iGaming Daily, sponsored by Optimove, and she's joined by her SBC Americas colleague Tom Nightingale for a look into handle, headaches and more after a significant change in Illinois sports betting taxation. The Prairie State will introduce a flat fee starting at 25 cents and scaling up to 50 cents for high-volume operators like FanDuel and DraftKings. This new tax, projected to generate £36 million annually, is seen as a second instance of Illinois targeting sportsbooks for budget shortfalls. But who does this impact the most? How will the operators respond? And what are the broader implications for a move like this? Jess and Tom discuss the nature of the new tax, its structure and targets, the implementation, its impact on state revenue, who is likely to be hit worse, operator strategies and responses, lobbying efforts, and add some historical context on contentious regulatory decisions in Illinois. Host: Jessica Welman Guests: Tom Nightingale Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: James Ross iGaming Daily is the official podcast of SBC Summit Malta. Taking place from 10-12 June at the Intercontinental in Malta, SBC Summit Malta is the definitive casino and betting event where European companies and professionals converge to explore cutting-edge insights, gain transformative skills, and forge impactful connections with senior decision-makers. Get your tickets now at sbcevents.com [https://sbcevents.com/]. iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@igaming_daily_podcast?_t=ZN-8uGpYLPuikI&_r=1] for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast.

In this episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, we explore the dynamic shifts taking place in Brazil’s gambling market, spotlighting the latest advertising laws and the proactive steps taken by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA). Joining Ted Menmuir, SBC Noticias Brasil's Editor, Ricardo Assis, and Business Journalist, Elisa Marcante, unpack how these new regulatory developments are reshaping the landscape for both operators and advertisers, offering key insights into what these changes mean for stakeholders across the industry. The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities facing gambling operators in Brazil, from navigating compliance risks to identifying growth strategies in an evolving legal environment. With Brazil poised to become one of the largest regulated betting markets in the world, our speakers stress the importance of a regulatory framework that both safeguards consumers and fosters healthy market competition. Despite the current uncertainty and transitional chaos, the tone remains optimistic. The discussion emphasizes the long-term potential of Brazil’s gambling sector and highlights why now is a pivotal moment for investors, operators, and regulators alike. Host: Ted Menmuir Guests: Ricardo Assis & Elisa Marcante Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: James Ross iGaming Daily is the official podcast of SBC Summit Malta. Taking place from 10-12 June at the Intercontinental in Malta, SBC Summit Malta is the definitive casino and betting event where European companies and professionals converge to explore cutting-edge insights, gain transformative skills, and forge impactful connections with senior decision-makers. Get your tickets now at sbcevents.com [https://sbcevents.com/]. iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@igaming_daily_podcast?_t=ZN-8uGpYLPuikI&_r=1] for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast.  Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0] or go to Optimove.com/sbc [https://www.optimove.com/sbc] to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

In this episode of iGaming Daily, host Viktor Kayed sits down with editor Ted Menmuir to explore the recent postponement of Romania’s long-anticipated gambling reforms. They dissect the political climate that has stalled progress, including the influence of the Save Romania Union and its push for tougher regulatory oversight. The discussion provides valuable context on how shifting political priorities are shaping the future of the country’s gambling legislation. The episode dives deep into the aftermath of regulatory failures that have plagued Romania’s gambling sector for years. Viktor and Ted examine long-standing structural issues, from enforcement gaps to transparency concerns, and discuss how these weaknesses have hindered meaningful reform. They also evaluate the role of the ONJN, Romania’s gambling authority, and its response to the mounting challenges it faces. Looking ahead, the conversation shifts to Romania’s evolving gambling market and its potential for future growth despite ongoing scrutiny. With increased political attention and public pressure, the sector stands at a crossroads. If you want to read more on the topic discussed in today's episode, click on the following link: - Host: Viktor Kayed Guest: Ted Menmuir Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: James Ross iGaming Daily is the official podcast of SBC Summit Malta. Taking place from 10-12 June at the Intercontinental in Malta, SBC Summit Malta is the definitive casino and betting event where European companies and professionals converge to explore cutting-edge insights, gain transformative skills, and forge impactful connections with senior decision-makers. Get your tickets now at sbcevents.com [https://sbcevents.com/]. iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@igaming_daily_podcast?_t=ZN-8uGpYLPuikI&_r=1] for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast.  Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0] or go to Optimove.com/sbc [https://www.optimove.com/sbc] to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

Monday's episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, is a must-listen keynote conversation, Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer at Fanatics Betting and Gaming. Sitting down with SBC Media's Jessica Welman, the two takes a look into one of the fastest-growing companies in the sports betting and iGaming industry. Drawing from his prior leadership roles at FanDuel and Action Network, Borod discusses how he helped build Fanatics Betting and Gaming from the ground up in July 2021. Borod breaks down Fanatics’ unique second-mover strategy, explaining why they chose product quality over ad spend to differentiate from giants like DraftKings and FanDuel. Leveraging the larger Fanatics commerce ecosystem, the company used its extensive database, brand loyalty, and smart cross-marketing strategies to drive growth without sacrificing profitability. He also unpacks the importance of customer-first features like prolonged beta testing, integration of FanCash loyalty rewards, and the acquisition of PointsBet’s Banic trading platform to improve competitiveness and retention. The episode also explores how Fanatics is innovating beyond sports betting with the expansion of its casino app and the introduction of the “Fair Play” initiative, which refunds users for unlucky outcomes like injuries. Borod shares insight into future growth areas, including upcoming Fanatics Fest events, and how Fanatics plans to continue redefining the online gaming experience through data, loyalty, and customer trust. Host: Jessica Welman Guest: Ari Borod Producer: James Ross Editor: James Ross iGaming Daily is the official podcast of SBC Summit Malta. Taking place from 10-12 June at the Intercontinental in Malta, SBC Summit Malta is the definitive casino and betting event where European companies and professionals converge to explore cutting-edge insights, gain transformative skills, and forge impactful connections with senior decision-makers. Get your tickets now at sbcevents.com [https://sbcevents.com/]. iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@igaming_daily_podcast?_t=ZN-8uGpYLPuikI&_r=1] for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast.  Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0] or go to Optimove.com/sbc [https://www.optimove.com/sbc] to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.