From Poker Raids to iGaming Leadership | The Next Story

How Guga Gotsadze Built SmartSoft's Hidden Empire

What happens when a finance executive walks into a small Georgian game studio? In this episode of The Under Pressure Podcast, host Alexandre Tomic sits down with Guga Gotsadze, CEO and shareholder of SmartSoft, to explore how SmartSoft leveraged product iteration, customer feedback loops and data-driven decision-making to become a leader in iGaming innovation, transforming from a three-developer startup into one of the industry’s most prolific game developers with a rapidly growing global user base. What You'll Learn: * How the "Control Illusion" mechanic drives player engagement in crash games  * The product release strategy that balances innovation with viability  * Why copying is a validation signal and not a threat * How to leverage the Georgian developer ecosystem as a competitive advantage * How AI accelerates game development by 3+ months * The IPO Path for iGaming Providers and the trade-offs between private ownership and public markets

Scaling an iGaming Platform: How FIRST is Building a Leading Sportsbook Engine

Scaling an iGaming company requires exceptional product, strong leadership, and high-performance teams in competitive betting markets.In this episode of Under Pressure, Alex sits down with Tom Light, CEO of FIRST, to explore how his journey from professional gambler and sportsbook operator led to building a company focused on developing high-performance sportsbook technology.Tom shares how early experience in sports betting, poker, and running a sportsbook shaped his understanding of risk, markets, and player behaviour. He also speaks candidly about difficult decisions he made while scaling the company, including restructuring management, bringing in new leadership talent, and building a culture focused on accountability and results.The conversation also explores broader trends shaping the industry, including how competitive betting markets are evolving, the importance of strong product in a crowded supplier landscape, and the realities operators face when building sustainable sportsbook businesses.Rather than chasing hype, Tom emphasizes building exceptional products, empowering operators with better tools, and creating companies that can compete long-term in the iGaming industry.

From Poker Raids to iGaming Leadership | The Next Story

Pierre Lindh's journey into iGaming didn’t start with conferences or podcasts. It started running underground poker tournaments where people from different walks of life came together. There was no alcohol, no chaos, just cards on a table, a code of ethics, and a strange kind of innocence that showed Pierre how real communities form.That early lesson stuck.In this episode of Under Pressure, Alex sits down with Pierre, co-founder of  @nextdotio  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCYMqXZJrRnSRHlUvf6DM6zA] to trace his full path: from running illegal poker clubs in Sweden during the poker boom, to joining the Swedish Poker Federation, moving into professional iGaming, launching iGaming IDOL, and eventually co-founding Next.After years of helping build other people’s visions, Pierre decided he didn't want to keep executing someone else’s dream; he wanted to build his own. That decision would shape not just his career, but one of the industry’s most influential media platforms.In this episode, they dive into:- Why poker rooms became real communities across age, class, and background- The sacred part of the game and what poker teaches about human behavior- Why iGaming IDOL faced resistance from within the industry- How fast money and poor hiring habits shaped early iGaming culture- Why Next flipped the conference model and put content at the center- How COVID forced Next to rethink everything after losing 100% of its revenue- Why community and ecosystem thinking matter more than events or exposureThis is an honest conversation about risk, identity, and building something meaningful, and why, in iGaming and beyond, content and community are the foundations that last when everything else disappears.

iGaming's Most Controversial Journalist & The Price to Pay for Integrity

Michael Schmitt, the man behind Malta Media, Brannen, and Trider, sits down with Alex for one of the most unfiltered conversations recorded about the iGaming industry. Known for his investigative work, uncompromising editorial standards, and willingness to address uncomfortable truths, Michael explains the principles that drive him: fairness, transparency, and a sense of justice.Michael dives into how illegal practices are normalized and how his reputation as “bitter” often stems from simply publishing facts — a perception that has made many not want to associate or advertise with him.In this episode, Michael opens up about:- His rapid rise in iGaming and how Malta Media grew to nearly 1 million monthly visitors- Why many in the industry distance themselves from him, and why he continues his work regardless- The creation of “Editor’s Choice” and why it became the most-discussed section in gaming media- Fairness, justice, normalized illegality, and why he believes certain behaviors must be exposed- The role of whistleblowers, private data, and how investigations actually unfold- Honest perspectives on Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, Hacksaw, and other major industry players

Building the "Greatest Show in Gaming" | Failure & Leadership

What does it really take to build something people remember?In this episode, Alex sits down with Rasmus Sojmark, founder and CEO of SBC Events and Sport Global, to explore the mindset, lessons, and resilience behind one of iGaming’s biggest shows. From his military roots and telemarketing days to founding iGaming events that attract tens of thousands, Rasmus shares how he stays calm in chaos and leads with vision, even when facing his biggest challenge with what would become SBC Lisbon.He also dives into building one-of-a-kind experiences for clients, from the Legends Charity Game with football icons like Figo and Kaká, raising over €700K, to live shows with DJs like Afrojack and Darude. You’ll leave this episode with: • Practical insights on performing under pressure and turning uncertainty into strength • Leadership that embraces failure while building trust with clients • Actionable tips to deliver unique, unforgettable events and experiences Like, subscribe, and drop a comment on your favorite part of the conversation. We’re just getting started.