Listen on:
Episodes
7 hours ago
7 hours ago
Ep. 168 features Davis Catlin from Discerning Capital, which invests at the intersection of betting, sports, media, and technology. This episode was recorded on-site at SBC Summit North America 2025 in Fort Lauderdale.
Hear him discuss:
Why starting Discerning Capital gave him new empathy for founders
Building a deal-by-deal investor network in a regulated industry
The playbook behind their first investment in Australian operator Picklebet
Why Midnite is a “challenger brand” winning with faster paybacks
How SlotCycle is unlocking a hidden market for used slot machines
The opportunity in underinvested profit pools in Australia and the UK
His high-level thesis on the total addressable market nearing $100B
How the capital flow into sweepstakes models may be slowing
Prediction markets like Kalshi and the regulatory gray zone they face
What a Bet365 acquisition could look like—and why DraftKings might care
Why Discerning Capital is launching a new program for user acquisition/growth financing
How it works: non-dilutive revolving credit tied to ad performance
Why it's a win-win model for operators with strong unit economics
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ Discerning Capital website
➡️ Davis Catlin on Linkedin
The Canadian Gaming Summit is happening June 17–19 in Toronto! Don’t miss out — get 50% off your Full Event Pass using code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP at checkout. Grab your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/canadian-gaming-summit/ticket-options/
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Ep. 167 features Gino Donati from BetOPENLY, a peer-to-peer betting exchange eliminating the traditional sportsbook model by letting users bet directly against each other at true odds. This episode was recorded on-site at SBC Summit North America 2025 in Fort Lauderdale.
Hear him discuss:
Growing up in a sports-betting Italian family and booking bets in high school
How running numbers for syndicates gave him a window into the business
Why BetOPENLY was originally built offshore and pre-PASPA repeal
The core value prop of “win more, lose less” and how the 1% fee works
How trolls on TikTok helped drive the platform’s early growth
Why casual bettors and big action players both find value in the model
How BetOPENLY avoids deposit bonuses and operates with ultra-thin margins
Their “bet with friends” feature and zero-fee social sharing mechanic
How the team is solving liquidity challenges through third-party partnerships with companies like Kutt, BettorEdge, and THNDR
The legal framework that enables BetOPENLY to operate in 45 U.S. states
Expansion plans including peer-to-peer blackjack, DFS, and prediction markets
Gino’s other startup, Seed to Scale, and how he self-funds BetOPENLY
Why he’s in no rush to raise or exit—and where he sees the ceiling for P2P betting
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ BetOPENLY website
➡️ Gino Donati on Linkedin
The Canadian Gaming Summit is happening June 17–19 in Toronto! Don’t miss out — get 50% off your Full Event Pass using code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP at checkout. Grab your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/canadian-gaming-summit/ticket-options/
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Ep. 166 features Steve “Dakota” Happas and Sahil Patel from FantasySpin, a real-money DFS platform reinventing the fantasy experience through a gamified, slot-style draft mechanic. This episode was recorded on-site at SBC Summit North America 2025 in Fort Lauderdale.Hear them discuss:
How a friendly fantasy football bet led to the founding of BettorFantasy
Steve’s journey from online poker and dating platforms to fantasy sports
Why the two companies merged to form FantasySpin and how the deal came together
How their slot-style drafting system introduces luck, skill, and replayability
Why FantasySpin rewards users even when players in their lineup don’t play
The biggest lessons from their first full NFL season post-merger
How their gameplay translates into highly engaging, video-first marketing
Why their future plans include spin-to-pick hybrid formats and arcade modes
How they’re self-funding growth while selectively exploring strategic capital
Their long-term vision to become the next billion-dollar DFS platform
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ FantasySpin website
➡️ Steve Happas on Linkedin
➡️ Sahil Patel on Linkedin
The Canadian Gaming Summit is happening June 17–19 in Toronto! Don’t miss out — get 50% off your Full Event Pass using code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP at checkout. Grab your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/canadian-gaming-summit/ticket-options/
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Recorded live at SBC Summit Americas 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this episode recaps the excitement of the First Pitch competition.
In this episode, you'll hear from all five startup finalists just hours before they took the stage, and at the end of the episode, we bring back the winner for a celebratory chat fresh off their victory.
The five startups that competed for a prize package valued at over $100,000 were:
Oliver Renner from PromptBet.ai
Mark Antal from Staked AI
Andrew Lea from Gamewagrs
Kelson Quan from Wager Games
Madhav Halbe from Sidebetz.ai
Catch the video version of this episode here.
The Canadian Gaming Summit is happening June 17–19 in Toronto! Don’t miss out — get 50% off your Full Event Pass using code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP at checkout. Grab your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/canadian-gaming-summit/ticket-options/
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Ep. 164 features Alexander Monahan from OddsJam, a data-driven sports betting platform acquired by Gambling.com Group in a deal worth up to $160 million. Alex returns to the podcast after first joining in early 2023 to share what has changed and what has stayed the same since the nine-figure exit.
Hear them discuss:
What life looks like after a $160M acquisition
Why he is still focused on helping bettors win with data
His reflections on the due diligence and acquisition process
Why he and his co-founder stayed bootstrapped without raising capital
How the US betting landscape has changed for sharp bettors since 2020
His thoughts on exchanges, promo arbitrage, and the future of sharp betting
Why content creation became central to OddsJam’s growth
How he balances founder pressure with long-term product vision
What the integration with Gambling.com has looked like behind the scenes
His advice for founders navigating high-stakes M&A conversations
Why he still believes there is room for new tools in sports betting
SBC Americas makes its debut in Fort Lauderdale on May 13-15, and you won’t want to miss it! Get 50% off your Full Event Pass at checkout using discount code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP. Secure your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/en/sbc-summit-americas/full-event-pass/
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ OddsJam website
➡️ Alexander Monahan on Linkedin
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Ep. 163 features Mark Antal from Staked AI, which is crafting an Amazon Alexa-like AI for sports to deliver personalized, real-time audio content. This episode was recorded on-site at the NEXT Summit New York in March 2025 with guest host, Thomas Coiner.
Hear them discuss:
How his background in AI and machine learning at Vault AI led to building Staked AI
Why audio is a breakthrough for sports engagement
The importance of time-sensitive content and its impact on driving sportsbook engagement
How Staked AI’s partnerships, like the one with Wager Games, validate the product’s impact
Why sports’ emotional connection makes it the ideal industry for AI-driven personalization
How his co-founder, Chris Shreeve, guided the decision to focus on a B2B model
How Staked AI trains models to pronounce player names and speak authentically to fans
The vision of cloning media personalities’ voices to scale one-to-one engagement
The roadmap for Staked AI, focusing on speed, personalization, and conversational AI
How his advisors from AT&T and Sportradar help accelerate B2B partnerships
His approach to scaling the company, raising capital, and building an AI-first operation
Why he believes decisive action is key to success in the fast-moving AI landscape
SBC Americas makes its debut in Fort Lauderdale on May 13-15, and you won’t want to miss it! Get 50% off your Full Event Pass at checkout using discount code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP. Secure your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/en/sbc-summit-americas/full-event-pass/
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ Staked AI website
➡️ Mark Antal on Linkedin
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Ep. 162 features Owen Monagan and Oisin Tiernan from Layup, which is a FinTech company providing a gamified savings product that turns interest into free sports picks. This episode was recorded on-site at the NEXT Summit New York in March 2025.
Hear them discuss:
Their journey from building a Fantasy Premier League app together to launching Layup
How growing up with “prize bonds” in Ireland inspired Layup’s concept
Why their product offers a responsible alternative to sports betting and lottery
How Layup converts interest earned into sports picks that resemble parlays
The mechanics of how users can win money without risking any principal
The challenges of navigating state-by-state banking regulations in the U.S.
Why user education and overcoming skepticism are key to their marketing strategy
How early adopters are resonating with the concept of “winning without losing”
Why they are targeting both FinTech and gaming-focused investors in their next round
Their vision to build Layup into a culturally accepted alternative to sports betting
How they aim to expand globally and bring Layup back to Ireland and the UK
Why they see Layup as a “non-alcoholic beer” alternative in the sports betting space
SBC Americas makes its debut in Fort Lauderdale on May 13-15, and you won’t want to miss it! Get 50% off your Full Event Pass at checkout using discount code BETTINGSTARTUPSVIP. Secure your ticket now: https://sbcevents.com/en/sbc-summit-americas/full-event-pass/
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ Layup website
➡️ Owen Monagan on Linkedin
➡️ Oisin Tiernan on Linkedin
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Ep. 161 features Aishik Lala from Rotobot AI, an AI-driven platform tackling fantasy football’s information overload with personalized insights. This episode was recorded on-site at the NEXT Summit New York in March 2025.
Hear him discuss:
How ChatGPT’s rise inspired a chatbot to answer fantasy football questions
The launch of a simple web app in 2023 and discovering chat alone wasn’t enough for their vision
the evolution into a full app with player profiles and stat discovery
Hitting 10,000 downloads via TikTok livestreams with no marketing spend
Why distribution is as critical as the product in today’s startup game
Plans for league sync, advanced stats, and betting features by year-end
Why they're keeping it lean with angel funding over big VC rounds
How AI’s lowering barriers for zero-to-one entrepreneurs everywhere
His five-year dream: smarter fans, creators, and maybe even scouting
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ Rotobot AI website
➡️ Aishik Lala on Linkedin
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Ep. 160 features Sebastian from Plucky, which is pioneering "gambling as a service," enabling brands with an audience to offer real money gaming without getting involved in regulation. This episode was recorded on-site at the NEXT Summit New York in March 2025.
Hear him discuss:
Winning the Starties award for Best Collaboration after partnering with Genius Sports to monetize free-to-play games
The deal with The Sun, monetizing half a million UK fantasy players through Plucky’s platform
His journey from a high school dropout to building and exiting multiple tech startups
How Plucky integrates regulated real money gaming seamlessly into fantasy and live environments
Plans to expand into Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and explore the U.S. market as a game of skill provider
The innovative live environment partnership with Sixes Cricket, allowing friends to bet while playing in a bar
The importance of lifetime value and building stickiness in Plucky’s business model
Why he believes in prioritizing distribution over product in the early stages of a startup
His strategy for handing off leadership when Plucky scales beyond the initial growth stage
His long-term vision of making Plucky a verb synonymous with engaging audiences in real money gaming environments
How he sees massive potential in blending real money gaming with live sports environments in the future
Catch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ Plucky website
➡️ Sebastian Lewis on Linkedin
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Ep. 159 features Aman Agarwal and Jatin Narang from Toast, building live multiplayer skill games with built-in player liquidity for real money iGaming. This episode was recorded at the World Trade Center during the NEXT Summit New York in March 2025.
Hear them discuss:
Toast’s origins: uniting Aman’s gambling roots and Jatin’s free-to-play expertise
Blending gambling psychology with free-to-play innovation to shape their vision
Their thesis for how skill games can fill the U.S. iCasino regulatory gap
How they ideate on new game concepts and formats, including their latest skill-based basketball game
Their learnings from the last G2E conference that led to development of new core infrastructure
How interest in their games is converting into commercial traction
How growing interest in entrepreneurship has led to a startup boom in India
Securing a Lightspeed seed round pre-product in just six weeks
Check out a demo of one of Toast's games here: https://21-jack.playtoast.com/
Watch the video version of this episode here.
Learn more 👇
➡️ Toast website
➡️ Aman Agarwal on Linkedin
➡️ Jatin Narang on Linkedin
📩 Get the top headlines from the industry's most promising growth-stage companies every week—totally free! Subscribe to the Betting Startups newsletter here: https://news.bettingstartups.com/
--
This podcast is presented by Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry. Since 2012, Optimove has served iGaming Operators from startups to industry leaders. Today, 4 out of the Top 5 US Operators Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. iGaming operators know their growth journey begins and continues with Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for the iGaming industry.