The Betting Startups Podcast

Ep. 149: How it pays to be a fan w/ Michael Testa from Wunderfan

Ep. 149 features Michael Testa from Wunderfan, with guest host Thomas Coiner. Wunderfan redefines sports loyalty by rewarding fan engagement through an innovative "It Pays to be a Fan" model.
 
Hear them discuss:
Wunderfan’s unique slogan "It pays to be a fan", and how that applies to fan loyalty
Michael's entrepreneurial journey in customer loyalty and in a startup acquisition
How Michael's co-founders, Blake Patterson and Geran de Klerk, are leveraging their past successes for Wunderfan
What they learned from the success of building Wunderpar, a golf-focused version of Wunderfan
Why they've invested so heavily in the scalability of their "Attend-to-Earn" and "Watch-to-Earn" technology
How they've acquired their first 10,000 users in just four months
Why Michael is such a fan of product-led growth tactics, and how they're using them with Wunderfan
How their campus ambassador program has resulted in a cost-per-install of less than $1
Current efforts to raise a $2.5M seed round to accelerate Wunderfan's expansion
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ Wunderfan website 
➡️ Michael Testa 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/
 
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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.
 

Ep. 148: Using AI to create games in minutes, not months w/ Mark Flores Martin from XGENIA

Ep. 148 features Mark Flores Martin, Founder and CEO of XGENIA, an AI-first company revolutionizing game creation by enabling developers to create games in minutes.
 
Hear them discuss:
His journey from ethical hacking and VR gambling to founding XGENIA
How the XGENIA team combines expertise in gaming, AI, and technology to create innovative solutions
The groundbreaking features of XGENIA, including AI-powered slot machine generation and advanced animation systems
Where XGENIA fits within the casino ecosystem and its complementary role to traditional game studios
Overcoming skepticism about the potential of AI in gaming and the widespread adoption of their technology by clients
The company’s journey from self-funding to attracting external capital for scaling operations
The transformative impact of AI on job roles within the gaming and gambling industry
Insights from pitch competitions like SBC and Sigma, and their plans for ICE Barcelona
XGENIA’s ambitious roadmap for 2025, including the release of a revolutionary AI game engine
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ XGENIA website 
➡️ Mark Flores Martin 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/
 
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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.

Ep. 147: Building the ultimate betting research platform w/ Bridge Dudley & Sebastian Fay from Doink Sports

Ep. 147 features Bridge Dudley and Sebastian Fay, Co-Founders of Doink Sports, the ultimate research platform for sports betting, offering props, trends, +EV analysis, odds charts, and more.
 
Hear them discuss:
How their backgrounds in sports, robotics, finance, and tech led to founding Doink Sports
How a friend’s $40 parlay win inspired the idea for Doink Sports and became the foundation of their business
How building a failed furniture marketplace app shaped their thinking and approach bringing Doink Sports to market
Challenges of accessing reliable betting data and managing tech as a two-person team
B2B opportunities with their technology infrastructure
Reflection on the NFL season, and lessons learned in their second year of football
Using livestreaming and education to build community and increase product adoption
Bootstrapping their way to profitability, and how they're thinking about capitalizing the next stage of growth
Their recent experience applying to Y Combinator for a second time
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ Doink Sports website 
➡️ Bridge Dudley on Linkedin 
➡️ Sebastian Fay 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/
 
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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.

Ep. 146: Favorite episode moments from 2024 w/ Jesse and Thomas from BettingStartups.com

In this episode, Jesse and Thomas huddle up to reflect on 2024 for BettingStartups, and lookahead to 2025. 
They discuss:
Their biggest reflections and highlights from 2024
News that Optimove is returning as the headline sponsor of The Betting Startups Podcast in 2025
A lookback at 8 of their favorite clips from this year's podcast episodes
The success of their media partnerships in 2024, and how those will grow in 2025
Their high-concept pitch for the soon-to-launch Startup Hub and founder community 
 
Watch the video version of the episode here.
 
Get $200 off your Full Event Pass for the NEXT NYC Summit by using discount code SB2NYC52 at checkout: https://next.io/summits/newyork/
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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.

Ep. 145: Creating new metrics for the beautiful game w/ Alexey Vorobey from AIstats

Ep. 145 features Alexey Vorobey from AIstats, an AI-powered live score app that provides football fans with real-time match analysis, performance trends, and smart metrics across over 2,200 leagues worldwide.Hear them discuss:
His career pivot away from being a lawyer and into tech entrepreneurship
How AIstats creates unique stats and predictions with machine learning
Why he's not a believer in the xG metric, and "the crusade to replace it with some more advanced and smart things"
The marketing tactics they used to acquire over 73,000 users in the first 3 months
Converting free users to paid subscribers, and how they plan to increase the conversion rate over time
The importance of localization, and delivering an experience to users in a familiar context
Field notes from his current efforts to close a $1m seed round, which is 75% subscribed
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ AIstats website
➡️ Alexey Vorobey 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/
 
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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.

Emergency Episode: A look inside OddsJam's parent Odds Holdings' nine figure exit w/ Matt Restivo

🚨 Emergency episode!
 
In his first interview since news broke of Gambling.com's acquisition of OddsJam's parent company Odds Holdings, CEO Matt Restivo joins Jesse to share his perspective on the story behind the headlines.
 
Hear him discuss:
his reflections on Odds Holdings' growth to $26m in revenue in just 3.5 years
why they decided to pursue a deal, and insights into what that process looked like 
the synergy he sees with Gambling.com, and how the partnership will fuel further growth for their products
why closing the deal was "certainly emotional" for him
His advice for other entrepreneurs on what to do now to make a future exit an easier process
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ OddsJam on Linkedin 
➡️ Matt Restivo 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/
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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.

Ep. 144: 2 decades in the affiliate game with Adam Small from Third Planet Affiliates

Ep. 144 features Adam Small, co-founder of Third Planet Affiliates, a leader in online gaming content.
 
Hear him discuss:
How he unintentionally got started in the affiliate space with PocketFives, and later with USBets
What motivated him to launch Third Planet Affiliates at this stage of his career, and the vision behind its portfolio of properties that includes Lottery Geeks, Casino Reports, and Props.com
The evolving affiliate model and opportunities for innovation in the gaming industry - especially following recent turmoil in the space
Lessons learned from entrepreneurial exits, and navigating earn-out periods with larger organizations like Better Collective
Staying open to unexpected opportunities, which led to their unplanned acquisition of Props.com
The enduring partnership with co-founder Cal Spears, and the dynamics of their collaboration over two decades of building together
Reflections on his entrepreneurial journey, including the one decision he would do differently if he could
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ Third Planet Affiliates on Linkedin 
➡️ Adam Small 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.
 

Ep. 143: Sweepstakes operator roundtable discussion w/ Trevor Pope, Zach Bruch, and Jeff Laniado

Ep. 143 is a roundtable discussion on the Sweepstakes industry, featuring Trevor Pope from The Money Factory, Zach Bruch from MyPrize, and Jeff Laniado from Optimove.
 
Hear them discuss:
The massive growth opportunity they see for social sweepstakes gaming
The origins and growth trajectories of The Money Factory and MyPrize
Challenges of compliance and barriers to entry in the sweepstakes space
How MyPrize innovates through content creator partnerships and community engagement
Why social interaction is becoming a crucial differentiator for sweepstakes casinos
Marketing strategies to lower customer acquisition costs and increase player retention
How Optimove supports operators like MyPrize and The Money Factory with CRM tools to maximize player engagement
Predictions on the future consolidation and evolution of the sweepstakes gaming market
Their perspective on balancing risk and reward as entrepreneurs
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
📩 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.

Ep. 142: 20+ years at the forefront of innovation w/ Nigel Eccles from BetHog

Ep. 142 features Nigel Eccles, CEO and Co-founder of BetHog, a crypto casino and sportsbook from the creators of FanDuel.
 
Hear him discuss:
His early career at Flutter where he helped bring the betting exchange concept to market
The origin story of Fanduel, and his reflections of its impact on legalized sports betting in the U.S.
The role that he sees startups playing in driving innovation within real-money gaming
The vision behind BetHog, the gaps it's addressing, and how he thinks about product differentiation within the casino category
The role that streamers play in the ecosystem, and how BetHog's titles are bringing new ways for viewers to engage
The characteristics of crypto-native audiences, and the experiences they seek in gaming products
His personal crypto journey, navigating crypto market cycles, and business planning around bull and bear markets
Lessons from raising capital, the importance of choosing the right investors, and why "there's no point in networking with VC's"
The ongoing legal dispute over Fanduel’s valuation during its merger with Flutter
Hi stop advice for entrepreneurs that are earlier on in the journey
How he's applying his 20+ years of experience to shape BetHog’s future
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ BetHog website | Twitter/X
➡️ Nigel Eccles on Linkedin | Twitter/X
 
 
📩 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.

Ep. 141: Building bet slips with a copilot w/ Cal Spears & Jonathan Bales from Gambly

Recorded on the day of their public launch, Ep. 141 features Cal Spears and Jonathan Bales from Gambly, which is your sports betting copilot.
Hear them discuss:
How Cal and Jonathan came together to launch Gambly after their non-competes expired following their last exits
The inspiration for Gambly, and the founding use cases for the product
Why they think Gambly will add value to both casual and sharp bettors alike
How they're thinking about the journey towards finding product-market fit
Why they think that Gambly can catalyze a new affiliate model with sportsbooks
Developing the underlying technology that powers the product, and how they've abstracted its complexity with an intuitive UX
The background on their strategic partnership with Unabated
Choosing to preserve equity by self-funding Gambly's development over raising seed capital
Why Cal thinks that we "might be in a golden age" for smaller affiliates, despite the recent headwinds for larger affiliate companies
Their top pieces of advice to other entrepreneurs building within real-money gaming
 
Catch the video version of this episode here.
 
Cal was also a former guest on Ep. 80 of The Betting Startups Podcast, where he told the full story of his 20-year journey building, scaling, and exiting several businesses within real-money gaming. Catch that episode if you missed it:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
 
 
Learn more 👇
➡️ Gambly website
➡️ Cal Spears on Linkedin
➡️ Jonathan Bales 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/
 
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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.