The iGaming Leader

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 speaking, social media engagement, and ultimately finding sustainable high performance.

GUEST:

John has been in iGaming for over 20 years as a professional gambler, affiliate manager, casino operator, a...

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, emotional resilience, the real drivers behind burnout, and the surprising role sport, therapy, and charity have played in Daniel’s success. 

Guest Bio

Daniel Beard began his career 20 years...

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, imposter syndrome, stress, resilience, leadership growth, and personal recovery — offering inspiration and actionable insights for ambitious iGaming professionals ready to lead without losing themselves in the process.

Our Guests

Rob Fell is CEO...

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 uncertainty, leading with impact, and the mindset shifts that separate founders who thrive from those who stall — offering real, raw advice for executives, founders, and future leaders.

Guest Bio

Vladimir Malakchi is a strategic investor and...

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 explores the pressures of leadership in iGaming, the dangers of burnout and imposter syndrome, the stigma around mental health in male-dominated environments, and the importance of vulnerability, boundaries, and support systems. 

Mark offers raw honesty and...

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 imposter syndrome, managing remote teams, and maintaining work-life balance—offering actionable advice and relatable insights for aspiring leaders, especially women navigating male-dominated industries.

Guest Bio 

Sasha is an action-focused comme...

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 public scrutiny, and the evolving dynamics of leadership in iGaming.

Paris shares what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing industry.

Guest Bio

Paris Smith began he...

 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 explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of building strong business relationships, and the unconventional strategies that helped G Games stand out in the iGaming indus...

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 valuable insights and practical advice for leaders striving to balance career success with personal fulfillment.

Guest Bio

Simon Pilkington is a seasoned iGaming executive with a background in lea...

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, and the impact of AI and personalization in the gaming industry. Offering valuable insights, Britt provides actionable advice for professionals looking to step up in their careers and lead with confidence.

Guest Bio

With 20 years o...

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 perspectives shape high-performing teams. 

Elena provides actionable advice for leaders looking to progress into executive roles and lead with confidence.

Guest Bio

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, and how she built her confidence in a high-stakes industry.

This conversation dives into personal resilience, leadership growth, and strategies for managing stakeholder relationships in gaming. 

Whether you're an 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 curiosity is an underrated trait, and what it really takes to break into C-level positions. Andrew also dives into how leaders can develop their self-awareness, overcome imposter syndrome, and position themselves for board-level roles.

Whether...

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 events in the iGaming industry, including ICE and iGaming Business. He provides insights into what makes an event successful, how to navigate high-pressure situations, and why adaptability is key in th...

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 burnout, the power of asynchronous work, and the importance of creating agile, efficient teams.

This conversation is packed with insights for leaders seeking to improve organizational flow, reduce workflow w...

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 delve deep into the lessons Roger has learned about leadership, the importance of team spirit, and the transformative power of taking ownership for your own actions. You will gain valuable advice on balancing ambition with personal well-being, c...

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 evolution of Pierre’s leadership style, the importance of building genuine connections, and his mission to foster a global iGaming community.

The discussion highlights lessons in resilience, adaptability, and...

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 founder and their growing team. 

From managing offsite tensions to parenting lessons applied to leadership, this episode is filled with reflections and brilliant advice for leaders at any stage of t...

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, building meaningful connections, and creating a culture that values empathy and resilience.

Whether you’re a leader striving for authenticity or someone looking to balance personal and professional growth, this episode is packed with insights and...

From A Stroke to Sustainable High Performance - Mike de Graaff's Wake Up Call at 33

Episode Summary

In this powerful episode of The IGaming Leader , Leo Judkins sits down with Mike de Graaff, Chief Compliance Officer at BetComply, who shares his deeply personal journey of transformation. 

At just 33, Mike suffered a mini-stroke that served as a wake-up call to re-evaluate his lifestyle, leadership approach, and boundaries. Mike discusses his fast rise in iGaming, the challenges of balancing family life with a high-pressure career, and the importance of empowering t...

"Every single person has value to add. Even if you are at the very beginning of your career, even if you haven't started your career and you're still studying, you have value to add because you are a couple of steps ahead of someone else."

Episode Summary

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo interviews Marija Hammon, a dynamic marketing leader with a fascinating journey across industries. Marija shares her evolution from FMCG to iGaming, where she has reshaped corporate branding and led high-performing teams with empathy and vision. The conversation delves into the importance...

"If you can find someone who does the thing at least 80% as good as you, you should give it away." - Dmitry Belianin shares his philosophy on empowering the next generation of iGaming leaders.

Episode Summary

After 17 years in iGaming, Dmitry Belianin has had his most successful year yet, launching multiple ventures simultaneously. In this revealing conversation, he discusses his journey from competitive poker player to industry innovator, sharing insights on leadership evolution, delegation strategies, and the importance of long-term vision in iGaming. Dmitry also opens up about his personal transformation through health and wellness...

"Instead of running away from challenges every day, I actually run towards them because within that challenge is actually very, very likely I'm going to find a lot of engagement and happiness and fulfillment." - Rob Duthie

Episode Summary
In this insightful episode, we sit down with Rob Duthie, a veteran of the iGaming industry with over 20 years of experience. Currently serving as Managing Director at Entain, Rob shares his journey from Victor Chandler (now BV Group) through various roles at Stan James (now Kindred) to his current position. He offers a unique perspective on leadership...

"We're all figuring out stuff as we go. There is no real jump between here and here. It's just that someone maybe got there a little bit before and thinks in a slightly different way." - Rob Fell

Episode Summary

In this candid conversation, Rob Fell, former COO of NetEnt and White Hat Gaming, shares his journey from British Army officer to iGaming executive. Drawing on his extensive experience across major operators like Paddy Power, GVC (now Entain), and NetEnt, Rob discusses the challenges of leadership, the importance of authenticity, and how to navigate difficult...

Episode Summary

In this episode, host Leo Judkins interviews Petra Zackrisson about her fascinating journey from management consulting to diplomat to iGaming executive. Petra shares her experiences as a female leader in a male-dominated industry and offers practical advice on driving diversity, building trust with teams, and balancing short-term goals with long-term vision.

Guest Bio

Petra Zackrisson is a passionate, driven leader with extensive experience in online gaming, international business development, and strategy. She started her career at McKinsey before becoming one of the youngest trade commissioners as a diplomat. In 2013, Petra transitioned...

The iGaming Leader Podcast with Leo Judkins uncovers the human side of the iGaming industry's most successful leaders. Join us as we explore the untold stories, challenges, and triumphs of the executives shaping one of the world's most dynamic sectors.

Each week, we dive deep into conversations with C-suite leaders, founders, and directors from global betting firms and innovative startups. Our guests share their authentic journey to the top, revealing pivotal career moments, leadership philosophies, and personal strategies for sustainable success in this high-pressure industry.

More than just another business podcast, we focus on...