In this episode of the iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Fintan Costello, former MD at BonusFinder and current Non-Executive Director at Gambling.com Group. Fintan shares the remarkable journey from launching daring stunts at Paddy Power to scaling an affiliate business through grit, creativity, and relentless execution.

The conversation explores entrepreneurship inside and outside the corporate world, leadership lessons from marketing war zones, the truth about exits and earnouts, and what it really means to pursue “Big 2025 Energy.”

A must-listen for iGaming professionals seeking resilience, strategic vision, and human depth.

GUEST BIO:

17 years in the gambling industry but really a marketing nerd at heart. Fintan worked at some of the giants including PaddyPower, PokerStars and Google.

Exited Bonusfinder to Gambling.com group where he currently serves as a Non-Executive Director.

In his spare time he likes to run really long distances.

Key Topics Discussed:

00:00 – The iGaming marketing arms race and civilian outsiders
04:30 – From Paddy Power stunts to Seal Team Six: Fintan’s first break
09:45 – What drives competitiveness and staying power in iGaming
14:10 – The zero-to-one obsession: entrepreneurship vs. comfort zones
18:40 – Building BonusFinder: from near burnout to acquisition
25:00 – The truth behind exits: exhaustion, timing, and what people don’t see
30:15 – Adapting after the sale: investing time vs. investing money
35:10 – Rediscovering purpose and mentoring new founders
38:00 – What “Big 2025 Energy” really means
41:30 – Fatherhood, legacy, and designing your best years intentionally

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

• "Being an affiliate is probably one of the most brutal jobs out there because eat what you kill."
• "It's like taking a tank to a knife fight. That's what it's like when you’ve done marketing in gambling and move outside the industry."
• "If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."
• "I was more excited about my son making the Mario Kart Benelux finals than selling a company."
• "Parenting is role modelling. If I want him to be the best version of himself, I need to be the best version of myself."

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Follow with Fintan Costello: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/

Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/

Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup

Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/