In this episode of the iGaming Leader Podcast, Leo sits down with Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, a distinguished professional in the gaming industry with over a decade of experience working with prominent organizations such as GVC, Labworks Coral, and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

Grainne shares her challenging yet brilliant career starting from her return from maternity leave into a period of immense professional upheaval and a subsequent promotion. She discusses her journey of resilience also feelings of 'mum guilt' and her approach to managing work-life balance with a supportive network, her unexpected path into lobbying, and her entry into the gaming industry.

GUEST BIO:

Grainne Hurst is the CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, bringing nearly a decade of leadership experience from global betting brand Entain, where she served as Group Corporate Affairs Director.
In this role, she spearheaded government relations, led the company's successful rebrand from GVC to Entain, and developed the multi-award-winning safer gambling strategy “Changing for the Better.”

With deep expertise in political communications, advocacy, and regulatory affairs. Grainne previously served as a special advisor to the UK government, and her appointment as BGC CEO came as part of a strategic leadership restructuring, with former CEO Michael Dugher transitioning to Chair.

Currently serving as a board member of Global Gaming Women and leading the charity's international expansion across the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

KEY POINTS:

00:00 — Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:40 — Overcoming Career Challenges
12:22 — Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions
20:05 — Balancing Work and Family Life
23:44 — The Importance of Networking and Support
26:43 — Current Role and Industry Insights
35:19 — Advice for Career Resilience
39:01 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

“There's no such thing as a work-life balance.”
“Continue to hold your head up high, continue to do your best work.”
“You have to pick yourself back up, put on a brave face, move onward and upward.”
“The biggest issue and challenges for me were actually surviving then repositioning myself each time.”
“Being a straight player means sometimes being too direct, but it’s better than playing political games.”
“Accept the principle, but let's work together on how we actually get there in practice.”

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Sun article by Harry Cole on tax consultation:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/34714856/rachel-reeves-horse-racing-tax-hike-betting/
Appearance on Racing TV: Betting and Gaming Council on X:
https://t.co/LxATuixICZ" / X
Post on LI on black market:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/grainne-hurst-1a32821a_dont-underestimate-the-threat-from-the-gambling-activity-7317882477589528578-cUKc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAXsdK8B-LO8wK62bL6Rj53p2J9mMbqRKEc
Sun editorial on tax consulation:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7323252184203055104

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/

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/

In this episode of iGaming Leader, host Leo Judkins sits down with Nakeeta Janse van Rensburg, former Group CEO of the MEGA Group, co-founder of StratEdge Group, and UK ambassador for Women in Gaming Africa.

Nakeeta shares her extraordinary journey through 17 years in iGaming leadership, culminating in her transition to entrepreneurship.

The conversation explores leadership, burnout, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and cultural challenges in corporate environments, offering powerful insights and hard-earned advice for executives navigating rapid growth, health challenges, and the personal cost of high performance in the gaming industry.

Guest Bio

Nakeeta has been in the iGaming industry for over 17 years. With her roots in VIP, CRM and customer retention she has worked in almost every department in the B2C and B2B space.

After 6 years of running the Ellipse Entertainment/MEGA Group she recently exited and has now co-founded StratEdge Group Inc which offers consulting services for new market entry worldwide, helping businesses navigate the entry without the unnecessary financial burn.
Nakeeta serves as the UK Ambassador for women in iGaming Africa and pioneered the 3 pillars of leadership to build strong teams of leaders serving each other.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – When "We're a family" culture becomes toxic

02:54 – Building a confident, empowered, global team

06:20 – The cost of career growth: imposter syndrome and overwork

10:08 – The risks of not setting boundaries from the beginning

14:05 – The most important thing you can do for yourself

17:04 – Redefining relationships after stepping into leadership

20:00 – Coping with isolation at the top

23:00 – Sacrifices behind the scenes

27:43 – The power and traps of servant leadership

38:00 – Finding identity beyond the job title

46:15 Launching StratEdge agency and rediscovering purpose

Memorable Quotes

"Some businesses actually do expect the team to die for the business — and will even use that language."

"You have made work non-negotiable, and everything else is negotiable."

"Servant leadership isn’t about doing what everyone says — it’s about being courageous for the whole."

"I was the job. I wasn't even so much my title — I was the company."

"Fear is just a trigger warning system. How you deal with fear is a completely different thing."

Important Links

• Follow Nakeeta Janse van Rensburg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nakeeta-janse-van-rensburg-mbm-063173195
• Follow Women in iGaming in Africa on LInkedIn to learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-gaming-africa-org

• 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/

Episode Summary

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Frank op de Woerd, co-founder and CEO of CasinoNieuws.nl.

Frank shares his journey from bluffing his way into poker journalism to becoming a respected media figure in the Dutch iGaming industry.

He opens up about burnout, leadership, the emotional fallout of COVID, and why he walked away from high-status opportunities to start something he could truly believe in.

The conversation explores his reflections on poker fame, rebuilding from scratch, setting editorial standards, and staying true to his values in a highly competitive industry.

GUEST:

Frank op de Woerd discovered poker while studying at Utrecht University in 2005. Though he never turned pro, his passion led him to a role at PokerNews.nl, eventually rising to Head of Content at PokerNews.com.

With the Dutch gaming market on the verge of regulation, he co-founded CasinoNieuws.nl, which quickly became one of the largest affiliates in the Netherlands. Frank now serves as CEO of CasinoNieuws.nl, overseeing other leading platforms like

OnlineCasinoGround.nl, BesteCasinoBonussen.nl, and GokkastenXL.nl, while also preparing to launch OnlineCasinoUSA.com.

He also founded the Online Casino of the Year awards, the most prominent recognition for legal gambling sites in the Netherlands.

Key Topics Discussed:

00:00 - Welcome to the iGaming Leader Podcast
02:35 - Bluffing His Way into Poker Media
06:22 - Becoming the Face of Dutch Poker
10:04 - Hall of Fame Recognition & Industry Evolution
13:55 - Losing His Job During COVID
18:01 - Starting Over with CasinoNieuws.nl
21:46 - Launching with 1,000+ Articles and No Monetisation
25:40 - The Article That Changed Everything
30:10 - Building Trust and Editorial Integrity
36:08 - Balancing Leadership with Personal Values
41:00 - Advice for Founders and Industry Creators

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

“If you say yes to everything, you're basically saying no to yourself.”
“It was terrifying—starting a media company without monetisation or a safety net.”
“We didn’t want to be the biggest; we wanted to be the most credible.”
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame didn’t make me feel successful. Starting over did.”
“Saying no became my survival skill.”

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Follow Frank op de Woerd’s work:

https://www.casinonieuws.nl

casinozondercruks.nl

casinozondervergunning.nl

onlinecasinovanhetjaar.nl

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/

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, affiliate and now as an affiliate analytics software builder.

On top of being an affiliate coach, he is also on the Board of Trustees at BetBlocker

Key Topics Discussed:

00:00 Welcome to the iGaming Leader Podcast

01:20 John Wright's Journey into iGaming

05:59 Finding Purpose and Overcoming Challenges

10:57 The Role of Therapy and Personal Growth

16:31 Balancing Patience and Agility in Business

21:07 The Painful Decision to Relaunch

25:05 Business Partnerships

31:22 The Highs and Lows of Pitching to Investors

36:01 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

“All those previous 20 years they made me better at what I am today.”

“You don't realize what we're locking inside ourselves…”

“So when I look at people, I try to go a bit deeper and go, I know there's more pain and things that we don't see on the surface”

“I believe if I don't do this work, someone else will but if I do this work, I also have an opportunity to do something positive about it”

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Contact John wright :

• Follow John Wright on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alwayslookright/

• Newsletter:

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/affiliate-bi-7063965031784148992/

• Affiliate BI podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0nTNXugQTY4Ww8JiSULeiu?si=a5654594f03041a3

• 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/

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 ago in recruitment at Pentasia. He then transitioned into a commercial role at Openbet, where he played a key role in securing one of their largest clients, Betfair.

Following that, Daniel joined Progressplay, a white-label solution provider, helping scale the business from 6 to 64 sites.

He later moved to GSI, a casino middleware layer, which was eventually acquired by Push Gaming.

Today, Daniel serves as a Partner at Partis Capital, a leading M&A advisory firm in the gaming industry, and is also an active investor across various businesses.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – How adoption trauma impacts business performance
07:00 – Breaking imposter syndrome through introspection
14:00 – Daniel’s first panic attack in front of a client
18:00 – The purpose of Oliver’s Wish Boxing Event
22:00 – Re-evaluating life after burnout and loss
27:00 – Managing emotional triggers and boundaries
32:00 – How not to bully yourself

Memorable Quotes

“Before you've even brushed your teeth, you're already bullying yourself.”
“Why are you in the room? Why do they believe in you?”
“For me, it's all personal. It’s never just business.”

Important Links

Connect with Daniel Beard

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbeard/

https://oliverswish.org.uk/

https://partissolutions.com/

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

Subscribe to the iGaming Leader Newsletter: igamingleader.com/signup

Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: igamingleader.com

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 at RiskCherry, known for his physical transformation and renewed mental clarity. He now leads with structure, focus, and purpose.

Fintan Costello is a veteran founder and advisor in the industry. After facing burnout, he rebuilt a better approach to business and life.

Julia Weygandt is the Group CCO at CallsU and a committee member at Global Gaming Women. Once overwhelmed by work, she found clarity, boundaries, and a powerful support system.

Carl Hallam is Co-Founder of Vega Gibraltar. Once mentally and physically exhausted, he’s now living with presence, peace, and professional purpose.

Lex Scott is VP of Gaming at ITV Studios. From near breakdown to emotional recovery, Lex shares how he rediscovered balance and inner peace.

Richard Marquis is a Director at Flutter/Sky Gaming. After losing his mother, he redefined his approach to time and work, creating sustainable habits and intentional living.

Arturs Zagurilo is a CCO who overcame imposter syndrome and scepticism about coaching. Through the Mastermind, he became more productive and genuinely happy.

James Murray is Director of Business Development at Playnetic. From burnout and hopelessness to reclaiming control and confidence, his story highlights the power of asking for help.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Rob Fell on building clarity and overcoming burnout through structure
03:00 – Fintan Costello on regaining 30 hours/week and making millions through mindset shifts
06:00 – Julia Weygandt on feeling consumed by work and finding community and balance
08:00 – Carl Hallam on recovering from emotional strain and becoming a better leader
11:00 – Lex Scott on near-collapse and finally finding inner peace
13:00 – Richard Marquis on the loss of his mother and building habits to honour her legacy
16:00 – Arturs Zagurilo on overcoming imposter syndrome and discovering the value of community
19:00 – James Murray on escaping burnout, asking for help, and reclaiming his joy and energy

Memorable Quotes

"I was done. I was working long days, working weekends… but I knew it wasn’t sustainable." – Fintan Costello
"Everyone on my birthday list was from work… that was the moment I realised something had to change." – Julia Weygandt
"I’m physically 10 years younger but mentally 20 years older." – Carl Hallam
"For the first time… I feel peace. I thought it was something that was beyond me." – Lex Scott
"You are in control of your own happiness." – James Murray
"What I’m most proud of is the feeling of habits forming — and knowing they’ll last." – Richard Marquis
"At first, I thought this was all BS. But now I know — it works. I’m more productive and more happy." – Arturs Zagurilo

Important Links

Connect with Leo Judkins: 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/

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 business scaling expert with 10 years of experience. Over the past 5 years, he has mentored iGaming companies, guiding them to commercial success and top industry rankings.

Recognized as Speaker of the Year and Influencer of the Year, Vladimir is among LinkedIn's top voices in the industry. He has led companies to over 300 awards and nominations.

A respected judge and speaker at global gaming conferences, Vladimir launched Xanada Investments — an investment fund that supports promising iGaming projects, focusing on business scaling through financial backing and a community-driven approach for mutual success.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Introduction

03:00 – Betrayed by a friend helped by a stranger

08:00 – Couldn’t go back and face my mother

10:50 – Why adaptability is the most critical skill for founders

11:50 – Career pivots, mindset shifts, and making your own luck
17:00 – You need to start moving, moving, moving.
24:11 – Fear, risk, and the dangers of the comfort zone
30:50 – The mindset difference between serial founders and first-time entrepreneurs
34:55 – Perfectionism vs. speed: the silent killer of startups
38:50 – What I want to be remembered for

Memorable Quotes

"If you’re the smartest guy in the room, it’s time to change rooms."
"Comfort is the most dangerous place to live. You’ll look back and realise you’ve lost 20 years."
"People say yes because they don’t want to hurt your feelings. But if they won’t pay for your product, you’ve got nothing."
"Founders don’t die from failure — they die from perfectionism and inaction."
"I want to be remembered for helping people grow — not just in business, but in life."

Important Links

Connect with Vladimir Malakchi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vmalakchi/
https://xanada.fund

https://next.io/news/promoted/inside-the-xanada-pitch-contest-vladimir-malakchi-how-to-prepare-effectively/

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/