Casinos.com Podcast

We were joined by John Christmas, author of KGB Banker, for a powerful conversation on transparency and accountability in banking, and why financial institutions must do more to protect both consumers and businesses.

John shared his perspective on how greater openness in financial systems can strengthen trust, reduce risk, and ensure banks and financial organisations are held to higher standards. From clearer decision-making to str...

Casinos.com speaks with Dr. Daria Ukhova of the University of Glasgow, a public health policy analyst and co-creator of the new Global Gambling Control Scorecard, a first-of-its-kind benchmark comparing gambling regulation across 34 European jurisdictions.

This groundbreaking Scorecard reveals which countries are most effective at protecting citizens from gambling-related harm, and where regulation still falls short. From advertisi...

Sam Jones, founder of 155.io, is pushing the boundaries of online gambling innovation by turning everyday chaos into real-time betting entertainment.

The company’s latest creation, Fish Tank, transforms a simple physical moment into a mobile-friendly betting spectacle: real coins are dropped into a water-filled tank, and players wager on exactly where they’ll land. The outcome is part science, part suspense, a hypnotic blend of rea...

Casino veteran Aydemir Yüksel joins the Casinos.com Podcast to share what really happens behind the scenes after more than 30 years in the industry, from dealing on cruise ships to training high-limit teams at Venetian Macao and leading operations at Marina Bay Sands. He breaks down the pressure, culture, and leadership required to run elite casino floors, reflects on mentoring future leaders, and recounts uncovering an $80 million...

Ben “Machine” Smith joins the Casinos.com podcast to explain why poker is a true strategy game, closer to chess than roulette, and why UK tournaments rank among the toughest in Europe. He breaks down the bankroll discipline that separates pros from punters, the key fundamentals he teaches students, and why solvers can sometimes mislead developing players. Smith also argues that ROI matters more than headline prizes an...

Erik Bergman shares how he lost $1.25 million in a crypto scam that used MrBeast’s name, revealing just how convincing modern fraud has become. His experience is a stark warning that anyone can be targeted, and offers timely lessons on how everyday Britons can spot red flags, avoid manipulation tactics, and protect themselves as online scams and impersonation fraud continue to rise.

Erik B...

In this episode, we sit down with bingo industry expert Peter Woolley to explore how the game is evolving for a new generation. From the major refurbishment of Bedworth’s Palace Bingo to shifting player demographics, technology, community impact, and the future of the sector, Woolley shares an insider’s view of an iconic British pastime undergoing real change, and why bingo’s next chapter may be its most exciting yet.

We’re joined by Paul Crisp, CMO of Symplify, a Stockholm-headquartered cloud services provider delivering Marketing Automation, CRM, and CRO solutions. With more than 20 years of web experience, Symplify helps businesses increase revenue, improve customer engagement, and streamline marketing workloads through smarter automation and data-driven optimisation, making growth more efficient and scalable.

Paul...

What happens when you strip hidden fees out of poker and put creativity back in? Antonio Sapio of the Party Poker Tour joins us to discuss building poker rooms from the ground up, removing the fine print that frustrates players, and transforming live tournaments into full-scale entertainment experiences. From Birmingham to Barcelona, Sapio explains how poker can evolve beyond the traditional format, making events fairer, fresher, a...

From Las Vegas to London, gaming has grown from a local pastime into a global industry driving innovation, entertainment, and culture. In this episode we sit down with Korbi Carrison, Vice President of the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the world’s leading gaming even, to explore how the sector is evolving, what trends are shaping the next era of casinos and iGaming, and why G2E remains the key meeting point for the people and ideas pow...

With trust in media continuing to decline, veteran journalist Jill Manuel joins us to share a clear, practical vision for rebuilding credibility, starting where it matters most: local communities. She explains why local reporting remains essential to public trust, how journalists can reconnect with audiences through transparency and accountability, and what the industry must do to earn confidence back, one story at a ...

We’re diving into the fast-changing world of influencer marketing in iGaming with Nadia Bubenikova, CBO and co-founder of Famesters, a global influencer marketing agency. With experience connecting brands to audiences across esports, streaming, and online casinos, Nadia breaks down what campaigns actually deliver results, where brands waste budget, and how influencer strategy is evolving as gaming communities mature. From creator p...

Today we’re diving into chaos, quite literally, with Sam Jones, founder and CEO of 155.io. After making waves with Duck Race, a 24/7 live betting spectacle where plastic ducks and robotic arms turned a childhood tradition into high-stakes entertainment, Jones is back with his latest creation: Survivor. Imagine marbles battling centrifugal force on a spinning wheel, clinging on until only one remains, unpredictable, physics-driven, ...

Ever wondered who dreams up the slots you spin? On the latest Casinos.com Podcast, we go behind the reels with Josué Agüero, senior game producer at Just Slots, to explore how slot games go from concept to launch. From designing mechanics and building bonus features to shaping themes and storytelling, Agüero explains why creativity matters as much as the maths, and what separates a good slot from an unforgettable one. He also discu...

Sweden’s last casino has closed its doors, and with it, a chapter of gambling history comes to an end. After 23 years at Casino Cosmopol, Erik Sober joins us to share what life was really like on the gaming floor, from the people and atmosphere to the realities behind the tables. He explains how the pandemic accelerated change, how online competition reshaped player behaviour, and what the closure signals for the future of gambling...

People Are the Real High Stakes: Bucky Osifeso on Culture, Trust, Diversity and AI in Casinos

Bucky Osifeso, founder of TAG HR Consulting and adviser to Netflix and Disney, joins the Casinos.com Podcast to explain why people, not machines, are the real high stakes in the casino industry. From building culture and trust to strengthening div...

Devilfish Poker marks its 20th anniversary, inspired by the legendary Dave “Devilfish” Ulliott, and CEO JJ Williams joins the Casinos.com Podcast to reflect on how poker has evolved from the 2005 boom to today’s tech-driven landscape. He discusses the rise of online play, what Web3 could mean for poker, and how digital ownership may reshape player communities and engagement. From the future of live events to the next ...

The Real Future of AI in Business: Vivek Chaudhuri on Trust, Regulation and AI Culture

What’s the real future of AI in business, and what should leaders focus on right now? We sat down with Vivek Chaudhuri, a global marketing leader with 20+ years driving digital transformation across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific, to unpack where AI is delivering value...

In this episode, we speak with two leading HR specialists, Bukky Osifeso and Cindy Macintos, backstage at the Next.io Summit in Valletta, Malta (May 2025). Bukky brings 20+ years of experience shaping workplace culture at global brands including Netflix, Disney and Amgen, and now leads TAG HR Consulting, helping organisations build human-centred cultures that last. She shares sharp insights on leadership, burnout and transformation...