A Vibe Check From The Next.io Gaming Summit
Disruption is the word of the day as the gambling industry gets together
If you were looking forward to a podcast, I apologize that I can’t do it this week while at the Next.io Summit in New York.
Instead, you get a quick vibe check and news roundup.
If you can’t be there and have eight hours to spare, Next.io posted a live stream of the leadership stage on Wednesday:
So what’s the feel as the gambling industry gets together in the US? I’d sum it up with the word “disruption.”
Yes, it’s a conference largely about the regulated industries of sports betting and online gambling. But a lot of the oxygen in the many rooms of the conference of around 1,200 people is being taken up by chatter on other things:
Fantasy pick’em operators are just part and parcel of events like this now.
Sweepstakes casino and sportsbooks operators have a very visible presence here. That included a well-attended half-day event just about the nascent/under-fire industry.
And here’s a dispatch from a panel: Sweepstakes operators to double within 12-24 months, say experts. I am gonna guess that idea will shock some people, seeing as there are already north of 100 of them.
People are still trying to wrap their heads around prediction markets and whether they think they are an opportunity, a threat, or both, or neither. If Kalshi is here, I haven’t seen or heard of their presence (their offices are a quick subway ride from the venue). Given their current legal troubles in Nevada, they probably are wise to stay away from a gambling conference.
Crypto casinos are also involved, including the likes of FanDuel founder Nigel Eccles and his new endeavor, BetHog.
It’s a fascinating time to be in the gaming industry as everyone tries to figure out where all of this is headed. Everyone started to get a sense of this disruption around G2E last year, but it’s gone up a notch six months later.
Some other tidbits from Next.io:
If you missed the state of the gambling industry presentation from Chris Grove, you can check out his slides here.
Also here’s a research report released in conjunction with the summit on the state of both legal and offshore betting in the US.
Gambling news roundup
Casinos and sports betting won’t win approval in Texas House, group of GOP members say (Texas Tribune): “A dozen Texas House Republicans who replaced pro-gambling lawmakers said this week they would oppose “any attempt to expand gambling” this session — a setback for efforts to legalize casinos and sports betting in the state. The 12 GOP freshmen were joined by three returning lawmakers who voted in 2023 to allow online sports betting, but now say they will reject any such proposal. That measure passed the 150-member House with 101 votes two years ago, narrowly clearing the two-thirds threshold needed to amend the Texas Constitution.”
ALT Sports Data and bet365 Announce Global Partnership (press release): ALT Sports Data, the leader in providing comprehensive sports betting data engagement solutions for alternative and emerging sports, is proud to announce a global partnership with bet365, one of the world's leading online gambling companies. This collaboration aims to bring innovative sports betting experiences to a broader audience by leveraging ALT Sports Data’s official sports partnerships and bet365's extensive reach and market expertise. ‘We are thrilled to collaborate with bet365, a true global leader in sports betting,’ said Joe Dunnigan, Founder/ CEO of ALT Sports Data. ‘This partnership marks a significant step in our mission to bring alternative sports into the mainstream. By providing data that drives new and differentiated sports bettors, we are creating a dynamic betting environment that will appeal to a wider range of sports fans.’”
Soft2Bet to Launch Award-Winning iGaming Solutions and Products in the United States (press release): “ Soft2Bet, one of the world’s fastest growing iGaming turnkey solutions providers, today announced its plans to launch in the U.S. headlined by the debut of its award-winning Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA) product, made possible through a market access agreement with Caesars Entertainment. The launch will see Soft2Bet unveil a new iGaming brand in New Jersey, following necessary regulatory approvals, and with a targeted launch in the Summer of 2025. ‘As a global company with a proven history of success and innovation, our plans to launch in the U.S. is monumental for Soft2Bet and our continued growth,’ said Uri Poliavich, Founder and CEO of Soft2Bet. ‘We are set to redefine gamification here in the U.S. and ultimately provide players with an incredible gaming experience with the debut of a new and transformative iGaming brand this summer.’”
