The iGaming Leader

In this episode of the iGaming Leader Podcast, Leo sits down with veteran executive David McDowell, co-founder of FSB Technology and an early pioneer in the B2B platform space, to unpack the brutal reality of the 30-year entrepreneurial journey.David shares the truth about leadership burnout (it's the weight of the decisions, not the hours), the biggest mistake CEOs make when scaling (waiting too long to remove a talented but toxic employee), and the devastating cost of losing your vision. He offers a raw, cathartic reflection on the final chapters of FSB: being named Platform of the Year, only to have the momentum killed by a lack of capital investment demanded by a board focused on short-term liquidity. This is a crucial lesson in battling the "noise to the vision" and the indispensable wisdom only gained by staying in the game long enough to get the wins.About David McDowellDavid started his career as an engineer in Michigan and moved to London to do an MBA in 1993. He launched his first business, a two-sided marketplace using college students to teach adults how to use the internet, in 1995. He has since spent 25 years in the gambling industry.He co-founded GameAccount (now GAN), an early skill games provider that pivoted to B2B casino games and platform provider before its IPO in 2013.He co-founded and was CEO for 15 years of FSB Technology, a B2B sports betting platform that was sold to PE in 2019 and on to EveryMatrix in 2024.He currently works as an independent consultant with various gambling-related businesses and serves as an Entrepreneur Mentor in Residence at London Business School.Key Topics Discussed00:00 - The entrepreneurial philosophy04:00 - Building the first venture (SOS) in 199506:15 - Transitioning to CEO: becoming the external face of the organisation07:45 - It often feels like everything that you do is a mistake10:00 - Managing burnout: the importance of compartmentalising and health16:30 - Careful who your investors are19:20 - The fundraising Goldilocks problem: minimising dilution while maximising runway24:30 - Why customer-led features are often an absolute waste of time31:00 - Knowing in your gut someone is wrong for the organisation37:00 - Communicating your vision clearly39:00 - Isolation in leadership47:00 - What would I do differently going backMemorable Quotes"The entrepreneurial journey is just staying in the game long enough so that you can get the wins.""All of those are almost noise to the vision. You still have to kind of make sure that you're building your own vision...""My biggest mistake is waiting too long [to remove a cultural mismatch] because I thought we need... we can't afford the disruption right now."Connect with David McDowellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mcdowell-547209?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BomU134VSR%2B2eskLlRqTFHQ%3D%3DFollow Leo Judkins & iGaming LeaderLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/subscribeJoin the Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/apply

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with William J. Pascrell III, “BP3”. He is a partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group and a driving force behind the legalisation of sports betting and online gaming in the United States.BP3 shares the unseen cost of bold bets: losing every major client when he onboarded PokerStars to help bring iGaming to America, the two-year sprint that followed, and the resilience forged long before politics from a 45-day coma with spinal meningitis to the daily discipline learned from his father. This is a conversation about courage, people, and choosing to be a happy warrior rather than an angry gladiator.About BP3Bill Pascrell III is a veteran strategist and lobbyist who helped lead New Jersey’s iGaming framework and the decade-long campaign that culminated in PASPA’s repeal in 2018. He advises governments and gaming companies across the US and internationally on policy, compliance and market access.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – Scars, setbacks and the “small gladiator” mindset03:30 – “Architect of American sports betting” and what it really means08:00 – Growing up without privilege and learning to outwork everyone14:00 – Spinal meningitis as a teenager20:00 – Lessons from his father on example, integrity and service23:30 – The King David Hotel story and resourcefulness under pressure28:30 – Grief, legacy and the Pascrell Public Service Institute34:00 – Onboarding PokerStars, losing every client and starting again39:00 – NFL opposition, real-world pressure and personal risk40:00 – Happy warrior versus angry gladiator43:00 – People before everythingMemorable Quotes“I have the scars and the bruises to show I was a small gladiator in this fight.”“Give me 10% of 40 million and I’ll get this done in two years. And we did.”“I could have treated my adversaries more as a happy warrior than as an angry gladiator.”“Titles come and go. What matters is how we treat each other.”Connect with Bill Pascrell IIILinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billpascrell/X: https://x.com/BillPascrell3rdINSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/pascrell3rd/Follow Leo Judkins & iGaming LeaderLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/subscribeJoin the Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/applyLearn more about BP3BP3 on Boston 25 Newshttps://www.boston25news.com/news/local/25-investigates-sports-betting-could-raise-odds-problem-gambling-ma/PSOWJETP6ZA4VAX24VQZFCQURI/The Philadelphia Inquirer: Entain Foundation U.S. Educates Athletes on Sports Bettinghttps://www.inquirer.com/sports/nfl-ncaa-betting-education-entain-foundation-amani-toomer-20230727.html#loadedBP3 for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania's Casinos Must Protect Problem Gamblershttps://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2022/11/28/racinos-betters-gambling-addiction/stories/202211280003Forbes: How New Jersey Will Double Down on Gambling if Casinos Come to New York Cityhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2022/10/14/how-new-jersey-will-double-down-on-gambling-if-casinos-come-to-new-york-city/BP3: From NJ.com: NJ Sports Bettors Need More Protectionhttps://www.nj.com/opinion/2024/04/nj-sports-bettors-need-more-protection-opinion.htmlGame Masters 2025: TOP 100 Most Influential Figures in the U.S. iGaming IndustryGame Masters 2025: TOP 100 Most Influential Figures in the U.S. iGaming Industry - USiGamingHUBSen. Addabbo: Legalize iGaming First, Then ‘I Want To Create’ Sweeps RegulationAddabbo: Legalize iGaming, Then 'I Want To Create' Sweeps RegulationCasinos, online play fuel strong July in NJCasinos, online play fuel strong July in NJ - NJBIZBP3: From IMGL Magazine– The Importance of Geolocation in the Online Gaming IndustryIMGL Magazine June 2025 Internet gaming, sports wagering pace February DGE report (updated)Internet gaming, sports wagering pace February DGE report (updated) - NJBIZBill Pascrell: US Election day warm up:https://next.io/podcasts/next-io-podcast/bill-pascrell-us-election-day-warm-up/?utm_campaign=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--thGRArZ3dvBERn9NoBY4lv0g8vB2vmx1uDcV5DecKSq-IXpITjwZ5BQ8Y2K1E1L1FtsB5UODaJ190VR9ISatxI2aSTCq25FCypCtUlLfYVSSP-xc&_hsmi=97835674&utm_content=97835674&utm_source=hs_email

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Jovana Popovic Canaki, CEO of iGP and one of the few female leaders in the B2B iGaming space. Jovana opens up about the emotional highs and lows of leadership, the hidden pressure of being “the strong one,” and the journey from intimidation and self-doubt to authentic, grounded leadership.The conversation explores losing her belongings abroad and what it taught her about vulnerability, balancing work with family roles, early-career imposter feelings, learning to lead without wearing a “manager mask,” and the reality of being a woman advancing through a male-dominated industry.Guest BioJovana Popović Čanaki, known to most as Jovi, is the CEO of iGP, an iGaming platform, aggregator, and lottery provider. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, she’s helped shape some of its most recognizable brands from Aspire Global to ORYX Gaming. Today she leads iGP’s evolution from a single-platform provider into a trusted, full-suite partner for operators worldwide.But what really defines Jovi is her belief that growth comes from people first. She’s known for leading with empathy, authenticity, and a strong sense of purpose, building teams where creativity, accountability, and trust go hand in hand.At iGP, she continues to champion the company’s Be Purple mindset, a reminder to stay bold, curious, and human, guiding both her team and partners to build gaming experiences that inspire connection and progress.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – The loneliness and emotional swings of leadership03:00 – Losing everything in a hotel lobby: vulnerability and perspective07:00 – The myth of work–life balance as a CEO, parent and expat15:00 – How her early years shaped her leadership style20:00 – Doubt, intimidation, and learning to “push through”32:00 – Wearing a “manager mask” and the cost of inauthenticity40:00 – Women in leadership: the progress, challenges and realities50:00 – Her advice to her younger self: stop doubtingMemorable Quotes“Do what you believe in.”“Why are you so afraid to show who you are? What’s the worst that can happen?” “If you don’t have a little stage fright, you don’t care enough.”Connect with Jovihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jovanapopovic/https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/management/jovana-popovic-canaki-igp-leadership/https://g3newswire.com/igp-a-transformative-year/www.igpgaming.comFollow Leo Judkins & iGaming LeaderLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/subscribeJoin the Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/apply

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Daniel Brooks, dual founder and hands-on CEO of BetComply and Ridentify. Daniel shares how a thoughtful, mentor-first approach lets him scale two companies at once, trust strong operators, and stay composed when cashflow shocks or client pull-outs hit. He explains how journalling, walking meetings, and “breathing through” crises turn panic into analytical problem-solving and innovation.The conversation explores people-first leadership, letting go without losing control, choosing and backing the right operators, making brave pivots without losing your core, and building a personal resilience system that keeps you calm under pressure. Practical insights for founders, COOs, and execs across iGaming.Guest BioDaniel Brookes is an experienced business strategist and leader in the iGaming and technology sectors, currently serving as CEO of both BetComply and Rdentify. Known for his expertise in regulatory compliance, operations, and innovative AI-driven player protection solutions, Daniel has been instrumental in scaling businesses and driving growth in complex, regulated markets.He is recognised for his hands-on leadership style, strategic vision, and commitment to fostering collaborative, trust-first company cultures. Daniel’s work focuses on helping operators navigate the challenges of compliance while promoting responsible gaming and customer protection.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – Thoughtful leadership: mentor first, megaphone second03:00 – From hands-on Ops to true COO05:00 – Letting go the right way: trust, verify, then back your best people09:00 – Culture design: speed, iteration, low bureaucracy, clear process12:00 – Running two companies: vision, operators, repeatable model16:00 – “Breathe through it”: journalling and calm thinking in a crisis19:00 – Private GPTs, writing, and structured reflection as a coping system22:00 – Proud moments: team growth, fast KPIs, shared wins31:00 – Founders, focus, and plate-spinning: why this isn’t “the Daniel show”35:00 – Mentors who challenge vision and expand ambition40:00 – Disruption mindset: ask bigger questions, push for better41:00 – Family, holidays, and work–life choices that reduce stress42:00 – Final advice: hire great people, move fast, know when to stopMemorable Quotes“Lead from the top, not in the weeds. Trust the team to deliver.” “The only way through it is to breathe through it.” “Ask better questions: how do we disrupt and make this the best it can be?” “Don’t let anybody tell you to follow your dream if everything is saying no. Use those noes to realign.”Connect with Daniel: https://betcomply.com/https://rdentify.com/https://www.rdentifyconnect.com/https://thoughteconomics.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-brookes-367b5b14/Follow Leo on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: igamingleader.com

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Emma Blaylock, CEO of Pretty Technical and a tech leader who helped launch Kindle UK and drove early streaming at Sony. Emma shares how vulnerable leadership creates safe-to-fail teams that learn fast, stay calm under scrutiny, and execute with focus. The conversation explores helping your team feel safe-to-fail, hiring to your weaknesses, data-driven decision making, handling cashflow shocks, and female leadership in male-dominated rooms—offering practical insights for founders, product leaders, and execs across iGaming. Guest Bio Emma is an experienced business strategist and technology commercialist, having practised formal management consultancy at Deloitte and strategic investments, acquisitions and cross-group business development at Sony’s Corporate Development and M&A group in the U.S.  After Sony, Emma joined Amazon and delivered strategic initiatives to launch and grow Kindle in the UK and other European markets. Emma holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Nottingham and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago. Key Topics Discussed 00:00 – Admit gaps: building a safe-to-fail culture 03:00 – Tech throughline: impact, innovation, disruption 05:00 – Bezos-level detail: data-driven calm under pressure 08:00 – Disrupting UK market with Kindle 10:00 – From imposter feelings to confident leadership 14:00 – Modelling vulnerability and psychological safety 22:00 – From Amazon to start-up: risk, family, flexibility 27:00 – Fundraising, COVID, and making hard calls 31:00 – When a big client can’t pay: cashflow and redundancies 39:00 – Raise-the-bar hiring: fill your weaknesses Memorable Quotes “No one's going to remember everything at the top of their head and have the answers for everything, that's not realistic.” “It's okay to be vulnerable around that, right? And honest around that. And then, as a team, you grow.” “That imposter syndrome we all talk about, I think it's always there, but you, you become more confident in what you can do and confident in where your weaknesses are.” “It's about having a culture that embraces failure, but then quickly learns from it.” Connect with Emma Blaylock:https://prettytechnical.io/linkedin.com/in/emmablaylockhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/pretty-technicalFollow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/