In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Huw Thomas, founder of Brandstage and co-founder of the new Recovery in Gaming community. Huw shares his two-decade journey through the iGaming industry, including senior leadership roles and billion-pound exits, alongside the hidden personal battles that almost derailed his career.This conversation explores the pressures of executive life, the dangers of numbing stress with alcohol, the turning point that led to 11 years of sobriety, and why recovery conversations are vital for the future of the gaming sector. Huw also introduces Recovery in Gaming, a safe community space supporting professionals across the industry.Guest BioHuw Thomas is a brand strategist and leader in the global iGaming space. He runs Brandstage, a consultancy that partners with operators, startups, and scaleups across the UK, Europe, and the US to shape growth strategies through brand and communications.He is also co-founder of Recovery in Gaming, an industry-wide community for professionals seeking support with alcohol and drug recovery. With more than 20 years’ experience in gaming and a personal recovery journey of over a decade, Huw combines commercial expertise with a human-centred mission to build healthier leaders and organisations.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – Huw’s first step into iGaming and early industry days07:00 – Climbing the ladder: Betsson, NYX, OpenBet, and major exits14:00 – Pressure, addiction, and the turning point in 201419:00 – The first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and life in recovery27:00 – Boundaries, control, and tools to handle executive stress33:00 – The daily inventory: a 3-minute practice that actually works37:00 – Why Huw launched Recovery in Gaming and its future impactMemorable Quotes“When that moment of surrender came, there was this level of peace and serenity that flowed through my body. All the shame and lies were finally out in the open.”“If you’ve ever thought, even once, ‘Am I drinking too much?’ the answer is probably yes.”“I didn’t realise that the feeling of no shame and full acceptance was just one step away.”Important LinksConnect with Huw Thomas:https://www.linkedin.com/in/huwowenthomas/https://www.linkedin.com/company/recovery-in-gaminghttps://www.brandstage.com/Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: iGamingLeader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: iGamingLeader.com
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Why I Never Focus on Problems as a CEO — Justin Anastasi
Stay ahead of the industry. Join our newsletter for insights that will help you perform, grow, and lead at the highest level: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupIn this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Justin Anastasi, CEO of VentureMax Group and OverPWR. With a career spanning call centres, catwalks, politics, and the C-suite, Justin shares how authenticity, resilience, and a relentless focus on solutions have shaped his leadership journey.Justin’s perspective offers fresh insights for executives and leaders who want to thrive by being themselves, while driving growth and innovation in a demanding industry.Our GuestJustin Anastasi is a seasoned iGaming executive and entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership experience. As CEO of VentureMax Group, he leads a team of industry veterans investing in disruptive start-ups and building the future of iGaming. He is also Founder and CEO at OverPWR, a Malta-based angel investment venture.Justin’s track record in global business growth, HR, and leadership development reflects his commitment to people and innovation. His unique blend of authenticity, adaptability, and entrepreneurial drive has made him a standout figure in both the iGaming and technology sectors.Key Topics00:00 – Show Intro03:00 – Breaking rules and finding your own way07:00 – Why Justin never focuses on problems10:00 – Treating time as your most valuable currency14:00 – The common thread across retail, HR, politics, and iGaming16:30 – Leading with transparency during tough decisions21:00 – Backing underdogs and seeing them succeed23:30 – Why the person matters more than the pitch deck26:00 – Speaking up on difficult issues in Malta and the industry29:00 – Lessons learned from entering politics34:00 – Balancing impatience and action in leadership37:00 – Why growth and comfort never coexist40:00 – Advice for young, ambitious leaders“I’ve never really been burdened by the problem. I’m always thinking, how am I going to get it done?”“Time is a currency. I invest it — and I don’t like to lose”“You can’t make a CEO. Somewhere within them, they have that innate ability.”“The only thing you should be is happy.”Connect with Justin Anastasi on LinkedInRead more about his work:Ethical hiring practices in MaltaWhy ESG and stakeholder capitalism matterLife’s a Pitch: Making it countFollow Leo Judkins on LinkedInSubscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: iGamingLeader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: iGamingLeader.com
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Why I Had to Slow Down to Save My Career — Lee McFarland on Resilience, Vulnerability, and Building Community
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Lee McFarland, a former British Army paratrooper and private security contractor turned iGaming industry executive. Lee shares his journey from military life to the corporate world, opening up about his struggles with PTSD, alcohol, and the ongoing process of self-awareness and recovery.The conversation explores the challenges of transitioning into civilian life, the value of authenticity in leadership, and the role of community initiatives like Behind the Gloves in fostering connection and wellbeing.Guest BioLee McFarland is a seasoned iGaming professional with a unique journey from elite military service to senior leadership in the global gaming industry. He's built high-performing teams and delivered complex projects across North America, bringing a distinctive perspective shaped by his military background.As founder of Praxis Point, Lee helps operators navigate market entry, product due diligence, and platform optimisation. He's also the driving force for Behind The Gloves, a wellness and boxing community within iGaming that's reshaping what authentic leadership looks like in the industry.Whether he's launching a new casino, evaluating PAM platforms, or running a 6am boxing session at a conference, Lee brings energy, empathy, and execution to everything he does.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – From paratrooper to private security04:55 – The challenges of transitioning to civilian and corporate environments08:00 – Facing early career rejections and building resilience10:30 – The power of authentic networking and relationship-building14:30 – Therapy, EMDR, and understanding PTSD17:00 – Overcoming fear, embracing vulnerability, and reframing perceptions20:45 – The impact of alcohol culture in the military and beyond24:50 – Behind the Gloves and building community through boxing30:00 – Recognising burnout and the courage to slow down35:45 – Learning to say no and set boundaries in business and life38:00 – The importance of having anchors and a strong support networkMemorable Quotes"We all get knocked down, how we get back and how we proceed is what defines us." "What? There's other people like me? " "If I can help one person, then it’s worth doing." "Sometimes you have to slow down to get the right things done."Important LinksConnect with Lee McFarland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igaming-consultant/Follow 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/
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Why High Performers Burn Out (But Don’t Quit)
In this episode of iGaming leader, Leo sits down with Arturs Zagurilo, Chief Commercial Officer at Gamma Stack, who shares his inspiring journey from the banking sector to becoming a leader in the iGaming industry. He openly discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing his unique work ethic of putting in 150% effort, and the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership. Arturs emphasises fostering a supportive work environment, where people can thrive and grow. He also highlights the significance of mental health, patience, and adapting your leadership style to meet the needs of a dynamic industry. GUEST BIO:Arturs Zagurilo is a dynamic leader at the forefront of iGaming, serving as Chief Commercial Officer at GammaStack, growing the team from a single individual to over 10, and expanding the sales team to more than 20 and achieving an astounding 10x sales growth in its first year. Arturs has also pioneered new business directions, including custom game development on a revenue-share model with tier-1 and tier-2 operators, and the launch of both Turnkey and Sweepstake Turnkey offerings.KEY TOPICS:00:00 Arturs beginnings in Banking04:24 Transition to iGaming09:42 Work Ethic and Mindset: All or Nothing16:48 The Journey of Self-Acceptance21:35 Continuous Improvement and Building Support Systems29:50 Leadership and Team Dynamics40:07 The Value of Vulnerability in Business48:02 Reflecting on Career AdviceMEMORABLE QUOTES:“The biggest strength you can have is to allow yourself to be yourself”“If you make sure people feel good around you, you can definitely improve in your career"“Being genuinely open about your struggles helps others relate to you and fosters deeper connections”IMPORTANT LINKS:Connect with Arturs Zagurilo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturs-zagurilo-81a820134/?locale=en_USFollow 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/
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Leaving the Game: Reinventing My Career at 36
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Antti Koivula, iGaming lawyer at Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law, an expert on Finnish law and a former professional sports bettor. Antti discusses his transition from a demanding and very successful sports betting career to becoming a legal advisor and shares insights on managing extreme focus, the challenges of long working hours, and the life choices he made to optimise his performance and how his early ability to concentrate gave him an edge in sports betting and later in his law career. GUEST BIO: Antti Koivula is a Leading iGaming Lawyer at Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law, specializing in Finnish gambling law, licensing, compliance, and risk management, known as a high-stakes professional sports bettor with over a decade of experience including LLB and LLM degrees. Antti brings a rare combination of legal expertise and real-world industry insight. Before entering the legal field, he collaborated with elite betting syndicates, ran a successful tipster service, and consistently beat sharp bookmakers. Today, he advises a wide range of iGaming clients from operators and providers to PSPs and affiliates, and is recognized as a go-to expert on Finland’s gambling regulation. KEY TOPICS: 00:00 The Life of a Professional Sports Bettor 02:10 Introduction to the iGaming Leader Podcast 02:52 Antti Koivula Journey into Sports Betting 07:00 The Transition from Sports Betting to Law 08:44 Balancing Family and Career 17:03 The Analytical Approach to Career Decisions 27:32 Starting a New Career in Law 35:05 Final Thoughts and Advice MEMORABLE QUOTES: “Life is too short to waste on being unhappy”“I never considered sports betting as something to retire from”“I would prefer doing something I really like over getting paid better for something”“Knowing yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, knowing what you can do, that's the good starting point”“Success in any high-pressure career requires passion, without it, it's a recipe for disaster”IMPORTANT LINKS:Get in touch with Antti Koivula:https://www.linkedin.com/in/koivula-antti/https://legal-gaming.com/ A few of his latest articles:https://sigma.world/news/exclusive-finlands-new-gambling-rules-could-spark-chaos/https://igamingexpress.com/affiliates-affiliates-and-one-more-time-affiliates-why-finlands-proposed-ban-could-undermine-its-gambling-reform/https://igwire.com/exclusive-interview-with-antti-koivula/https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/gaming-regulation/was-sweden-the-best-market-liberalisation-model-for-finland-to-follow/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/
The iGaming Leader Podcast with Leo Judkins uncovers the human side of the iGaming industry's most successful leaders. Join us as we explore the untold stories, challenges, and triumphs of the executives shaping one of the world's most dynamic sectors.
Each week, we dive deep into conversations with C-suite leaders, founders, and directors from global betting firms and innovative startups. Our guests share their authentic journey to the top, revealing pivotal career moments, leadership philosophies, and personal strategies for sustainable success in this high-pressure industry.
More than just another business podcast, we focus on the crucial intersection of wellbeing and high performance. Discover how industry leaders maintain peak performance while managing stress, work-life integration, and team dynamics in an industry that never sleeps.
Whether you're an aspiring leader, current executive, or passionate about the iGaming sector, each 30-minute episode delivers actionable insights to help you thrive in this fast-paced environment.
Subscribe now to join a community of high-achieving iGaming professionals committed to making this industry not just successful, but sustainable for its leaders.
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