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 ...
Aug 13, 2025•40 min•Ep. 34
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 highlig...
Jul 29, 2025•49 min•Ep. 33
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 edg...
Jul 22, 2025•39 min•Ep. 32
In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Shelley Hannah, CPO at Relax Gaming. Shelley shares her inspiring 25-year journey from software programming to executive leadership in iGaming. She opens up about battling perfectionism, navigating self-doubt, leading through rapid industry change, and recovering from a life-altering car accident. The conversation explores leadership resilience, mental health in high-pressure roles, and the power of empathy in building high-performing teams....
Jul 15, 2025•50 min•Ep. 31
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 ...
Jul 08, 2025•37 min•Ep. 30
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 ...
Jun 24, 2025•46 min•Ep. 29
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 pow...
Jun 17, 2025•52 min•Ep. 28
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, rebuil...
Jun 10, 2025•49 min•Ep. 27
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 h...
May 31, 2025•39 min•Ep. 26
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...
May 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 25
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...
Apr 23, 2025•23 min•Ep. 24
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 stal...
Apr 16, 2025•41 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Mark Schmidt, Managing Director at EveryMatrix and a seasoned iGaming professional with over 17 years of industry experience. Mark shares his extraordinary journey from rising through the ranks in sports betting and gaming, to battling addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts—and ultimately rebuilding his life and career. The conversation explores the pressures of leadership in iGaming, the dangers of burnout and imposter syndrome, the st...
Apr 09, 2025•36 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Sasha Uman, Chief Commercial Officer at Playtech Live. Sasha shares her inspiring journey from finance associate to CCO at Playtech Live's division, revealing how bold moves, and supportive networks shaped her career. The conversation explores her path through the iGaming industry, the importance of asking for opportunities, overcoming imposter syndrome, managing remote teams, and maintaining work-life balance—offering actionable advice and ...
Apr 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Paris Smith, former CEO of Pinnacle and one of the most influential leaders in the iGaming industry. Paris shares her journey from sports betting to leading a powerhouse brand, highlighting the challenges, leadership lessons, and industry shifts she has navigated. The conversation explores high-performance culture, resilience in the face of public scrutiny, and the evolving dynamics of leadership in iGaming. Paris shares what it takes to thri...
Mar 26, 2025•45 min•Ep. 20
Naive or ballsy? Building a company from scratch in an industry you don’t know with Helen Walton In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Helen Walton, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of G Games, an online casino studio. Helen shares how she went from working on household brands to co-founding a gaming business that supplies games to over 800 operators. The conversation explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of building strong business relationships, and...
Mar 19, 2025•45 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Simon Pilkington, former CEO of KaFe Rocks and experienced iGaming executive. Simon shares his transformative journey, from navigating imposter syndrome and career shifts to prioritizing his health and well-being. They go deep into leadership challenges, personal growth, and the power of building a strong support system. Simon shares some valuable insights and practical advice for leaders striving to balance career success with personal fulfi...
Mar 12, 2025•44 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Britt Boeskov, an experienced executive in iGaming and digital transformation. Britt shares her journey from starting as a management trainee to becoming a C-level leader in a fast-paced and highly regulated industry. The conversation explores career progression, leadership challenges, the power of building strong professional relationships, and the impact of AI and personalization in the gaming industry. Offering valuable insights, Britt pro...
Mar 05, 2025•32 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Elena, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in business transformation and leadership. Elena shares her journey from starting as a PA to leading billion-pound transformation projects in highly regulated industries. The conversation explores navigating career transitions, the importance of leadership adaptability, and how diverse perspectives shape high-performing teams. Elena provides actionable advice for leaders looking to progres...
Feb 26, 2025•36 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Georgia Parry , Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint , to discuss her incredible career progression, overcoming adversity, and her leadership philosophy. Georgia shares how she went from an office administrator to a director in just seven years , the lessons she learned from a major health scare, balancing leadership with single parenthood, and how she built her confidence in a high-stakes industry. This conversation dives into personal res...
Feb 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Andrew Bulloss , Partner at Odgers Berndtson , to explore the evolution of leadership in the iGaming industry. Andrew shares his journey from sports recruitment to building one of the most influential executive search practices in betting and gaming. The conversation covers how leadership requirements have changed over the last decade, why curiosity is an underrated trait, and what it really takes to break into C-level positions. Andrew also...
Feb 12, 2025•37 min•Ep. 14
How to Lead Major Industry Events – Alex Pratt on Balancing Success with Well-Being In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Alex Pratt , Group Managing Director at Clarion Gaming , to discuss leadership in large-scale events, business resilience, and the mindset shifts needed to sustain long-term success . Alex shares his journey from sales to leading some of the most influential events in the iGaming industry , including ICE and iGaming Business . He provides insights into what m...
Feb 05, 2025•49 min•Ep. 13
From Burnout to Unstoppable Entrepreneurship: Lessons in Leadership and forging your own path with Robert Lenzhofer In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Robert Lenzhofer, Co-Founder & CEO of Hölle Games, to discuss his 20-year journey in the gaming industry, from his early days at Bwin to leading his own tech-driven company. Robert opens up about the lessons he learned from burnout, the power of asynchronous work, and the importance of creating agile, efficient teams. This ...
Jan 29, 2025•31 min•Ep. 12
In this inspiring episode of iGaming Leader , Leo sits down with Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, VP at IDnow, to discuss his remarkable journey from his strenuous beginnings to becoming a prominent leader in the iGaming industry. Roger shares his unique insights about overcoming personal and professional challenges, developing accountability, and maintaining a growth mindset to achieve great success. We delve deep into the lessons Roger has learned about leadership, the importance of team spirit, and the...
Jan 22, 2025•41 min•Ep. 11
From Police Raids to Transforming iGaming Events: Pierre Lindh’s Remarkable iGaming Leadership Story In this episode of the iGaming Leader podcast, Leo speaks with Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Next.io. Pierre shares his entrepreneurial journey, from founding a poker club in his teens to leading Next.io through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores the evolution of Pierre’s leadership style, the importance of building genuine connections, and his ...
Jan 15, 2025•48 min•Ep. 10
The Real Cost of Success as a Founder with Pini Yakuel In this episode of the iGaming Leader podcast, Leo sits down with Pini Yakuel, Founder & CEO of Optimove, to explore the emotional and operational challenges of being a founder. Pini shares some powerful insights into balancing obsession with sustainability, overcoming leadership hurdles, and managing the evolving relationship between a founder and their growing team. From managing offsite tensions to parenting lessons applied to leaders...
Jan 08, 2025•37 min•Ep. 9
Episode Summary In this episode of iGaming Leader , Leo Judkins sits down with Lex Scott, a seasoned leader with a passion for authenticity and openness. Lex shares his personal journey of navigating mental health challenges, embracing vulnerability, and transitioning into fatherhood—all while redefining his leadership style. This candid conversation covers the importance of self-awareness, building meaningful connections, and creating a culture that values empathy and resilience. Whether you’re...
Jan 01, 2025•39 min•Ep. 8
From A Stroke to Sustainable High Performance - Mike de Graaff's Wake Up Call at 33 Episode Summary In this powerful episode of The IGaming Leader , Leo Judkins sits down with Mike de Graaff, Chief Compliance Officer at BetComply, who shares his deeply personal journey of transformation. At just 33, Mike suffered a mini-stroke that served as a wake-up call to re-evaluate his lifestyle, leadership approach, and boundaries. Mike discusses his fast rise in iGaming, the challenges of balancing famil...
Dec 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 7
"Every single person has value to add. Even if you are at the very beginning of your career, even if you haven't started your career and you're still studying, you have value to add because you are a couple of steps ahead of someone else." Episode Summary In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo interviews Marija Hammon, a dynamic marketing leader with a fascinating journey across industries. Marija shares her evolution from FMCG to iGaming, where she has reshaped corporate branding and led high-p...
Dec 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 6
"If you can find someone who does the thing at least 80% as good as you, you should give it away." - Dmitry Belianin shares his philosophy on empowering the next generation of iGaming leaders. Episode Summary After 17 years in iGaming, Dmitry Belianin has had his most successful year yet, launching multiple ventures simultaneously. In this revealing conversation, he discusses his journey from competitive poker player to industry innovator, sharing insights on leadership evolution, delegation str...
Dec 04, 2024•34 min•Ep. 5
