MaxBet Podcast

Hosted by MaxBet Podcast

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Episodes

150

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Whether you're deep in the game or just gaming-curious, this podcast is for you. MaxBet is the #1 podcast in gaming and the longest running B2B show in the industry. Hosted by Hillary McAfee, the podcast brings you real conversations with the people shaping this business; executives, insiders, and the occasional legend. It's not formal, it's not scripted, and it's definitely not stuffy. Just sharp takes, bold ideas, and behind the scenes stories from the gaming world. You'll hear from industry insiders, executives, and gaming legends, giving you a front-row seat (metaphorically, because we don't actually know you) to the bold moves, big ideas, and behind-the-scenes stories defining the industry. It's a unique blend of business know-how, consumer perspective, and unfiltered commentary on what's really happening in the gaming world.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 5, 2026Episode 921 min

Building the Future of Skill-Based Gaming | Desiree Dickerson, THNDR

What happens when you build a startup in a category most of the industry is still trying to understand? Desiree Dickerson, CEO and Co-Founder of Thunder, joins MaxBet to break down skill-based gaming, how Thunder solves player liquidity through cross-operator matchmaking, and why operators, lotteries, sportsbooks, and sweepstakes companies are paying attention. We also discuss startup pivots, product-market fit, industry education, and the realities of building a business where the rules are still being written. Plus: rapid fire, conference pet peeves, tarantulas, business cards, and an unexpected conversation about beta blockers. Whether you're hearing about player vs. player gaming for the first time or have been following the space for years, this episode offers a practical look at one of gaming's fastest-growing and most misunderstood business models.

July 15, 2026Episode 1124 min

Why Aren't More States Legalizing iGaming? | Brandt Iden

Subtlety isn't exactly a MaxBet core value, so we start with the obvious question: Why are operators leaving the AGA? After surviving the opening question, Brandt Iden, VP of Government Affairs at Fanatics Betting & Gaming and former Michigan State Representative, sticks around to talk about why more states still haven't legalized iGaming, what's keeping legislation from moving, the tax revenue states may be leaving on the table, and why prediction markets have become one of gaming's biggest debates. As always, we wrap things up with a rapid-fire round covering everything from Google Meet vs. Teams to the worst conference habit. (Brandt had that answer locked and loaded.) This episode of MaxBet is brought to you by Approvely, the payment infrastructure partner built for gaming. From payment processing and pay-by-bank to compliance and risk management, Approvely helps operators navigate complex payments with confidence. Learn more at Approvely.com.

July 8, 2026Episode 939 min

AI in Gaming: Where to Invest and Where to Wait

AI has become the answer to just about everything. Need to cut costs? AI. Need to grow revenue? AI. Need to impress your board? AI. The problem is, very few people can explain where the ROI actually is. This week on MaxBet, Hillary McAfee sits down with Cris Kuehl, Chief Data & AI Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, to sort through the questions gaming executives are asking behind closed doors. Where should companies be investing in AI? Where should they absolutely not? Does every company need a Chief AI Officer? What should startups be doing today so they don't get left behind tomorrow? Whether you're building an AI strategy, trying to separate opportunity from distraction, or just looking for a conversation that doesn't sound like it was written by ChatGPT, this episode is for you. A special thanks to Continent 8 for sponsoring this episode of MaxBet Podcast.

June 18, 2026Episode 1134 min

"Find a Way or Make a Way" | Simon Thomas on Building the Hippodrome

Simon Thomas owns the Hippodrome Casino, one of the most iconic gaming and entertainment venues in the world. Located in the heart of London, the Hippodrome attracts a third of all casino admissions in the city and has become known for doing things differently. In this episode of MaxBet, Simon joins Hillary McAfee to talk about building a business around experiences, why most problems have a solution if you're willing to find it, and how the Hippodrome grew into a destination that combines gaming, sports betting, restaurants, bars, live entertainment, and hospitality under one roof. They also discuss the launch of the UK's first casino sportsbook, testing new products, creating a culture people want to be part of, and why Simon believes the best ideas often come from focusing on how customers feel. Plus: why he hates coat check tickets, the story behind the Hippodrome's newest sportsbook, and the lesson that's guided him through nearly every challenge he's faced: find a way or make a way.

May 28, 2026Episode 948 min

The Hottest Trends in Slots Right Now

If you care about slot floor strategy, which features are actually working, or just want to hear your favorite games and suppliers come up in the conversation, this episode is for you. Brendan Moore from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming joins MaxBet to break down the games, mechanics, cabinets, and features getting real traction on casino floors right now. Brendan gets into the suppliers, the games climbing the charts, the mechanics players are responding to, and the features proving they actually have staying power. We talk about what Konami, AGS, Sega Sammy, Bluberi, IGT, Aristocrat, and Light & Wonder are doing right now and why certain products are getting attention across the industry. We also get into: The perceived persistence takeover Popular features What game has been the most copied What falls off the charts fast What operators are paying attention to right now

April 30, 2026Episode 538 min

Sex, Drugs, and the iGaming Industry… According to Alex Tomic

This week, Alex Tomic joins MaxBet for a conversation that goes well beyond the usual industry talking points. We get into the growing research around psilocybin as a potential treatment for gambling addiction, how biohacking became part of his routine, and which does he *actually* prefer: SBC or SIGMA? Also in this episode: Ick of the Week (straight from Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow. The ladies will understand) And a new segment: Red Flag or Green Flag? Somewhere along the way, we also ask a very normal question: is Donald Trump being involved in prediction markets… weird? This episode is supported by our partners at IGT and Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. We appreciate them being part of the conversation.

April 16, 202649 min

WTF?! Why is Freeplay Not Working?

Freeplay. PAR. Rebates. Lotteries. Tony Lucas has spent years studying all of it, and the verdict is ugly. At best, casinos are misusing these tools. At worst, they are hemorrhaging millions straight off the bottom line. I n this episode, he lays out what the research shows, why the industry keeps pushing back on it, and what's really driving that resistance. If any part of your job touches a promotions budget, this episode is for you. This WTF with IGI mini-series is put together in collaboration with The International Gaming Institute and filmed at UNLV Black Fire.

April 8, 2026Episode 431 min

From DEI Pioneer to Startup Champion: Kelly Kehn Is Changing Who Gets to Build Gaming

From DEI pioneer to startup champion, Kelly Kehn joins the MaxBet Podcast to talk about what it takes to build in gaming right now. Kelly has spent more than two decades in iGaming and co-founded the All-In Diversity Project. She's now working with Defy the Odds alongside Sue Schneider and Paris Smith, supporting founders and helping open doors that have not always been open. We get into: Building startups in gaming and where people get stuck Managing risk when everything is moving fast Culture, and what happens when people feel comfortable speaking up The difference between saying you value diverse perspectives and creating space for them What Defy the Odds is doing behind the scenes

March 26, 2026Episode 331 min

How to Scale a Company Without Breaking Your Culture

On this episode of MaxBet Podcast, Martina Åkerlund breaks down what actually drives company culture and why so many leaders get it wrong. As CEO of Elevated Edge, Martina works directly with founders and leadership teams to build companies that perform without burning out their people. This conversation gets into the real issues and what actually happens inside teams when leadership avoids hard decisions, not what companies say about culture. In this episode, you'll find: Why high performers can quietly damage culture The risk of keeping the wrong people for the sake of results Why culture always starts at the top The leadership habit that can undo years of progress Hiring for potential vs hiring for performance How to make hard decisions without losing respect Why numbers alone are not enough to scale a company What sustainable leadership actually looks like

March 19, 202620 min

WTF?! Why Does Draft Kings Care About UNLV??

What is DraftKings actually paying attention to right now… and what does that mean for the rest of the industry? In Episode 1 of WTF?! with IGI, MaxBet sits down with a Director from UNLV's International Gaming Institute to break down the trends shaping gaming behind the scenes. We get into what suppliers should be building over the next 3 years, what is actually working in persistent games, and how student-created ideas are making it onto real casino floors. Some of those same ideas are even catching the attention of DraftKings inside IGI's innovation lab. If you care about where gaming is going next, this is the stuff you want to be paying attention to.