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MaxBet Podcast

MaxBet Podcast

MaxBet Podcast 149 Episodes Jul 15, 2026

MaxBet Podcast is a B2B show focused on the gaming industry, hosted by Hillary McAfee. It features conversations with executives, insiders, and gaming legends, offering sharp takes and behind-the-scenes stories. The podcast is known for its informal, unscripted style and is the longest-running B2B show in gaming.

Episodes

Why Aren't More States Legalizing iGaming? | Brandt Iden
Why Aren't More States Legalizing iGaming? | Brandt Iden Jul 15, 2026 24:59 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 st
AI in Gaming: Where to Invest and Where to Wait
AI in Gaming: Where to Invest and Where to Wait Jul 8, 2026 39:23 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. W
"Find a Way or Make a Way" | Simon Thomas on Building the Hippodrome
"Find a Way or Make a Way" | Simon Thomas on Building the Hippodrome Jun 18, 2026 34:08 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 solut
The Hottest Trends in Slots Right Now
The Hottest Trends in Slots Right Now May 28, 2026 48:22 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 climbin
WTF?! Is Actually Happening With AI in Gaming??
WTF?! Is Actually Happening With AI in Gaming?? May 21, 2026 28:45 Everyone's talking about AI in gaming. Most of it sounds impressive. Not all of it is real. This is Part 3 of our WTF with IGI series where we bring the data people in to talk to the rest of us. Turns out, having an AI strategy is more than just telling your employees to use ChatGPT like Google. We break down IGI's latest research and get into what operators and suppliers are actually doing with A
Top 5 Gaming Stories this Week, According to Everyone Important (Me)
Top 5 Gaming Stories this Week, According to Everyone Important (Me) May 13, 2026 08:48 Here's what actually happened in gaming this week, minus the polished version. Top 5 Stories for the beginning of May 2026: 1. FanDuel replaces Amy Howe as CEO - What does this mean? 2. What happened with Prediction Markets - still messy but printing $$? 3. UFC betting under the microscope (again) 4. Don't F*** with Canada: a reminder that regulation is not a suggestion 5. Wynn Al Marjan announces
Sex, Drugs, and the iGaming Industry… According to Alex Tomic
Sex, Drugs, and the iGaming Industry… According to Alex Tomic Apr 30, 2026 38:03 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 l
WTF?! Why is Freeplay Not Working?
WTF?! Why is Freeplay Not Working? Apr 16, 2026 49:13 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 prom
From DEI Pioneer to Startup Champion: Kelly Kehn Is Changing Who Gets to Build Gaming
From DEI Pioneer to Startup Champion: Kelly Kehn Is Changing Who Gets to Build Gaming Apr 8, 2026 31:26 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: Buildi
How to Scale a Company Without Breaking Your Culture
How to Scale a Company Without Breaking Your Culture Mar 26, 2026 31:37 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 d
WTF?! Why Does Draft Kings Care About UNLV??
WTF?! Why Does Draft Kings Care About UNLV?? Mar 19, 2026 20:07 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 h
WTF Is This Series? Introducing WTF? with IGI (ft. Dr. Brett Abarbanel)
WTF Is This Series? Introducing WTF? with IGI (ft. Dr. Brett Abarbanel) Mar 18, 2026 05:22 MaxBet is teaming up with UNLV International Gaming Institute to create a mini-series lovingly and relatably called WTF?! with IGI. Because there are people out there doing incredibly smart research on our industry. So we're bringing them in to break it down, translate it, and tell us what we probably should've known sooner. If you're an operator or a supplier, you'll probably want to hear what

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