MaxBet Podcast

In this episode of the MaxBet Podcast, host Mike McKiski welcomes Heather Lee, a branding and marketing expert, to discuss the vital elements of personal and company brand building, as well as navigating career transitions. Whether you're looking to enhance your personal brand, elevate your company's presence, or switch careers entirely, Heather shares invaluable insights and actionable strategies from her own personal journey to help you stand out in a competitive landscape. Discover how to leverage your unique strengths and create a brand narrative that resonates with your audience. Tune in now to unlock the secrets of effective branding and career growth! Don’t forget to subscribe to the MaxBet Podcast for more expert insights and inspiration for your professional journey!

9/30/24 • 34:42

Join host Mike McKiski on this exciting episode of the MaxBet Podcast as he welcomes Mike Brennan, Chief Product Officer at Bluberi. Together, they dive deep into the world of game design, discussing the latest trends and innovations that are shaping the gaming industry. In this episode, you'll discover: The Future of Game Development: Mike Brennan shares his insights on emerging technologies and how they influence gameplay. Creative Strategies: Learn how Bluberi is pushing the envelope with unique game concepts that engage players. Industry Challenges: Hear about the current challenges facing game designers and how to overcome them. Player Engagement: Discover effective techniques to enhance player experience and retention in an ever-competitive market. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast, a budding developer, or an industry veteran, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in the gaming world! 🔗 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform! Keywords: MaxBet Podcast, Mike McKiski, Mike Brennan, Bluberi, game design, gaming innovation, player engagement, game development trends, industry challenges. Subscribe and leave us a review to help us reach more gaming enthusiasts!

9/26/24 • 42:10

In this episode, we delve into the captivating tale of how a basic poker card protector evolved into a multinational casino gifting empire. Delve into the impact of artificial intelligence and data strategy on the future of gifting, and grasp why casinos should view their gifting initiatives as immersive experiences, not just channels for dispersing branded bagel slicers. Join Landon and Mike as they chat with Gift & Go co-founders Jon Reuben and Joe Hall, who journeyed across the Atlantic to share their insights. Don't miss this enlightening conversation!

5/1/24 • 45:43

Join us for an insightful discussion with Brian Green, COO of Graton Casino, and Charlie Skinner, President of Marker Trax, as they delve into the world of cashless gaming. Discover firsthand from an industry operator who has successfully integrated cashless technology onto their gaming floor. Gain valuable insights into the benefits of embracing new technology and its impact on the gaming experience.

3/1/24 • 68:19

In this engaging episode, Chris Justice, the visionary CEO of Pavilion Payments, brings more than just cigars and cookies to the podcast—he shares a wealth of infinite wisdom. Join Mike and Landon as they delve into Chris's vision to simplify the transition to a cashless society. Chris discusses how he believes leveraging broad market consumer technology can rapidly enhance the casino cashless experience. Along the journey, he candidly recounts both the triumphs and challenges that have shaped his perspective. Tune in for a captivating conversation on the future of cashless transactions and the technological innovations driving change.

12/15/23 • 57:23

In our most recent Cashless Conversation, brought to you by MarkerTrax and their acclaimed cashless gaming solution, we are excited to have Noah Acres from Acres Manufacturing as our guest. Noah will guide us through their innovative product, "Foundation," a universal casino data system. We'll delve into the cutting-edge technology that brings us closer to real-time personalized player bonuses on the casino floor. Plus, Noah shares a personal journey of conquering childhood disappointments, all while accompanied by a brand-new lunch box. Don't miss out on this intriguing discussion!

11/8/23 • 54:41

In this episode, we are joined by Kiran Brahmandam, the CEO of Gaming Analytics. Together, we explore the cutting-edge advancements in the application of artificial intelligence to casino data. Kiran sheds light on how casinos can harness the power of AI tools to enhance and optimize the player experience, all while sharing his visionary dreams for the future of this transformative technology. Join us as we dive into the exciting world of AI in the casino industry.

10/25/23 • 59:21

Join us for our latest Cashless Conversation, proudly sponsored by Marker Trax! In this engaging discussion, we're delighted to welcome Carol Thompson, CMO of Marker Trax, and Charlie Skinner, President of Marker Trax, as they share their remarkable journey towards making casino credit accessible to all. Discover their insights into the future of cashless transactions and get an exclusive first look at the unveiling of their new product brand, poised to streamline the experience for casinos utilizing their player credit system. Don't miss this exciting conversation that promises to shape the future of gaming!

10/2/23 • 62:47

In this episode Cameron Stewart, Group Vice President of US Games, and Kelly Trask, Director of Slot Performance & Strategy for SciPlay join the podcast to discuss the latest trends in social gaming, how they are leveraging the power of social gaming data to build better land-based, real money slot machines, and issue the craziest challenge in the history of the MaxBet Podcast!! 

8/28/23 • 57:45

Join us for an engaging discussion in the latest installment of Cashless Conversation, brought to you by Marker Trax. In this episode, we're thrilled to host Justin Moore, a seasoned veteran of the casino industry. Tune in as Justin delves into his wealth of experience in choosing cashless gaming partners, sheds light on his anticipated trends propelling the gaming industry forward, and treats us to captivating anecdotes from his time at the helm of a Philadelphia casino. Don't miss out on this insightful exchange that offers a unique glimpse into the evolving world of cashless gaming and casino management.

8/22/23 • 47:34

Join Mike and Landon in this exciting episode filled with major life updates (spoiler alert: there are tons!) as they delve into fascinating discussions on the profound influence of AI on our world. Get ready to explore some wild and creative applications of ChatGPT that will leave you in awe. But that's not all—be sure not to miss the heartwarming moments as Mike provides Landon with the much-needed big brotherly advice. Tune in now to catch all the excitement!

8/2/23 • 34:33

In our next “Cashless Conversation” presented by Marker Trax, Omer Sattar, co-CEO of Sightline Payments, and Gary Larkin, President of Koin Payments join the podcast to discuss the progress made along the road to cashless in the gaming industry today, what lies ahead as we strive for greater cashless adoption in the gambling business, and they each share some helpful insights on how to get started in cashless if you’re not yet in the game!

6/28/23 • 60:53

In this episode Michael Shackleford, aka “The Wizard of Odds”, famed table game mathematician and author joins the podcast to discuss how a baby name website influenced his casino website start, some tips on how to win at the tables, and teases his new book which will help players take on the house!

6/19/23 • 65:39

In the first “Cashless Conversation” presented by Marker Trax, CEO Gary Ellis and Marketing Executive Anamarie Ellis join the podcast to discuss the inspiration behind Marker Trax, why cashless gaming is important for everyone, and share some fun inside stories from one of gaming’s top families! 

5/30/23 • 51:36

In this episode Bennie Mancino, Director of Table Games at Presque Isle Downs & Casino and host of the “B in the Know” YouTube Vlog, joins the show to share some table game operations best practices, what he is most looking forward to in the future, and shares quite a few fun stories from his days working at Hard Rock Las Vegas. 

5/15/23 • 60:33

In this episode David Gill, Area Vice President at Technologent, joins the podcast to discuss the latest trends in technology innovation, some ways to fight the never-ending cyber security attacks, and shares how some of the tricks he has learned as a World Champion Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu has helped accelerate his success in business.

4/27/23 • 52:03

In this episode Ari Mizrachi, Sr. Vice President and Head of North American Business at Tangam Systems joins the podcast to discuss his history as a professional Jai Alai player, how his lifelong love of gambling lead him to a career in table games, and offers some key insights on how he believes data will influence the future of the casino industry. 

4/5/23 • 59:55

In this episode Siobhán Lane, Chief Executive Officer - Gaming at Light & Wonder joins the podcast to discuss her first 180 days on the job, how she manages to balance the demands of a high powered job and a high powered family, and gives us some advice on how we can make the workplace a better place for everyone. 

3/23/23 • 48:37

In this episode Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director of the International Gaming Institute at UNLV, joins the podcast to discuss her vision for the future of gaming, some of the fun projects currently being worked on at the institute, and always previews what attendees can expect at the upcoming Conference of Gambling and Risk Taking. 

3/8/23 • 64:03

The Maxbet podcast is back in action at our all-new L&W studio! Our team has been working tirelessly to ensure that we bring you the latest and greatest information about the gaming industry. As you are aware, the gaming industry is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments is crucial for staying ahead of the competition. At Maxbet, we are committed to providing you with the most insightful and engaging content so that you can stay informed about all aspects of our business. Whether you are a gaming professional or enthusiast, there is something for everyone in our podcast. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to sharing this exciting journey with you! 

3/2/23 • 28:28

In this episode, Mike and Landon discuss what they would do if they won the 1.5 billion dollar MegaMillions jackpot, Mike's upcoming trip to the land down under, and honor the tradition of having Joel Simkins, Manging Director at Houlihan Lokey, drop some key market insights as the first guest in our new studio. 

8/1/22 • 43:34

In this episode Cassie Stratford - President of Global Gaming Women and Sr. Vice President of Legal Operations and Compliance at Boyd Gaming, as well as Siobhan Lane - Board Member at Global Gaming Women and Chief Commercial Officer, Gaming at Light and Wonder join the podcast to discuss how we can all be better allies to those around us, some easy ways to promote diversity and inclusion, the value of a strong diverse mentor, and share some upcoming events where everyone can get involved.

7/1/22 • 53:44

In this episode Rob Bone, Sr. Vice President of Global Systems and Services at Light & Wonder joins the podcast to discuss what he sees as the fun side of casino systems, where he thinks the future of systems technology is headed, and also reveals the wonderful keynote speaker he has planned at the upcoming L&W Systems User Conference.

5/23/22 • 49:23

In this episode John Purcell, CEO of DigiWheel joins the podcast as our first true Irish guest of all time! He shares the story of how the MaxBet Podcast helped his company get acquired, the rollercoaster of being an entrepreneur, and gives his perspective on why the future of the casino looks more and more like the Game Show network.

5/4/22 • 84:17

In this episode Scot Campbell, Chief Technology Officer of North American Concerts at Live Nation joins the podcast to discuss some of the leadership lessons learned on his journey from prime time radio DJ to gaming industry technology executive, offers his thoughts on the future of technology, and tells some legendary stories of working in Las Vegas during the rapid growth ‘Steve Wynn’ era.

4/26/22 • 72:29

In this episode Dr. Robert Rippee, Executive Director of BlackFire Innovation Hub at UNLV, joins the podcast to discuss the latest innovations coming out of BlackFire, tries to explain the Metaverse to Kiski, and even answers Landon on if he thinks Aliens are real, and if they gamble…

4/11/22 • 63:54

In this episode Tim Minard, CEO of Eclipse Gaming joins the podcast to discuss the lessons he learned on his journey from tennis pro to successful entrepreneur, how the Bowling Hall of Fame influenced his game development philosophy, and talks about what’s next for Eclipse.

3/22/22 • 67:15

Matt Wilson, CEO of Gaming at Light & Wonder (Formerly known as Scientific Games Corporation)  The rebrand of Scientific Games to Light & Wonder Light & Wonder, Inc., formerly Scientific Games Corporation (SG), is an American corporation that provides gambling products and services. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with lottery headquarters and a production plant in Alpharetta, Georgia. As the head gamer, Matt Wilson leads the strategic growth plans for the Gaming team while overseeing product development, production, supply chain, and sales of the Company’s Gaming products, systems and services. He started with Light & Wonder on March 2, 2020. This episode discusses the following topics: “We make games” “Anywhere someone wants to place a bet, we want to be there to facilitate that.” New strategy: hyper-focus on games The sale of the lottery business The rebrand included selling off parts of the business The rebrand was stakeholder-led Building a ground-up brand with a new mission and values The new name was created to better support the company’s creativity and leadership in the cross-platform gaming industry. Lexicon helped developed the new name in close collaboration with the Scientific Games leadership team including Steve Stamstad, who really led the process. The brainstorming started with 2700 names and six rounds of distilling down “Captivate” was considered as the new name for the rebrand The new name was employee and prospective employee-inspired “We want to be the leading cross-platform global game company.” Included in the rebrand is empowering all employees to be “creators” Best Game Workshops — if an employee has an idea about a new game, there is an opportunity to “pitch it” The future of systems; the gaming experience is converging — what is a player’s worth across all channels (omnichannel). iCasinos, land-based, sports betting. VR and AR A social element laid over the casino experience The “o” in Wonder supports new worlds of play “We are trying to create an experience where players go into another world of play.” Assets were sold for 7B  Investing organically in R&D is a priority “Organic investment is our primary focus” The biggest lesson learned for Matt; people are attracted to other people who want to “win” together — a long-term strategic vision. And, engage employees. Clarity of the vision and company values is really important. 5 new core values are part of the rebrand.
The new brand is “bold” 
 MATT WILSON Executive Vice President and Group Chief Executive, Gaming Matt Wilson lives to build new worlds of play as Light & Wonder’s Executive Vice President and Group Chief Executive, Gaming. As the head gamer, Matt leads the strategic growth plans for the Gaming team while overseeing product development, production, supply chain and sales of the Company’s Gaming products, systems and services. An experienced Gaming industry executive, he is an accomplished leader known for driving greatness, delivering double-digit growth, capitalizing on new business opportunities, and developing strong customer relationships. Most recently, Matt served as President and Managing Director, Americas at Aristocrat. During his tenure with Aristocrat, he also served as Senior Vice President of Global Gaming Operations, and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas. Matt holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Wollongong and completed the Advanced Management Program at Wharton Business School. Always up for a player-favorite, Matt likes to play any of the Dancing Drums series games. 🛄  LinkedIn About Light & Wonder Light & Wonder is a leading cross-platform global game company focused on creating new worlds where players can immerse themselves in dynamic casino, online or mobile games.  Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with nearly 5,000 employees, the company has locations on six continents. Core Values Core principles that unite our team, guide our actions, and drive our growth 1. Dare to be bold — We always bring courage to work to reach for the unbelievable 2. Celebrate perspectives — We combine diverse talent to look at the familiar in unfamiliar ways 3. Never settle — We relentlessly push forward to create the extraordinary in every detail 4. Uphold integrity — We promote accountability and respect to raise the bar for ourselves and the industry   5. Win as a team — We bring out the best in each other to share collective success 🌎 Website 🛄 LinkedIn About MaxBet Media Two gambling enthusiasts, with a passion for all things gambling. Whether pressing our luck in the high limit room, testing the money line in the sportsbook, or just making friendly wagers on the back nine... we love to gamble! Our careers in the gaming industry have shown us that this industry is filled with some amazing people, with even more amazing stories. Our goal is to help provide a platform for those stories to be shared, while also helping everyone look good in the process. 🛄 LinkedIn 🌎 Website 🐧 Twitter ✉️ Contact 🎬 YouTube 📷 Instagram About Landon Michael Jones Manager and Co-Founder Landon’s fascination with the casino industry began when he was just 12 years old and ultimately landed him in Las Vegas, where he earned a degree in hospitality management from University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). For over a decade, Landon has been involved in various aspects of the gaming industry, including operations, management, and supply & distribution. Landon’s tenacity and passion afforded him the opportunity to serve the gaming industry’s key players and regions throughout the United States. Landon enjoys collaborating with industry leaders to create the ultimate gaming experience for the end-user. 🛄 LinkedIn About Mike McKiski Manager and Co-Founder A seasoned gaming industry executive and expert in building, marketing, and monetizing gambling related technologies, Mike McKiski currently serves as President of MaxBet Media, Inc., the digital media upstart delivering an unfiltered, authentic, and at times irreverent look at the people who are driving the gambling industry forward.  As he was founding MaxBet Media, Inc., McKiski worked for PlayAGS, Inc. (NYSE: AGS) serving as the company’s Vice President of Sales, with revenue responsibility for the Western United States and all of Canada.  Under McKiski’s leadership the revenue team doubled in size and grew revenues over 300%. He is a market transformation catalyst who has been at the forefront of launching mobile and social marketing products for hundreds of casino operators across the continent. 🛄 LinkedIn  

3/8/22 • 50:00

In this episode Dan Schrementi, President of Gaming at Incredible Technologies joins the podcast to discuss his journey from ‘Duffer Dan’ the Golden Tee promotional character to the president’s office, what new markets and products will be launching soon from Incredible Technologies, and details his meteoric rise from meat enthusiast to now the Sausage King of the gaming industry.

3/5/22 • 60:57

In this episode Kiran Brahmandam, CEO of Gaming Analytics joins the podcast to discuss the current impact of artificial intelligence on the casino industry, the rollercoaster of emotions that occur when starting up a business, and even tells the tale of winning $1000 in Texas Hold’em poker on the Las Vegas Strip.

3/1/22 • 59:30