Right to the Source

Episode 33: Are prediction markets overstated for March Madness?

iGamingBusiness — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:46:45 +0000

Ed Birkin and Robin Harrison covered a few key industry topics this week, taking a closer look at the recent ECJ development and the March Madness betting market.

The pair begin with the recent ECJ opinion around German player-loss cases, which they suggest offers limited clarity for the wider industry. The opinion appears to support the right of member states to enforce local gambling licensing regimes, as long as those rules comply with EU law. However, it still leaves the biggest questions unanswered.

March Madness and the real size of the betting market

According to Ed, March Madness is the single most-bet tournament in the world. H2 estimates that the legal US sportsbook handle for the men’s and women’s tournaments combined will reach $4 billion, up from $3.7 billion last year.

In addition, Ed estimates prediction markets could generate around $1.6 billion in volume on the tournament, which he translates to roughly $530 million in handle equivalent. The amount directly competing with regulated sportsbooks in states where sports betting is already legal is much smaller, at around $135 million to $150 million.

Are prediction markets being overstated?

From the discussion, prediction markets are far from the only factor that could affect sportsbook performance. Other pressures, such as promotional pullbacks, macroeconomic headwinds and shifting consumer behaviour, may have a greater impact on handle.

The pair conclude by widening the discussion around prediction markets more broadly. Robin points to recent developments in places such as Brazil, Argentina and the Netherlands, while Ed remains firmly sceptical about their long-term prospects.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Chris Rock: The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air
(00:04:21) - Uncle Phil on the Podcast
(00:05:31) - Europe Court of Justice
(00:07:16) - European court case on betting losses
(00:13:13) - Unlicensed Betting in Malta
(00:16:49) - Nothing but an empty shell
(00:17:38) - March Madness
(00:20:51) - March Madness: Will it affect sports books?
(00:25:38) - What's driving down sports bet handle?
(00:30:39) - Governor of Utah on Political Correctness
(00:36:02) - Kings Casino: Overhyped, but that's OK
(00:40:04) - John Terry's NFTs
(00:43:02) - Snoop Dogg Bought His NFT

Episode 32: Is Las Vegas gaming revenue really slowing down?

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:41:11 +0000

Right to the Source returns this week with Ed Birkin and Robin Harrison taking a closer look at the latest Las Vegas gaming revenue figures, alongside the usual mix of sports trivia and off-script debate.

While headline numbers suggest a dip in performance, Birkin argues the reality is more nuanced. January revenue is down year-on-year, but much of this decline can be attributed to the unusually high hold in baccarat and pai gow during the previous period.

With that removed, underlying performance in core segments such as gaming machines and table games remains relatively stable. Nevada gaming revenue is still above pre-Covid levels and broadly flat year-on-year, rather than in any meaningful decline.

Chapters

(00:00:12) - Right to the Source
(00:01:43) - Let's break football records this season
(00:05:41) - Aberdeen salvage a point against Rangers
(00:07:15) - Vegas: Is It Terrible?
(00:08:45) - President Trump on Las Vegas' Decline
(00:11:18) - Wonders of Las Vegas: Visitations down, but not
(00:15:36) - Nevada visitation
(00:22:34) - Right to the Source: The End of World War 3

Episode 31: Could Norsk Tipping woes topple its monopoly?

iGamingBusiness — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:16:01 +0000

After an extended break Right to the Source is back, with Ed Birkin and Robin Harrison speculating on Norsk Tipping losing its monopoly in the wake of a lottery scandal.

With over 15,000 players joining a suit in the wake of a litany of technical errors, which meant chances of winnings were distorted for some players, while others were told they had won far larger sums. The errors went undetected for almost a decade.

Could this be an echo of Veikkaus’ struggles in Finland, where advertising violations brought scrutiny and impacted public trust? That may well have contributed to the Finnish re-regulation, and as of 2027, the opening of a liberalised market. Norway has been resolutely against calls to end Norsk Tipping’s monopoly, but could this scandal force the issue?

Ed also finds time to rant about prediction markets, insult Northerners and call Star Wars rubbish.

Chapters

(00:00:15) - Samuel L. Jackson Is The Highest Grossing Actor Of All
(00:04:14) - Prediction Markets
(00:08:43) - Sports Betting
(00:10:37) - Prediction Markets: Just a Slot Machine
(00:16:16) - Sports Betting: Hype, no substance
(00:17:59) - Norway: 15,000 Lotteries Players Sue the Competition
(00:23:53) - Does issues with the lottery automatically feed through to the betting market?
(00:26:57) - Are You Being Radicalized By Social Media?
(00:27:38) - Germany's regulated gaming market
(00:28:37) - Germany: The highest number of brands in the UK

Episode 29: Is the slot market ready for Big Daddy energy?

iGamingBusiness — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:53:40 +0000

Right to the Source returns with its first episode of 2026, and this week Ed Birkin and Robin Harrison are joined by Erland Hellström and Simon Hammon of slot disruptor Big Daddy Gaming.

Hellström is a veteran of Evolution and Hammon’s slot heritage stretches back to NetEnt’s Starburst, so there’s some serious muscle behind Big Daddy Gaming, but how are they going to build something that can disrupt an established order in a busy market?

Chapters

(00:00:15) - Robin Harrison on Banksy
(00:02:57) - No gambling on the IGB podcast
(00:04:00) - Warm Welcome to Big Daddy Gaming
(00:04:36) - Big Daddy Gaming Interview
(00:08:00) - Big Daddy Reboot: The
(00:10:51) - What is the Big Daddy
(00:12:54) - Irish CEO on the country's gaming landscape
(00:14:07) - Simon Mansion on Online Casinos
(00:16:12) - Slot Machine: AI vs Quality
(00:19:27) - Irish slot tax debate, RTP
(00:24:56) - Slots: Should Content Suppliers Be Held Responsible for
(00:27:53) - How Much Visibility Do Game Developers Have Over Where Their Games Go
(00:29:30) - Direct-to-Consumer, Aggregation
(00:31:03) - Introducing Big Daddy's Slot
(00:36:03) - Starburst
(00:37:08) - What is the formula for a Top Title?
(00:38:09) - Simon Erlen and John Hodgson on Right to the Source

Episode 28: Right to the Source gets into the festive spirit

iGamingBusiness — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:03:19 +0000

Right to the Source made its comeback in April this year and 28 episodes in, we’re winding down for the holidays. But not before we decide who has been naughty and nice.

Yes, this festive special recaps 2025, picking out the overarching themes whether that’s the rise of prediction markets, the rise of taxes, or the fall of regulated market share in the Netherlands.

There’s also a quiz to test how much Ed Birkin actually knows about H2 Gambling Capital’s data, and whether Robin Harrison reads the iGamingBusiness.com site every day.

A huge thanks to all our listeners for tolerating us in 2025, and we’ll be back in the new year!

Chapters

(00:00:14) - The Most Used Phrase In The Podcast This Year
(00:03:40) - Will More States liberalize casino gambling?
(00:04:03) - Idaho Business Podcast
(00:07:52) - Crypto's March to Legitimation
(00:08:55) - Pintasia Salary Survey
(00:11:11) - 2017: Key developments and themes for the year
(00:15:17) - Top 10 gambling themes of 2017
(00:17:21) - The Host of This
(00:17:46) - Quizzes
(00:18:22) - 735 downloaded from H2 database in the past week
(00:19:34) - iGaming Business's Best Article of 2025
(00:22:00) - Oceania's contribution to global gambling
(00:22:58) - Igaming Business: Brazil's Tag Posts in 2025
(00:24:33) - What market share did Sporting Bet have in Brazil in 2025?
(00:26:49) - How much unlicensed GGR in Brazil?
(00:28:22) - Santa's List
(00:29:46) - Christmas Eve: The Nice List

Episode 26: Live from Las Vegas with the Plaza’s Jonathan Jossel

iGamingBusiness — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:24:11 +0000

It’s taken us a long time to get it live but Right to the Source’s lost episodes from G2E are slowly being uncovered, starting with the Plaza Hotel and Casino CEO Jonathan Jossel who talks Downtown, revitalising Vegas and Big John.

Chapters

(00:00:06) - The Weak Member of the Jewish Family
(00:00:48) - Interview With Jonathan
(00:01:00) - Interview
(00:01:37) - The 29-year-old CEO of Las Vegas' oldest casino
(00:03:45) - The Plaza Hotel's transformation
(00:06:35) - President Trump on Las Vegas' economy
(00:11:25) - Questions for the Plaza's Customers
(00:12:24) - The Love Letter I Had For Big John
(00:15:25) - Las Vegas Business Talk: Downtown

Episode 27: New York casinos, Monarch Casino & Resort under the microscope

iGamingBusiness — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:53:46 +0000

Right to the Source returns with the three New York downstate casino licences seemingly destined for Queens and the Bronx, a deep dive into Monarch Casino & Resort, while Ed Birkin lives out the film Her with ChatGPT.

Chapters

(00:00:15) - Robin Harrison on The Muppets Christmas Carol
(00:00:58) - Story of the Week
(00:02:09) - Q&A
(00:07:29) - The Jacksonville Jaguars' chances of making the NFL playoffs
(00:11:34) - Pundits predict Sheffield Wednesday's relegation
(00:12:22) - Monarch Casino: Does It Need a Hero?
(00:14:36) - Talking about the Las Vegas and Reno revenues
(00:15:22) - How Big Is the US Casino Market?
(00:19:16) - My Dog's 'Persona'
(00:20:04) - Talking To My Chat GPT Assistant
(00:21:59) - Monarch Casino: Potentially Saved?
(00:22:30) - Child's questions about Switzerland
(00:26:07) - Talking Lottery in Switzerland
(00:26:54) - Podcast

Breaking down the GB gambling tax increase

iGamingBusiness — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:12:43 +0000

Everyone’s had their say on last week’s Budget in the UK, which heralds a hike in remote gaming duty to 40% next year, and an increase in remote betting duty to 25% of GGR from 2027. But is it going to push all gambling activity offshore, and will it yield £1.1 billion in new tax revenue as the Office for Budget Responsibility claims? Ed Birkin is not so sure.

Chapters

(00:00:15) - Robin Hood
(00:01:33) - UK Budget Special
(00:03:25) - UK budget: Will the onshore market shrink?
(00:09:57) - The Tax on Gambling Advertising
(00:11:10) - Gambling Commission budget: Should it be cut?
(00:13:18) - OBR: The UK's public finances
(00:22:14) - Wales gambling tax: Doomsday scenarios are too optimistic?
(00:25:56) - Steve Monash on the black market
(00:30:08) - Brexit and the UK oil and gas industry
(00:31:49) - Good Marketing and Terrible Gambling Adverts
(00:33:48) - Robin's Happy Ending

Episode 25: What do we actually mean when we talk about grey market gambling?

iGamingBusiness — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 17:01:23 +0000

Right to the Source is getting existential as developments in the US prompt discussions on grey market gambling - and whether it's all just illegal - before a deep dive into gambling in Argentina.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Robin Harrison on Bebop From Rocksteady
(00:01:39) - Turkey's gambling crackdown
(00:04:37) - DraftKings, FanDuel to Give Up Their Nevada License for
(00:11:43) - Hard Rock's Sports Casino Plan
(00:16:59) - "It's a funny old time for gambling"
(00:18:31) - Argentina: Bet365 and the grey market
(00:21:34) - Are there gray markets in the gambling industry?
(00:25:47) - Black Market and grey market
(00:28:01) - Argentina: Big Gaming Machine Market
(00:32:59) - Random country generator
(00:33:32) - Monarch Casino
(00:34:29) - Monarch Casino: How many slot machines do they have?

Episode 23: Sizing the UAE online gambling market, OPAP and prediction markets

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:37:47 +0000

Right to the Source is back and it’s bouncing around the world, as Ed Birkin sizes up the UAE online gambling market, Robin Harrison talks up Allwyn taking full control of OPAP and prediction markets bring up memories of pie-eating 'keeper Wayne Shaw.

Chapters

(00:00:14) - Interviewing The Olsen Twins
(00:03:48) - UAE gaming licence announcement
(00:06:16) - Online gaming in the UAE
(00:09:04) - The Most Expensive Pair Of Leather Trousers
(00:11:34) - Liverpool chairman reads out his statement on Frank Lampard's dismissal
(00:13:34) - Europa vs Malta: Cross-border Gambling
(00:17:36) - Coinbase CEO's statement on market manipulation is appalling
(00:20:26) - The Maximal Issue With Prediction Markets
(00:24:40) - Opinion Poll
(00:26:14) - Uganda's tax on e-commerce
(00:27:07) - M&A: OPAP vs Alwyn Investment
(00:32:21) - In the Elevator With the Olsen Twins
(00:32:53) - Lottery Group Q2 2018 earnings release
(00:36:03) - FDJ's Online Lottery
(00:37:42) - French digital spend in France
(00:38:24) - Random country generator
(00:39:12) - Fashion Week
(00:40:13) - The Most Famous People Started Out In Kids TV
(00:41:58) - Selena Gomez AND Miley Cyrus

Episode 22: IBIA’s Khalid Ali on sports betting integrity and who cares about M&A?

iGamingBusiness — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:16:03 +0000

Right to the Source always threatens to bring on more guests and today we welcome Khalid Ali of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), and dissect Banijay’s acquisition of Tipico.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Right to the Source
(00:04:26) - Podcasts on YouTube
(00:05:55) - Crypto Seems Safe, But Doxing People?
(00:07:04) - impressive how Winamax is totally under your radar
(00:09:31) - Anticipation Over The Typico-Typico Deal
(00:14:17) - Bett365 vs. Racecourse
(00:18:27) - milo on Bet365 and Monetar
(00:19:31) - How many guests have we had on the show?
(00:20:10) - Khaled on Right to the Source
(00:20:54) - IBEA's Sports Betting Integrity Rebrand
(00:27:41) - The International Betting Integrity Association's Mission 2030
(00:32:23) - SESCA's role in data and esports
(00:34:26) - WG1: Collaboration with Institutions
(00:38:48) - Hearts vs Celtic
(00:41:44) - IBA Sports Wagering Advocacy
(00:46:59) - Visit Our Website
(00:47:34) - Podcast Research Society
(00:48:07) - The Peaky Blinders Takeover
(00:52:20) - Peaky Blinders

Episode 21: Scandal, controversy and Sheffield Wednesday

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:52:35 +0000

Right to the Source is back after a break for G2E, and it’s diving into all the week’s past controversies, whether that’s NBA gambling scandals or a set-to between Evolution and Playtech. Oh, and Sheffield Wednesday were placed in administration.

Chapters

(00:00:13) - Right To The Source
(00:01:16) - The Owls are in administration
(00:02:48) - NBA arrests linked to sports betting
(00:08:38) - Playtech vs Evolution: What's Wrong With Calling Out Bad Things
(00:14:08) - "It's Impossible for Suppliers to Be Part of a
(00:20:30) - Ways of regulating gambling in the UK and Brazil
(00:27:43) - The Guinness Zero Adverts
(00:31:16) - Pod Topics: Non-Alcohol Beers
(00:31:59) - The Random Country Generator
(00:32:20) - KSA: Channelization to Onshore
(00:32:46) - Basic information about Mauritius, Uganda and Nauru
(00:35:02) - Podcasters: Listenership Numbers
(00:36:29) - Right to the Source: Uganda and OPAP

Episode 20: Singapore’s tale of two IRs, crypto pivots and Golden Matrix

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:46:16 +0000

Right to the Source tackles crypto pivots, a tale of two resorts in Singapore and Golden Matrix’s B2C shift.

Ed Birkin and Robin Harrison have a frank exchange of views on Yolo Group’s regulated market pivot to kick off. This hinges on whether the move gives the crytpo giant an unfair advantage thanks to its scale and revenue, or simply follows an ongoing industry cycle.

We then discuss the contrasting fortunes of Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, then Golden Matrix becoming a B2C business through its acquisition of Meridianbet.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Beavis and Butthead
(00:01:21) - Football
(00:04:51) - On YOLO Group's Plan to Shift From Crypto to a
(00:11:45) - Black Operators
(00:14:49) - Sands vs Genting: Singapore
(00:16:26) - Sands vs Genting: Singapore's gaming market
(00:18:50) - Singapore sports betting monopoly
(00:22:34) - Meridian Bet: An Interesting One
(00:26:56) - Right to the Source

Episode 19: Zynga and the social casino boom

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:08:44 +0000

Right to the Source is back with Ed Birkin beaming in live from Lisbon, and social casino pioneer Zynga, the Congo and Mauritius are up for discussion.

Chapters

(00:00:13) - Right to the Source
(00:01:20) - Celtic vs Sheffield Wednesday
(00:05:18) - Long Couples and Fishermen
(00:06:42) - Wonders of the World: Dave Reebuck on
(00:09:07) - Social Casino: The parallels with Zynga
(00:13:48) - Social Casino and Zynga
(00:18:41) - Are Social Casinos Attempting to Pass Legislation?
(00:20:36) - In the Elevator With Pierre
(00:21:20) - Taxonomy: Africa
(00:26:47) - How does gambling tax differ in Mauritius?
(00:30:05) - Random country generator
(00:33:25) - Write To The Source

Episode 18: Where does gambling make up the highest percentage of GDP?

iGamingBusiness — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:23:33 +0000

Right to the Source is back and this week Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin are talking Groupe Partouche in the wake of their third quarter results, and the Georgian gambling market.

Groupe Partouche benefits from new casino launches

The third quarter results showed Groupe Partouche benefiting from a bigger casino portfolio, with a new venue in Cannes and one further afield in Benin contributing to a 5.3% year-on-year rise in revenue.

That prompts the question: Can French operators leverage shared language to expand into Francophone Africa, much like we are seeing Spanish gaming businesses do in Latin America?

And talk of France means talk of iCasino is never far away. Groupe Partouche, with operations in Belgium and Switzerland, could be building up its capabilities. Depending on whether there is any regulatory progress and if it can leverage its land-based database, could it carve out share in France’s future online gaming market?

The Georgian gambling market

We’re talking the country not the state, but interestingly gambling in Georgia accounts for 3.5% of GDP. That’s the highest level of any country H2 Gambling Capital tracks, Ed points out.

And while attractions such as “Black Sea Vegas” Batumi are designed to bring in the players, online is the real story in Georgia, making up the vast majority of revenue.

Georgian gambling is also dominated by major industry players, with Crystalbet (Entain) and Adjarabet (Flutter) battling for supremacy. However it’s local operator Crocobet growing rapidly.

All this and the usual diversions into the sublime and the ridiculous in the latest Right to the Source!

Chapters

(00:00:14) - Right to The Source
(00:01:56) - Wagering data for Sheffield Wednesday and the Jags
(00:06:16) - Wonders of the Week
(00:09:06) - French operators in francophone Africa
(00:11:37) - France: Slot and table games
(00:19:15) - "I Don't Like Being Watched"
(00:19:43) - What Sort Of Job Would You Wear Dungarees?
(00:21:58) - Georgia and the size of the gambling market
(00:28:03) - Voting age raised to 16 in the UK
(00:33:00) - Gambling and the UK election
(00:34:54) - Mauritius vs Congo
(00:35:59) - Right to the Source

Episode 17: Why Belgian gaming is growing and Zeal’s successful pivot

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:58:34 +0000

Right to the Source is back and under the microscope this week is the Belgian gambling market and Zeal Network.

Belgian gambling market shrugs off restrictions

In episode 18 Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin start off by discussing why gambling revenue in Belgium continues to grow. Revenue in 2024 rose despite the regulator and politicians constantly tightening controls on the industry.

Considering it has been an early mover with deposit limits, advertising bans and deposit limits Belgian gaming growth may embolden other markets to get strict on their licensees. If the market continues to grow, what's the harm? But Belgian gaming benefits from a unique quirk, and it’s quite a surprising factor that may contribute to that continued growth.

Zeal for change

Next up discussion turns to Zeal Network, Germany’s lottery brokerage business that could prove a blueprint for companies looking to transition to more sustainable business models. Having successfully executed a pivot from lottery betting to brokerage, the addition of online slots may be building a formidable business.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Robin Harrison on Muppets and Sesame Street
(00:01:31) - Interviewing The Muppets
(00:03:02) - Oilers T-Shirt
(00:03:39) - Wednesday fans' loyalty
(00:07:20) - Gary Bowyer Sentencing
(00:09:06) - Jaguar employee borrows $22 Million
(00:10:34) - Wales: Onshore licenses in Belgium
(00:15:39) - Offshore betting and gaming in Belgium
(00:17:41) - Brexit and the land based casino industry in Belgium
(00:21:21) - Germany's Lotteries
(00:27:24) - Are German CEOs called Dr. Doctors?
(00:30:07) - Random Country Generators
(00:30:53) - Georgia

Episode 16: Cambodian casinos, Nagacorp and illegal gambling

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 09:42:23 +0000

Right to the Source is back after a week’s break and Ed Birkin of H2 Gambling Capital has been saving up some rants for this episode, but we start looking at the Cambodian casino market.

After Cambodian online gambling was outlawed in 2019, the country’s casino market was the only show in town. But Covid-19 and a crackdown on junkets has effectively left operators struggling to return to pre-pandemic revenue levels.

That even affects NagaCorp, Cambodian gaming’s local listed giant with a monopoly on casinos in and within 200km of the country’s capital Phnom Penh.

Chapters

(00:00:16) - Return to the Source
(00:02:00) - Can You Choose Which NHL Team To Support?
(00:04:17) - No planning for the Paris Agreement
(00:05:11) - Pixbet vs Flamengo
(00:11:56) - Second Story of the Week: Cambodia
(00:12:55) - What is the situation in Cambodia and the Philippines?
(00:15:12) - Cambodian casino market
(00:17:00) - Why Cambodia will not in the foreseeable future recover to pre-c
(00:18:50) - Cambodia's VIP vs Mass market
(00:20:27) - Cambodia vs Belgium
(00:22:46) - Ranting About Data Based Ranting
(00:22:58) - Ranting About Crypto Data...
(00:27:37) - Right to the Source: The Crypto Number

Episode 15: Gordon Brown’s gambling tax intervention

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:40:21 +0000

Right to the Source is back with more data deep dives, debates and diatribes, this week bringing in special guest Jon Bruford to dissect Gordon Brown stepping into the GB gambling tax debate.

The former Prime Minister and Chancellor has thrown his weight behind a proposal to hike gambling duty to 50% of GGR in Great Britain. Only his proposal, and the evidence he puts forward to support it, doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny.

GB gambling tax hike: What do the reformists actually want?

Ultimately, he’s pitching gambling as a solution to child poverty. Considering gambling is regularly decried as the cause of poverty by the anti-industry lobby, that’s quite the volte-face. And how can people match up treating gambling as a golden goose with calls for new restrictions designed to reduce gambling revenue in Great Britain?

With Bruford, co-host of The Gambling Files podcast, joining to pick apart Gordon Brown’s claims, it gets interesting. And where else will you hear about launching a competing magazine to Runner’s World as part of the conversation?

As promised in our last episode, Robin and Ed also talk about gambling in South Korea, and scope for Canadian provinces joining Alberta and Ontario in liberalising their lottery monopolies.

We’ll be taking a break in the coming week, but that leaves you lots of time to listen to this week’s!

Chapters

(00:00:16) - John Hurt on Star Wars
(00:03:00) - Korean food in Bristol
(00:04:07) - How does gambling affect the country's economy?
(00:04:53) - Kangwan Land: The only foreigner-only casino in Korea
(00:08:38) - Canada vs. Baseball
(00:10:51) - On Juan Soto's $765 Million Contract
(00:13:50) - Ontario and Bet365: Should Ontario be licensed?
(00:18:56) - Sweden: Top 5 Crypto Casinos Generating 29% of
(00:20:43) - Stroke Fact of the Week
(00:22:24) - What is the Cambodian cuisine?
(00:23:16) - Does NagaCorp have operations in Cambodia?
(00:24:58) - Gordon Brown backs gambling tax
(00:28:38) - Gordon Brown on the UK's casino plan
(00:32:21) - Gordon Brown on Gambling Tax
(00:38:07) - Right to the Source

Episode 14: Illegal gaming in Brazil and sizing crypto gambling

iGamingBusiness — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:30:58 +0000

Right to the Source is back and Ed Birkin is on his soapbox as he takes aim at those talking up the size of Brazil’s illegal gambling market and estimates on the scale of the crypto gambling sector!

A reality check for Brazil gambling licensees

Robin Harrison tries (and fails) to stem the tide amid Ed’s diatribes in this episode, but this reality check, for Brazilian gaming licensees in particular, is important.

By constantly talking up how prevalent illegal gambling in Brazil is, the industry may be setting itself up for higher taxes, further restrictions on marketing and product, and ultimately turn the conversation into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Chapters

(00:00:15) - Right to the Source
(00:01:43) - Gambling Podcast
(00:02:45) - Uno on the Casino Floor
(00:06:11) - $81.4 Billion Through Crypto Casinos
(00:11:11) - Wednesday players refuse to play Burnley friendly
(00:11:37) - Population. 2.2 million
(00:12:11) - Talking about sports betting in Albania
(00:13:34) - ALBANA: iGaming and GGR
(00:18:28) - Brazil gambling tax take in June
(00:21:32) - Offshore vs Onshore GGR in Brazil
(00:26:43) - OPINION: Is the offshore market bigger than the onshore
(00:33:11) - Ranting About Countries (Week 3)

Episode 13: Slovenia, Chile and Sheffield Wednesday’s woes

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:59:15 +0000

Welcome back to Right to the Source, where Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin are digging into the Slovenian gambling market and discussing stalled progress of online gambling in Chile.

Land-based gambling in Slovenia rules the roost

First to Slovenia, where online gambling licences are linked to brick-and-mortar properties, meaning online remains far smaller than casinos and gaming halls. Land-based gaming, with 12 casinos in Slovenia and 25 gaming halls, continues to perform well, and Ed has the figures to shed more light on how it’s doing. But the online tethering and small market size is stunting online growth. Where other Eastern European gaming markets are transitioning into ominichannel operations, Slovenian gambling remains an in-person proposition.

Why can’t Chile regulate online gambling?

A long-haul flight late, we touch down in Chile, where legislative progress for online gambling has stalled. A bill introduced in 2022 and passed by the Chamber of Deputies in 2023 is now stalled in the Senate. As ever, offshore operators are thriving, with potential licensees unable to gain a foothold.

We’ve also got rap beefs and New York downstate casinos, a few words on Brazil, and Ed complaining about Sheffield Wednesday falling into disrepair.

Chapters

(00:00:16) - Right to the Source
(00:01:39) - H2GC STAT of the Week
(00:03:44) - UK betting restrictions
(00:08:44) - Luxembourg vs Slovenia
(00:11:37) - Slovenia: Tethering requirements
(00:13:18) - Belgium vs Switzerland
(00:14:10) - National dishes of Chile, Slovenia
(00:14:38) - Chile's online gaming bill is stuck in the Senate
(00:17:51) - Wales: Offshore gambling in Chile
(00:21:02) - 74% of non-gamblers have a negative view of the
(00:26:30) - Offshore Crypto: How big is it?
(00:27:53) - How much do you know about Albania?
(00:28:38) - Scotland vs Albania

Episode 12: Panama, Liechtenstein and Italy

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:27:59 +0000

Right to the Source is back and trying desperately to stick to formats as Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin talk through casinos in Liechtenstein, the potential of the Panama online gaming market and why Italian betting and gaming remains resilient.

The choice of markets may seem somewhat random, but it’s at least somewhat deliberate. We want to offer listeners a truly global view of the gaming market with the numbers to back it up.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Right to the Source: Market Research in Italy
(00:01:58) - Wonders of the Week
(00:10:46) - Mr. Worldwide
(00:11:14) - Ozzy Osbourne
(00:12:54) - Liechtenstein's gambling tax bill
(00:16:44) - Italy's gambling market, according to market research
(00:17:41) - Italy's growing online gaming market
(00:22:02) - Australia vs Slovenia
(00:24:16) - Top Story
(00:25:37) - Italian weddings

Episode 11: Talking online gambling in Peru and is the Brazil casino dream dead?

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:06:20 +0000

Right to the Source is back, and this week Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin are discussing the Peru online gaming market and whether Brazil casino regulation can be salvaged.

This week Ed is testing formats, so from last week’s random country generator Peru and Niger are up for discussion. Peru online gambling regulation passed last year, and while Brazil stole the spotlight, it’s a stable market and even the introduction of a 1% tax on turnover was shifted to GGR. However there’s a big presence from local brands, so can international operators carve out share without M&A activity?

The Niger gambling market, after some hasty research, is reasonably sized but suffers from the same drawbacks that hold back other African countries’ gaming markets, namely a lottery monopoly.

And last week Brazil’s omnibus bill to legalise a range of land-based gaming products, namely jogo de bicho, bingo halls and casinos failed to progress to a Senate vote. Does that mean the dream of regulated casino gambling in Brazil is dead?

Our special guest says in its current form, yes. Legislators supporting Brazil casino legalisation are now likely to apply what worked for sports betting, namely splitting out the casino proposal from the omnibus bill. But will that push things forward any time soon? Don’t hold your breath.

Watch on iGB: https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/right-to-the-source-online-gaming-peru-brazil-casino/

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Right to the Source
(00:00:50) - Podcast
(00:02:04) - Niger: Lottery and Casinos
(00:03:37) - Peru
(00:04:58) - Peru: Online Betting and Gaming Tax
(00:07:46) - Betson's market share in Peru
(00:10:02) - Colombia vs Peru: Onshore Channelization
(00:10:43) - Number of brands and their impact on channelization
(00:12:06) - Latam Interview
(00:12:30) - A keynote at Clarion Events
(00:13:33) - Online Tax in Peru
(00:16:37) - Bingo in Brazil
(00:20:28) - Bingo and Sports Betting in Brazil
(00:23:58) - Q&A
(00:25:50) - Right to the Source: Episode 11

Episode 10: Killing the Dutch gaming market and New Zealand’s casino bill

iGamingBusiness — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:53:56 +0000

Right to the Source hits the big 1-0, as Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin recover from iGB L!VE and discuss changes to the Netherlands gaming market and whether re-regulation in the New Zealand gaming market will be a success.

Once we get through the usual diversions - Ed’s footballing prowess, Christina Aguilera’s first number one single and famous people from New Zealand this time - we get down to the important stuff.

First up is the Netherlands online gaming market, in the wake of a ban on gambling sponsorship in sports and new player data from the Kansspelautoriteit. This leads into a discussion on lotteries, in particular whether a vertical driven by instant win games can be considered totally distinct from commercial peers.

And online casino in New Zealand will be regulated, with a bill introduced in the country’s parliament. But considering there’s a monopoly in place for sports betting, is that going to be enough to limit offshore competition?

Chapters

(00:00:16) - Robin Harrison on Oasis
(00:04:45) - Clarion on Events and Its Future
(00:05:20) - The Netherlands gambling advertising ban
(00:11:09) - Wagering limits in the Netherlands
(00:12:43) - Global Lottery Sales, By Category
(00:14:09) - A message for Rosie Brewster and more
(00:16:31) - Omnibus gambling bill in New Zealand
(00:20:26) - New Zealand gambling market:
(00:25:16) - Random country wagering
(00:26:20) - Robin and Ed Birkin on Right to the Source

Episode 9: An actual, proper iGB L!VE special

iGamingBusiness — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:30:16 +0000

Right to the Source is back and once again it’s taking iGB L!VE! And not with a series of wild diversions into multiple other topics, as Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin bring in Clarion Gaming brand director Jody Frost to keep them on topic.

The show is making its London debut at ExCeL, with the show doors swinging open Wednesday, and Jody joins to explain the work, thought and preparation that has gone into this year’s edition. From replacing Strandzuid with a new dockside networking area to the host of parties taking, he explains that things go beyond the show as London iGaming Week takes over the capital.

And as ever, it’s worth throwing in yet another mention of Ed’s panel. He’ll be talking Brazil with Eduardo Ludmer of BetMGM Brazil and Super Affiliados’ Pedro Lucas at 3.40pm on 2 July.

Make sure you're registered and we'll see you there!

Chapters

(00:00:14) - Right to the Source
(00:01:35) - IGB Live: The I-Gaming Super Show
(00:04:26) - IGB Live 2018: The show's growth
(00:09:47) - Speaking at IGB 2014
(00:10:52) - AIB Conference 2017: The Conference Program
(00:12:21) - The IGB Live Awards
(00:13:47) - London iGaming Week
(00:16:21) - IGB Live

Episode 8: iGB L!VE, ad bans and football sponsorship

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:18:48 +0000

Right to the Source is gearing up for iGB L!VE, with Robin Harrison roaming the venue and Ed Birkin taking to the stage for a session on Brazil.

True to form, the conversation quickly diverges, to take in the current state of the Spanish market where GGR continues to go up in spite of advertising spend declining. That of course leads onto Italy, and some arguments around the Premier League’s front-of-shirt sponsorship ban. If this all sounds like Robin trying to catch Ed’s data knowledge out, that’s exactly what it is.

So don’t miss Ed’s session the Brazilian market, where he’ll be joined by Eduardo Ludmer of BetMGM Brazil and Super Affiliados’ Pedro Lucas at 3:40PM on 2 July. Of course to get in, you’ll have to register - but we’ve got you covered, make sure your name’s on the door for iGB L!VE here: https://tinyurl.com/44py9reb

Chapters

(00:00:14) - Right to the Source
(00:02:11) - IGB Live
(00:04:20) - IGB Live vs ICE: What's The Difference?
(00:08:25) - Gaming in Spain
(00:09:59) - ICE Research Institute in Spain, and
(00:11:05) - Spain: Advertising and the UK
(00:15:32) - UK gambling: Small operators taking share
(00:19:09) - milo on football sponsorship
(00:19:37) - The World Series of Politics: Are We The Ice of Podcasts
(00:20:23) - Premier League Shirt Sponsorship
(00:24:39) - Brexit and Premier League shirt sponsors
(00:29:38) - Club World Cup
(00:30:49) - Brazil's Regulated Market

Right to the Source Ep 7: Talking AI in gaming with Mark Flores Martin

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 09:22:57 +0000

Right to the Source welcomes its very first guest as Mark Flores Martin braves Ed Birkin’s skepticism and Robin Harrison’s flurry of buzzwords to discuss the evolution of AI in gambling.

Mark’s business Xgenia started out using AI to power game development, before pivoting to create “AIs building AIs”. The focus is providing the tools for clients to build their own artificial intelligence, train it and ultimately create something bespoke for themselves.

And for an early adopter he’s remarkably clear eyed on its potential, and skeptical of the wave of products described as revolutionising AI in gaming. The vast majority are just wrappers for ChatGPT, he points out.

That’s not to say he doesn’t believe in the potential. “We’ve just discovered fire, and we’re still learning how to cook with it,” he says.

Will he break down Ed’s skepticism? Can Robin fit a few more buzzwords in? Watch or listen to find out!

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Right to the Source: AI Interview
(00:01:33) - The In-Depth Intro to Xgenia
(00:04:20) - What Does the iGaming Platform Mean for B2B Providers
(00:09:02) - Intelligent Gaming: Going All In on Next Gen
(00:13:18) - Talking Tech: The AI Hoax
(00:15:50) - Will AI Change How People View Casinos?
(00:19:30) - Will AI affect the way that gambling is served to customers?
(00:24:36) - Will Your Job Be Taken Over by AI?
(00:29:03) - Right to the Source

Episode 6: Regulators and refereeing the gaming industry

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:03:38 +0000

Right to the Source is back with some hasty calculations on Illinois’ tax grab, before Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin with a jazzy new recording setup turn the conversation to gaming regulators.

Robin and Ed discuss how these industry referees are caught between political pressure from lawmakers and industry expectations, and whether regulatory goals actually reflect market realities. There’s also the catch-22 situation regulators find themselves in, when channelisation remains the ultimate goal despite any signs of the overall market growing being met with concern by many stakeholders.

There’s even time to list some of the best referees. Who remembers Uriah Rennie?

Chapters

(00:00:05) - Right to The Source
(00:02:13) - Illinois sports tax hike
(00:06:40) - Illinois Sports Betting: Will It Hurt iGaming?
(00:09:56) - DraftKings vs FanDuel: Illinois tax impact
(00:12:43) - The Business of Data on LinkedIn
(00:13:55) - The Optimized Regulated Market
(00:15:26) - on the onshore vs offshore gambling
(00:22:12) - A Few Scottish Referees
(00:23:42) - The role of regulators in the offshore market
(00:26:04) - Should Gambling Regulators Have More Power?
(00:27:53) - Wagyu on the Gambling Regulator's Action

Episode 5: Assessing the African gaming opportunity

iGamingBusiness — Fri, 30 May 2025 07:55:57 +0000

Right to the Source is back and as promised Robin Harrison of iGB and Ed Birkin of H2 Gambling Capital are discussing the African gambling market. They talk through the continent's biggest markets and the growth prospects for gambling in South Africa, the rising popularity of virtual sports in Nigeria and why gambling tax in Kenya limits the market.

Ultimately it's a look at what holds the African gaming market back. Many in the industry see it as a sleeping giant, but the popularity of withholding taxes in particular is limiting growth.

Chapters

(00:00:05) - Right to the Source
(00:00:30) - Wagering on Africa
(00:01:49) - Africa
(00:03:58) - North Africa, iGaming potential
(00:05:20) - Africa's iGaming trends
(00:09:29) - African multinationals
(00:10:44) - Africa's gambling issues
(00:13:17) - Taxes on mobile payments
(00:14:26) - Kenya's tax situation
(00:18:00) - Africa: Tax reform and growth
(00:19:54) - Right to the Source

Episode 4: Grey market competition in the US, Latin America and... France?

iGamingBusiness — Thu, 22 May 2025 17:16:32 +0000

After a week off while Ed waded through the rain in Miami and Robin wandered around Paris, Right to the Source is back to talk about... the US, Latin America and France. It's not all a story of what the guys did on holiday however, with a deep dive on the fragmented market in Argentina and Mexico's highly competitive nature, before a short hop, skip and a jump across the Atlantic to look at France's prospects of passing icasino legislation.

Episode 3: Bet365 bidding, hidden gems and LatAm beyond Brazil

iGamingBusiness — Thu, 08 May 2025 12:38:01 +0000

Everyone is talking about it so it'd be rude for Right to the Source not to consider what's next for Bet365. This episode also has more on other potential power players in the US and some chatter on who's winning in Latin America thrown in for good measure.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Right to the Source
(00:00:38) - Potential Sale for Bet365
(00:08:25) - William Hill vs DraftKings: A Combination
(00:15:07) - Pablo Padano on Rush Street's Latin America Expansion
(00:18:08) - Ways of betting on esports in Latam
(00:19:24) - Offshore gambling: Peru claims to have cut illegal market by 40
(00:23:36) - Right to the Source

Episode 2: Tax hikes, Finland and sizing up crypto

iGamingBusiness — Thu, 01 May 2025 09:22:09 +0000

Right to the Source returns with Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin talking taxes in the UK, whether Finland is taking the right route with its regulatory model, and questioning the size of the crypto gambling sector.

Chapters

(00:00:09) - Right to the Source: Potential tax rise in the UK
(00:01:56) - UK GGR: Tax reform and affordability checks
(00:05:04) - Ways of Taxation: Horse Racing
(00:07:20) - Gambling on Crypto GGR
(00:12:13) - Wonders of Finland: Should they Open to 90% Channel
(00:16:02) - What's the right channelization rate for Europe?
(00:19:59) - Right to the Source

Episode 1: Landing in Brazil

iGamingBusiness — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:10:56 +0000

Right to the Source returns in a shiny new format, with one familiar face in H2 Gambling Capital's Ed Birkin and one new (but tired) face in Clarion Gaming's Robin Harrison, as they discuss early numbers from Brazil's regulated betting and gaming market.

Speaking live from Sao Paulo, Ed and Robin discuss the first few months of legal gambling in Brazil, and how the competitive landscape is shaping up.