The iGaming Experience

Host Sam Bhatti records from Zebra Studios in Tivat, Montenegro and gives a beginner overview of casino games on an iGaming platform: slots, table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat), live casino, specialty/instant-win and crash games (including Aviator and Plinko), and poker. He explains player motivations behind different game types, slot pacing and volatility, live casino’s streamed dealers and game-show formats (e.g., Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal, Lightning Roulette), and why poker is typically player-vs-player with operator rake and is now less common on new platforms.
He defines RNG as controlled, tested randomness that maps number streams to outcomes, clarifies RTP vs house edge, and outlines how operators source games from suppliers via direct API integrations or aggregators. He also defines RGS (Remote Gaming Server) as backend infrastructure for sessions, bets, wallet debits/credits, outcomes, and reporting.
00:00 Welcome and Agenda01:37 Casino Games Mental Model02:50 Slots Basics and Volatility06:25 Table Games Overview10:20 Live Casino and Game Shows13:25 Specialty and Crash Games17:09 Poker as Its Own Universe19:46 RNG RTP and House Edge25:09 Integrations and Aggregators28:49 RGS Explained and Recap31:21 Wrap Up and Next Steps
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

Prompted by Tim Heath’s (Yolo Group) LinkedIn post arguing iGaming may no longer need many developers, host Sam Bhatti and Strahinja Radman discuss AI’s impact on iGaming development and tech development in general.
Radman frames AI as the next abstraction layer in software evolution, explaining LLMs as pattern-recognition systems that generate token-by-token output and often make incorrect assumptions without strong context and constraints. They discuss how effective use requires an expert to conceptualize architecture, define business rules, break work into manageable domains, and test components separately, noting practical limits like token cost and “prompt too long” failures.
In the context of building BetHero’s proprietary iGaming tech, they discuss why developers favor Claude Code and compare major models Gemini 3, Claude (Opus 4.6), and OpenAI/ChatGPT (Codex 5.3)—with Claude strongest at complete code output, ChatGPT best for high-level architecture and requirements, and Gemini strongest for producing extensive documentation.
Radman argues AI won’t replace developers, especially due to debugging, maintenance, and the need for specialized roles (QA, frontend, backend, security), emphasizing production readiness requires careful planning and monitoring.
They close with career advice: don’t fear AI, learn how it works, build high-level design skills first, deepen fundamentals (including databases), and prioritize adaptability and achievement-oriented follow-through as key hiring traits.
00:00 Cold Open & Getting Set to Record00:26 Tim Heath’s Hot Take: Do We Still Need iGaming Developers?01:36 From Assembly to AI: Why LLMs Are the Next Abstraction Layer03:02 LLMs 101: Pattern Recognition, Context, and How They ‘Think’04:27 Can AI Build Complex Apps? Requirements, Assumptions, and Prompting08:24 Architecture First: Breaking Work Into Domains & Components11:43 Key Terms Explained: Tokens, Monoliths, and Microservices15:01 Which AI Tool for What? Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini (and Why)20:37 Why AI Won’t Replace Dev Teams: Debugging, Maintenance, and Specialties24:21 Career Advice: How Developers Should Learn and Leverage AI28:29 Hiring Signals: Adaptability, High Achievement, and Using the ‘Turbocharger’31:12 Wrap-Up & Final Message: Don’t Be Afraid to Step Into the Unknown
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

This episode is all about iGaming careers. 
Broadcasting from Zebra Studios in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sam provides insights into the non-linear career paths typical in the industry, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, context, and transferable skills over traditional credentials. 
00:00 Introduction to iGaming Careers01:34 Navigating Uncertainty in iGaming02:41 Diverse Entry Paths into iGaming05:53 Starting Points in iGaming09:17 The Importance of Crossover Knowledge19:09 Traits of Successful iGaming Professionals22:22 Final Thoughts 
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

In this episode of 'The iGaming Experience,' host Sam Bhatti sits down with his business partner, Strahinja Radman, to explore the critical topic of integrations in the iGaming industry. Sam and Strahinja provide a comprehensive breakdown of what integrations involve.
They delve into specific examples like sportsbook and casino integrations, explaining key components such as APIs, webhooks, and SDKs. They also discuss the challenges and best practices for reliable and secure integrations. Additionally, they highlight the steps taken to make their current project, Bet Hero, highly integrable and user-friendly. This episode aims to demystify technical jargon and provide a clear understanding of iGaming integrations for beginners.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup00:43 Meet the Hosts: Sam and Strahinja01:52 Understanding Integrations in iGaming03:19 Breaking Down iGaming Platforms07:54 Steps to Integrate a Sportsbook10:12 Technical Aspects of API Integration11:28 Challenges in Reliable Integrations17:00 Casino Integrations in iGaming17:52 Understanding API Calls and Sessions18:33 Aggregators vs Direct Game Suppliers21:29 Demystifying Webhooks and Data Formats23:22 Explaining iFrames, Webviews, and Direct Integrations27:24 Introduction to SDKs29:23 Project Bet Hero: Simplifying Integrations31:48 Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

In this episode of The iGaming Experience, host Sam Bhatti discusses the emerging trends of sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets, particularly in the United States.
Broadcasting from Zebra Studios in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sam explains what these platforms are, why they exist, and how they differ from traditional iGaming sites. Sam also touches on the regulatory challenges these platforms face and provides his opinion on their long-term viability in the industry. 
00:00 Introduction to The iGaming Experience03:31 Understanding Sweepstakes Casinos06:25 Diving into Prediction Markets09:48 The Intersection of Crypto and Prediction Markets13:04 Regulatory Challenges and Industry Reactions20:43 Future Predictions and Final Thoughts26:24 Conclusion and Listener Shoutouts
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

In this episode of The iGaming Experience, host Sam Bhatti broadcasts live from ICE 2026 in Barcelona, joined by his colleague Josip Brajkovic. They discuss trends and observations from the event, focusing on the importance of player acquisition and retention, the challenges faced by sportsbooks, and the growing significance of prediction markets. Josip shares his extensive background in the industry and elaborates on how their project, BetHero, aims to revolutionize the betting experience by making it more user-friendly and socially engaging. The conversation highlights the dynamic nature of the iGaming industry and the need for innovation to stay competitive. They also tease future episodes that will delve deeper into topics like risk management and prediction markets.For more information on BetHero visit bethero.gg and book a demo.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:14 Live from ICE 2026 in Barcelona00:52 Meet Josip Brajkovic01:38 Josip's Journey in iGaming03:35 Challenges and Innovations in iGaming07:35 The Importance of Engagement and UI13:20 BetHero's Unique Approach19:41 World Cup and Acquisition Strategies24:13 Prediction Markets: The Next Big Thing32:12 Conclusion and Future Episodes
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

The episode breaks down the significance of attending iGaming conferences, especially for newcomers to the industry. Drawing from his own experiences, host Sam Bhatti emphasizes the power of simply showing up, building familiarity, and forming relationships. He provides insights into large events like ICE and SBC summits, as well as more intimate, focused gatherings. Sam also offers practical advice on making the most of these conferences, including the importance of follow-up and approaching interactions without an agenda. This episode aims to encourage and guide new iGaming professionals in navigating the often daunting world of industry conferences.
00:00 Introduction to iGaming Conferences
00:28 Overcoming the Intimidation of First Summits
02:23 The Importance of Being Present
07:15 Understanding the Big Events: ICE and SBC
09:55 The Value of Smaller, Curated Events
12:46 Building Relationships at Summits
16:21 What a Successful Summit Looks Like
18:01 Post-Summit Follow-Up
19:52 Preparing for the Next Summit
21:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

Host Sam Bhatti shares how he learn’s about the iGaming industry, discussing valuable resources including podcasts, newsletters, online communities, and networking strategies. Sam highlights key podcasts like Next.io and iGaming Daily, provides insights on top newsletters such as those from IGB, and explains the importance of LinkedIn for networking.
He also offers practical advice on how to reach out to industry leaders and the importance of staying curious to continuously learn and adapt in this dynamic field.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:20 Answering the Big Question: How to Learn About iGaming 02:05 Top Podcasts for iGaming Insights 03:42 Exploring Next.io and Its Offerings 07:55 SBC Media and Its Podcasts 13:58 Other Noteworthy iGaming Podcasts 19:32 Newsletters and Online Communities 23:13 Leveraging LinkedIn for Networking 30:46 Additional Resources and Final Thoughts 39:20 Conclusion and Contact Information
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

Diving into one of the critical components of an iGaming brand: the bonus engine. Broadcasting from Zebra Studios in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sam explains why effective bonus engines are crucial for player acquisition, retention, and maximizing lifetime value.
He covers the key aspects of a bonus engine, including triggers, conditions, rewards, restrictions, segmentation, and settlement logic. Sam also discusses the impact of well-designed bonus systems on player experience and trust, illustrating the competitive advantage that a sophisticated bonus engine can provide.
If you’re new to iGaming or looking to optimize your bonus strategies, this episode offers valuable insights into how to balance rewarding gameplay with protecting operators' revenue.
00:00 Introduction to The iGaming Experience00:17 Understanding the Bonus Engine02:45 Importance of Bonus Engines05:09 Core Components of a Bonus Engine06:53 Triggers: The Decision Center10:00 Conditions: Ensuring Fairness12:22 Rewards: The Star of the Show15:18 Restrictions: Preventing Abuse18:44 Segmentation: Personalizing Bonuses23:26 Expiration and Settlement Logic25:29 Failed Bonus Engines28:06 Recap and Conclusion
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.

In this episode of The iGaming Experience, host Sam Bhatti broadcasts from Zebra Studios in Podgorica, Montenegro, to provide newcomers and even seasoned professionals with a comprehensive roadmap for their first 90 days in the iGaming industry.
Bhatti elaborates on essential practices to transition from feeling overwhelmed to thriving in the sector by focusing on understanding the business structure, the industry vocabulary, product familiarity, and building valuable relationships. He shares actionable tips and common mistakes to avoid, while emphasizing the importance of gaining context, asking strategic questions, and staying curious about the product. Bhatti offers advice on generating personal reports, connecting with mentors, and taking ownership of tasks.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a memorable impact in their early days in iGaming.
00:00 Introduction to The iGaming Experience00:30 The Importance of Your First 90 Days03:40 Getting the Ball Rolling: First Steps06:15 Learning the Landscape: First Month08:12 Understanding Industry Vocabulary13:10 Diving into the Product16:30 Settling In: Second Month20:26 Applying Your Skills in Month Three20:59 Taking Ownership and Reducing Ambiguity21:35 Building Cross-Functional Relationships23:13 The Importance of KPIs and Reporting26:07 Common Mistakes in the First 90 Days30:34 Accelerating Your Learning38:04 Winning the First 90 Days39:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Thanks for listening to The iGaming Experience podcast—your spot for learning about the world of iGaming from people in the game. Shoutout to our sponsor Zebra Solutions, pushing the boundaries of tech innovation in iGaming. Check them out at zebrasolutions.me to see how they're making life easier for operators. Let's connect! Follow Zebra Solutions on LinkedIn for industry updates and to boost our egos: linkedin.com/company/zebra-solutions-me, and connect with me personally on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sambhatti. If today's episode provided you any value, please let me know by subscribing, rating, and sharing with your network. That's what all the cool people are doing... Need more iGaming in your life? Catch all our episodes here.