From Police Raids to Transforming iGaming Events: Pierre Lindh’s Remarkable iGaming Leadership Story

In this episode of the iGaming Leader podcast, Leo speaks with Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Next.io. Pierre shares his entrepreneurial journey, from founding a poker club in his teens to leading Next.io through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores the evolution of Pierre’s leadership style, the importance of building genuine connections, and his mission to foster a global iGaming community.

The discussion highlights lessons in resilience, adaptability, and authenticity, offering inspiration and practical advice for leaders and entrepreneurs navigating a rapidly evolving industry.

Guest Bio

Today we're joined by Pierre, a pioneering force in the online gambling and gaming industry. His remarkable journey began during the early days of online poker, where his passion for the industry first took root. In 2006, Pierre took on an influential role with the Swedish Poker Federation, championing the cause for poker legalisation in Sweden. His expertise then led him to leadership positions at major online gambling platforms like Betsafe and Betsson Group, where he mastered the art of high-end hospitality events.

Drawing on his rich industry experience, Pierre co-founded Ambassadör Events in 2013, which has since orchestrated over 600 successful events and created some of Europe's most celebrated festival brands. But he didn't stop there. In 2019, Pierre embarked on his most ambitious venture yet, co-founding NEXT.io, which has quickly become the beating heart of the iGaming community. Under his guidance, NEXT.io has evolved into a powerhouse, hosting major conferences across Europe and North America, while running the industry's leading trade media news portal and podcast covering online gambling and sports betting.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction: Pierre shares his roots in poker and his entry into the iGaming industry.

02:00 – The story of founding a poker club at 17 and the lessons learned from navigating challenges with law enforcement and media attention.

07:00 – How Pierre’s intense focus has shaped his ventures, from poker to building Next.io.

13:00 – The Birth of Next.io: The journey from organizing events for others to founding a platform focused on creating meaningful iGaming experiences.

15:00 – Adapting During COVID-19: How Next.io reinvented itself during the pandemic by offering free thought leadership content, reshaping the way iGaming professionals connect.

19:00 – Insights into navigating financial challenges during the pandemic and fostering loyalty and trust within the team.

24:00 – Public Speaking and Overcoming Fears: Pierre’s personal journey to overcome his fear of public speaking, culminating in hosting Next.io’s inaugural event.

35:00 – Building Genuine Connections: Why relationships are at the heart of success in iGaming and the importance of creating authentic communities.

42:00 – Vision for the Future: Pierre’s mission to build the world’s most connected iGaming community and foster collaboration across the industry.

Important Links

Connect with Pierre Lindh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrelindh/

Learn more about Next.io: https://next.io/

Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/

Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup

Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/