Business of Betting Podcast

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Jordan Bender, Senior Equity Research Analyst at Citizens, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving sports betting and prediction markets landscape. Hear them discuss: How the repeal of PASPA created a fast-moving, unpredictable market where long-term forecasting has become increasingly difficult Why prediction market users may lose more on average and how sharper bettors are shifting into these platforms Why analysts and investors are now focused on quarterly performance instead of long-term fundamentals. How prediction markets are attracting a younger audience compared to traditional sportsbook users Why legalization has been slower than expected and what needs to happen for major states like New York to move forward Why companies like DraftKings and Flutter may be undervalued despite current headwinds How emerging betting formats could face increased scrutiny from regulators Whether prediction markets will ultimately be treated as gambling or as a legitimate financial asset class   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Patrick Mostboeck, SVP of Fan Engagement at Sportradar, for a conversation on how sports data powers the global betting ecosystem, the evolution of fan engagement tools, and how technology is shaping the future of the sports experience.   Hear them discuss: Introduction to Patrick Mostboeck and an overview of Sportradar’s role at the intersection of sports data, media, and betting How Sportradar built its foundation as a global sports data company covering nearly a million sporting events annually The evolution from pure data collection to a broader ecosystem including video streaming, integrity services, and fan engagement tools Patrick’s role leading Fan Engagement and how Sportradar helps operators create deeper interactions with sports fans Why data visualization, real-time stats, and interactive experiences are becoming essential for sportsbooks and media platforms The importance of micro-moments in sports consumption and how bettors increasingly engage during live games How sportsbooks, media companies, and leagues are converging around shared data and technology infrastructure Integrity monitoring in global sports betting and how Sportradar works to protect competitions and markets The impact of AI and automation on sports data collection, analytics, and fan-facing products Differences between U.S. and international betting markets and how operators approach fan engagement in each Patrick’s outlook on the future of sports data, fan engagement, and where innovation in the betting ecosystem is headed next.   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Chris Christie, former Governor of New Jersey, for a wide-ranging conversation on the legalization of sports betting in the United States, the landmark Supreme Court decision that changed the industry, and the ongoing evolution of regulation, competition, and responsible gambling.   Hear them discuss: 00:00 – Governor Chris Christie joins the podcast and explains how he got pulled back into the sports betting conversation, now working with the AGA on prediction markets. 02:30 – Christie’s core issue with prediction markets: why he believes they are violating state laws and undermining established regulatory frameworks. 04:00 – The importance of state-by-state regulation post-PASPA repeal and how the current system has worked effectively. 06:00 – Why legal battles between states and prediction market operators are likely headed back to the Supreme Court. 07:00 – Concerns around consumer protection, tax revenue loss, and lack of regulatory oversight in prediction markets. 08:00 – The debate: are prediction markets actually beneficial for bettors, or do they create more risk than value? 09:30 – The rise of microbetting and live betting, and why some markets may need to be scaled back based on integrity concerns. 10:30 – His stance on banning prop bets in college sports and the pressure they place on student-athletes. 11:30 – The role of regulation, enforcement, and accountability in protecting athletes and consumers. 12:00 – Comparing today’s betting landscape to the early days of DFS and why the stakes are much higher now. 13:00 – Christie on re-entering the public conversation, media appearances, and staying engaged in the industry. 18:00 – A lighter moment: Christie compares Donald Trump to a “live bettor” and discusses impulsiveness in decision-making. 21:00 – Closing thoughts on the Mets, sports fandom, and how betting has changed fan engagement across generations.     ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Joe Maloney, President of the Sports Betting Alliance to discuss the policy battles shaping the future of regulated sports betting in the United States. Hear them discuss: 00:00 – Joe discuss the role of the Sports Betting Alliance and the current state of U.S. sports betting policy. 02:00 – An overview of the organization’s mission and how it represents major sportsbook operators in legislative and regulatory conversations. 06:30 – Why prediction markets have become a hot topic and why the SBA has not taken a unified position. 12:00 – Joe explains why online casino expansion remains a major priority for operators and industry advocates. 18:30 – A look at which states could be next to legalize and what hurdles remain in key markets. 24:00 – How policymakers weigh tax revenue, consumer protection, and pressure from competing stakeholders. 30:00 – Joe shares his outlook on upcoming legislative fights and where the industry may be headed next. 35:00 – Final reflections on the evolving landscape and the role of advocacy groups in shaping the future of betting.     ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein sits down with Peter Overzet, fantasy sports personality, content creator, and entrepreneur, for a candid conversation on creativity, monetization, best ball growth, and the realities of building a media career in betting and fantasy sports. Hear them discuss: 00:00 – Peter’s background in fantasy, DFS, and content creation, and how he navigates a fragmented media landscape 02:30 – The rise of the “Pete Mans” persona, using humor to break into the industry, and why parody worked 05:30 – Early pivots through poker, crypto, and NFTs, and how chasing curiosity shaped his career path 08:30 – Moving away from characters and leaning into authenticity as a long-term brand strategy 14:30 – The current state of fantasy sports, industry layoffs, and concerns about innovation stagnation 17:30 – Why best ball continues to grow while traditional DFS struggles to evolve 20:30 – Monetization realities: balancing W2 work, affiliates, partnerships, and content revenue 24:00 – Long-running shows, on-air trust, and why chemistry beats rigid formats 27:30 – Outsourcing, operations, and the unsexy work behind sustainable content businesses 30:30 – Fatherhood, time management, and becoming more intentional with creative energy     ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Isaac Rose Berman, gambling policy fellow, writer, and bettor, for an in-depth conversation on youth exposure to gambling, social media algorithms, prediction markets, and what effective responsible gambling policy should actually look like. Hear them discuss: 00:00 – Introductions, Isaac’s background, and navigating credibility as a young voice in gambling research 02:30 – Isaac’s path from poker and sports betting to journalism, research, and policy work 06:30 – Underage gambling exposure, loot boxes, fantasy sports, and why kids are seeing gambling content without seeking it out 10:30 – The “gamified” nature of modern life, social media algorithms, and how gambling content spreads organically 14:30 – Why social media may pose a greater risk to young people than gambling itself 18:30 – Practical regulatory ideas: opt-out limits, schedulable cool-off periods, and separating sportsbook and casino apps 22:00 – Micro-betting vs. live betting, addiction risk, and why banning micro-bets may make sense 26:00 – Same-game parlays as entertainment products vs. high-frequency betting behavior 30:00 – Prediction markets, regulatory arbitrage, and whether sportsbooks will remain the dominant betting product 34:30 – Advertising, athlete endorsements, and why gambling ads generate universal fatigue 38:30 – Gambling education, parental conversations, and what modern gambling literacy should actually teach young people     ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Seth Young, CEO of High Roller, for a wide-ranging conversation on prediction markets, public company dynamics, regulation, responsible gambling, and why the next wave of gaming may look very different from the last.   Hear them discuss: 01:00 – Seth’s background in gaming, law, and poker, and why prediction markets caught his attention at this moment 03:00 – The rapid rise of prediction markets, whether the space is getting “frothy,” and how consumer behavior is changing 04:30 – High Roller’s stock volatility following its prediction market announcement and how Seth thinks about public market pressure 08:00 – Competitive dynamics in prediction markets and what it takes to move beyond first-mover hype 11:30 – Licensing strategy, Canada expansion, and why U.S. market entry remains complex 13:00 – Prediction markets as audience-building tools and potential gateways into regulated gaming 16:30 – Supreme Court implications, states’ rights, and why government involvement is inevitable at scale 20:00 – Responsible gambling in prediction markets and why guardrails matter even outside traditional betting 24:00 – Could prediction markets extend into casino-style outcomes and other controversial frontiers? 28:00 – What’s next for High Roller, emerging trends in gaming, and Seth’s long-term outlook on the industry     ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Michael “Mando” Anderson, Co-founder of Yeet and longtime crypto entrepreneur, for a wide-ranging conversation on crypto casinos, sportsbook innovation, prediction markets, regulation, and how AI is reshaping gambling, media, and business more broadly. Hear them discuss: 01:00 – Mando’s background on Wall Street, his move into crypto, and the path that led him to gambling and media 02:30 – The founding of Yeet and why trust, transparency, and founder visibility matter in crypto gambling 05:00 – Competing in a space dominated by giants like Stake and why Yeet focuses on VIPs and community-first growth 08:00 – Launching a crypto sportsbook, regulatory realities, and why prediction markets are a different animal 11:00 – Regulation, enforcement uncertainty, and why the gambling landscape feels like a modern Wild West 14:00 – Prediction markets, insider advantage, and whether markets actually lead to “truth” 20:00 – NFTs, meme coins, and separating hype from real, lasting use cases 23:00 – Gamification, generational risk-taking, and the economic pressures driving betting behavior 26:00 – How AI is shrinking teams, replacing workflows, and changing how gambling businesses are built 29:00 – Why human connection, trust, and brand still matter in an AI-driven future 31:00 – Final thoughts on innovation, adaptability, and what’s coming next for betting and crypto   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here  

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Danny Funt, journalist and author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling, for an in-depth conversation on the legalization of sports betting, industry incentives, responsible gambling, and how betting is reshaping sports culture.   Hear them discuss: 00:00 – Danny’s background covering sports betting, the origins of Everybody Loses, and why he wanted to avoid writing a one-sided hit piece on the industry 03:00 – The historical context behind legalized sports betting, from early league opposition to the post-PASPA explosion 06:00 – Reporting challenges, access issues, and which major operators and leagues declined to participate in the book 08:00 – VIP bettors, sportsbook incentives, and why a small group of customers drives a disproportionate share of industry revenue 11:00 – Sports betting, cultural gamification, and concerns around youth exposure and normalization 15:00 – Responsible gambling efforts inside sportsbooks and what surprised Danny most during his reporting 19:00 – Team partnerships, exclusive VIP perks, and how access to sports experiences is used to retain high-value bettors 22:00 – Where the industry is making progress, including funding for treatment and counseling 24:00 – Prediction markets, DFS parallels, and the regulatory gray areas creating friction with lawmakers 28:00 – How betting changes fandom, emotional investment, and the way fans experience sports 31:00 – Industry reaction to the book, media framing, and what Danny hopes comes next for sports betting regulation   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here  

On this episode of the Business of Betting Podcast, Jeff Edelstein is joined by Adam Chernoff, sports betting analyst and founder of adamchernoff.com, for a wide-ranging conversation on betting markets, media, content, and where value still exists in an increasingly efficient ecosystem.   Hear them discuss: 00:00 – Adam’s unconventional career path across betting, media, casino operations, and content creation, and why labels don’t fully capture his role in the industry 05:00 – How betting markets have evolved over the past decade, why edges are harder to find, and what that means for modern bettors 09:30 – The growing influence of narrative, media personalities, and public perception on betting lines and market movement 14:00 – Why information is no longer the advantage it once was, and how execution and discipline now matter more than raw insight 18:30 – Content vs. betting: how Adam thinks about building trust with an audience without selling false certainty or hype 22:30 – The role of technology, data, and automation in betting, and where human judgment still outperforms models 26:00 – Why most bettors misunderstand bankroll management, risk tolerance, and long-term sustainability 30:00 – Adam’s perspective on prediction markets, pricing efficiency, and whether they truly threaten traditional sportsbooks 34:00 – Media incentives, engagement-driven content, and the tension between education and entertainment 38:00 – What Adam would focus on today if he were starting over in the betting industry   ⚡️ Follow BoB on Twitter/X ⚡️ Watch BoB on Youtube ⚡️ Apply to be a guest here