This week on Right to the Source, hosts Robin Harrison and Ed Birkin welcome Dan Phillips, the CEO and founder of NEL Advisory. Phillips joins them to discuss product innovation within the industry and the ongoing debate surrounding the grey market, just ahead of the iGB L!VE event.
Dan reflects on his early days as a dealer in a basement casino in Soho in 1996, offering a unique perspective on whether the industry has truly innovated over the past thirty years. Ed argues it has not, claiming that bet builders are merely repackaged multiples, prediction markets serve as regulatory loopholes, and live casino is not a new concept. In contrast, Robin suggests that real innovation lies in continual problem-solving rather than flashy product launches.
Phillips finds some middle ground, suggesting the industry is more adept at combining existing ideas than generating genuinely new ones. He emphasizes that once something exists, we cannot un-invent it, and that embracing it is the logical path forward.
The trio shares a common concern regarding artificial intelligence. Phillips asserts that AI's true potential is in genuine personalization, moving beyond simple Amazon-like recommendations. Ed concurs, noting that the industry has talked about personalization for 15 years without substantial progress.
The discussion shifts to the grey market. The three guests hold varying opinions on whether operators who began their careers in unregulated markets should be acknowledged for later legitimizing their businesses, leading to a divergent debate.
As preparations for iGB L!VE continue, attendees will experience the Open Space session, unique to the event. Scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM in the South Gallery at ExCeL London, this audience-driven session fosters open dialogues under Chatham House rules, ensuring privacy for participants.
Dan Phillips will facilitate discussions among the roughly 70 attendees, who expressed interest in topics like AI (36%), customer engagement and retention (12%), and payment methods (11%). This session promises live voting and collaborative idea sharing, with Phillips highlighting that such discussions often don’t occur in traditional panels.
Ed Birkin is set to appear on the taxation and channelization panel at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 1, as part of the Africa Summit, and the prediction markets and World Cup panel at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 2. Meanwhile, Robin Harrison will host a fireside chat during the Startup Accelerator on June 30 and serve as emcee for the Africa Summit on July 1. Attendees are encouraged to connect with them during the event.
