Casino Cyber Attacks, Ransom Payouts, and Why It’s Everyone’s Problem w/ Melissa Aarskaug | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
What actually happens when a casino gets hacked? Do they pay the ransom? Who loses their bonus? And how do you protect your own family from cyber threats when you're in the industry spotlight? On this episode, Melissa Aarskaug joins us to talk about cyber risk in gaming, her personal playbook for online safety (complete with a family safe word… which we’re 87% sure is “MaxBet”), and why cybersecurity is not just an IT problem. We cover the GLI Bulletproof report, the ripple effect of digital breaches, and how executives need to lead from the top when it comes to cyber security. She's...
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The Slot Game That Made 1,200 Millionaires w/ Jean Venneman | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
Ever wonder what it was like behind the scenes of the very first Wheel of Fortune slot machine? Spoiler: it involved a Volvo windshield motor, a string, and some serious duct tape energy. We sat down with Jean Venneman from IGT to talk about how a project they hoped would sell a few hundred units turned into a legacy that has made over 1,200 millionaires and changed the casino industry forever. Next year marks 30 years of spinning, winning, and some truly wild jackpot stories. Mike and Hillary also work through some of the worst casino advice people actually give, like why "always split tens"...
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Scammers Are Getting Smarter: Gaming Payments & Fraud Prevention | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
Diallo Gordon, President of Pavilion Payments, joins us to discuss how the gaming industry can better tackle fraud and improve responsible gaming through smarter payment systems. We explore the rise of payment fraud in casinos, why scammers are getting more advanced, and how operators and payment providers can benefit from working together. This episode highlights the connection between secure payments, compliance, and a better player experience. If you work in gaming or fintech, this conversation gets to the root of what needs to change.
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Dr. Brett Abarbanel on Gaming Research and UNLV’s Role in the Casino Industry | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
Dr. Brett Abarbanel from UNLV’s International Gaming Institute joins the MaxBet Podcast with dinner party facts, bold suggestions for the casino industry, and a peek at the research projects that actually get people talking. We cover the science behind dice design, how research in the gaming industry gets funded, and the success of UNLV’s student internship program connecting future talent with casino operators. She also shares how she won the biggest hand of her life with a bluff and walked away with a husband. Sparkly shoes included. This episode is for anyone who likes their data with...
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Casey Gonzales (iGaming Threats and Tribal Power Moves) | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
This week, Casey Gonzales from joins us to unpack how tribal operators are navigating the real-world impact of iGaming and sports betting. We get into what’s at stake when 10% of your floor disappears overnight, why Oklahoma’s compact strategy is still a masterclass, and how Class II games became the industry’s quiet power move. At the end, Mike and Hillary go off-script with a very scientific breakdown of the most unnecessary slot features no one asked for — including slow-motion spins, unnecessary voiceovers, and a Dance Dance Revolution bonus round that should never see the light...
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True Persistence: An Operator’s Take w/ Oliver Shoemaker | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
This week, Oliver Shoemaker, VP of Slot Operations at Cache Creek Casino Resort, joins us to talk persistence games from the operator perspective. We get into what suppliers overlook, how these mechanics play out on the floor, and what it takes to hand a guest $1.7M in cash. If you’re building persistence games, selling them, or running a floor full of them — this one’s for you.
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San Diego Was Wild (IGA 2025 Recap) | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
This week it’s just Mike and Hillary debriefing after a whirlwind week in San Diego at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (IGA). Think of it as a giant family reunion you didn’t know you were invited to... If that reunion involved nightclubs full of business casual blazers and trick-or-treating booths for swag. We also crown our very unofficial winner of Best Booth 2025 and discuss why soft pretzels might be the unofficial inflation indicator of the gaming industry.
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Off the Record (But Not Really) | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
No guest? No problem. This week, it’s just Mike and Hillary catching up, swapping stories, and pretending there’s a plan. In this episode, we talk about: • Decoding corporate jargon • Hillary's big move & Mike's career change • Our time in NYC at Next.io • LinkedIn's most embarrassing feature • Where we're headed next
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Dan Schrementi (Incredible Technologies' comeback) | MaxBet Podcast
MaxBet Podcast
Dan Schrementi, President of Incredible Technologies, steps up to the mic to talk about the company’s comeback after a few rough years and why true persistence slot games deserve more respect in the gaming industry. We also cover what IS a true persistance game vs. perceived, because some listeners (Hillary) may need to know. In true Chicago grit fashion, Dan isn’t here to sugarcoat anything. Plus, he shares how he earned the coveted title of Sausage King of Chicago.
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Doubling Down on Table Games with Light & Wonder’s Matt Booth
MaxBet Podcast
This week, we’re all in on Double Down Madness, the table game shaking up the casino floor. We’ve got Matt Booth, the mind behind it, breaking down how it came to life and why players can’t get enough. Mike McKiski met Matt back in their Light & Wonder table games days, and now they’re back together talking shop. Stack your chips, place your bets, and hit play.
info_outlineI’m this episode, Noah Acres of Acres Manufacturing joins the boys to discuss what it was like to follow his dad into the family business, the Acres approach to innovation, and what he sees as the next big shift in the gaming industry..