Innovation at Scale: Itai Pazner on Startups, AI, and the Future of iGaming

In a wide-ranging feature interview with Next.io, I had the opportunity to reflect on what it takes to build sustainable innovation in the fast-paced iGaming and tech ecosystem. We covered everything from artificial intelligence and founder mindset to scaling businesses in volatile markets.

From Startup Agility to Scalable Strategy

One of the key messages I shared was the importance of founder clarity-the ability to focus on product-market fit, real traction, and long-term value creation.

Startups don’t scale just because they raise money or build cool features. They scale when they’re deeply in tune with user needs and build resilient business models around that.

AI: Real Use Cases vs. Hype

AI is one of the most overused buzzwords in tech today but in gaming, it holds real, measurable potential.

From personalization to fraud detection, I believe AI should be implemented with a clear goal: improve the customer experience while driving sustainable performance.

"We should stop saying ‘AI’ as a concept and start asking, what do we actually need to solve with it?"

Building Global Growth in a Changing Industry

iGaming continues to evolve rapidly regulations, platforms, and user behaviors shift constantly. To lead in this space, companies must be both adaptive and principled.

That means understanding local markets, scaling with purpose, and never losing sight of operational excellence.

As I shared in the piece, true leadership means not just reacting to change but helping shape it.

📎 Read the full interview on Next.io:👉 Innovation at Scale – Former 888 CEO Itai Pazner on Startups, AI, and the Future of iGaming