Prediction markets, sports betting regulation and responsible gaming are reshaping the future of the US gaming industry.

At SBC Summit Americas 2026, Martin Lycka sat down with Brandt Iden, VP of Government Affairs at Fanatics Betting & Gaming and former Michigan State Representative, to discuss the biggest issues facing the industry today.

The conversation explores the rapid rise of prediction markets, the importance of consumer protection and why regulated gaming remains the key to sustainable growth across the United States. Brandt also shares insights from his time helping to legalise online sports betting and iGaming in Michigan, one of the most successful regulated markets in America.

In this episode:
✅ The future of prediction markets and sports betting
✅ Why regulated gaming works
✅ Responsible gaming and consumer protection
✅ The evolving role of the CFTC and regulation
✅ How Fanatics is leveraging its sports ecosystem
✅ Lessons from building Michigan's iGaming market
✅ The battle against illegal operators
✅ Why states are increasingly looking at gaming expansion
✅ The opportunities and challenges facing the US industry

Can prediction markets and traditional sports betting coexist? And what does the next chapter of regulated gaming in America look like?

#iGaming #Fanatics #PredictionMarkets #GamingRegulation #SBCSummitAmericas #GamblingIndustry

In this episode of The Safe Bet Show, Martin Lycka is joined by one of Canada's most respected gaming industry experts, Troy Ross, President of TRM Public Affairs.

The conversation explores the rapid evolution of Canada's regulated gaming market, including Alberta's upcoming iGaming launch, Ontario's continued success, responsible gambling initiatives, and why more provinces could soon follow the regulated model.

Troy shares insights from more than three decades working across Canadian gaming regulation, public policy and industry affairs, offering a unique perspective on where the market is heading next.

Topics include:

🎯 Alberta's upcoming iGaming launch
🎯 Lessons learned from Ontario's regulated market
🎯 Responsible gambling and centralized self-exclusion
🎯 Anti-money laundering (AML) developments
🎯 The future of Canadian gaming regulation
🎯 First Nations' growing role in the gambling sector
🎯 Federal vs provincial oversight of gambling
🎯 Which provinces could regulate next

Plus, Martin and Troy discuss another serious Canadian institution: hockey, including the fortunes of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

If you're interested in gambling regulation, sports betting, responsible gaming or the future of Canada's gaming industry, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

#ResponsibleGambling #iGaming #SportsBetting #PlayerProtection #GamblingRegulation #SafeBetShow #Compliance #BettingIndustry #GambleAlert #GamingPolicy

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Is responsible gambling actually holding the industry back… or is it the key to its future?

In this episode of The Safe Bet Show, Martyn Lycka sits down with Fisayo Oke (Founder & CEO of Gamble Alert) to break down one of the biggest debates in the global gambling industry: player protection vs profit.

From the rapidly evolving US market to African regulatory innovation, this conversation explores how gambling is being reshaped in real time — and why responsible gambling is no longer optional.

We dive into:
Why responsible gambling is NOT an obstacle to business
The shift from individual responsibility → structural responsibility
How Africa is leading innovation in player protection
The reality of fragmented global regulation
Why community-driven approaches are key to safer gambling
The story behind launching Gamble Alert
The balance between revenue vs player safety
What the rest of the world can learn from emerging markets

This is a must-watch for anyone in:
iGaming
sports betting
compliance & regulation
gambling policy
player engagement & protection

Responsible gambling isn’t about limiting the industry, it’s about making it sustainable.

#ResponsibleGambling #iGaming #SportsBetting #PlayerProtection #GamblingRegulation #SafeBetShow #Compliance #BettingIndustry #GambleAlert #GamingPolicy