Facing Scandals and Industry Wars with Paris Smith

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Paris Smith, former CEO of Pinnacle and one of the most influential leaders in the iGaming industry. Paris shares her journey from sports betting to leading a powerhouse brand, highlighting the challenges, leadership lessons, and industry shifts she has navigated. The conversation explores high-performance culture, resilience in the face of public scrutiny, and the evolving dynamics of leadership in iGaming.Paris shares what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing industry.Guest BioParis Smith began her Hall of Fame gaming career in 1995 with WWTS. In 2006, she joined Pinnacle, helping transition the business toward Asian and European markets. She then restructured Pinnacle into a B2C bookmaking leader, pioneering initiatives like accepting the first esports bets in 2010. With unmatched industry expertise, Paris now serves as an advisor and consultant, leveraging her passion and experience to guide others through Life Winning and Defy the Odds.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – Guest introduction02:00 – Paris' early years in sports and how competition shaped her leadership05:25 – Building a high-performance culture in iGaming09:36 – Holding teams to higher standards13:10 – Dealing with public scrutiny and pressure20:53 – Industry resilience and the evolving role of leadership24:00 – Market shifts post-COVID and the challenge of balancing costs and people26:43 – Handling layoffs and company transitions29:28 – The three types of professionals in iGaming33:29 – The biggest untapped opportunities for operators today37:04 – Responsible gaming: The need for incentives over penalties39:24 – The key to success: Humility, adaptability, and believing in yourselfMemorable Quotes"I love crunch time. Three seconds left, down by two—I want the ball. That's how I approach leadership." "You can’t thrive in iGaming if you’re not listening, learning, and evolving. Stagnation isn’t anoption in this industry." "Resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about knowing you’ll push through them, no matter what."Important LinksConnect with Paris Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-smith-1719377/Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/