With a new year comes new opportunities, and for Rush Street Interactive (RSI), the focus will remain on maintaining momentum on both the domestic US market and internationally. 

Appearing in the latest episode of the SBC Leaders podcast Lauren Seiler, Associate Vice President of Investor Relations and Development at RSI, spoke to SBC Global Relationship Director Kelly Kehn about the operator’s approach for 2022, gender balances in the betting and gaming industry and offered predictions for the future development of the US betting space.

Although RSI is primarily a US focused enterprise, at a time when the North American market is booming with New York set to open its doors to four operators – including Rush Street – tomorrow, the company is also active in Colombia via an agreement with Pariplay. 

“From an internal perspective, we look forward to continuing our expansion as more markets reulgate in the US and around the world,” Seiler stated. “We’ve got exposure in Latin America through Colombia, and we’re just going to keep trucking.” 

Discussing her experience as a female executive in the betting and gaming industry – which Seilier observed is a heavily male dominated space, citing a study showing that men outnumber women at the CEO level at a rate of 17/1, she added that it is “not easy to get where we are”.

“The challenges are still out there,” Seiler continued. “We wish they weren’t but they are there everyday in front of our faces. The gender gap, especially in male dominated industries, from an employment and payment perspective in the US, is a real thing.”

Despite this, Kehn observed that Seiler herself is an ideal role model for women in the gambling industry, having entered the sector from another male dominated space – in her case, firefighting – and establishing herself as a leading figure at a major firm.

Seiler moved on to offer her predictions for future development of the US wagering sector, which is attracting interest not just domestically but also from companies in Europe such as Kambi, Better Collective and bet365, among others. 

“You can’t deny the notable revenue stream that comes from online gaming and online sports betting and the states need the money in their coffers right now,” the Rush Street Associate VP stated. 

“You’ve got federal COVID support starting to roll off to the states, so I think that will be a big thing as more and more states start to re-evaluate their budgets and their needs and reconsider legalising online sports betting and importantly icasino as I do think a good amount of the tax revenue does come from that side of the business in the states where it is legal.”

Lastly, she also made observations with regards to investment, noting that investors are now exhibiting a heavier focus on “profitability, sustainability and operational prowess” against straight revenue generation.

“Now that that mentality has shifted from a wall street perspective, I think we are going to see that trickle down into the actual day to day operations of different operators, pulling back on that exuberant marketing and promotional spend that’s been out there,” she added.

Understandably, Seiler also saw an emphasis on technology as a continuing trend, whilst also adding that she sees a ‘shrinking of the competitive set up’ due to high player numbers.

To watch the full interview, click here