Episode Summary
In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Frank op de Woerd, co-founder and CEO of CasinoNieuws.nl.
Frank shares his journey from bluffing his way into poker journalism to becoming a respected media figure in the Dutch iGaming industry.
He opens up about burnout, leadership, the emotional fallout of COVID, and why he walked away from high-status opportunities to start something he could truly believe in.
The conversation explores his reflections on poker fame, rebuilding from scratch, setting editorial standards, and staying true to his values in a highly competitive industry.
GUEST:
Frank op de Woerd discovered poker while studying at Utrecht University in 2005. Though he never turned pro, his passion led him to a role at PokerNews.nl, eventually rising to Head of Content at PokerNews.com.
With the Dutch gaming market on the verge of regulation, he co-founded CasinoNieuws.nl, which quickly became one of the largest affiliates in the Netherlands. Frank now serves as CEO of CasinoNieuws.nl, overseeing other leading platforms like
OnlineCasinoGround.nl, BesteCasinoBonussen.nl, and GokkastenXL.nl, while also preparing to launch OnlineCasinoUSA.com.
He also founded the Online Casino of the Year awards, the most prominent recognition for legal gambling sites in the Netherlands.
Key Topics Discussed:
00:00 - Welcome to the iGaming Leader Podcast
02:35 - Bluffing His Way into Poker Media
06:22 - Becoming the Face of Dutch Poker
10:04 - Hall of Fame Recognition & Industry Evolution
13:55 - Losing His Job During COVID
18:01 - Starting Over with CasinoNieuws.nl
21:46 - Launching with 1,000+ Articles and No Monetisation
25:40 - The Article That Changed Everything
30:10 - Building Trust and Editorial Integrity
36:08 - Balancing Leadership with Personal Values
41:00 - Advice for Founders and Industry Creators
MEMORABLE QUOTES:
“If you say yes to everything, you're basically saying no to yourself.”
“It was terrifying—starting a media company without monetisation or a safety net.”
“We didn’t want to be the biggest; we wanted to be the most credible.”
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame didn’t make me feel successful. Starting over did.”
“Saying no became my survival skill.”
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Follow Frank op de Woerd’s work:
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/
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