
SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show
Richard Schwartz, CEO and Co-Founder of Rush Street Interactive - SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show
On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed Richard Schwartz, CEO and Co-Founder of Rush Street Interactive. In this episode, Richard Schwartz shares his journey from intellectual property law to becoming the CEO and Co-Founder of one of North America’s leading online gaming companies. Richard explains how his early experience at the intersection of law, technology, and gaming ultimately led to the creation of Rush Street Interactive and discusses the company’s expansion into online casino and sports betting. Richard breaks down what it takes to build a differentiated player experience in an increasingly competitive online gaming market. He explains why simply offering a large library of games isn’t enough and how Rush Street Interactive has focused on user experience, innovative in-game features, community gaming, and engagement tools to build stronger relationships with players. He also discusses the importance of earning customer trust and creating experiences that keep players engaged over the long term. The conversation also explores the evolution and future of online gaming and sports betting, including the convergence of different gaming experiences and opportunities for continued innovation across the industry. Richard discusses how Rush Street Interactive balances growth and product innovation with responsible gaming and why creating a sustainable experience for players is critical to the industry’s future. Richard also reflects on leadership, hiring, and entrepreneurship, including the importance of persistence and curiosity when building a team. He shares lessons inspired by Magic Johnson, discusses why elevating the people around you is essential for successful leadership, and offers advice to the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. In This Episode Richard’s journey from intellectual property law to the gaming industry Founding and building Rush Street Interactive Launching online casino operations in New Jersey Creating a differentiated online gaming and player experience Why user experience matters beyond simply offering more games Building community through innovative gaming and engagement tools Creating new in-game experiences for players Hiring people with persistence, curiosity, and an entrepreneurial mindset Leadership lessons and the influence of Magic Johnson The growth of sports betting and cross-platform gaming strategies Building customer trust and long-term loyalty Balancing product innovation and growth with responsible gaming The future of online casino, sports betting, and industry convergence Advice for young entrepreneurs and future leaders Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Richard Schwartz and Rush Street Interactive 01:05 Richard’s background in law and technology 02:16 Transition into the gaming industry and online casinos 04:32 Founding Rush Street Interactive 06:40 Launching online casino in New Jersey 07:24 Creating a unique player experience 09:43 Building community and player engagement tools 12:29 Innovating with in-game experiences 13:52 Hiring for a culture of persistence and curiosity 15:29 The influence of Magic Johnson and leadership lessons 17:33 Growth in sports betting and cross-platform strategies 22:10 The future of gaming and industry convergence 26:11 Balancing innovation with responsible gaming 30:21 Building trust and customer loyalty 34:22 Advice for young entrepreneurs and future leaders Subscribe to the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show for conversations with the athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, and investors shaping the future of sports! #OnlineGaming #SportsBetting #RushStreetInteractive






