The trusty wheelofnames.com delivered the Banksy prize to the right guy: Art lover, environmentalist and fresh Fintech voice in iGaming, Ian Poirier. Connect with Ian Poirier on LinkedIn
TESTA caught up to Ian after ICE for some Q&A.
Ian McKinnon: What have you done with your Banksy, does it have a spot in your home yet? Ian Poirier: I’m ecstatic to have won it. Honestly, it was the only thing at ICE that really caught my eye, a true art lover’s dream. I’ve been trying to acquire an original Banksy for a few years and even came close at auction last year. Right now it’s on center display in my living room, next to my signed Warhol lithograph.
Ian McKinnon: After a week like ICE, what do you think is getting too much attention—and what isn’t getting talked about enough? Ian Poirier: There’s a lot of low differentiation across the industry. Platforms, games, value propositions all following the same playbook in a crowded market. What’s not getting enough attention is where iGaming is actually going. As a new generation of players comes online, there’s been very little focus on the tools and ideas needed to truly engage them and drive long-term retention.
“The decentralized bankroll enables local betting with global jackpots, instant settlement, and fast payouts”
Ian McKinnon: Tell us a little about Zap Win. Ian Poirier: Zap Win is a decentralized bankroll and a set of new engagement channels for iGaming. The decentralized bankroll enables local betting with global jackpots, instant settlement, and fast payouts. We also integrate games directly into platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Discord, allowing communities to launch casinos where players already spend their time.
Ian McKinnon: Before iGaming, what were you working on, and how did you end up here? Ian Poirier: I worked in emerging technologies, mainly fintech and climate. I came into iGaming through a former colleague who brought me in to help with strategy and go-to-market around new distribution channels and liquidity challenges for operators. The problems were technical, complex, and genuinely interesting.
Ian McKinnon: Once you were in, what made you stick around? Ian Poirier: As iGaming matures, there’s a real appetite for outside-the-box thinking. That’s exactly what motivates me. Bringing innovation that solves real operator challenges — while also giving everyday players a better chance to win — keeps me engaged. I’m still new to the space, so I’m curious to see how that perspective evolves over time.
Ian McKinnon: What was one moment at ICE this year that felt genuinely enjoyable — not useful or strategic, just human? Ian Poirier: First, meeting enthusiastic operators who are genuinely excited to see something new in the space — that led to great conversations and energy. Second, seeing Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura speak about their chess journeys. I’ve played chess since I was a child, so seeing modern legends in person was surreal.
About the author
Ian McKinnon
TESTA Head of Marketing