Episode 27·12:56·16 Mar 2026

Tom Light on AI, Prediction Markets & the Future of Sports Betting | AIBC Eurasia Dubai

with Tom Light, First Sportsbook

Surya Palli

Founder of iGaming Real Talk.·16 Mar 2026

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Welcome to episode 03 of the AIBC Eurasia Event Series recorded in Dubai by iGaming Real Talk.

In this interview, Tom Light from First Sportsbook shares his perspective on two of the biggest shifts shaping the iGaming industry today: the rapid rise of prediction markets and the growing role of AI in sports betting infrastructure.

Tom breaks down how prediction markets are evolving, why the majority of contracts are sports-related, and how regulatory pressure in the US could accelerate sports betting legalization across states. He also discusses the liquidity challenges these markets face and why they create opportunities for syndicates and professional bettors.

Key Points

Prediction markets deep dive: Why 95 percent of contracts are sports-related, how they mirror sports betting, liquidity challenges, syndicate opportunities, pressure on US states to regulate faster, and survival outlook in the EU and regulated markets.
AI revolution in sports betting: First's innovative use of AI/ML to simulate full 90-minute events 20,000 times every 2 minutes for precisely correlated bet builder odds (exclusive reveal shared here for the first time).
How First got its name: Hint, it loads first with the best odds and real performance edges.
Future plans: Adding special/geopolitical markets carefully while staying away from ethical fine lines.

Key takeaways

Prediction Markets Dominated by Sports. The episode reveals that a significant majority of prediction market contracts are sports-related, mirroring traditional sports betting in many aspects.
AI Revolutionizing Sports Betting Odds. First Sportsbook utilizes AI/ML to simulate events thousands of times, enabling precise and correlated bet builder odds, an exclusive innovation shared in this episode.
US Regulatory Pressure Fuels Sports Betting Growth. The discussion highlights how regulatory pressures in the US could accelerate the legalization of sports betting across various states.
Liquidity Challenges Create Opportunities. Despite liquidity challenges in prediction markets, these create opportunities for syndicates and professional bettors to capitalize.
Ethical Boundaries in Future Market Expansion. First Sportsbook plans to expand into special and geopolitical markets, but with careful consideration to avoid ethically sensitive areas.
First Sportsbook's Competitive Edge. The company's name, 'First,' signifies its commitment to offering the best odds and real performance advantages to users.

Notable quotes

Tom Light shares his perspective on two of the biggest shifts shaping the iGaming industry today: the rapid rise of prediction markets and the growing role of AI in sports betting infrastructure.

Why 95 percent of contracts are sports-related, how they mirror sports betting, liquidity challenges, syndicate opportunities, pressure on US states to regulate faster, and survival outlook in the EU and regulated markets.

First's innovative use of AI/ML to simulate full 90-minute events 20,000 times every 2 minutes for precisely correlated bet builder odds (exclusive reveal shared here for the first time).

About the guest

Tom Light

First Sportsbook

Tom Light from First Sportsbook is a key voice in the iGaming industry, discussing the evolution of prediction markets and the integration of AI in sports betting. He shares insights on market dynamics, regulatory impacts, and innovative technological applications within the sports betting landscape.

LinkedIn profile

Transcript excerpt

A short passage published by the podcast, not the whole conversation.

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Surya Palli
Welcome to the show, Tom. It is great to have you here from First Sportsbook to discuss the major transformations shaping the global iGaming landscape today.
Tom Light
Thanks for having me, Surya. There is a lot of movement in the industry right now, especially when we look at the rise of prediction markets.
Surya Palli
That is a fascinating area. What are you seeing in terms of the trends within those markets?
Tom Light
It is quite clear that roughly 95 percent of these contracts are sports-related. These markets essentially mirror traditional sports betting, but they come with unique liquidity challenges.
Surya Palli
How do those liquidity issues impact the players involved?
Tom Light
Interestingly, those very obstacles create unique windows of opportunity for professional bettors and syndicates to gain a competitive edge.
Surya Palli
Shifting gears to the regulatory front, what is your outlook on the United States and the broader global market?
Tom Light
I believe persistent pressure in the U.S. could act as a catalyst for faster, widespread legalization across various states. As for the European Union and other highly regulated territories, we have to maintain a realistic assessment regarding the market’s long-term survival.
Surya Palli
I know innovation is a core pillar for you. Could you share how First Sportsbook is utilizing AI to push boundaries?
Tom Light
We are using advanced AI and machine learning models capable of simulating full 90-minute sporting events 20,000 times every two minutes. This massive computational power allows us to generate precisely correlated bet builder odds in real-time. It really speaks to why we are called First Sportsbook, we aim to be the first to load with the best odds and real performance edges.
Surya Palli
That is an impressive technological feat. Looking toward the future, how do you plan to expand your product suite?
Tom Light
We plan to carefully integrate special and geopolitical markets into our offerings. However, we remain committed to avoiding sensitive ethical boundaries as we continue to grow.