Imposter Syndrome in iGaming: It Got You Here, But Not Where You Want to Go

A reflection on self-doubt, leadership, and learning to own your space in a fast-moving industry

In the high-velocity world of iGaming, ambition is the norm, and upward mobility can be startlingly fast...

One moment you’re a CRM manager. The next, you’re managing departments, steering product strategies, or sitting on executive teams.

But alongside the promotions, accolades, and quarterly targets, many professionals carry a quiet, persistent feeling they rarely speak about: imposter syndrome.

Led by Leo Judkins from iGamingLeader.com, we recently hosted a live AMA: “Ask the iGaming Coach: Imposter Syndrome – It Got You Here, But Not Where You Want to Go.”

What followed was an unfiltered, moving, and deeply human conversation among five industry professionals. Each of them had risen quickly through the ranks. Each of them had, at some point, felt like they didn’t belong.

This is what we learned. (Link to rewatch the live stream at the end of the article)

When Doubt Follows Success

Georgia Parry, Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint Gaming Ltd., spoke candidly about the moment it hit her hardest. It wasn’t when she first landed a leadership role, but when she began managing people for the first time.

With that responsibility came a creeping question: “Who am I to decide someone’s next step?” The doubt didn’t leave, but she found a way to work with it.

“It’s almost like a person sitting next to me. It’s always been there,” she said. “Now, I treat it like a tool.”

Simon Pilkington, Managing Director at Best Betting Media Ltd, recalled how taking over as CEO from the founder of his company left him feeling like a placeholder.

“I started asking myself what the old CEO would do, and I stopped making decisions as myself.”

That lack of identity led to burnout, mental fatigue, and a complete sense of disconnection, both professionally and personally.

Mark Schmidt, Managing Director Africa at EveryMatrix, shared how imposter syndrome wasn’t just a work-related experience. It had roots that stretched back to childhood.

“It’s been with me since school,” he admitted. “Even as I progressed quickly through roles, there was always this sense of ‘Am I really the guy for this?’”

A turning point came when a senior leader confronted him directly: “Why do you doubt yourself?” That question lingered and became a catalyst for change.

Daniel Beard, Partner at Partis Capital, felt it most acutely when joining high-level partner meetings surrounded by peers from elite academic backgrounds.

“I didn’t have an MBA or an Oxbridge degree. I felt like I didn’t belong, internally and externally.”

But over time, he came to view imposter syndrome not as a handicap, but as a strength. It made him double-check facts, listen better, and lead with humility.

Let’s Stop Calling It a Syndrome

Across the board, one of the most powerful ideas that emerged was reframing the language we use. Rather than a lifelong “syndrome,” what if we thought of these episodes as “imposter moments”?

Moments when we’re stepping outside our comfort zone. Moments that signal growth. Moments where fear meets opportunity.

By seeing them this way, we gain agency. We learn to identify them, name them, and move through them rather than letting them define us.

Signs of Strength, Not Weakness

What the conversation made clear is that imposter syndrome is not just common, it is often a reflection of the very traits that make great leaders.

It shows up most often in people who care. Those who want to do right by their teams. Those who prepare meticulously. Those who are emotionally invested in their work.

It manifests in the form of over-preparing for meetings, second-guessing your decisions, or declining to speak up in rooms where your voice matters. But within that very self-doubt lies a powerful leadership trait: Humility.

In fact, Daniel made a compelling case that we should want more people in business to experience imposter syndrome. These are often the people who don’t bulldoze over others. They’re the ones who listen, question, and elevate.

Tools for Navigating Imposter Moments

The guests shared practical tools that helped them move forward:

• Name the feeling early. Recognise when the voice of self-doubt starts whispering. Notice patterns. Track the triggers.

• Take space and write things down. Mark spoke about stepping away from the screen to write down negative thoughts, and then counter them with evidence of performance.

• Say “I don’t know” proudly. Georgia emphasised the power of admitting when you don’t have the answer. “There’s no shame in it,” she said. “And it gives others permission to do the same.”

• Surround yourself with people who reflect your worth back to you. Sometimes you need colleagues who see your potential when you can’t. Simon tried to talk his leadership out of promoting him. They saw through it, and stuck by him.

• Invest in coaching or mentorship. Simon and Daniel both credited transformative progress to working with professional coaches like Leo. People who could help them understand the roots of their self-doubt and reframe their narrative.

Mental Health Is Performance Health

Toward the end of the session, the conversation turned toward broader mental health. In an industry that prizes performance and scale, mental wellness is often sidelined. But the tide is turning.

Mark pointed out that we’re in a better place than ever before. More companies are implementing support systems, and more leaders are opening up about their own struggles.

Simon added a powerful point: Hiring emotionally intelligent leaders is essential. People who understand their own emotional landscape are more likely to spot, support, and respond to the needs of others.

Final Words of Advice

Each speaker was asked to share what they would tell their younger selves. Here’s what they said:

• Slow down

• Don't strive for perfection. Aim for authenticity

• Prepare well, then trust yourself

• Talk to someone

• Progress isn't about knowing everything, it's about continuing to learn

• You don’t need to be anyone else. You just need to be you

Where Do We Go From Here?

Imposter syndrome is not a flaw in your character. It is not something to be ashamed of. It is a human response to stepping into the unknown, taking on more responsibility, and caring deeply about doing well.

In the iGaming industry, where the pace is rapid and expectations are high, these feelings are incredibly common. But they don’t have to be limiting.

In fact, they can be powerful motivators if we learn to work with them instead of against them.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re about to be “found out,” remember: You’re not alone.

And more often than not, the very fact that you’re asking yourself these questions means you belong more than you realise.

We hope this session was a reminder that growth, vulnerability, and leadership can co-exist. And if you’re still figuring out how to balance them, so are we.

Want to talk more about this? Reach out. We’re listening. You got this! 💪

> Rewatch the live stream