Bill Speros, senior betting analyst for Bookies.com, explains why legal betting on the Oscars has grown in recent years thanks to changes in state gambling laws. The veteran analyst and journalist also discusses the rise of sports wagering as an audience engagement strategy and profit driver for media companies.

Bill Speros, senior betting analyst for <a href="http://bookies.com/">Bookies.com</a>, explains why legal betting on the Oscars has grown in recent years thanks to changes in state gambling laws. The veteran analyst and journalist also discusses the rise of sports wagering as an audience engagement strategy and profit driver for media companies.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.

Strictly Business

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety's Strictly Business

Betting on the Oscars: Why More States Allow Movie Fans to Place Wagers on Hollywood’s Big Night

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/daf95776-2994-48ad-aacc-b12a010f48e1/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s box office expert Rebecca Rubin breaks down an astounding weekend at global turnstiles with the debut of Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and weekend three of Universal Pictures’ “The Odyssey.”

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s box office expert Rebecca Rubin breaks down an astounding weekend at global turnstiles with the debut of Sony Pictures&rsquo; &ldquo;Spider-Man: Brand New Day&rdquo; and weekend three of Universal Pictures&rsquo; &ldquo;The Odyssey.&rdquo;

 Daily Variety – It’s a Brand New Day for the Box Office Thanks to ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘The Odyssey’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9bfcceef-1d45-43a6-8da0-b49b0143c4da/transcript

On today’s episode, Colleen Bell, director of the California State Film Commission, discusses her wins in her role as the Golden State’s film chief and the hurdles that remain to restore a high volume of TV and film lensing activity in Hollywood's backyard. Bell says the past few years have been a “seminal moment” for the entertainment industry in California. “People want to shoot their projects here. Public policy needs to evolve to meet the moment,” she says.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Colleen Bell, director of the California State Film Commission, discusses her wins in her role as the Golden State&rsquo;s film chief <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/hollywoods-exodus-film-tv-production-los-angeles-1236780390/">and the hurdles that remain to restore a high volume of TV and film lensing activity in Hollywood's backyard.</a> Bell says the past few years have been a &ldquo;seminal moment&rdquo; for the entertainment industry in California. &ldquo;People want to shoot their projects here. Public policy needs to evolve to meet the moment,&rdquo; she says.

Daily Variety -- California Film Commissioner Colleen Bell Talks State Tax Incentive Battles, Hollywood’s Future and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/08a07e48-f247-4cd8-9d97-b4910120bede/transcript

On today’s episode, Madison Wells chief Gigi Pritzker and newly appointed president and chief content officer Dan Steinman discuss how the well-positioned indie navigates the ups and downs of a transforming marketplace. “We have to be smarter,” Pritzker says. “Even inexpensive movies are expensive,” says Steinman.

On today&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/gigi-pritzker-madison-wells-1235114955/">Madison Wells chief Gigi Pritzker</a> and newly appointed <a href="https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/dan-steinman-madison-wells-president-chief-content-officer-1236731114/">president and chief content officer Dan Steinman </a>discuss how the well-positioned indie navigates the ups and downs of a transforming marketplace. &ldquo;We have to be smarter,&rdquo; Pritzker says. &ldquo;Even inexpensive movies are expensive,&rdquo; says Steinman.

Madison Wells Balances Art, Commerce and Audience Demands to Back Movies, TV Shows, Live Events

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3623a3ae-0d75-4f8c-874b-b4910070f09c/transcript

Betting on the Oscars: Why More States Allow Movie Fans to Place Wagers on Hollywood’s Big Night

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