Reel Lives: Becky Liggero Fontana On Memorable Interviews, iGaming Conferences, International Travel, And Bodog Parties
From Casino City to mixing it up with Sir Mix-A-Lot, Becky takes us down memory lane
6 min
Every gambler has a story to tell. And so does every person who chooses to make a living in this unique industry.
In our “Reel Lives” series, Casino Reports shines a spotlight on people working in the gaming business, from executives, to analysts, to media members and communications pros, and all points in between.
The subject in this interview: Becky Liggero Fontana, reporter, producer, and host for CoinGeek who formerly served in a similar role for CalvinAyre.com. If you’ve spent any amount of time on the gaming conference circuit, you’ve seen Becky in action.
Casino Reports (CR): Early on, did you have a sense that the gaming industry might be one where you could make a career? Were you looking to ride it out and see where it would take you? What were your priorities when you were first getting started?
Becky Liggero Fontana (BLF): I stumbled across the iGaming industry when I took an account manager role with Casino City in early 2005 — I did not even realize it was a gambling industry-focused company! As soon as they started sending me to iGaming conferences, I fell in love with the industry because of the people who worked within it. I knew I would be a “lifer” almost immediately after the conference travel started. I’ve always been a people person so it was an instant fit and I absolutely just enjoyed the ride to see where it would take me. When I first took that fateful role with Casino City, I was actually planning to go back to school for a Masters eventually, but life took me in a different direction — I was so happy in the iGaming world.
CR: You’re regarded as someone who’s quite skilled at networking, or at least having a prolific network. To what do you attribute that and how much time do you devote to networking?
BLF: Oh wow, that is so amazing to hear. I would have to say it’s simply due to my nature versus a learned skill. I just love being with people and making people happy. I used to spend almost all of my time networking at events. I had total FOMO and wanted to be sure I was everywhere, all the time, for I’d say the first 10-15 years of my career in the gambling world. Since then, I’ve reduced my networking time a bit and now save it for smaller, more intimate senior-level functions, but this is something that comes along with maturity I think. (Or, in other words, I’m getting older!)
CR: Can you identify three of the most memorable interviews you conducted, and share why they stand out? Anything shocking, funny, inflammatory said that caused a stir?
BLF: 1) David Hasselhoff. I interviewed The Hoff at G2E Vegas in the early 2010s as he was there with a slot machine company. I had 30 minutes with him — and what a trip that was. I asked him about the infamous cheeseburger video and he did not seem bothered by the question, but his agent got very upset with me for asking it, even though he said any topic was fair game before we started. I almost had a panic attack, I will never forget it.
2) Sir Mix-A-Lot. This was the most fun interview I’ve ever conducted in my life. He was also at G2E in Las Vegas with a slot machine company, although some years later — maybe 2018 or 2019. He is so much fun and we did the opening of “I like big butts” together (“Oh my god, Becky, look at her butt, it is sooooo big … ”) I still laugh and smile when I think of it!
3) Max Keiser. I went to Max’s studio in London to do an interview about Bitcoin way back in the day, when he was just getting started in the space. He is an absolute firecracker and he also made me laugh, but mostly because he is just so outrageous and his voice is distinct. I remember being a bit nervous for this one, but he was nice to me even though I was a bit green at the time with Bitcoin content.
CR: You’ve gotten to travel quite a bit internationally as part of the job; what are a couple of locations you’ve visited for work that made a real impression?
BLF: Nigeria and KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)! Both of these locations were for blockchain related events vs. iGaming, but they really made an impression. Nigeria was something else. They’ve got their own way of doing things over there and it does not involve an actual schedule or much organization, you have to just kind of roll with it. The people are very friendly, though — friendlier than I expected. The exact opposite was true for Saudi Arabia, a very organized and super safe place, also with friendly people but not as friendly as Nigerians. I was super nervous about going over to KSA as a female, but I was treated with total respect and actually look forward to returning. Things are changing over there for the better and it’s an area that is ripe for future tech as they want to move away from oil dependency. Nigeria is also ripe for future tech, but in a different way — they are looking to “leapfrog” old-school tech and jump right into the good stuff.
CR: You and some mutual friends have gotten to attend some pretty lavish parties. Anything particularly wild, outrageous, fun, and memorable you recall (that’s suitable for publication)?
BLF: Ha ha! Oh wow, I could go on forever on this subject … but there are two parties that I always say were the best I’ve attended in my life and they were both produced by Calvin Ayre, my current employer of 15 years and a dear friend. The 2005 Bodog Conference party and the CalvinAyre.com Launch Party. Hands down, the best! The Bodog Conference party took place at the Rain club at the Palms Hotel in Vegas. They rented out the entire place and decked it out with Bodog branded everything, sports celebs, famous actors and actresses, poker players, Cirque du Soleil performers, and of course, persons of short stature. The afterparty took place at the Real World Suite in the Palms and that entire experience is not suitable for publication! Amazing memories, though.
The CalvinAyre.com launch party in 2011 during the iGaming SUPER Show in Prague was out of this world — it was a post-apocalyptic Mad Max theme with more performers and beautiful women roaming around than guests. There was a pig pen with actual live pigs, female mud wrestling, lance-fighting for guests, characters walking around on stilts and breathing fire, an absinthe bar. Playboy was even there and wrote up an article on the party that was published in one of their magazines, it was incredible.
CR: How similar or different has it been for you covering the cryptocurrency space versus the gambling space?
BLF: I would say these days I’m focused on the blockchain/future tech space vs. cryptocurrency space — they are two different things, in my opinion. Covering the blockchain space is totally different than iGaming — the excitement comes from learning about tech that will change our world vs. lavish parties, celebs, and big booths at conferences. I have a feeling crypto/BTC events do this type of lavish thing, but the hard-core blockchain events I attend are much more reserved. I learn something new every single day, though!
CR: For any junior reporters/journalists out there: Any tips or tricks for interviewing someone on camera, in order to make it a more fruitful/productive chat?
BLF: I would say the number one thing — when dealing with an interviewee who is not media trained, at least — is to spend a few minutes chatting before the camera rolls to make them feel comfortable first. If your interviewee feels at ease, they will unveil so much more amazing content than if they are nervous and worried about what they are going to say. There are so many reporters out there who can ask the best questions and do the best research. Stand out by being friendly and welcoming — your interviewee will remember that more than the questions.
Reel Fast!
Approximately how many on-camera interviews have you conducted in your career?
15-plus years, so hundreds! Maybe 1,000?
When you close your eyes and picture a casino floor, what property do you see?
Treasure Island — that’s where I used to stay every year for G2E.
Favorite restaurant in Las Vegas?
The one at the top of the Paris hotel.
One item/article that you will never ever travel without (excluding passport, cell phone, etc.)?
My yoga mat.
Favorite beverage?
Sparkling water.
If you were tasked with minting your own crypto coin, the name of it would be …
BodogBecky — so many memories associated with this handle!
Tell us a couple of your top hobbies for when you’re looking to unwind or get a mental break from work.
Running, sauna, reading while cuddling with my dog
The best Halloween candy is …
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, even though I won’t touch them anymore! (I get the organic, all-natural kind these days.)
You can find Becky on X or on LinkedIn, when she’s not conducting an interview or cuddling with her dog.
Previous installments of Reel Lives:
