The Gambling Files

First up, Fintan and Jon reveal their new thing, the Gambling Industry Journalist of the Year award that will also make its debut at ICE, and this bad boy comes with a stonking cash prize of £4000 for the winner [0:00 – 26:45]. Yeah, I know right? Jon’s a shoo-in. Or deserves a shoeing, one or the other.

Then the chaps are joined by Howard Stutz, senior reporter (and utter legend) from The Nevada Independent, to discuss the current state of Las Vegas, including the controversial narrative that 'Vegas is dead.' With an 8% drop in visitation in July, international numbe...

It’s another BIG NEWS episode!!!! We kick off the latest episode with Fintan and Jon discussing all manner of waffle, including the upcoming Gambling Book Awards, sponsorship opportunities at ICE, and the importance of celebrating journalistic excellence in the gambling industry.

Additionally, we also announce a new podcast focused on addiction, exploring various aspects of the topic beyond just gambling addiction. It’s called Addiction: An Hour With Auer, is co-hosted by Dr Michael Auer, and will be appearing very soon [0:00 – 25:22].

Then guest Ady Totah joins us to discuss what’s going on in the worl...

First up, Jon and Fintan share some exciting news with listeners about how sexy the website just got – check it out at www.thegamblingfiles.com. [0:00 – 11:25]

Then we welcome Jeff Laniado, Director of Sales at Optimove, discusses the evolving landscape of the online gaming industry, particularly focusing on sweepstakes casinos. He highlights the importance of player retention, the critical first 48 hours of player engagement, and the role of CRM in enhancing player experiences. We get into the challenges faced by operators in a competitive market and the need for personalized engagement strategies to retain players. Jeff shares insights on t...

We kick off in the usual fashion, with some blather from Fintan and Jon, and a little about the GC’s recent report on why people go to offshore operators [0:00 – 17:01].

Then Jon has the pleasure of meeting Nasim Binesh, an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, who discusses the transformative impact of AI on the gambling industry, highlighting the ethicalrisks involved. We get into the importance of transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI applications, as well as the need for comprehensive regulations. Binesh shares insights from her research on identifying risks in AI and gambling, the role...

Jon kicks off with another menage-a-un, but… is that Fintan?... No, it’s not, it’s a craptacular ‘impersonation’ [0:00 – 4:39].

Then we meet Harry Milas, a magician and sleight of hand artist, who shares his unique journey from game protection to performance art. He discusses his early fascination with magic, the transition from cheating in games to creating a theatrical experience, and the cultural differences in gambling and magic across various regions. The discussion also touches on the evolution of gambling in America, the social dynamics of poker, and the importance of audience engagement in his performances [4:40 – 49:25].

Harry’s show...

First off, we have Jon trying to pull off an intro on his own, or as he describes it (and I think possibly feminises himself in French, because he says une. That's how that works, isn't it?), a menage a un. But it’s 2025 and we’re embracing all kinds of fluidity here on The Gambling Files, because we love absolutely everyone [0:00 – 4:08].

Then we welcome back Jay Sayta, a top gambling and gaming lawyer from India with his keen eye trained on the absolute upheaval of recent weeks. Jay estimates (though not on the recording) that over 200,000 jobs h...

We kick off – see what I did there? – the new episode by greeting the return of our hero, Fintan Costello, to these shores. Some say his return is what inspired Christopher Nolan to make his new epic ‘The Odyssey’ because he’s a fan; I can’t speak for that nice Mr Nolan but let’s just say it’s possible. We discuss the newly-announced Gambling Book Awards (www.gamblingbookawards.com), talk a bit about sponsors, and many other things [0:00 – 13:25].

Then we meet guest Sam Zerfoss, VP of Customer Success for the Americas, at Optimove. His appearance is in no way conne...

This episode, we kick off with a chat between Jon and interim stand-in co-host Melanie Ellis, who claims she is neither a doctor nor a professor. Who knew??? We get into personal experiences with mental health, the implications of blind boxes and loot boxes in retail, and the importance of live dealers in casinos. The conversation also touches on the role of casinos in local communities and the evolving nature of player engagement in the gambling industry [0:00 – 30:50].

Then we meet superstar returning guest Richard Marcus, who could also be a professor. It’s hard to say for cert...

We kick off with a chat between Jon and current interim stand-in host Melanie Ellis [0:00 – 21:08] which takes in lots of things: tax, sponsors, and the glow of a cow to name just a few.

Then we meet episode guest Ofer Friedman, Chief Business Development Officer at AU10TIX. We discuss the evolving landscape of identity verification, particularly in the context of gambling and the rise of deepfakes; the challenges posed by organized fraud, the importance of regulatory compliance, and the future of digital identities. The discussion also touches on the need for better user experience in verification pr...

First up this week, we have Jon and stand-in interim co-host Melanie Ellis, partner at Northridge Law discussing… well, lots of things, really. You know how it goes [0:00 – 26:03].

Then we follow that with returning guest Earle G Hall, CEO at AXES.ai, to discuss the ethical use of AI within the gambling industry. We go elbow-deep into the implications of AI in the industry, particularly focusing on the ethical guidelines proposed by the IGSA. We discuss the importance of data integrity, the role of blockchain, and the challenges of implementing ethical AI practices, the current uses of AI i...

Cross-operator self-exclusion for US players – it's a reality! I KNOW RIGHT.

We kick off with some flim-flam or other between Jon and interim host Harry, and also mention our incredible sponsors (see below for links to their wares, and for those not in the know it’s OddsMatrix, Optimove and Clarion Gaming) [0:00 – 19:19].

Then we meet IDPair founder Jonathan Aiwazian to talk about cross-operator self-exclusion in the US, and all the obstacles that make things like this quite awkward. The conversation does of course head in many directions, I won’t spoil the surprise here though [19:20 – 1:24:21].

Jonat...

HOLAAAAAAA and willkommen!

First up there is some stuff and meandering nonsense with longtime host Jon and interim co-host Harry C Lang [0:00 – 20:53], in the midst of which Jon tells you how awesome the sponsors are (OddsMatrix, Optimove and Clarion Gaming – all absolute titans in their respective fields).

Then Jon is joined by the excellent Brandie E Black, of Brand E Media fame and the recently-launched ESGiGaming.com. We discuss the evolution of content creation in the gambling industry, the impact of AI on quality, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Brandy shares her journey in t...

First, ignore what Jon says. It's definitely episode 218.

So we kick off with stand-in (interim?) co-host Harry Lang and here-all-too-often Jon Bruford discussing sports tourism, exercise, crime in Shropshire, and much much more [0:00 – 34.51]. Then they’re joined by the excellent and super-smart Jonathan Michaels, principal and founder of Michaels Strategies, to discuss: watches, Eton vs Harrow, Michael Caine and The Rock being the same kind of actor, the merits of Jason Statham movies, Jon’s awful wetsuit story, moobs and more. Oh, and in an industry sense, we also talk about sweeps casinos, taxes being capped instead of ris...

Welcome to another information-packed episode of the industry’s number one podcast. Of course, that depends on what metric you’re using but we’re definitely number one by our measurement methods. And we’re not using any bots to boost traffic, so there’s that.

We kick off with Fintan and Jon talking smack, getting into watches and their executive status, mental health, status symbols in travel and much more. You know the drill [0:00 – 30:55].

Then Jon meets guest Sam Jones, and Fintan will be kicking himself for missing this one. Sam is an entrepreneur and founder...

There’s an intro, with some waffling, most likely, with Fintan and Jon. But then we get to the meat of the episode…

In yet another wildly engaging conversation, gambling industry royalty Ian Sherrington shares his journey in the world of iGaming, detailing his early fascination with gambling, his programming career, and the pivotal moments that led to the establishment of the first online sportsbook. The discussion also explores the unique blend of intelligence and imagination required for innovation in technology and gambling and as ever, much more.

Ian Sherrington on LinkedIn: https://www.l...

In this engaging conversation, Richard Logan, Head of Operations at Clarion Gaming, shares insights into the complexities of managing large-scale events like iGB LIVE! and ICE Barcelona. He discusses the challenges of moving events to new venues, the importance of attendee experience, and the role of technology in event planning. Richard emphasises the need for effective navigation and flow within event spaces, as well as the significance of feedback and continuous improvement. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes and the lighter side of event management [05:04 - 45:50].

Choice quotes:

First up, we are graced by the presence of top gambling industry executive Fintan Costello, who somehow successfully guesses the kind of watch Jon wants to buy – seriously, it's a bit freaky – and we talk about time mastery, which is better late than never [0:00 – 13:54].

Then Jon is joined by Northridge Law's superstar partner Melanie Ellis, who discusses the current state of UK gambling regulations, including updates on the long-awaited white paper, the challenges surrounding affordability checks, and the implications of credit card bans. The conversation also touches on changes in casino regulations and the overall impact on the ga...

In this episode of the Gambling Files podcast, we kick off with hosts Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello in a lively discussion covering various topics ‘related’ to the gambling industry. They explore personal anecdotes, regulatory challenges, market dynamics, and the importance of accountability within organizations. The conversation also touches on sponsorships, innovations in the market, and much more [0:00 – 37:11].

Then they’re joined by none other than the Ginger Prince, iGB’s Kyle Goldsmith who’s here to talk up his epic new report on Brazil’s burgeoning gambling market (you can get free access to the report here). He expl...

Another bumper episode! So we kick off with Jon and Fintan talking about stuff and things [0:00 – 16:48], followed by the last of the interviews from Jon’s recent trip to EveryMatrix towers and a chat with Friend of the Podcast Mark Schmidt [16:49 – 37:35]. And that thing about the Eye of Sauron? Obviously it’s a joke…

Our headline act though is (are?) Lorraine Perrons and Claire Jones, co-founders of Gambling Recovery Therapy and Gambling Recovery for All CIC. They discuss their personal journeys that led them to create a unique approach to gambling recovery, emphasising holistic healing and individualised support. W...

In no way is this week’s episode a nod to our corporate overlords in any way, shape or form.

That said, first up in this episode there’s a brief chat between Fintan and Jon [0:00 – 10:22], followed by another interview from Jon’s recent visit to Everymatrix’s shiny new London offices, this time with Russell Colvin, Commercial Director, and Mark Wilson, Head of Trading, to talk about the FSB acquisition and more. Jon finds out why they bought FSB then built their own solution, because you’ve got to ask, am I right? [10:23 – 21:50]

Then the hosts welc...

In the intro for this episode, we get Jon’s recent interview with Richardt Funch, EveryMatrix’s global commercial director, which was done during the visit to the opening of the firm’s new London offices. It’s worth a listen by itself [0:00 – 20:14], but honestly when we package it with the main event it’s an irresistible bundle of joy!

Our guest this week is the brilliant Steve McAllister who joins us to discuss the current state of the gaming industry in Canada, focusing on the regulatory changes in Ontario and anticipated developments in Alberta. We explore the impact o...

Fintan’s here! And he’s mocking Jon’s weight! The chaps talk about the wonderful term kummerspeck, which apparently translates from German as ‘grief bacon’, and it's something Jon's been enjoying a little too much. Also, as usual we talk about lots of other things too [0:00 – 18:43].

Our returning guest, Legal Gaming’s Antti Koivula, discusses the evolving landscape of Finnish gambling legislation, highlighting the current status of regulatory changes, the rarity of prohibition orders, and the implications of marketing restrictions. He emphasizes the challenges posed by taxation laws on gambling winnings and the limited enforcement capabilities against black...

We catch up with Games Global's legendary CEO Walter Bugno to ask "Hey Walter, if you were stranded on a tropical island, what would you want to have with you?"

He chooses:

Walter is engaging as ever, and we hope you enjoy this offshoot episode while we prepare its own feed and landing page et cetera…

The 'I Will Always Love You' of sponsors, we than...

Seriously, this episode takes in - but is not limited to - the following subjects: Gambling, Casinos, Folk Music, Trump, Tupac Shakur, Community Engagement, Environmental Issues, Casino Management, Political Polarization, Lithium Mining, entertainment, community impact, tribal sovereignty, economic development, lottery laws, music authenticity, historical roots, personal connections… It's a wild ride, and our guest Gary Green is here to show us the path.

In this episode Jon speaks with Gary Green, a multifaceted figure in the gambling industry with a rich background in journalism, music, and casino development. They discuss Green's unique career path, his experiences in th...

Steve Ruddock from Straight To The Point joins Jon and Fintan to discuss various aspects of the gambling industry, focusing on responsible gaming initiatives in North America, the importance of agency and accountability, and the challenges faced by regulators. They explore the new messaging strategies for responsible gaming, the need for transparency in gambling odds, and the holistic approaches required to address gambling addiction. The conversation also touches on the regulatory landscape and the complexities surrounding Kalshi. Steve gets into the complexities and challenges surrounding sports betting exchanges, regulatory barriers, market dynamics, user experience, and the potential future of...

OK, so it's not really as dramatic as the title suggests… We had a cancellation this week for a great episode, so what we thought we would do is give listeners to the main podcast an episode of the offshoot so they can see what it's all about. This is definitely not replacing the existing podcast, we just had a gap. We are back on that horse next week.

Meet Jen Bowman of IGT fame. Jen talks us through her choices to take to a deserted tropical island:

In this episode of the Gambling Files podcast, a Fintanless Jon Bruford discusses the current state of online gambling regulation in Germany with returning guest Michelle Hembury. They explore the evolution of gambling legislation since 2021, the challenges faced by operators, and the ongoing issues with the black market. Jon laughs a lot at the country’s hugely optimistic channelisation hopes. The conversation highlights the frustrations of the industry regarding regulatory restrictions and the need for more effective enforcement measures. They also touch on the importance of dialogue between regulators and operators to improve the gambling landscape in Germany. We al...

Another week, another chance for us to caress your ears with our words and wisdom. Well, the wisdom of our guests. No Fintan this episode though, our apologies. He's executiving.

In this episode of the Gambling Files podcast, host Jon Bruford welcomes Chris Blake, a director at FireSand, to discuss the critical issues surrounding cybersecurity in the iGaming industry. They explore a recent data breach incident involving a German operator, the vulnerabilities that were exploited, and the importance of proper API security and penetration testing.

The conversation also delves into regulatory frameworks, the challenges of...

Another slice of pure gold pie for your ears, the latest episode of The Gambling Files features Jon and Fintan talking a bit [0:00 – 08:35], then we meet returning guest Alex Pratt of Clarion fame.

We discuss the recent ICE Barcelona event's success, the economic impact on the city, and the logistics of navigating the venue. There’s talk about positive feedback from attendees, challenges faced, and the importance of local engagement. The discussion also touches on personal experiences at the event and suggestions for improvement, emphasizing the ambition to create a landmark event in the gaming industry. In this...

We kick off with some burbling from Fintan Costello and Jon Bruford [0:00 – 7:57] before we meet our guest, Dabble’s Jon Robin, executive director and co-founder.

Dabble is a sports betting platform that merges traditional wagering with community engagement. We explore the journey of Dabble from its inception, the challenges of building a platform, the importance of user feedback, and the strategic decision to expand into the US market. Jon shares insights on the affiliate marketing background that led to the creation of Dabble, the lessons learned during the development process, and the significance of community in shaping the...

We celebrate our 200th episode today, and with that milestone, it's only appropriate that Fintan isn't here to record the intro [0:00 – 4:06], so it's just Jon. Yeah, we're skipping that bit too.

But wait! Then we're joined by both Fintan and top-guest-who-is-in-no-way-here-because-he-works-for-a-top-sponsor, Mark Schmidt. He's head of sales, Africa for EveryMatrix, and is on to share his insights on the gaming industry, his personal journey through addiction, and the importance of attention to detail in business. He discusses the evolution of the industry, the challenges faced by operators, and the need for authenticity in a world often dominated by...

In this episode of the Gambling Files we enjoy the usual flim-flam, see how everybody is doing, discuss favourite cities [0:00 – 18:21]…

Then Fintan and Jon meet Gavin Walters and Al Turner, the CCO and CEO of CogniPlay respectively, about their innovative approach to the social casino and sweepstakes market. They discuss the origins of CogniPlay, the unique aspects of their platform, and the current landscape of the gaming industry, particularly in the US. The conversation delves into the cultural significance of sweepstakes in North America, the challenges of operating in a regulated environment, and the importance of a well...

As generated by AI – you’ve got to love the technology: “everyday experiences like toilet paper choices”, and “the unpredictable nature of nightlife and personal encounters”. Yes, Jon finally tells the whole sordid story of his karaoke night in Las Vegas. Be warned though, the story is not to everyone’s taste and has, ahem, adult themes. The AI bit:

In this episode of the Gambling Files podcast, hosts Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello discuss various topics including Fintan's new executive assistant, the importance of leadership and delegation, their personal health journeys, and the recent news of Gavin Isaacs s...

We kick off with the chaps discussing the recent ICE event in Barcelona, which Jon missed some of because he couldn't get in but maintains it's not his fault. Except it really clearly obviously is. We have some of the usual flim-flam and shennanigans [0:00 - 27:05] before we are joined by a really special guest.

In this conversation, rare book, map and atlas dealer Daniel Crouch discusses the incredible playing card collection he has been entrusted to sell by a private collector [27:06 – 1:03:11]. The collection includes 3,000 decks dating from 1480 to 2024. Daniel shares insights into the history and evolution of pl...

Moshe Demri, Optimove’s SVP of revenue and GM, joined us at ICE after we totally coincidentally bumped into him in a recording studio. I know, right? It was the strangest thing, we were just there mooching about and there was this guy and he looked like he knew things so we asked him hey man, do you know about things and he said like yeah, sure I do so we got to talking and like WOAH dude, we should totally record this! So we did.

We discuss Optimove’s two announcements at ICE, one of which is O...

This is a bit os a step outside the usual; it started life intending to be an intro to another episode, but we were enjoying ourselves and it just ran away with us. You could say that this is the punchline to a very long-running joke in this podcast, so for long-time listeners, this is Jon proving that his spectacular schoolfriend Toby is a real live human being. We do not, however, talk about gambling. At all. I mean, Fintan and Jon do a bit in the intro [0:00 - 35:00], but not like the norm. Don't worry though, we will...

In this episode, Jon sits down with Christine Parkhill, the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Just Slots, a slot game designer, to explore the fascinating world of online slot development. Christine shares how her team leverages data to create player-centric games and dives into the challenges and rewards of competing in a crowded market. From the psychology of play to the future of personalization, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone curious about the gaming industry.

A huge high-five to Optimove for keeping this podcast alive and kicking! They’re all about turning customer data into ma...

This episode dives into the complexities and quirks of gambling legislation in Alabama, with investigative journalist Josh Moon sharing insightful stories and sharp commentary. Josh and host Jon (Fintan was away today) have a wide-ranging discussion, from the history of gambling in Alabama to the potential for transformative legislative changes. 

Josh Moon is an investigative journalist with the Alabama Political Reporter who loves tackling the tough questions and digging into the heart of the matter

Big thanks to Optimove for sponsoring us! They’re the maestros of marketing, orchestrating campaigns that hit all...

In this episode, Jon chats with Andrew Cardno, co-founder and CTO of Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), about the groundbreaking ways AI and data activation are revolutionizing the gaming and resort industries. 

We’re thrilled to have Clarion Gaming as a sponsor, the go-to source for all things gaming and gambling! Their dedication to connecting businesses and fostering innovation makes them the MVP of the industry. 

Shoutout to Optimove, the superheroes of CRM marketing! They help businesses save the day with smarter customer insights and real-time decision-making powers. 

Big t...

In this episode, Jon and Fintan chat with Conor O'Donovan, African Partner at Tekkorp Capital, about navigating Africa’s diverse gambling markets. Conor shares insights into the challenges of market entry, the role of mobile money in the region’s growth, and Tekkorp’s strategy to create a unified, de-risked portfolio. With a blend of humor and deep expertise, the conversation highlights Africa’s complexity and promise in the global gaming industry.

Thanks to Optimove for sponsoring this episode! They’re the marketing wizards who turn customer data into magical, personalized campaigns that drive real growth. We appreciate...