The Gambling Files

We kick off with some kind of intro or other, Jon and Fintan talking about something probably [0:00 – 8:56], before meeting the latest author with a book up for the inaugural Gambling Book Awards. We meet the lovely Connor Hutchinson, a writer whose first novel, Dead Lucky, has won many plaudits. It’s about a young man who works as a professional embalmer, and is also a gambling addict. Yes, you r...

We kick off with some fluff, nonsense and frippery from Fintan and Jon [0:00 – 10:42] before meeting our exalted guest. Now, apologies for a couple of things on this episode. Fintan’s mic goes weird (most noticeable on the intro), and our guest is a tiny bit quiet. We discuss the evolving landscape of gambling compliance with James Killsby from Vixio Gambling Compliance, getting into the recent ta...

You can consider this episode an early Christmas present from us. Seriously, it’s that good. I’m not kidding, listen to the whole thing, then you’ll know what Jon and Fintan are eulogising about in the intro [0:00 – 26:44]. And wait til you get to the DHL story! Mindblowing. This episode’s guest is Keith O'Loughlin, a veteran of the gambling industry and author of a new book Eddie Jordan: Full Thr...

We kick off with Fintan and Jon talking about some things, then some other things; Fintan and Jon reflect on the year, discuss news highlights, and delve into the implications of privatisation in the UK. We also get into the importance of player retention in the industry and may even mention support from sponsors that make the podcast possible [0:00 – 25:08]. Then we’re joined by author Rob Furber...

This week’s episode proper sees Jon and returning interim stand-in temporary co-host Melanie Ellis – of Northridge Law fame – get right into it. Well, Jon does as he has a rant about the new tax regime coming to the UK and the sheer arrogance of politicians in suggesting the gambling industry should be helping children out of poverty. Yes, poverty that was created by these very same politicians ov...

Yep, it’s a special bonus episode, and it kicks off with Jon chatting with special interim stand-in temporary co-host Melanie Ellis of Northridge Law fame, and they somehow manage to not talk about tax in the UK [0:00 – 18:45]. No, they saved that for 238… Then Jon and Fintan meet Jonathan D Cohen, whose book Losing Big: America’s reckless bet on sports gambling is an incisive look at how things p...

We kick off with Jon and Fintan discussing a bit of everything, with some exasperation reserved for past events in Vegas where there were zero arrests despite money laundering and lax AML on a grand scale, allegedly; Fintan also reminisces about his time on a building site, when he actually worked for a living [0:00 – 19:13]. Then we meet star guest John Caldwell of i3Soft, a company building casi...

We kick off with one of those ‘allsorts’ conversations between Fintan and Jon, and this one comes with a warning – nothing graphic is covered, but a cyst being lanced is discussed. Or should that be disgust? Either-or. [0:00 – 24:56] Then, we welcome another author on to the podcast, with a book submitted to the Gambling Book Awards. Alex Duff is our guest, to discuss his terrific book 'Smart Mone...

Jon and Fintan get into the recent appearance by the BGC’s Grainne Hurst in front of British Parliament, and Jon is unusually full of praise and has an idea that the casino industry should be uniting to change the narrative… Among other things, of course, including Fintan’s executive slouch, being a supple panther and much much more, including of course our delicious sponsors, the always-sexy Ever...

We kick off with the usual shenanigans from Fintan and Jon, mostly Fintan though as Jon is generally the voice of reason here [0:00 – 19:00]. Then we come to our second guest of the Gambling Book Awards era (www.gamblingbookawards.com). The magnificent Peter Venison shares his experiences working with the legendary Sol Kerzner, a titan in the hospitality and gambling industries. Peter’s experience...

First up, we're joined by stand-in interim temporary agency co-host Melanie Ellis of Northridge Law fame, and we talk a bit about things in the UK. Mel luckily brings her brand of common sense to the table, which is definitely an area Jon is lacking [0:00 – 29:24]. We get into the social impact of tax hikes for the UK industry, among many other things – including the revelation that Melanie is no...

It’s an epic episode this week, with one extra-long intro and a really special main guest. Oooh, maybe we could call it an epicsode! The brilliant Scott Longley steps in for Fintan in the intro, and it developed into quite a long chat about the state of things in the UK at the moment. We got right into the implications of taxation, the rise of the black market, and the historical context of gambli...

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...

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 g...

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...

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 th...

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 cultu...

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...

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...

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 ev...

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 deepfake...

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 o...

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 s...

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...

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,...