The Gambling Files

The true heroes of our story are the magnificent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . We love you in a fraternal but very real and very lovely way. In this episode, Jon and Fintan have a casual conversation about various topics, including books, unions, and the challenges faced by Atlantic City. These challenges include the potential impact of a New York City casino, which is a biggie. Oh, and J...

As ever, the accolades go to our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . We love you in a big, real kinda way. Thankfully this episode’s intro is considerably less fanciful than last; Jon has new neighbours, and some hedgehogs have had a dodgy meal in his back garden [0:00 – 14:07]. Then our hosts are joined by Brett Smiley, Chief Content Officer of CasinoReports.com, a publication focus...

As ever, huge thanks and big love to our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . We love you bigly. Ok, the intro to this one is maybe a bit weird – it spans a lot of things, but begins with a Google search for ‘whale sputum’ and pretty much goes downhill from there [0:00 – 25:27]. Then we welcome guest Martin Calladine, a football writer and author who does not shy away from the less sa...

As ever, huge thanks, virility and blessings bestowed on our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . We love you bigly. In a side-step from the norm, Fintan and Jon discuss the news among themselves, focussing mainly on recent events around Bally’s, the Chicago casino plan, and a potential takeover , and also a lawsuit being brought against AC gambling resorts for alleged price collusion...

As ever, huge thanks to our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . WE LOVE YOU. It’s a step into the Twilight Zone this week – Fintan hosts without Jon! He is here for the intro, though, sadly, in which he explains apropos of very little to Fintan about how some movies were blockbusters on video after doing nothing in cinemas [0:00 – 22:03]. Fintan is joined by guest Michael Schaus of S...

We kick off, as ever, with some chit-chat between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 9:23] about stuff, and things. They definitely mention our excellent sponsor overlords though, Optimove and Clarion Gaming . Then they are joined by the most excellent Alan Hardacre , a public affairs consultant with extensive experience in the gambling and tobacco industries. Alan explains the role of public affairs in the g...

A teeny tiny intro as it’s just Bruford this episode [0:00 – 2:38]. Pretty sure he mentions our excellent sponsor overlords though, Optimove and Clarion Gaming . WE LOVE THEM. Jon is then joined by Jon Bourke , CEO of Encompass Digital and Value Privacy , here to discuss the monetization of first-party data and the power of personalization in the iGaming industry. The Bourkemeister also introduces...

We begin with idle chit-chat between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 7:43] some of which may involve beautiful sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . They’re just so wholesome and virile! Then the chaps are joined by Alex Pratt, MD of Clarion Gaming, to discuss various topics related to the gaming industry. The conversation covers the genius business decision to sponsor the Gambling Files podcast, the subs...

There’s the usual nonsense to kick off, Jon apologising for not doing an episode last week, that kind of thing [0:00 – 20:30], then the chaps meet their latest guest, the excellent Antti Koivula, legal advisor for Legal Gaming, of Finland. Antti covers the surprising news about Betsson in Finland and the subsequent blacklisting; we delve into the background of the Betsson case, the legislative ref...

We begin with more small talk between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 14:00] some of which may involve premier sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . They’re just so hot right now! Another returning guest this episode, it’s the brilliant Charles Cohen of Department of Trust fame. We do start this one – and it’s on Charles – talking about Ludlow and its influence on video games despite being in the arse-end...

First up, Fintan and Jon talk about some stuff or other, a bit of this and that, plus their benevolent sponsor overlords Optimove and Clarion Gaming [0:00 – 22:44]. Then star guest and UK gambling law scion Melanie Ellis , of Northridge Law fame, joins the chat. We discuss the newly-minted online slot stake limits, debate the effectiveness of stake limits, the lack of evidence for the impact of sa...

OK, joking aside – this episode, it’s well worth skipping the intro, even though we discuss our benevolent and beloved sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming . Jon talks absolute waffle, even going into a race he once organised, and a wedding fayre (that’s how they spell it, really), and bigging up his own credentials to run ICE as a result. Fintan is not convinced [0:00 – 37:37]. Then they’re joine...

First post-ICE edition and it’s a doozy. Thanks, Ned*! First up, Fintan and Jon talk about their very different experiences of ICE. Clue: one included golf, socialising and nice dinners and lunches, and one included recording the podcast, editing it, staying in a shitty hotel and almost no socialising [0:00 – 20:10]. Then we’re joined by top guest and newly-minted CEO of OddsJam.com, Matt Restivo....

Jon flies solo in the week's third outing, as Fintan responds to Chairman emergencies around the globe in his role as some kind of chair-superhero. I guess his name would be simply, Chair Man. That works. Anyway, first guest on Thursday was the lovely Chief Vision Officer from Xprizo , Richard Mifsud , with their genius product which not only helps businesses wanting to enter potentially difficult...

Well, Jon messed up and left his car keys at the hotel, which would have been fine but his mic was locked in the car, which is at ExCeL. So a slightly more rustic feel to today's episode, not least because Fintan is busy doing chairman things. It also means no intro, so we go straight into the action with Better Change 's Rob Mabbett . Rob joins Jon to talk about the team's tie-up with RG24/7, as...

It's been a banging first day at ICE 2024; the place is absolutely heaving, ExCeL is buzzing and if you're not here, why not? We're doing an episode a day in theory, as our benevolent wonders Clarion Gaming kindly found us a room to record in. So, the intro is Fintan and Jon talking about stuff including Optimove, the other wonder sponsor, as the room is very close to their stand (which is at the...

Helloooooo! First up, Jon shares some of what he’s learned using dating apps, which is useful for all mankind. Then Fintan shushes him before it goes entirely off the rails [0:00 – 14:05]. The guest this episode is the returning Paul Sculpher of Gaming Recruitment Solutions, with his varied observations on all things industry and recruitment. We discuss career aspirations, recruitment trends, and...

Jon and Fintan are joined in a star-studded intro this episode – it’s a bit like guest stars coming on Kojak, I suppose, or one of those Agatha Christie movies from the 1970s where it’s got all the big names in – as they’re joined by two of podcast sponsor Clarion’s top cheeses. Sadie Walters is the genius behind ICE Vox, and Andy Ventris is ICE Event Director. They discuss whether books are avail...

To kick off, Fintan and Jon discuss salt in food. Yeah, we don’t know why either. Then they talk a bit about Optimove , which segues nicely into Clarion Gaming , because they organise ICE and Optimove are at ICE. I know right! And then they talk about listener messages; and the possibility of Gambling Files merch appearing, because it’s a thing now [0:00 – 22:01]. Then David Williams, Director of...

If you want the inside track on Curacao, you’ve come to the right place. This episode, the chaps have big news, something different to show you, and much more.  Jon’s big news is that he went to see the new Godzilla film, and it was apparently really good. Fintan’s news is bigger though: a new sponsor has joined the podcast family in the shape of Optimove, and after an in-depth product demo the ch...

In this episode, Fintan and Jon discuss the concept of taking a sabbatical (which Fintan is doing) and the challenges of burnout in the workplace (which Jon has done), and getting bad references. They also share personal stories of job difficulties and the importance of prioritizing social connections. The conversation then shifts to the upcoming ICE conference and our plans for the event [0:00 –...

In the year’s final episode, Fintan and Jon reflect on the highlights of the gambling industry in 2023 and discuss the controversy surrounding Entain. We also talk about the divisive announcement of Clarion's move and the upcoming ICE London 2024, plus the TV series After Life, and some personal stuff from the year [0:00 – 38:52]. Then the chaps are joined by former professional footballer Tony Ke...

We kick off with Fintan and Jon talking about stuff, with some things thrown in there too; Chairman School probably gets a mention, it's hard to say for sure [0:00 - 12:53]. Then the chaps are joined by Robert Lenzhofer co-founder and CEO of Hölle Games, to talk about the company's rapid rise and genuinely novel take on things. Hölle Games focuses on two main areas: Slot Studio, which creates game...

First up, it's Fintan and Jon, with Fintan scaring the jeepers out of Jon with some of the ghostly experiences from his life. WOOOOOOOOOOOO. Then Jon tries to tell the Mayfair Sex Bus story AGAIN , but luckily Fintan stops him in time [0:00 - 22:31]. Then there's some other talk about stuff and things. Then we meet guest John Wright, CEO and co-founder of StatsDrone. John discusses the challenges...

First up there's some chit-chat between Jon and Fintan, discussing the Sands/Mavericks deal and the comedy ruin that is Jon's personal life. Jon has also recorded – in the style of a professional agency – some new ads for BWise Media and Clarion Gaming , our benevolent and virile sponsors [0:00 – 21:16]. Then we're joined by returning guest Michelle Hembury, a lawyer at Melchers Law Firm in German...