Addiction: An Hour With Auer

Brought to you by those mighty folks at GLI! Another double-header from the UNLV Risk and Gambling conference, this time we talk with Shane Kraus about gambling addiction among the armed forces, and among veterans. It's an enlightening field of study, and we hope to welcome Shane back on the podcast soon to talk more on this. [2:22 – 40:59] Then we meet the mighty Howard Stutz, reporter extraordin...

This episode is brought to you thanks to those benevolent wonders at GLI. Back at the conference, we unexpectedly bumped into a proper couple of legends in the shape of Simon Thomas, top man at London's Hippodrome Casino, and Dan Waugh, a luminary at Regulus Partners. We get in to all sorts in these conversations – the challenge of a safer gambling program at a land-based operation, a Handmaid's T...

This episode is brought to you by GLI, and bless them for doing so! Hurrah! This is the second episode from the UNLV conference on Risk and Gambling, and we find Dr Auer and Jon with Tracy Schrans, of Focal Research Consultants. Tracy was there when a new form of gambling arrived out of the blue in Nova Scotia, in the shape of electronic gambling machines. This means she has been part of evolving...

A slightly different episode here, not least in sound quality, as we bring you the first of our recordings from the 2026 UNLV conference on Risk and Gambling. And it's brought to you thanks to GLI! As mentioned, the sound quality isn't the best – sadly, especially in Sarah's chat – but bear with us... We get into the impact of gambling on young people in America with Jon Cohen [0:00 – 37:35], then...

Another smash-hit episode – brought to you by GLI! – as we delve into the fascinating world of dopamine, often called the "molecule of more", and explore its profound influence on our motivation, addiction, creativity, and even social trends. With insights from Dr. Dan Lieberman, a respected psychiatrist, author and researcher, we connect neurochemistry to real-world behaviours and societal shifts...

Another banging episode – brought to you by GLI! – as we delve into the complex world of addiction, featuring Dr. Guyonne Rogier, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology from UniCamillus University in Rome. We explore the psychological underpinnings of various addictive behaviours, the role of personality traits, cultural factors, and the latest research models that help explain these pervas...

We’re back – thanks to those absolute legends at GLI! – with another engaging discussion around the subject of addiction. Hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford are joined by Dr. Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and author, to delve into the fascinating ways our brains interact with social media, entertainment, routines, and cultural references. Discover how neuroscience explains our habits, susceptibi...

In this spectacularly brilliant episode – brought to you by GLI! – we explore the complexities of problem gambling, risk prediction models, and regulatory challenges. Join us as Dr. Rob Heirine shares insights from his research on using behavioural data to identify at-risk gamblers and evaluate harm reduction policies. What we talk about, but in a list: Challenges in predicting problem gambling us...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr Michael Auer delve into the nuances of language, terminology, and cultural influences in the field of addiction and gambling. They discuss how words evolve, the importance of precise terminology for research and practice, and share updates on recent research and conferences. Key Topics Covered, but in a list: The significance of terminology in gambling and...

A really terrific episode, and I write that with absolutely no bias whatsoever. And this episode comes to you thank to GLI and their kind sponsorship – what a bunch of absolute legends. Hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford (not a doctor) are joined by the legendary Professor Mark Griffiths to explore the complex world of behavioural addictions. Mark is an esteemed researcher with over 39 years in...

This episode – brought to you by GLI! – of Addiction: An Hour With Auer features a lively discussion with Pieter Remmers, a veteran in responsible gambling and addiction treatment, alongside hosts Jon Bruford and Michael Auer. They explore the history of problem gambling initiatives, industry responsibilities, and the interconnectedness of various addictions — providing valuable insights into prev...

In this conversation, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with distinguished professor Jon Elhai, exploring the psychological aspects of internet and smartphone use. They discuss the implications of excessive internet engagement, the challenges of self-reporting in psychological research, and the phenomenon of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). The conversation also touches on generational diff...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with Dr. Sarah Nelson, a leading researcher in gambling addiction who works at Harvard University. They discuss the complexities of gambling addiction, particularly in the context of the evolving landscape of sports gambling in the US. The conversation covers the challenges of accessing data for research, the regulatory environment, an...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with Danny Funt, author of 'Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.' They explore the rapid evolution of sports betting in the U.S., the shifting attitudes of sports leagues, the challenges of regulation, and the implications for public health. The conversation delves into the VIP experience in sports betting,...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer discuss the intersection of gaming and gambling, focusing on the evolution of loot boxes and their legal implications. Joined by Brett Abarbanel, they explore the psychological aspects of gaming addiction, market dynamics, and the future of gaming regulations. The conversation highlights the complexities of the gaming industry, the role of ga...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with Andrew Kim, a Canada research chair in addictions and mental health comorbidity. They explore the complex relationship between addictions and mental health, focusing on gambling, cannabis, and the role of poverty. The conversation delves into the motivations behind gambling, the impact of social determinants of health, and the nee...

Hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Hour engage in a deep conversation with David Hodgins, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary, about the complexities of gambling, its risks, and the development of lower risk gambling guidelines. We explore the differences between gambling harm and addiction, the profiles of individuals seeking help for gambling issues, and the normalisatio...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research at the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. We discuss various aspects of gambling, including responsible gambling, prediction tools, and the complexities of regulation. The conversation delves into the challenges of incentivising responsible behaviour, the ro...

First up, we are really delighted (not to mention warm and tingly) to announce the podcast’s first-ever sponsor. We welcome the magnificent Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) as our headline act! In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford engage with Brendan Bussman, a leading regulatory consultant, to explore the complexities of gambling regulation in the U.S. They discuss the di...

In the latest episode of our holistic look at all things addiction, we are joined by the excellent Travis Sztainert, director of research and education at the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). With Travis, Dr Auer and Jon discuss the organisation's mission to support gambling research and promote responsible gaming practices. Travis emphasises the importance of research integrity...

This week's episode sees Dr Auer and his extraordinary sidekick Jon Bruford meet The Digital Wellness Center’s Richardson Amartey. We explore the significance of micro breaks in altering moods, and the role of competition in enhancing engagement through leaderboards, among much, much more. Richardson Amartey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardson-amartey/ Addiction: An Hour With Auer...

We're back with another absolute blockbuster episode that you didn't even know you needed to hear! This time Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford are joined by Professor Paweł Atroszko of the University of Gdansk to discuss the concept of work addiction, its symptoms, assessment methods, and global prevalence. Paweł highlights the significant impact of socioeconomic factors and cultural perceptions on...

Join Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford for a weekly discussion about addiction in all its forms. In this episode, Kim Lund, CEO of Aftermath Interactive, discusses his journey in the gambling industry, the challenges of game design, and the importance of responsible gaming. He emphasises the need for intelligent analysis and critical questioning within the industry, particularly regarding addiction...

In this conversation, the brilliant Professor Sally Gainsbury joins Dr Auer and Jon to discuss the significance of effective message delivery over the content itself, emphasising the need for ecological validity in research settings, particularly in gambling studies. Oh, and much more! Choice quotes: "It's not the message, but it's how you deliver it." "You have to do it in applied setting." Chapt...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky, a leading expert in youth gambling issues. The conversation explores the increasing prevalence of gambling among young people, the challenges of research and data collection, and the impact of online gambling and sports betting. They discuss the normalisation of gambling in society, the influence of adverti...