The Gambling Files

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: 3 movies 3 books 3 albums 1 song 1 pet 1 object 1 dessert …and advice: one piece to give to his younger self, and one from his younger self to his older self. Walter is engaging as ever, and we hope you enjoy this offshoot epis...

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 r...

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 r...

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 thr...

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. Th...

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 br...

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, an...

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 strategi...

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...

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 curr...

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, h...

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 incr...

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 shou...

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 gam...

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 personalizatio...

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...

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 th...

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 c...

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 190), Motti Colman, VP of iGaming at Optimove, joins Fintan and Jon to explore the intersection of AI and the gambling industry. They discuss how predictive modeling and hyper-personalization are transforming marketing strategies, improving customer experiences, and addressing responsible gambling concerns.  In iGaming, players may think the big win is...

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 189), Alex Pratt of Clarion Gaming and Jon Bruford discuss the monumental task of moving ICE to Barcelona and creating a globally immersive gaming experience. A warm shoutout to EveryMatrix . Their OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions delivers cutting-edge solutions for sportsbook platforms and data feeds, offering real-time and highly accurate data...

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 188), Jon speaks with Paul Speirs-Hernandez about leadership, communication, and cultural transformation. Paul shares insights from his two decades in the gaming industry and his leadership training initiatives, highlighting the importance of positivity and adaptability in personal and professional growth.  Big thanks to EveryMatrix and their OddsMatri...

This episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 187) features a conversation with Matt Smith, the Director of External Affairs for Bet No More, who shares his personal journey of recovery from gambling and alcoholism.  Thanks to our amazing sponsor, EveryMatrix ! Their OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions provides an unmatched number of betting markets, combined with real-time data you can trus...

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 186), Leo Judkins, a performance coach and iGaming leader, joins Fintan and Jon to discuss self-care and sustainable performance in iGaming. He also shares practical tips on how to manage distractions, prioritize tasks, and build healthy habits to achieve both personal and professional success.  Shoutout to EveryMatrix for sponsoring this episode! Chec...

Join us in this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 185) for a fascinating conversation with Duncan Garvie, a true pioneer in the online gambling industry. From his early days with ThePOGG.com to his current work with Bet Blocker, Duncan talks about the evolving landscape of online gambling, and how we can create a safer and more responsible industry for all.  A huge thank you to our sponsor, Ev...

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 184), Jon Bruford and Fintan chat with Kate Chambers to discuss the science behind trade shows in the gaming industry. They explore the importance of evaluating trade show effectiveness, the changing landscape of events, and the power of partnerships and community.    We'd like to give a special shoutout to our sponsor, EveryMatrix , and to their OddsMatrix...