The Gambling Files

Why hello! Welcome to The Gambling Files podcast, sponsored by those fine folks at Clarion Gaming. Come and meet your hosts, Fintan Costello and Jon Bruford. Ah, here they come now; and you can hear Jon lure Fintan into a book-related trap using only a true story as bait [0:00 - 6:26]. Then we meet David Danzis, writer for PlayNJ.com, who explains why the supposed success story of Atlantic City's...

It's quite a long episode this week, but there's just the one so maybe you could listen in bite-sized chunks. Oh, and we also officially welcome our new corporate overlords podcast sponsor, Clarion Gaming. In the intro, Jon and Fintan discuss what's going on at the moment in the world and the industry, a glance at the UAE and InTouch issues that have popped up in the news, that kind of thing [0:00...

Slight change this week - no intro, as Fintan was just too busy and had too many chairman duties to perform; luckily Jon is nobody and was available. Phew! Jon is joined by EPIC Risk Management's Joanna Whitehall and Mark Potter to discuss the company's work in US college sports, and their recent announcement working with the Hippodrome in the UK to train staff on how to engage with people in diff...

In a late flurry after they realised neither one had booked a guest, Fintan and Jon discuss some of the industry's hot recent stories, starting with BetMGM - or is it MGMBet? - deciding to launch in the UK. What the... Also discussed are ICE relocating, plus Stephen King's books when he got sober, never having your phone off silent, and more.

First up, Fintan and Jon talk about stuff, and things, incuding the nascent football league in Saudi Arabia and what it might mean longer term [0:00 - 21:49]. Then they're joined by number one guest Steve Ruddock of Straight To The Point newsletter fame, who visits to get into the nitty-gritty of the ESPenN deal, and the recent WynnBET announcement. Steve is smart, knows the industry inside-out, a...

To kick off, Fintan and Jon discuss the freshly-announced deal for ESPN and Penn, and the Barstool angle, and Fintan has a new hero. Talk may wander around a few topics, including the actual content of Disney+, and what they've both watched recently [0:00 - 24:32]. Then they're joined by the mighty Tony Plaskow of Black Cow Technology, who has a jackpot product they can apparently put on anything....

Fintan and Jon discuss the recently-announced relocation of ICE to Barcelona from 2025 because, well, they're nothing if not crowd-followers [0:00 - 20:44]. Then Jon is joined by Kindred's Tom Banks to talk about the company's 0% proceeds from problem gamblers initiative, among other things [20:45 - 1:32:00]. Enjoy the episode!

First up, Jon and Fintan explain why Saipan is amusing to many Irish people, and talk about other bits and bobs [0:00 - 21:06]. Then it's time for Cody Luongo, who joins us from his Sharpr Newsletter, which explores the junction between gaming and gambling, and so inveitably hits eSports. But today we're talking about the story that Cody broke a couple of weeks ago about Roblox and illegal, under-...

Fintan and Jon talk some rubbish at the start; hang on, there might be something good in there. Might be worth a listen [0:00 - 21:15]. Then superstar guest Melanie Ellis, from Northridge (AKA The Artist Formerly Known As Northridge Law) joins them to discuss the recent news about the UK gambling white paper consultation and all that jazz. They talk affordability checks, Norwegian pastry (again!)...

First up, Jon and Fintan talk about stuff, and things [0:00 - 12:52]. Then, DeepCI's Lewis Civin joins Jon and Fintan to talk about the company's work in the affiliate space. It's a bit mindblowing – I mean, how often do you hear about really new stuff? [12:53 - 59:00] Also, TIN CUP, and the vagaries of New Zealand cinema crop up.

We kick off with Jon and Fintan talking nonsense [0:00 - 12:51] but then... drum roll please... Superstar guest Alex Dixon joins the chaps to discuss non-profit casinos in North America. Alex is the CEO at DRA, based in Dubuque, Iowa, and he's part of an organisation making this a reality [12:52 - 01:11:03]. It's a brilliant concept, and it's going to catch on, we reckon. We also talk about DE&I a...

We open with Jon and Fintan laughing quite a lot at Jon's Short Man Syndrome [0:00 - 17:01]. FINALLY the episode we have all been waiting for, Dan Stone of former corporate overlords Sportingtech! Dan talks about his 'career' to date, his time in events, and much much more [17:02 - 1:30:35]. Jon shares some stories from when he used to drink and all conclude it's probably best that he doesn't drin...

Jon and Fintan talk bits and bobs to begin with [0:00 - 16:34], including a bit of this and that; then they are joined by superstar German lawyer Michelle Hembury of Melchers, who discusses changes afoot in German gambling law and regulation, plus the ripples from recent happenings in Malta, and mass suits against gambling companies [16:35 - 59:11]. Jon also tells a couple of fairly crappy jokes.

Fintan and Jon discuss stuff and things, and Jon doesn't tell any discriminatory jokes because he's an adult [0:00 - 16:54] We – well, Jon – welcome John Holden, Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University, to discuss that alarming tax number that came out of Kansas post-Super Bowl, how this happens and how it blots the industry's otherwise blemish-free record; we also discuss sports stadia,...

After some meaningful waffle and flim-flammery [0:00 - 23:38], Fintan and Jon are joined by the ebullient Ollie Ring, the man behind the @esprouts substack and newsletter. Ollie talks about some of the more interesting/peculiar 'sponsorships' in the space, and some of the controversy around esports. He cuts through the bluster, and also tells us a bit about his project. It's good [23:39 - 1:03:38]...

First off, Jon and Fintan talk guff [0:00 - 10:54] but it's mercifully brief. Then the chaps are joined by ClearStake CMO Tom Farrell, who Fintan worked with in a past life. Tom discusses... Well, lots of stuff, but onboarding issues, banking issues, open banking, that kind of thing. You get the idea. [10:55 - 54:00]

So, Jon and Fintan in the intro, as ever [0:00 - 17:42] but then Jon has to leave as his hair transplant is not taking root as it should; the guy Fintan recommended isn't what he was led to believe, despite sterling work on Fintan. Then the excellent and very knowledgeable Antti Koivula, legal advisor at Legal Gaming Attorneys At Law, talks to Fintan about what's going on in the country. Spoiler a...

In this HUGE landmark episode, Fintan and Jon are joined by a very special guest in the form of Gavin Isaacs. Well, kind of. Hang on. So, Fintan and Jon recorded the intro, the usual frippery [0:00 - 20:06], but Fintan is sadly missing from the talk with Gavin as he was simply too 'ill' to be able to do the recording. Everyone involved understood and were both forgiving and empathetic to his pligh...

Jon and Fintan kick off discussing the recent OpenBet/Neccton deal, and Jon's sudden free time [0:00 - 14:45]. We are then joined by corporate overlord Paul Sculpher of www.grs-recruit.com (for all your gambling industry recruitment needs) [14:46 - 1:15:50] who discusses the tightening of table odds in Las Vegas, and why it happens, what it means for the odds, and player perception. And lots of ot...

First up, Jon rambles. Like, really rambles. Starts with The Matrix and winds up with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the under-appreciated movie not the series. Yeah. Go figure [0:00 - 17:47]. Then in a week of episodes on a single theme (LEGENDS), the chaps are joined by Pierre Lindh, co-founder and Managing Director at iGaming NEXT, and we talk rather predictably about running. We do talk about o...

This week's intro features Jon and Fintan discussing a reader-proposed idea that firms could be taxed on the proportion of staff in the taxing country to promote hiring and keeping skilled teams in the licensed country. Would it work? We find out, kind of [0:00 - 20:38]. Then up steps the venerable Will Woodhams, CEO of everyone's favourite bookmaker and more, Fitzdares. If ever bookmaking were se...

This episode – powered by Gaming Recruitment Solutions ( www.grs-recruit.com ) and driven by Cole Trickle's natural heirs, +More Media - sees Fintan and Jon tackle Disney+, Jon confesses his Macau photobombing hobby, and much more [0:00 - 22:21]. Then the fellows are joined by publishing overlord Scott Longley as he checks in to make sure they're working. Scott also talks the recent spate of earni...

In Fintan's absence we do away with (most of) the usual blather and invite proper, serious political reporter Patrick Svitek of The Texas Tribune on. Patrick kindly explains the ins and outs of Texas law, and why we won't see movement there for casinos before the decade's end, though mobile sports betting may come a little sooner [0:00 - 42:32]. As always thanks to our publishing overlords +More M...

Fintan and Jon begin by talking about the state of modern journalism. Well, Jon does and he might rant a little bit [0:00 - 13:20]. Then the chaps are joined by the ever-eloquent Frank Op de Woerd, of CasinoNieuws.nl fame. Frank brings us up to date about what's going on in the country, changes to legislation that are coming in to play now and problematic areas to be considered [13:21 - 50:59]. Fr...

No Fintan for the intro so Jon updates on his dog's digestion [0:00 - 2:35], then Fintan magically reappears for the interview with Light & Wonder's Kimberly Cohn. Kim talks the chaps through her animation career then her path into gaming, and brings them up to date; she talks about what makes games a success, what she brings to the table and much more [2:36 - 58:17]. Special thanks to our beloved...