Addiction: An Hour With Auer

Woah, get us – we’re back! Again! A day late, admittedly, but we think we can put this down to Jon getting dumped (again). I mean, when the common factor in a string of disastrous relationships is you, you’ve got to start thinking at some point… Luckily, I don’t think he reads these notes, so let’s just keep this between us, right?

Anyway, the episode – brought to you by those titans at GLI!

Clinical psychologist and gambling researcher Jakob Jonsson joins hosts Jon Bruford and Dr Michael Auer to discuss problem gambling, its overlapping causes, and prevention. They examine Sweden’s self-exclusion system, the promise and risks of industry-funded research, and how regulation and player protections can reduce harm.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

What we talk about but made to look even sexier thanks to some bullet points:

• Jakob Jonsson’s work spans clinical treatment, research into preventing problem gambling, and collaboration with gambling companies.
• Gambling disorder can precede anxiety or depression, worsen pre-existing conditions, or occur alongside alcohol problems and other addictions; treatment-seeking patients may not represent all people affected.
• Jonsson discusses the Blaszczynski and Nower three-pathway model: behaviourally conditioned, emotionally vulnerable, and impulsive pathways.
• Sweden’s central Spelpaus self-exclusion system had about 130,000 people registered out of a population of roughly 10 million; Jonsson says it can help, though excluded players may still access unregulated sites.
• Jonsson supports carefully governed industry collaboration because operators can provide real-world behavioural data and a setting to test interventions, while emphasizing academic freedom and the risk of influence.
• Examples of interventions discussed include personalized feedback, play-break durations, limits, affordability checks, and testing how customers experience protective measures.
• Jonsson argues operators have a duty to care for their customers and that claims customers will migrate elsewhere do not excuse weak protections; he favours tougher regulation.
• The hosts explore whether broader behavioural profiling could identify risk, while noting that different pathways make a universal screening approach unlikely.
• A historical example from Svenska Spel suggests customers may respond more positively to required limits in practice than they predict in advance.
• The conversation briefly turns to online poker’s decline, including the need for a large player pool, changing legislation, and the economics of casino space.

Chapters, but add some time because of the ad read and the music. Did you know Dr Auer wrote and recorded the music all by himself? I KNOW RIGHT:

• 00:00 A birthday chat, strength goals, and introducing Jakob Jonsson
• 03:33 A psychologist’s three roles in gambling harm prevention
• 05:33 Comorbidity: when gambling problems coexist with other difficulties
• 07:58 Three pathways into problem gambling
• 09:24 Why gambling can create problems, not just accompany them
• 12:09 Sweden’s 130,000 self-exclusions and the unregulated market
• 14:57 The benefits and risks of industry-linked research
• 18:18 Understanding what gambling does for a person
• 20:28 Testing interventions with real-world player data
• 23:09 Operator responsibility, regulation, and customer migration
• 27:07 Could broader behavioural questions flag risk?
• 30:04 Affordability checks, friction, and customer experience
• 33:31 Limits at signup: what customers say versus what they do
• 35:10 Why online poker lost its former momentum
• 38:46 Swedish football favourites and the episode’s close

Jakob Jonsson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakob-jonsson-sustainable-interaction/

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

Another winning episode of Addiction, brought to you by the titans at GLI…

Researcher Andrea Stašek joins hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer to examine how behavioural addictions are defined and measured, especially gaming disorder and problematic social media use. They discuss a study of roughly 33,000 adolescents across 10 countries, why symptom-level analysis matters, and the challenge of separating intense engagement from genuine impairment.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Things we talk about, but in a list:

• Andrea Stašek describes her work on defining and measuring behavioural addictions in digital contexts.
• Why clear conceptual definitions must come before screening tools, diagnosis, or intervention.
• How diagnostic labels and public language shift over time, with examples including hysteria, ADHD, trauma, and addiction.
• A study using data from about 33,000 adolescents across 10 countries examined gaming, social media use, well-being, loneliness, and psychosomatic symptoms.
• Network analysis mapped symptom-level connections; the cross-sectional design shows associations, not cause and effect.
• Escapism emerged as a possible bridge between well-being and loneliness measures and problematic gaming or social media symptoms.
• Stašek estimates clinically significant gaming disorder may affect around 1% of adults and perhaps 1-3% of adolescents, while emphasising measurement uncertainty.
• The distinction between heavy gaming and disorder centres on functional impairment and negative consequences, not hours alone.
• The hosts and guest discuss youth phone use, parental role modelling, school phone restrictions, and personal differences in susceptibility.

Choice quote:

“Today we have some kind of social media, ten years from now I guess there will be a different mechanism.”

Chapters, but add a chunk to this because of the intro and the ad read…

• 00:00 Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer introduce the show
• 04:04 Andrea Stašek’s work on digital behavioural addiction
• 06:18 Why defining a disorder comes before measuring it
• 12:00 How social norms and diagnostic categories change
• 16:09 Social media, self-diagnosis, and labels losing precision
• 27:58 A 33,000-adolescent study across 10 countries
• 31:08 Network analysis maps symptoms, not causes
• 34:17 Escapism as a link between well-being and problematic use
• 38:04 How common is gaming disorder, and what counts as impairment?
• 43:12 The 12-month diagnostic window and changing symptoms
• 50:08 Phone restrictions, parenting, and modelling healthy use
• 59:53 Personal responsibility and managing risk

Andrea Stašek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-stasek-psych/

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

In this episode of everyone’s absolutely definitely favourite addiction research-related podcast, hosts Dr Michael Auer – who is inexplicably quiet on this one, not sure how that happened because he sounded fine when we hit ‘record’ – and Jon Bruford (who probably sounds disproportionately loud this episode) explore the fascinating world of prediction markets, their potential for social good, and the risks of gambling harm. Our guest Glenn Yamagata, who serves on the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling, shares insights from his research on how these markets operate, their regulation, and their impact on society.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Things we talk about, presented in a list:

• The origins and evolution of prediction markets
• The dual role of prediction markets in social good and gambling harm
• Legal and regulatory challenges for prediction markets
• The impact of prediction markets on society and finance
• The influence of digitization and technology on prediction markets
• The role of prediction markets in information gathering and risk management

Choice quotes:

• "Two things can be true at once."
• "Prediction markets can serve many different functions."
• "The big risk is expanding the population of people gambling."

Chapters, but add a bit of time because of our ad read and the lovely music. Did you know that Michael wrote, performed and recorded the theme music himself? True story.

• 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
• 03:55 Guest background and academic journey
• 08:01 Prediction markets and their functions
• 14:54 Gambling-related harm and social benefits
• 22:11 Legal and regulatory landscape
• 30:02 Prediction markets in finance and investment
• 40:14 The impact of digitization and technology
• 50:00 Future outlook and societal implications
• 01:00:13 Closing remarks and guest farewell (although honestly, there’s probably 15 more minutes after this.)

The OCPG on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oregoncouncil/

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

In this blockbusting episode of everyone’s favourite* addiction-related podcast, we explore the complexities of gambling behaviour, risk thresholds, and the psychological mechanisms behind decision-making and risk management. Top guest Jussi Palomäki is a cognitive scientist and gambling harm researcher, and shares insights on how understanding the brain's response to risk can inform better policies and personal choices.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

*The opinion of the hosts’ mothers is as valid as anyone’s. But yes, we are playing fast and loose with the word ‘everyone’ here.

Things we talk about, dressed up to look all nice in a list:

• Risk thresholds in gambling and their empirical basis
• The role of cognitive biases and illusions in gambling behaviour
• The importance of neurobehavioural literacy for responsible gambling
• Impact of market changes and regulation on gambling harm
• The concept of lower risk gambling guidelines and their practical application

Choice quotes:

• "State monopoly allows for serious player protection."
• "Market saturation may not linearly increase harm."
• "Increasing neurobehavioral literacy can reduce shame."

Chapters, but add maybe 45 seconds or so because of our beautiful music and ad read:

• 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
• 07:59 Finland’s gambling market and the end of the state monopoly
• 11:01 Slot machine availability and gambling behaviour
• 14:03 Monitoring gambling participation and gambling harm
• 16:30 Online casino gambling and market saturation
• 17:34 Lower-risk gambling thresholds and empirical data
• 20:57 How lower-risk guidelines should be communicated
• 25:11 Comparing gambling risks with rock climbing and other activities
• 29:02 Preparation and risk mitigation in high-risk activities
• 31:25 Gambling mechanics, reward systems, and manipulation
• 33:34 Education and neurobehavioural literacy
• 36:02 Individual differences in susceptibility to cognitive biases
• 36:30 Visual illusions and risk perception
• 38:46 Cognitive biases, the gambler’s fallacy, and education
• 41:07 Defining problem gambling and gambling harm
• 43:08 Measuring harm and the limitations of gambling thresholds
• 45:40 Closing discussion and future topics
• 45:59 Prospect theory and behavioural economics

Jussi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jussi-palomäki-3bb24228/

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford meet Dr Jim Whelan to explore the intersection of gambling research, treatment, regulation, and marketing. Jim – of the University of Memphis – delves into how data-driven approaches are transforming gambling treatment and responsible gambling initiatives, and much more. Oh, and Jon has a sore throat. All his own fault.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Things we talk about, in a list:

• Gambling treatment and research in Tennessee
• The role of data and measurement in treatment efficacy
• Challenges and opportunities in gambling regulation
• Marketing strategies for responsible gambling
• Impact of online sports betting on gambling behaviour
• Comorbidity and personalised treatment approaches

Choice quotes:

• “I don't put the seatbelt on because I think I'm gonna get in an accident.”
• “Get them in the door, keep them in the door, and send them on their way with a toolkit that might help them afterwards.”
• “Who needs what, when?”

Chapters, but add a bit because of the music and intro:

• 00:00 – Welcome, voice jokes, and the therapy discussion
• 04:17 – Meet Dr. Jim Whelan
• 05:36 – Tennessee’s treatment and research partnership
• 07:04 – Clinics, telehealth, and treatment research
• 09:57 – Precision treatment: who needs what, and when?
• 13:01 – Marketing treatment and future-self messaging
• 16:47 – Tennessee’s gambling landscape
• 19:32 – Prevalence data and research limitations
• 26:48 – How gambling tax revenue funds treatment
• 36:24 – Why gamblers distrust operator-led messaging
• 42:18 – Safe gambling versus problem gambling
• 45:14 – Comorbidity and measurement-based care
• 50:38 – Nature, nurture, and gambling risk
• 52:05 – Online sports betting and sports integrity
• 56:56 – Regulation, transparency, and the case for change

Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-whelan-b9b45487/

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford welcome Dr. Ayan Orujov from the University of Liverpool to discuss the impact of sports betting legalisation on suicide rates in the US, the challenges of prediction markets, and the intersection of gambling and behavioural psychology. He’s pretty awesome.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Things we discuss, in a list:

• Impact of sports betting legalisation on suicide rates
• Challenges in prediction market regulation
• Behavioural patterns in gambling and trading
• Legal and regulatory landscape of US gambling
• Data collection and research in gambling studies

Choice quotes:

• "Legalisation of sports betting affects suicide rates."
• "Prediction markets face regulatory and legal hurdles."
• "Gambling and investment are increasingly intertwined."

Chapters, but add thirty seconds or so because of our intro:

• 00:00 Introduction and episode overview
• 02:41 Guest introduction: Dr. Ayan Orujov and his background
• 05:07 Region-specific gambling industry insights from Azerbaijan and Liverpool
• 10:11 Dr. Ayan Orujov’s research on gambling and suicide rates
• 17:33 Analysis of the effects of sports betting legalization in the US
• 22:23 Comparison of gambling research across different countries
• 26:09 Differential effects of gambling on various demographic groups
• 31:08 Research methodologies and data collection challenges
• 36:37 Perception of sports betting among Gen Z and young people
• 42:23 Prediction markets, regulation, and legal challenges
• 48:17 Future legal battles and the role of tribes and states
• 55:10 Psychological aspects of gambling and investment perceptions

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

Ayan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayan-orujov-3b403099/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

This episode – brought to you by GLI! – we meet Rachel Volberg, retired research professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and president of Gemini Research, as she reflects on more than four decades studying gambling behaviour and gambling harms. The conversation moves from the long-running Massachusetts casino impact study to the shift toward public health framing, sports betting regulation, and how lottery products keep evolving. Hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford steer the discussion through policy, measurement, and the practical realities of research, including why baseline data matters and why the field still struggles to define and detect harm consistently.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Stuff we discuss, in a list :

• Rachel explains how she led the Massachusetts study on the social and economic impacts of casino gambling, a project that ran from 2013 to 2025 and was tied to the 2011 casino legalization statute.
• She breaks down the Massachusetts casino rollout across three regions, including Plainridge Park, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor.
• Rachel describes how Encore Boston Harbor had to pivot after Chinese outbound gambling travel was restricted, forcing the property toward a more local market.
• She shares how her work expanded beyond casinos to include COVID-era gambling changes and the early impacts of sports betting in Massachusetts.
• Michael asks how the field has shifted from problem gambling language to a broader harm-based public health approach, and Rachel explains that the study covered both social harms and economic flows.
• Rachel details why Massachusetts is unusual: host communities voted on casino proposals, the law created funding for problem gambling services, and annual research was required.
• She and Michael discuss how most U.S. gambling data is still state by state, with no national prevalence survey comparable to what exists in the UK.
• Rachel reflects on how she entered gambling research in 1985 through an evaluation of one of the first treatment programs for problem gambling in the U.S.
• She explains the importance of validated screening tools like the South Oaks Gambling Screen and later the PPGM, especially the difference between screening and diagnosis.
• Jon and Rachel explore the limits of self-report data, the challenge of recall bias, and why gambling harm is broader than just a small group of “problem gamblers.”
• The conversation turns to sports betting, including how informal betting long predated legalization and why regulation in the U.S. is still fragmented.
• Rachel and Jon discuss lottery products, instant tickets, pull tabs, and how game design increasingly resembles slot-like behaviour with high-frequency play and immediate reinforcement.

Chapters, but add about 30 seconds or so because of the music and all that magic:

• 00:00 - Opening banter and introduction of Rachel Volberg
• 02:35 - How the Massachusetts casino impact study was built
• 04:46 - Three casino regions and the rollout of Massachusetts gaming
• 06:46 - COVID, sports betting, and the study’s unusually long time span
• 07:43 - Encore Boston Harbor’s market pivot after Chinese travel restrictions
• 10:16 - Growing up in Ghana and Switzerland shaped Rachel’s worldview
• 13:27 - A sociology background that led into survey research
• 14:30 - Why the study title focused on social and economic impacts
• 15:59 - How Massachusetts gave communities a real voice in casino siting
• 19:30 - Local hiring, local spending, and community reinvestment effects
• 22:12 - Waste reduction and the casino’s wider community footprint
• 26:44 - Entering gambling research through a New York treatment evaluation
• 28:12 - The first validated problem gambling screen in a prevalence survey
• 29:41 - Why prevalence surveys spread across the U.S. state by state
• 32:19 - Massachusetts as an unusual case with annual research funding
• 33:24 - Sports betting legislation and the lack of research funding elsewhere
• 35:47 - No U.S. state mandates player limit setting
• 36:46 - A study now underway on play management tools in Massachusetts
• 40:31 - Why college sports create a uniquely difficult U.S. gambling issue
• 43:50 - The problem of missing baseline data in many jurisdictions
• 44:49 - Massachusetts baseline data and what changed by 2021
• 46:32 - Informal betting, Nevada, and the long U.S. history of sports wagering
• 49:46 - Cohort studies and what follow-up work revealed in New Zealand
• 51:30 - Why many people reduce gambling without seeking treatment
• 53:22 - Screens versus diagnoses and the need for better clinical screening
• 56:42 - The measurement problems behind identifying gambling harm
• 58:34 - Why the PPGM uses control and harm as separate dimensions
• 60:20 - Prediction, regulation, and the mismatch between risk tools and policy goals
• 61:57 - Gambling harm as a broader spectrum than problem gambling alone
• 63:02 - How lottery games evolved toward slot-like features
• 66:57 - Massachusetts online lottery launch and responsible gambling tools
• 69:00 - Pull tabs, scratch cards, and the psychology of visible odds
• 71:16 - Why uncertainty is central to gambling behaviour
• 72:00 - Closing remarks

Choice quotes:

• “I think I have more than 70 prevalence surveys that I've done over my career.”
• “There’s no breathalyzer test for problem gambling.”
• “It’s not that you’ve got 1% or 2% of the population classified as problem gamblers. It’s that you’ve got 10% of the population that’s experienced one or more harms.”
• "Casinos can be drivers for community growth."
• "Gambling harms extend beyond problem gamblers."
• "Without baseline data, impact assessment is difficult."

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelvolberg/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

In this episode, Dr. Shane Kraus discusses behavioural addictions, including gambling, sex, and disordered eating, especially in military populations. We explore the psychological mechanisms, risk factors, and potential interventions for these complex issues with hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Some of the things we talk about, in a list:

• Behavioural addictions and their classifications
• The impact of military service on addiction risk
• Role of technology in addiction escalation
• Screening and intervention strategies for behavioural health
• The importance of education and self-awareness in prevention

Choice quotes:

• "Short term goals are important for longevity."
• "Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder is a mouthful."
• "Addiction is loss of control."

Chapters – but add 40 seconds or so because of the music…

• 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
• 02:01 The story of Tucker The Man in His Dream and its influence
• 07:08 Understanding compulsive sexual behaviour disorder
• 11:58 Addiction as a coping mechanism in military personnel
• 20:00 Screening, regulation, and the role of technology in gambling
• 29:52 Resilience, nurture vs. nature, and behavioural health in military contexts
• 40:14 The impact of online content and attention economy on addiction
• 49:58 Strategies for early intervention and responsible gambling
• 01:00:01 The future of research and regulation in behavioural addictions
• 01:10:02 Closing thoughts and future directions

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

Shane on the UNLV site: https://www.unlv.edu/people/shane-kraus

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

Join us as we explore the complex world of gambling addiction through personal stories, industry perspectives, and practical insights. This episode highlights the importance of awareness, harm prevention, and the societal factors influencing addictive behaviours. Hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford are joined by recovering addict Saul Malek, who speaks candidly about his personal journey and the risks for young people in modern America.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Things we talk about include:

• Personal narrative of gambling addiction and recovery, including online sports betting experiences
• The cultural and social environment of gambling, including college campuses and sports culture
• Industry challenges and potential strategies for harm prevention, including education and regulation
• The role of community, online platforms, and peer support in recovery efforts
• Specific vulnerabilities among youth, athletes, and college students related to gambling
• The Egyptian goddess of hedgehogs. It’s REAL.

Chapters, kind of, but add 40 seconds or so for the beautiful music:

• 00:02 - Welcome and episode overview
• 01:15 - Host's 'humorous' reflection on podcast branding
• 02:00 - Introduction of Dr. Michael Auer
• 02:17 - Discussion on favourite Schwarzenegger films
• 03:12 - Commentary on remakes and film interpretations
• 04:11 - Analysis of "Starship Troopers" as an anti-war and anti-fascism film
• 05:01 - Insights into the appeal of gambling and its social aspects
• 11:10 - Saul Malek discusses his background and recovery from online sports betting addiction
• 12:31 - Early experiences with gambling during college
• 15:28 - The escalation to higher stakes and online gambling dynamics
• 20:01 - The role of peer groups and isolation in gambling behavior
• 21:26 - Recognition of gambling problems via family intervention
• 25:02 - The cultural and demographic aspects of recovery groups
• 30:36 - Digital advancements and preventive measures in gambling platforms
• 58:31 - Cultural tangent: Egyptian goddess of hedgehogs

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

Saul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulmalek/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/

In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford are joined by Lorraine Perrons and Claire Jones, co-founders of Gambling Recovery Therapy. In conversation we explore innovative approaches to treating gambling addiction and phobias through hypnotherapy, the importance of commitment, and the journey of building effective therapy frameworks. Lorraine and Claire share their insights on remote therapy, trust-building, and personalised treatment strategies.

This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International.

GLI is a world-class testing, inspections and certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.

For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

Things we talk about, in list form:

• Hypnotherapy for addiction and phobias
• The importance of client commitment and trust
• Remote therapy effectiveness and setup
• Uncovering subconscious trauma
• Personalized treatment plans and tools
• Building emotional regulation skills
• The role of values and beliefs in change
• Handling emotional crises and safeguarding protocols
• Training and practice in hypnotherapy
• Innovative programs for affected others

Chapters – but add 45 seconds maybe because of our beautiful music:

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
• 02:53 The Impact of Hypnotherapy on Phobias
• 06:00 Understanding Commitment in Therapy
• 09:05 The Role of Hypnotherapy in Gambling Recovery
• 11:58 Client Profiling and Session Structure
• 15:02 The Challenges of Affected Others
• 17:52 Identifying Underlying Issues in Gambling Addiction
• 21:14 The Journey to Hypnotherapy
• 24:02 Practicing Hypnotherapy and Building Confidence
• 35:02 The Power of Hypnosis and Pets
• 38:04 Understanding Hypnosis: Myths and Realities
• 38:50 The Role of Susceptibility in Hypnosis
• 41:10 Remote Hypnosis: Setting and Protocols
• 43:04 Addressing Gambling Addiction: A Holistic Approach
• 44:49 Innovative Programs for Affected Others
• 48:00 Building Trust in Therapeutic Relationships
• 53:59 Navigating Trauma and Emotional Reactions
• 01:00:01 Personalized Therapy: Goals and Outcomes

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

Gambling Recovery Therapy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gamblingrecoverytherapy/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/

Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world.

Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/