In this episode of The Gambling Files podcast, hosts Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello explore various themes related to gambling, sports betting, and the upcoming World Cup. Joined by guest Jeevan Jeyaratnam from Abelson Sports, they discuss the adaptability of the brain, the importance of marketing in engaging casual bettors, and the evolving landscape of prediction markets. The conversation also touches on the ethical implications of celebrity involvement in betting and the strategies operators can use to attract and retain customers during major sporting events.

The things we talk about, but in a list:

1. The brain is incredibly adaptable, adjusting to new experiences like wearing contact lenses.
2. World Cup 2026 is expected to have a significant impact on North American sports betting.
3. Engaging casual bettors requires building narratives around less popular matches.
4. Prediction markets are gaining traction, but their long-term sustainability is uncertain.
5. Celebrity involvement in betting raises questions about ethics and insider information.
6. The importance of marketing strategies in the gambling industry cannot be overstated.
7. Casual bettors are more likely to engage with narratives and stories around games.
8. The betting landscape is evolving with new technologies and market dynamics.
9. Understanding customer behaviour is crucial for operators during major sporting events.
10. The future of sports betting will likely involve more integration of technology and data analytics.

Choice quotes:

1. "The brain is incredibly adaptable."
2. "World Cup 2026 will be a big deal."
3. "Engaging casual bettors is key."

Chapters (but add 30 seconds because of the music, probably)

1. 00:00 Introduction and New Format Exploration
2. 03:05 Contact Lenses and Vision Adjustments
3. 05:58 The Brain's Adaptability and Surgery Insights
4. 11:59 Podcast Sponsors and Marketing Insights
5. 14:54 Introducing the Guest and Podcast Evolution
6. 16:10 Introduction and Background of Abelson Sports
7. 22:10 The Impact of Major Sporting Events
8. 30:02 World Cup Dynamics and U.S. Engagement
9. 36:59 Betting Patterns and Market Engagement Strategies
10. 42:02 Emerging Trends in Betting and Customer Engagement
11. 43:19 The Rise of Prediction Markets
12. 45:51 Market Manipulation and Its Implications
13. 48:58 Impact of Non-Regulated States on Betting Markets
14. 50:51 Novelty Markets and Their Appeal
15. 55:58 The Future of Prediction Markets
16. 01:00:01 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Jeevan Jeyaratnam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeevan-jeyaratnam-abelsonodds/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago.

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do.

And the new members of the family, 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 Gambling Files podcast delves into the business side of the betting world. Each week, join Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello as they discuss current hot topics with world-leading gambling experts.

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