The Gambling Files

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 183), Jon and Fintan talk with the CEO of Transform Gaming. They discuss the company's mission to create safer, free-to-play casino-style games for problem gamblers. They also explore how new technology could be used to detect risky gambling behaviors and offer solutions that promote responsible gaming.

Today’s guest is Sina Azeri, a man on a mission to help problem gamblers by creating safer gaming environments. With a passion for innovative technology, Sina is reshaping the gaming industry, one player at a time.

Thanks to our new sponsor EveryMatrix and their OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions! Their cutting-edge platform provides competitive sports and esports coverage, real-time betting data, and industry-leading accuracy. Whether you're looking for a full sportsbook solution or just data feeds, they have you covered. We’re proud to have them supporting the podcast!

And thanks to our sponsor Optimove! If CRM software were a game of poker, Optimove would be holding a royal flush. You've taken us from folding under pressure to calling all the shots with your system. Thank you!

This episode in a nutshell:

* The growing problem of gambling addiction in the UK and worldwide.

* Sina and Transform Gaming’s free-to-play alternative for problem gamblers.

* Using touchscreen data to monitor emotional states and prevent risky behavior.

* A vision for social casino games that engage without aggressive monetization.

* How social casino gaming differs from real-money gambling in terms of user spending.

* The challenges of preventing relapses for self-excluded gamblers.

* Transform Gaming’s strategy of acquiring and consolidating social casino companies.

* Developing a fun and innovative gaming experience for free-to-play users.

* The importance of maintaining customer loyalty over quick profits.

Choice quotes:

* Sina Azeri: “Solutions [to problem gaming] won't just present themselves. You need to create them and test them to see if they work.”

* Sina Azeri: “We aim to work with gambling operators. When they determine that a user is showing problematic gaming behaviors, the operator can then promote our product, a free-to-play social casino game.” 

* Jon Bruford: “My beauty is on the inside.”

Thanks to Sina Azeri for being on the show! 

Learn more about Sina at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sina-azeri/ 

Learn more about Transform Gaming: https://transformgaming.com/ 

This podcast is presented by EveryMatrix. If you’re looking for sports data feeds and a feed aggregator, look no further than OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solution!

This podcast is also presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s frickin’ awesome.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ 

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com 

You bet, we thank our sponsor, Optimove! We hit the ultimate payout with Optimove! With their CRM software, you’re not just tracking customers—you’re managing high-rollers and casual gamers with the finesse of a blackjack dealer. Now you can double down on personalized offers and never worry about going bust. Thank you Optimove for stacking the deck in our favor!

Also big thanks to our sponsor Clarion Gaming and ICE Barcelona 2025 for not only keeping the gaming world connected 365 days a year, but also for making sure Jon and Fintan can keep talking about it! You guys really are the master key to this chaotic, wonderful gaming universe, and without you, we'd all be lost in a sea of buttons, screens, and confusing strategies. Thank you Clarion Gaming for being the champions of connection, and we’ll see you in Barcelona for ICE 2025! 

How do gambling companies balance VIP treatment with responsible gaming practices? Also, what role do gambling companies play in exacerbating addiction among high-rollers?

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 182), reporter Katherine Sayre of The Wall Street Journal returns to discuss her investigative reporting on gambling addiction within the high-roller VIP circles.

This episode in a nutshell:

* Katherine’s investigation into a psychiatrist's gambling addiction and the VIP treatment she received (link to the article below).

* VIP programs: When perks and bonuses cross the line.

* Differences in regulatory approaches between the U.S. and the UK/Europe.

* The role of state regulators in curbing gambling addiction.

* High-roller bettors and their influence on operator revenues.

* The fine line between entertainment and exploitation in gambling marketing.

* The growing scrutiny around sweepstakes casinos in the U.S.

* The rise of unregulated sweepstakes in the online casino space.

Choice quotes:

* Fintan Costello: “The VIP team play a very, very important part of every operator.” 

* Katherine Sayre: “Back in 2019, PointsBet reported internally that a half a percent of their sports betting customer base generated 70% of its revenue. So that stuck out to me as proof of how important high rollers are [to digital gambling platforms].”

* Katherine Sayre: “The gambling industry has always promised to do something about this [problem gambling]. It's [now] time to see how they are actually going to handle this.”

* Jon Bruford: “If gambling businesses say that they take responsible gambling seriously, and then don't, there's going to be repercussions—especially when it's part of their licensing.”

* Jon Bruford: “VIP high rollers and problem gamblers do share some commonalities in how they play.

But they also share them with money launderers, and that doesn't mean that every problem gambler is a money launderer.”

Thanks to Katherine Sayre for being on the show! 

Read Katherine Sayre’s The Wall Street Journal article, “A Psychiatrist Tried to Quit Gambling. Betting Apps Kept Her Hooked,” that was discussed in this episode: https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/gambling-addiction-sports-betting-apps-4463cde0 

Connect with Katherine at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesayre

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ 

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com 

Let’s take a spin and land on the perfect CRM marketing solution for iGaming—Optimove! Thanks to Optimove’s software, iGaming and Sports Betting operators can keep track of everything without rolling the dice. They make customer retention feel like hitting the jackpot every single day, and for that, we’re throwing confetti their way! 

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 181), Fintan interviews a seasoned affiliate marketer and entrepreneur to discuss his journey from building a successful bingo affiliate empire to founding BoostBox, a new AI-driven content creation tool for affiliates.

Today’s guest is Roo Wright. Roo’s love for all things tech and affiliate marketing shines through in his witty anecdotes and deep industry knowledge.

In a nutshell:

* Roo’s transition from affiliate marketing to building AI-driven tools.

* How BoostBox helps affiliates create optimized content faster.

* SEO’s future in an AI-driven world.

* How AI can assist affiliates with content, compliance, and conversions.

* The challenges smaller affiliates face in a competitive market.

* The balance between using AI tools and maintaining human oversight

Choice quotes:

* Roo Wright: “Use AI as a research tool and as the basis for your content. But never just copy it word for word.”

* Roo Wright: “We have generations of users who are familiar with Google and won’t change over to ChatGPT or other LLMs because—Why would they?”

* Fintan Costello: “If a new product is actually going to disrupt a core, existing product, then the new one doesn’t need to label itself as a disruptor.” 

Thanks to Roo Wright for being on the show! 

Connect with Roo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roowright/ 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s remarkable.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ 

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com

Have you ever needed a toaster that also walks your dog? Yeah, us neither (well, maybe Jon). But you know what you do need? Optimove’s awesome CRM marketing solution. Also, you definitely need to check out Clarion Gaming’s cool network and brands. They actually make useful stuff for gamers!

How has the integration of AI changed the landscape of online poker? What is the future of poker in a world where technology, regulation, and player behavior are constantly evolving?

In today’s episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 180), Fintan and Jon talk with poker legend Chris Straghalis about the evolution of poker, both online and live. They delve into the impact of technology, including AI and bots, on the game, while highlighting how poker's unique blend of skill and luck has contributed to its enduring appeal. Chris is the Director of Online Poker Experience at PokerStars. 

In a nutshell:

* Online poker faces unique challenges due to regulations, player liquidity, and the rise of AI tools.

* Live poker is experiencing a resurgence, with record-breaking events happening worldwide.

* The global player pool in online poker has shrunk due to the segmentation of regulated markets.

* Bots and AI are a growing challenge in online poker, but platforms like PokerStars are working hard to maintain fair play.

* The future of poker lies in embracing new formats and incorporating more excitement, like quick outcomes and high-risk, high-reward opportunities.

* Modern poker players increasingly focus on their physical and mental health to maintain an edge in the game, with many adopting strict routines and coaching.

Choice quotes:

* Fintan Costello: “Chris Straghalis is the poker expert's poker expert.”

* Chris Straghalis: “When you're playing a hand of poker, you're telling a story. A poker hand is a beautiful motif for a story.  It's got a beginning, a middle, and an end.” 

* Chris Straghalis: “Poker is a beautiful game because it's a perfect mix of skill and luck.”

* Fintan Costello: “If you can’t spot the idiot at the poker table, it's probably you.” 

* Jon Bruford: “No two games of poker are the same. No two hands of poker are the same.”

Thanks to Chris Straghalis for being on the show! 

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-straghalis-4587974/ 

Play poker games at PokerStars: https://www.pokerstars.com/ 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s tremendous.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ 

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com 

If we were forced to choose between Optimove and Clarion Gaming, we’d be screwed—because we can’t live without Optimove’s awesome CRM marketing solution or without Clarion Gaming’s cool network and brands. Hey sponsors, we see you, and we thank you.

Today’s guest is Isabelle Zanzer, a Regulatory Compliance Specialist and Sustainability Integrator with CompliancePlay, a regulatory consultancy firm for the iGaming industry. 

Isabelle discusses her unique approach to compliance, focusing on solutions rather than simply saying no, and how her team works to help businesses thrive while meeting regulatory requirements.

In a nutshell:

* Jon and Fintan yabber on about Jon’s new persona, the so-called “seagull effect” (which relates to a boss coming in, making a lot of noise, sh!tting over everything, and leaving), and whether they should get Cobra Kai tattoos. . 

* Isabelle shares her insights on "health washing," where companies pretend to act responsibly without addressing the core issues. She highlighted her research into this phenomenon within the gambling industry, discussing how gambling companies might be masking issues under the guise of responsible gambling.

* Isabelle shares insights from her ongoing PhD research on problem gambling in Ukraine during times of conflict, highlighting the impact of war on gambling behavior. 

* Can self-regulation work effectively in the gambling industry? Isabelle argues for a balanced approach that includes open dialogue between operators and regulators.

* There’s a need for companies to adopt proactive measures to stay ahead of regulatory changes and maintain good standing within the industry.

Choice quotes:

* Fintan Costello on proactive compliance in the iGaming industry:“You travel to where the puck is going, not to where it is. You need to be scanning the regulatory landscape, looking ahead to what’s coming next.”

* Isabelle Zanzer: “In times of war, every recognized comorbidity for gambling is increased massively. There's so much stress and uncertainty; it’s like a super magnifier for gambling problems.”

* Isabelle Zanzer on working in compliance: “I always tell clients, I’m not your mom, I’m not your wife. I’m not going to be like, ‘you have to do this, you have to do that.’ [But we are] here to help you.”

* Jon Bruford on self-regulation in the iGaming industry: “No industry is going to unilaterally agree to make changes across the board that it doesn't have to.”

Thanks to Isabelle Zanzer for being on the show! 

Connect with Isabelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-zanzer/ 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s astonishing.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ 

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com 

Fintan and Jon were this close to broadcasting from a cardboard box when Optimove and Clarion Gaming burst in with their sponsorships, amazing CRM marketing solution (Optimove), and awesome multi-platform network of live and digital brands (Clarion Gaming). They’re the real MVPs—Most Valuable Podcasters! 

How is artificial intelligence currently being used in gambling? Also, in the future, what do we have to look forward to (and to fear)? 

Your hosts spoke with two AI/gambling experts to get some answers. Joining us for this episode is Mark Flores Martin (CEO of XGENIA) and Adam Davis (CRO of XGENIA). Oh, and XGENIA develops AI-powered tools to create and deploy AI-generated online slot games and personalized gaming experiences for the iGaming industry.

In a nutshell:

* Currently in gambling, AI is used for entertainment-side story-building and video creation, and for taking over certain boring tasks like slot mathematics. 

* The guests and hosts talk about using AI ethically in the gambling industry. 

* AI will potentially revolutionize the gambling industry by enabling faster, more efficient game development and distribution. 

* What will be some of the practical implications of AI, including its role in entertainment and compliance? 

* Jon once again successfully and seamlessly sneaks the word “cromulent” into the conversation. 

Choice quotes:

* Mark Flores Martin: “One of my favorite sayings about Ai is: the moment we invent an AI that is smarter than us, it’ll be the last thing we invent.”

* Mark Flores Martin: “One of the current key issues for AI is that when people aren’t educated in prompt writing and how to write effective prompts.”

* Fintan Costello: “Technology should work for me, not the other way around—that’s my view on all technology.” 

* Jon Bruford: “If I'm walking up a big hill, I break it down into groups of four steps. I pull my hat low so that I can see four steps in front of me. Before I know it, I’m in the rhythm.”

* Jon’s ex-girlfriend: “Life's a cow. Then you realize you have a milk allergy.”

Thanks to Mark and Adam for being on the show! 

Visit XGENIA: https://www.xgenia.ai/ 

Mark Flores Martin, CEO of XGENIA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfm/ 

Adam Davis, CRO of XGENIA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamodavis/ 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s awesome.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ 

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com 

Just when Jon and Fintan thought they had run out of brilliant yet awkward banter, Optimove and Clarion Gaming swooped in and saved the day! Faster than a speeding bullet, more reliable than a Wi-Fi connection, they’re the hero sponsors we all need! 

Rosalind Wade is today’s guest. Roz is the CEO of Winna Media, which creates small, intimate, bespoke events that promote relationship building and networking (as compared to ginormous expos that often fail at actually building meaningful relationships between people).

In a nutshell:

* After talking about dehydrating beef in air fryers, various humorous anecdotes about using knives and spoons in various contexts, and a Simpsons joke, Jon and Fintan get down to business by discussing two epic war films: "The Longest Day" (1962) and "A Bridge Too Far" (1977). 

* When their guest comes on, Roz provides details on Thailand's decision to legalize casinos, the potential revenue it could bring to the tourism industry, and the goal of addressing the issue of illegal gambling.

* The upcoming Thai Entertainment Complex Summit, which is being held in December, in Bangkok, Thailand. You can register via: https://winnamedia.com/thai-entertainment-complex-summit/ 

* Roz discusses the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) situation in the Philippines, including the potential inquiry into the links between POGOs, drugs, and extrajudicial killings.

* The political and regulatory landscape in the Philippines, including the recent scandals and investigations.

* The potential for other Asian countries might follow similar regulatory changes, such as Cambodia's shutdown of gambling establishments.

Choice quotes:

* Rosalind Wade: “[Thailand] had a sort of lesson in international entertainment when Taylor Swift was recently in Singapore. And I think Thailand is now very determined to step up onto the global entertainment stage.” (Editor’s note: Singapore provided Taylor Swift a financial incentive to make the country the only stop in south-east Asia on her world tour.)

* Jon Bruford: “Malta is still a very popular tourist destination, but tourism tends to be a seasonal thing, whereas Malta has high gaming revenue all year round. And I'm pretty sure I know which one the Maltese government prefers.”  

* Rosalind Wade: “The Philippines is very resilient. Also, in terms of revenue, PAGCOR is actually the second biggest provider to the government tax coffers.” (Editor’s note: PAGCOR stands for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.)

Thanks to Rosalind Wade for being on the show! 

Connect with Roz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalind-wade-6376684/ 

Register for Roz’s Thai Entertainment Complex Summit in Bangkok: https://winnamedia.com/thai-entertainment-complex-summit/ 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s astonishing.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ 

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com 

Three cheers to the peeps at Optimove and Clarion Gaming for helping The Gambling Files Podcast share our wisdom directly into your earbuds or onto your screens. 

Today’s guest is Malcolm Wilkinson, the founder of We The Bookie, a socially responsible bookmaker. You might ask: How responsible are they? Well, at the end of each month, We The Bookie returns 50% of all gross revenue back to customers. 

In a nutshell:

* Jon learns that he’s got an avoidant attachment type of personality (whatever that is). 

* How Clayton Christensen’s book, The Innovator's Dilemma, relates to the gambling industry and today’s guest’s business, We The Bookie. 

* Launching We The Bookie in Ireland, with the intention of launching in a country that has an established betting market, including Paddy Power, the Irish gambling behemoth. 

* Malcolm explains how incumbent bookmakers may struggle to switch to a new model due to their cost structure and affiliate agreements.

* The challenges of raising funds for a startup in the gaming industry.

Choice quotes:

* Malcolm Wilkinson: “At the end of each month, We The Bookie gives half of the accumulated gross gaming revenue (GGR) back to our losing customers in direct proportion to their loss that month.” 

* Malcolm Wilkinson: “There's nothing really to stop a new company coming in and doing what We The Booking is doing. But incumbents would have a really hard time switching into this model because they weren't designed that way.” 

* Fintan Costello: “With punters, there's a point where odds aren't the most important thing. Convenience, service, and things like that can actually be way more important.” 

* Jon Bruford: “I'm generally optimistic. Otherwise, why would I get out of bed? But I do set the bar quite low.”

* Fintan said to Jon, “I wouldn't call you emotionally distant or unavailable.” And Jon replied, “I don't care.” 

Thanks to Malcolm Wilkinson for being on the show! 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s astonishing.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com 

Behind the scenes with gambling, what happened with the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship and England’s loss to Spain?

One of our wonderful sponsors—Optimove—provided us with this episode’s guest. But that doesn’t mean that we’re any less grateful to Clarion Gaming for also helping us bring you The Gambling Files Podcast. 

Optimove’s Jonathan Collins joins Fintan in the Gambling Files studio today. Our guest is a Strategic Services Team Leader at Optimove, a leading customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation platform that we unabashedly recommend to everyone, but especially you. 

(Co-host Jon Bruford missed this episode, but he’ll be back, don’t worry!) 

This episode in a nutshell:

* Yes, England’s heart is broken. Yes, Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, has stepped down. But what happened behind the scenes at Euro 2024 with gambling? 

* Query trends for big football tournaments are generally predictable

* Sports betting trends during the tournament, including deposits and bet amounts, and how the Italians generally don't like to bet on non-Italian teams at tournaments. 

* The popularity of weird Olympic sports like kayaking and canoeing.

* NFL betting trends. 

* HBO's Hard Knocks series and Netflix's Receiver documentary, and how they link with the NFL's popularity in America.

* How there is no clear second sport in America, with multiple sports having significant betting activity, including baseball, basketball, and soccer.

* There is some movement in women's basketball betting, driven by personalities like Caitlin Clark.

* The shift towards mobile-first betting platforms. 

Choice quotes by our guest:

* “We just saw a huge upswell of interest on the final [of Euro 2024]. For example, in Italy, there were 20% more betters on the final than any other day.”

* “Excluding England, we saw a decrease in terms of the average deposit amount and the number of depositors through the [2023 Euro] tournament after group stage games.” 

Choice quotes by Fintan: 

* “Bookies who aren’t official sponsors of the Olympics aren’t allowed to say the word ‘Olympics’ [in marketing and advertisements]. They’ve got to talk about, for instance, sport in Paris. So it’s tricky from a marketing perspective.” 

* “I always like to call the start of the NFL season, the start of gambling season. Everyone’s fired up. They're salivating. The numbers go up. Everything just gets more gambling—I just invented that word.” 

* “I was joking with a friend that I'm going to be watching the Olympics, sitting on my sofa, eating chocolate, and critiquing somebody's gymnastics routine.” 

Thanks to Jon Collins for being on the show! 

This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s remarkable.

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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR 

Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF 

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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The UK’s Gambling Commission recently released some statistics on the prevalence of problem and at-risk gambling. What do these stats mean? And how are these stats different from the results of previous studies? 

Returning to the show to discuss these messy numbers is Melanie Ellis, numbers whiz and gambling regulatory lawyer for Northridge Law. 

In a nutshell:

* Melanie shares insights on UK gambling industry's "sh!tty mess" of statistics and implications for casino operators.

* The Gambling Commission has switched from a phone survey to an online survey to measure problem gambling rates, with the new methodology yielding a rate of 2.5%.

* The Commission has cautioned against comparing the new rate with previous figures, citing risks of inaccuracy.

* The Gambling Commission's survey methodology is flawed and not representative of the gambling industry.

* Melanie expresses caution about new survey results, suggesting they may not accurately represent problem gambling rates.

* Problem gambling is a significant issue and needs actionable insights rather than perfect surveys.

* Will policymakers take action based on these survey results? 

* The gambling industry and the tobacco industry both cause harm and should both be restricted.

Choice quotes:

* “I think the NHS survey gives us a more representative result [on problem gamblers in the UK]. Whereas the Gambling Commission's survey has some self-selection bias, which is an issue.” — Melanie Ellis.

* “I think that policymakers will take the [Gambling Commission's] survey results with a grain of salt.” — Melanie Ellis.

* “The UK Gambling Commission is damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Whenever they release a survey, people always complain that they got it wrong and that it’s flawed.” — Fintan Costello.

* “One of the issues that both the UK Government and the Gambling Commission have had is that, because of bureaucracy, it takes so long for things to happen [to address problem gambling].”  — Jon Bruford.  

* “[The facial recognition tech on my phone] doesn't recognize me if I'm smiling. That tells you about my life, doesn't it?” — Jon Bruford

Thanks to Melanie Ellis for being on the show! 

Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-ellis/

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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.

Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

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Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast 

Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ 

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

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

Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ 

Chapters in this episode: 

8:45 UK casino industry, slot machines, and the upcoming ICE Barcelona 2015 event. 

15:17 Gambling industry statistics and technology. 

22:40 Gambling statistics and methodology changes. 

32:07 Gambling survey potential biases. 

36:47 Problem gambling rates. 

41:24 Gambling harm. 

53:10 Gambling industry's short-term focus. 

58:36 Gambling industry regulation. 

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com