The Gambling Files

First off, thanks - big, big thanks - to our sponsors Clarion Gaming and the excellent BWise Media, new kids on the block for sponsors and we will tell you more about them next episode...

The chaps kick off with Jon talking about his dream of seeing The B-52s in Vegas, plus talk of the disturbing issues reported in Australia with gambling issues in young people, in ammong the usual babble and burble [0:00 - 26:43].

High-flying Las Vegas lawyer Jen Gaynor (of jgaynorlaw.com) joins Jon and Fintan to discuss what's going on in the world's gambling capital. This includes but is not limited to: 

• The strike
• The Sphere
• F1
• Super Bowl
• Hacking 
• Stadiums
• Fontainebleu

It's a lot. And it's all good [26:44 - 1:17:57]. 

"All fantasy sports products are sports betting, but not all sports betting is fantasy sports." - Steve Ruddock

We kick off with a conversation about corporate overlords Clarion Gaming and how a non-bouncy floor is conducive to a happy gaming event [0:00 - 17:18], among other things of course. And we allude to something Fintan learns in the upcoming talk: did you know what a proboscis is? 

Then Jon and Fintan speak with Steve Ruddock about complexity of online gambling laws in the US, which vary from state to state. They also explore the legal gray area of sweepstakes casinos and the ongoing debates surrounding the legality of online sports betting and fantasy sports in states like Florida. The conversation highlights the need for regulators to update and clarify laws to keep up with the rapidly evolving gambling industry [17:19 - 1:06:29].

Key Takeaways:

• Online gambling laws in the United States are complex and vary from state to state.
• Sweepstakes casinos operate in a legal gray area, using sweepstakes laws to offer casino-style games.
• The legality of online sports betting and fantasy sports is still being debated in many states, including Florida.
• Regulators need to update and clarify laws to keep up with the rapidly evolving gambling industry.

Fintan's only in the intro on today's podcast because, well, you know [0:00 - 18:44]. Then Jon is joined by the most excellent Em Stroud, Corporate Clown Coach and co-founder of Laugh Think Play. Em joins the podcast to discuss the importance of bringing play, joy, and wonder into the business world. She shares her unique perspective as a clown and coach, helping individuals and companies improve their wellbeing and create a more positive and authentic culture. Em emphasises the significance of being fully present and engaged in the moment, as well as the need for authenticity and meaningful change in organizational culture [18:45 - 1:07:27].

Stuff we learned:

• Play, joy, and wonder can have a profound impact on individuals and organisations, improving wellbeing and creating a more positive culture.
• Being fully present and engaged in the moment is a key aspect of play, allowing individuals to experience joy and creativity.
• Cultivating a sense of play and connection in the workplace can lead to increased collaboration, creativity, and overall happiness.
• Authenticity is crucial in creating meaningful change in organizational culture.
• HR systems often focus on grievances and complaints, neglecting the importance of praise and joy in the workplace.
• By giving people genuine options to feel better every day, organisations can create a positive and thriving work environment.

More AI joy! I mean it's just SO GOOD. Anyway, Fintan and Jon blah blah, hasn't read the book, bad neighbour [0:00 - 8:45] But then they meet: 

Luka Pataky, Senior Vice President for Automated Content at Sportradar. He leads a team that focuses on creating AI algorithms and computer vision technology to extract data from video content and generate raw data for various sports applications.

Summary:

Luka Pataky, Senior Vice President for Automated Content at Sportradar, discusses the use of AI and computer vision in sports data collection and analysis. He explains how his team uses deep learning algorithms to extract data from video content and create raw material for various sports applications. Luka also highlights the importance of providing more data and insights to engage fans and improve their sports experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Sportradar uses AI and computer vision to extract data from video content and generate raw material for various sports applications.
• The focus is on creating more data and insights to engage fans and improve their sports experiences.
• Micro betting and augmented streaming are two exciting areas where AI and computer vision can enhance the sports industry.
• Sportradar works closely with federations, leagues, and teams to ensure the ethical and responsible use of data in sports.

Check it out – we're trying out some AI stuff for making the notes and everything! 

In the intro, the handsome one – Jon – talks to his inferior and less manly colleague, Fintron, about some things [0:00 - 11:36].

Then we meet Ben Dellaca, Group CEO of Ruby Play, a New Zealand-based gaming company. Ben has extensive experience in the gaming industry and is passionate about creating responsible and user-friendly gaming experiences.

Summary: Ben Dellaca, the Group CEO of Ruby Play, joins the podcast to discuss the company's focus on creating responsible and user-friendly gaming experiences. They talk about the challenges of making games more responsible and cutting back on microtransactions and loot boxes. Ben shares insights into the world of social casinos and how they offer real money outcomes through sweepstakes. He also discusses the importance of considering the impact of gaming on players, especially in the context of children and vulnerable individuals.

Key Takeaways:

• Ruby Play is focused on creating responsible and user-friendly gaming experiences.
• The company is exploring ways to cut back on microtransactions and loot boxes in order to make games more responsible.
• Social casinos offer real money outcomes through sweepstakes, providing a unique gaming experience.
• It is important to consider the impact of gaming on players, especially children and vulnerable individuals.

Quotes:

• "We really don't want to do harm in the universe." - Ben Dellaca
• "We're rushing to put all this stuff in now, get it across absolutely everything so that when it does come time to do some kind of M and A action, it's already baked in." - Ben Dellaca

Hey, have you seen any podcasts sponsored by Clarion Gaming? YOU HAVE NOW. Because this one is. I know, right? WOAH NELLY! So this episode, Fintan and Jon talk about some things [0:00 - 15:54] like what's in a name, and child tantrums. Then they're joined by the excellent Sarah Ramanauskas to talk about her new project The Game Safety Institute (https://safer.games/). It's genuinely a fresh step forward, very interesting to hear about, and sounds awesome [15:55 - 53:47]. 

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 post-COVID recovery is not all it appears to be [6:27 - 38:58].

Enjoy the episode!

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 - 32:31].

Then they're joined by star guest Dmitry Belianin, CCO of Growe, who talks about his path to this point, the PariMatch days and much, much more. It's a really engaging and fun talk with a really good guy. And we're not saying that just because he listens to the podcast [32:32 - 1:58:06].

Enjoy this epic episode!

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 difficult moments. It's an interesting chat, taking in motivations, structure, triggers, confidence, training, education and of course, Kevin Costner. And Cobra Kai. Enjoy the episode!

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.