The Gambling Files

We kick off with Fintan trying to decide the next punishing race he wants to do, while Jon is highly supportive [0:00 - 31:21], then we're joined by top new guest Jay Sayta, who explains both the land-based and online sides of the industry in India [31:22 - 1:18:55]. It's an education. Then Jennifer Gaynor stops by to discuss what's been happening in Vegas - the Palms re-opening, the recent Strip proerty purchase by that nice Mr Fertita, the blossom of sports teams in Vegas (and F1!), and the dead bodies popping up in Lake Mead [1:18:56 - 1:52:51]. That's followed by the bit at the end [1:52:52 - 1:53:21]

This week Fintan and Jon discuss some random stuff at the start [0:01] before welcoming the always-excellent Steve Ruddock of Wagers.com to talk about how the NY online market is developing, and the MGM bid for LeoVegas [16:17]; then they are graced by the presence of Michelle Hembury of German law firm Melchers to discuss the recent case involving Entain, and explain why it's not as disturbing as it may first appear [1:08:21]. Littered throughout are also references to Cobra Kai, of course. And right at the end, you can find out how to follow the podcast. It's all good, dawg.

Fintan is entirely present this episode, discussing with Jon the noticeable decline in the quality of free stuff at expos [0:00 - 17:19] before they are joined by Jeevan Jeyaratnam, COO at Abelson Odds to talk sports betting and odds setting [17:21 - 1:11:41]. Then Luke Cotton from Code Red Esports pops up to explain, well, Esports, how it works, what works and doesn't work, and much more. We also ask both guests the crucial Cobra Kai question, with shocking results, and Sylvester Stallone pops up, thought not IRL.

Fintan's return was only partial, it seems; he's here for the intro today, but not the interview. *sigh* He's getting too big for us I think. Anyway, he and Jon discuss the recent ICE show, and The Casino Awards [0:00 - 28:45], then Jon is joined by Earle G Hall to discuss cashless gaming. Earle is a part of the GSA and is also CEO of AXES, so he speaks with authority to enlighten us to the issues that surround the adoption of cashless, why it should happen, and what to be wary of when it does [28:46 - 1:48:17]. It's another winner.

FINTAN RETURNS! This must be what it was like making Lord of the Rings. Intro chit-chat with a dash of ICE is at the beginning [0:00 - 13:45], then we are joined by Michelle Hembury of German law firm Melchers to discuss just what's gone wrong with the regulatory side of gambling there [13:46 - 38:02]. Dr Michael Auer returns too, discussing his academic paper on the impact of game mechanics on problematic gambling behaviour, in a truly exceptional study using real player data [38:04 - 1:18:14]; finally, Fintan tells us about his adventures while he was off getting a tan in the Sahara [1:18:15 - 2:14:06]. Enjoy!

Jon - still on his lonesome - finds the time to talk to himself about the genius of using the ampersand/and in a company name [0:00 - 5:44], and complains about having a sore throat. Then he's joined by the one and only guest this week, Casino International publisher Paul Ryder, who's here to discuss next week's Casino Awards, and to explain why they're not crap [5:45 - 46:09].

Talking smack goes solo this week without Fintan as he yomps through the desert instead of doing this, so Jon thinks up some cool new names for gambling companies [0:00 - 5:38]; Asia Gaming Brief's Sharon Singleton comes on to discuss events in Australia, what may be happening in Saipan and of course, Macau [5:39 - 33:36]; and IGT's Jennifer Bowman talks about inspiration, beluga whales, her career and the benefits of mentorship, and a lot more [33:38 - 1:43:46]. No narwhals though.

Another twofer, as our American cousins say; Jon and Fintan meet two guests but it's two superb guests. First they talk smack [0:00 - 9:23]. Then the brilliant Harp Edwards explains the work at Gordon Moody, where she works on the world's first ever residential treatment centre for women with gambling problems. This could be industry-changing, and it's a great listen [9:24 - 1:01:47]. And the data! Second, we have The Guardian's Rob Davies talking about his recent book, Jackpot: How Gambing Conquered Britain. It's a wide-ranging conversation with a very smart and funny man [1:01:48 - 2:18:55].

Just two guests this week but we're pretty sure the show is a winner. Jon and Fintan talk smack [0:00 - 18:28], then get comfortable with David Aindow of Synectics to chizzle-chazzle about security, the cloud, data sharing, and all kinds of things [18:29 - 58:44]. And then Jon mocks Fintan and gets his chat on with Paul Burns of the Canadian Gaming Association to talk about Ontario opening up and what's going on there [58:46 - 1:50:53]. Not to be missed, in our not-very-humble opinion.

Fintan and Jon talk to returning superstar Sarah Ramanauskas about the UK NHS decision to no longer accept funding from an industry-backed source [16:16 - 49:41], and Matt Zarb-Cousin joins us to find common ground and discuss his lived experience, and stuff [49:43 - 1:44:15]. Enjoy!