The Gambling Files

This episode, we kick off with a chat between Jon and interim stand-in co-host Melanie Ellis, who claims she is neither a doctor nor a professor. Who knew??? We get into personal experiences with mental health, the implications of blind boxes and loot boxes in retail, and the importance of live dealers in casinos. The conversation also touches on the role of casinos in local communities and the evolving nature of player engagement in the gambling industry [0:00 – 30:50].

Then we meet superstar returning guest Richard Marcus, who could also be a professor. It’s hard to say for certain, but he has a certain professorial elegance about him. We discuss the future of table games in casinos, particularly in light of the recent trend towards automation. Richard shares his concerns about the loss of human interaction and the potential negative impact on the casino experience, and we touch on the economic implications of automated games, the role of dealers in player protection, and the broader social consequences of reducing skilled jobs in the industry. Marcus emphasizes the need to preserve traditional table games while adapting to technological advancements [30:51 – 1:37:32].

Choice quotes:

• "It's not a great idea."
• "Humans are social animals."
• "Loneliness is a big deal."

Richard Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardmarcusgameprotection/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support. Rhythm may be a dancer, but our sponsors are the funky funky beat.

In no particular order they are:  the mighty EveryMatrix – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is so, so sweet…

Optimove,who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that bring people sunshine… Well, I say sunshine. I may mean rain, but it’s all weather, am I right? Oh, and tell them you came via us an d you get your first month free!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys BIGGER THAN THE SKY.

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/

We kick off with a chat between Jon and current interim stand-in host Melanie Ellis [0:00 – 21:08] which takes in lots of things: tax, sponsors, and the glow of a cow to name just a few.

Then we meet episode guest Ofer Friedman, Chief Business Development Officer at AU10TIX. We discuss the evolving landscape of identity verification, particularly in the context of gambling and the rise of deepfakes; the challenges posed by organized fraud, the importance of regulatory compliance, and the future of digital identities. The discussion also touches on the need for better user experience in verification processes and the role of technology in combating fraud. And Ofer answers a key question for the industry, authentication and fakes: what if someone has an evil twin? [21:09 – 1:26:40]

Choice quotes:

"The death of trust."

"It's a strategy, not a weapon."

"Bovine luminescence."

Ofer Friedman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofriedman/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support.

In no particular order they are:  the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is so, so sweet…

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that bring people sunshine… Well, I say sunshine. I may mean rain, but it’s all weather, am I right? Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys BIGGER THAN THE SKY.

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/

First up this week, we have Jon and stand-in interim co-host Melanie Ellis, partner at Northridge Law discussing… well, lots of things, really. You know how it goes [0:00 – 26:03].

Then we follow that with returning guest Earle G Hall, CEO at AXES.ai, to discuss the ethical use of AI within the gambling industry. We go elbow-deep into the implications of AI in the industry, particularly focusing on the ethical guidelines proposed by the IGSA. We discuss the importance of data integrity, the role of blockchain, and the challenges of implementing ethical AI practices, the current uses of AI in gambling, the balance between responsible gambling and marketing strategies, and the future of AI regulations.

Speaking of AI, it tells me that: “Throughout the discussion, personal anecdotes and humour are interwoven, making for a lively and thought-provoking dialogue.” [26:04 – 1:50:18]

Choice quotes:

"AI without blockchain is complete chaos."

"You cannot code fog." 

Earle G Hall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlehall/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support.

In no particular order they are:  the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is so, so sweet…

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that bring people sunshine… Well, I say sunshine. I may mean rain, but it’s all weather, am I right? Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys BIGGER THAN THE SKY.

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/

Cross-operator self-exclusion for US players – it's a reality! I KNOW RIGHT.

We kick off with some flim-flam or other between Jon and interim host Harry, and also mention our incredible sponsors (see below for links to their wares, and for those not in the know it’s OddsMatrix, Optimove and Clarion Gaming) [0:00 – 19:19].

Then we meet IDPair founder Jonathan Aiwazian to talk about cross-operator self-exclusion in the US, and all the obstacles that make things like this quite awkward. The conversation does of course head in many directions, I won’t spoil the surprise here though [19:20 – 1:24:21].

Jonathan Aiwazian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiwazian/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their wonderful, virile support.

In no particular order they are:  the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is sweet.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys bigger than the sky, all of you!

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/

HOLAAAAAAA and willkommen!

First up there is some stuff and meandering nonsense with longtime host Jon and interim co-host Harry C Lang [0:00 – 20:53], in the midst of which Jon tells you how awesome the sponsors are (OddsMatrix, Optimove and Clarion Gaming – all absolute titans in their respective fields).

Then Jon is joined by the excellent Brandie E Black, of Brand E Media fame and the recently-launched ESGiGaming.com. We discuss the evolution of content creation in the gambling industry, the impact of AI on quality, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Brandy shares her journey in the iGaming sector, her sustainability initiatives, and the role of ESG in shaping the future of gambling. The conversation also touches on community impact, accountability in business, and the need for human oversight in AI-generated content.

Choice quotes:

"AI content creation has led to a decline in quality."

"Quality over quantity is essential in content creation."

Brandie E Black on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandieeblack/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are:  the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is sweet.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys bigly, all of you! 

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/

First, ignore what Jon says. It's definitely episode 218.

So we kick off with stand-in (interim?) co-host Harry Lang and here-all-too-often Jon Bruford discussing sports tourism, exercise, crime in Shropshire, and much much more [0:00 – 34.51]. Then they’re joined by the excellent and super-smart Jonathan Michaels, principal and founder of Michaels Strategies, to discuss: watches, Eton vs Harrow, Michael Caine and The Rock being the same kind of actor, the merits of Jason Statham movies, Jon’s awful wetsuit story, moobs and more. Oh, and in an industry sense, we also talk about sweeps casinos, taxes being capped instead of rising forever, gambling losses as a tax issues in the US, and what the industry might be able to do better regarding payments [34:52 – 1:08:54].

Then we have a commercial break and the episode resumes at [1:09:01 – 1:46:54].

Jonathan Michaels on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-michaels-77461013/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are:  the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is sweet.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove,

your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys, all of you!

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/

Welcome to another information-packed episode of the industry’s number one podcast. Of course, that depends on what metric you’re using but we’re definitely number one by our measurement methods. And we’re not using any bots to boost traffic, so there’s that.

We kick off with Fintan and Jon talking smack, getting into watches and their executive status, mental health, status symbols in travel and much more. You know the drill [0:00 – 30:55].

Then Jon meets guest Sam Jones, and Fintan will be kicking himself for missing this one. Sam is an entrepreneur and founder of 155.io, a company supplying ‘chaos events’ as gambling opportunities. So this is real-world events like rubber duck races, stair pong, all manner of things with variable outcomes and it’s proper genius. Sam gets into how they arrived at race lengths, worked the courses, all of it, and it’s fascinating. As a growing industry sector, this is going places, and 155.io is going to be right at the front of the charge.

Sam shares insights into the future of the gambling industry, the challenges of compliance, and the exciting new game concepts they are developing. The discussion highlights the potential for growth in alternative betting markets and the unique appeal of their offerings.

Choice quote:

"Simplicity is the key."

Sam Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-jones-0a16533/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are:  the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is sweet.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys, all of you!

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/

There’s an intro, with some waffling, most likely, with Fintan and Jon. But then we get to the meat of the episode…

In yet another wildly engaging conversation, gambling industry royalty Ian Sherrington shares his journey in the world of iGaming, detailing his early fascination with gambling, his programming career, and the pivotal moments that led to the establishment of the first online sportsbook. The discussion also explores the unique blend of intelligence and imagination required for innovation in technology and gambling and as ever, much more.

Ian Sherrington on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-sherrington/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are:  Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is sweet.

Clarion Gaming are last but certainly not least, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys, all of you!

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/

In this engaging conversation, Richard Logan, Head of Operations at Clarion Gaming, shares insights into the complexities of managing large-scale events like iGB LIVE! and ICE Barcelona. He discusses the challenges of moving events to new venues, the importance of attendee experience, and the role of technology in event planning. Richard emphasises the need for effective navigation and flow within event spaces, as well as the significance of feedback and continuous improvement. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes and the lighter side of event management [05:04 - 45:50].

Choice quotes:

• "It's all fairly idiot proof."
• "I'm not a Wi-Fi technician."
• "You need to remap everything."

Richard Logan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-logan-21650686/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are:  Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is sweet.

Clarion Gaming are last but certainly not least, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. We love you guys, all of you!

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/

First up, we are graced by the presence of top gambling industry executive Fintan Costello, who somehow successfully guesses the kind of watch Jon wants to buy – seriously, it's a bit freaky – and we talk about time mastery, which is better late than never [0:00 – 13:54].

Then Jon is joined by Northridge Law's superstar partner Melanie Ellis, who discusses the current state of UK gambling regulations, including updates on the long-awaited white paper, the challenges surrounding affordability checks, and the implications of credit card bans. The conversation also touches on changes in casino regulations and the overall impact on the gambling industry. Melanie provides insights into the regulatory landscape and the need for clarity in the rules governing operators [13:55 – 1:01:49].

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

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are:  Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

Then of course there is the mighty OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. The proof really is in the pudding, and OddsMatrix is sweet.

Clarion Gaming are last but certainly not least, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and the upcoming iGB Live! in London this July. We love you guys, all of you!

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/