We don’t know which is Starsky and which is Hutch, to be honest, but our glorious sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming are the crime-fighting duo we would all like to be when we grow up. After a brief introduction with Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 9:44], they’re joined by a genuine superstar guest: former PaddyPower Head of Mischief Ken Robertson (now founder and CEO of The Tenth Man), who regales the pair with tales of derring-do and madness from a time of huge creativity and (relative) freedom...

The Dom Toretto and Brian O’Conner of this podcast are our glorious sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. We won’t ruin your work by introducing The Rock (or even Jason Statham. Don’t get me started on Momoa) any time soon, we promise! After a brief introduction [0:00 – 10:47], Fintan and Jon are joined by journalist David Danzis to talk about his specialism, Atlantic City. David recently wrote a column explaining what needs to be done to save AC in the face of NY casinos and more; you can...

The Luke Skywalker and Frodo Baggins of this podcast are our magnificent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. We love you in the way that some people love Star Wars and LOTR. No Fintan! This episode’s guest is Dr. Sally Gainsbury, Director at Gambling Treatment & Research Clinic and Professor of Psychology, University of Sydney. Dr Gainsbury discusses the importance of language in gambling research and the need for more responsible terminology. Sally and Jon also touch on the flaws of...

The true heroes of our story are the magnificent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. We love you in a fraternal but very real and very lovely way. In this episode, Jon and Fintan have a casual conversation about various topics, including books, unions, and the challenges faced by Atlantic City. These challenges include the potential impact of a New York City casino, which is a biggie. Oh, and Jon’s therapist has retired, so there is a decent chance the podcast might be his new therapist. ...

As ever, the accolades go to our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. We love you in a big, real kinda way. Thankfully this episode’s intro is considerably less fanciful than last; Jon has new neighbours, and some hedgehogs have had a dodgy meal in his back garden [0:00 – 14:07]. Then our hosts are joined by Brett Smiley, Chief Content Officer of CasinoReports.com, a publication focused on comprehensively covering the US iGaming industry. They aim to offer quality journalism and...

As ever, huge thanks and big love to our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. We love you bigly. Ok, the intro to this one is maybe a bit weird – it spans a lot of things, but begins with a Google search for ‘whale sputum’ and pretty much goes downhill from there [0:00 – 25:27]. Then we welcome guest Martin Calladine, a football writer and author who does not shy away from the less salubrious side of the industry. We explore the involvement of football clubs in cryptocurrency...

As ever, huge thanks, virility and blessings bestowed on our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. We love you bigly. In a side-step from the norm, Fintan and Jon discuss the news among themselves, focussing mainly on recent events around Bally’s, the Chicago casino plan, and a potential takeover, and also a lawsuit being brought against AC gambling resorts for alleged price collusion. We also discuss various topics including Easter celebrations, the challenges of being a...

As ever, huge thanks to our benevolent sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. WE LOVE YOU. It’s a step into the Twilight Zone this week – Fintan hosts without Jon! He is here for the intro, though, sadly, in which he explains apropos of very little to Fintan about how some movies were blockbusters on video after doing nothing in cinemas [0:00 – 22:03]. Fintan is joined by guest Michael Schaus of Schaus Creative to discuss the impact of Formula 1 (F1) in Las Vegas, following Michael’s recent ...

We kick off, as ever, with some chit-chat between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 9:23] about stuff, and things. They definitely mention our excellent sponsor overlords though, Optimove and Clarion Gaming. Then they are joined by the most excellent Alan Hardacre, a public affairs consultant with extensive experience in the gambling and tobacco industries. Alan explains the role of public affairs in the gambling industry and how it shapes government relations pro- and reactively. It’s Alan’s opinion...

A teeny tiny intro as it’s just Bruford this episode [0:00 – 2:38]. Pretty sure he mentions our excellent sponsor overlords though, Optimove and Clarion Gaming. WE LOVE THEM. Jon is then joined by Jon Bourke, CEO of Encompass Digital and Value Privacy, here to discuss the monetization of first-party data and the power of personalization in the iGaming industry. The Bourkemeister also introduces a brand-new buzzword to the podcast: psychographics! Jon explains the concept of psychographics...

We begin with idle chit-chat between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 7:43] some of which may involve beautiful sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. They’re just so wholesome and virile! Then the chaps are joined by Alex Pratt, MD of Clarion Gaming, to discuss various topics related to the gaming industry. The conversation covers the genius business decision to sponsor the Gambling Files podcast, the subsequent success of ICE London, the impact of the event on the city, the importance of event staff,...

There’s the usual nonsense to kick off, Jon apologising for not doing an episode last week, that kind of thing [0:00 – 20:30], then the chaps meet their latest guest, the excellent Antti Koivula, legal advisor for Legal Gaming, of Finland. Antti covers the surprising news about Betsson in Finland and the subsequent blacklisting; we delve into the background of the Betsson case, the legislative reform for gambling advertisement, and the administrative proceedings against the company. Antti...

We begin with more small talk between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 14:00] some of which may involve premier sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. They’re just so hot right now! Another returning guest this episode, it’s the brilliant Charles Cohen of Department of Trust fame. We do start this one – and it’s on Charles – talking about Ludlow and its influence on video games despite being in the arse-end of nowhere. But then we get into it: frictionless affordability checks. Charles explains that...

First up, Fintan and Jon talk about some stuff or other, a bit of this and that, plus their benevolent sponsor overlords Optimove and Clarion Gaming [0:00 – 22:44]. Then star guest and UK gambling law scion Melanie Ellis, of Northridge Law fame, joins the chat. We discuss the newly-minted online slot stake limits, debate the effectiveness of stake limits, the lack of evidence for the impact of same, and have a brief look at the recent WSJ article about a psychiatrist's gambling addiction....

OK, joking aside – this episode, it’s well worth skipping the intro, even though we discuss our benevolent and beloved sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. Jon talks absolute waffle, even going into a race he once organised, and a wedding fayre (that’s how they spell it, really), and bigging up his own credentials to run ICE as a result. Fintan is not convinced [0:00 – 37:37]. Then they’re joined by the lovely and knowledgable Frank Op de Woerd of www.CasinoNieuws.nl – basically if Frank...

First post-ICE edition and it’s a doozy. Thanks, Ned*! First up, Fintan and Jon talk about their very different experiences of ICE. Clue: one included golf, socialising and nice dinners and lunches, and one included recording the podcast, editing it, staying in a s****y hotel and almost no socialising [0:00 – 20:10]. Then we’re joined by top guest and newly-minted CEO of OddsJam.com, Matt Restivo. He discusses his passion for running marathons and participating in endurance races (mostly...

Jon flies solo in the week's third outing, as Fintan responds to Chairman emergencies around the globe in his role as some kind of chair-superhero. I guess his name would be simply, Chair Man. That works. Anyway, first guest on Thursday was the lovely Chief Vision Officer from Xprizo, Richard Mifsud, with their genius product which not only helps businesses wanting to enter potentially difficult markets with transaction handling, it also helps people without access to traditional banking....

Well, Jon messed up and left his car keys at the hotel, which would have been fine but his mic was locked in the car, which is at ExCeL. So a slightly more rustic feel to today's episode, not least because Fintan is busy doing chairman things. It also means no intro, so we go straight into the action with Better Change's Rob Mabbett. Rob joins Jon to talk about the team's tie-up with RG24/7, as they now offer the latter's training free of charge. How to spell Leeds also comes up, along with...

It's been a banging first day at ICE 2024; the place is absolutely heaving, ExCeL is buzzing and if you're not here, why not? We're doing an episode a day in theory, as our benevolent wonders Clarion Gaming kindly found us a room to record in. So, the intro is Fintan and Jon talking about stuff including Optimove, the other wonder sponsor, as the room is very close to their stand (which is at the entrance to N5, you can't miss it, go and mention the podcast for an amazon voucher. But also,...

Helloooooo! First up, Jon shares some of what he’s learned using dating apps, which is useful for all mankind. Then Fintan shushes him before it goes entirely off the rails [0:00 – 14:05]. The guest this episode is the returning Paul Sculpher of Gaming Recruitment Solutions, with his varied observations on all things industry and recruitment. We discuss career aspirations, recruitment trends, and challenges in the gaming industry. We also explore the importance of networking, making...

Jon and Fintan are joined in a star-studded intro this episode – it’s a bit like guest stars coming on Kojak, I suppose, or one of those Agatha Christie movies from the 1970s where it’s got all the big names in – as they’re joined by two of podcast sponsor Clarion’s top cheeses. Sadie Walters is the genius behind ICE Vox, and Andy Ventris is ICE Event Director. They discuss whether books are available outside London, how keeping a good work-life balance results in a healthy head of hair, and...

To kick off, Fintan and Jon discuss salt in food. Yeah, we don’t know why either. Then they talk a bit about Optimove, which segues nicely into Clarion Gaming, because they organise ICE and Optimove are at ICE. I know right! And then they talk about listener messages; and the possibility of Gambling Files merch appearing, because it’s a thing now [0:00 – 22:01]. Then David Williams, Director of Public Affairs at the Rank Group, joins the hosts. They discuss David's appearance in a book and...

If you want the inside track on Curacao, you’ve come to the right place. This episode, the chaps have big news, something different to show you, and much more.  Jon’s big news is that he went to see the new Godzilla film, and it was apparently really good. Fintan’s news is bigger though: a new sponsor has joined the podcast family in the shape of Optimove, and after an in-depth product demo the chaps are bedazzled. Bedazzled!  The gents discuss the product, and Optimove’s presence at ICE,...

In this episode, Fintan and Jon discuss the concept of taking a sabbatical (which Fintan is doing) and the challenges of burnout in the workplace (which Jon has done), and getting bad references. They also share personal stories of job difficulties and the importance of prioritizing social connections. The conversation then shifts to the upcoming ICE conference and our plans for the event [0:00 – 28:54]. Then we meet the fabulously bearded Lorand Minyo, founder and chairman of the Neveli...