Head of operations = not a surgeon: The Gambling Files RTFM 215

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/3A57jkRSubscribe 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...

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:&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/&nbsp;Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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.&nbsp;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:&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/&nbsp;Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/&nbsp;Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/&nbsp;Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/&nbsp;&nbsp;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:&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!&nbsp;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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/&nbsp;Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/&nbsp;Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/&nbsp;Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/&nbsp;&nbsp;Get our newsletter: <a href="https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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: &nbsp;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.&nbsp;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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/&nbsp;Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/&nbsp;Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/&nbsp;Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/&nbsp;&nbsp; Get our newsletter: <a href="https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/" rel="noopener...

In this episode of the Gambling Files podcast, we kick off with hosts Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello in a lively discussion covering various topics ‘related’ to the gambling industry. They explore personal anecdotes, regulatory challenges, market dynamics, and the importance of accountability within organizations. The conversation also touches on sponsorships, innovations in the market, and much more [0:00 – 37:11].Then they’re joined by none other than the Ginger Prince, iGB’s Kyle Goldsmith who’s here to talk up his epic new report on Brazil’s burgeoning gambling market (you can get free access to the report here). He explains the topsy-turvy nature of this beast, and highlights some of the issues and the progress that has been made in recent months. We talk about new regulations, the impact of advertising restrictions, and the dynamics of the illegal market, plus key findings related to KYC regulations and the public perception of gambling. The discussion also touches on the future of land-based gambling, tax structures, and the evolving preferences of Brazilian gamblers [37:12 – 1:20:55].&nbsp;Choice quotes:"You're going to start.""What do regulators do all day?""It's the same shit again.""It's a bit of a weird one.""I think the general feeling is ‘happy’.""It's still 43% though. It's still big."Kyle Goldsmith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-goldsmith/As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are: &nbsp;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.&nbsp;Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!&nbsp;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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Another bumper episode! So we kick off with Jon and Fintan talking about stuff and things [0:00 – 16:48], followed by the last of the interviews from Jon’s recent trip to EveryMatrix towers and a chat with Friend of the Podcast Mark Schmidt [16:49 – 37:35]. And that thing about the Eye of Sauron? Obviously it’s a joke…Our headline act though is (are?) Lorraine Perrons and Claire Jones, co-founders of Gambling Recovery Therapy and Gambling Recovery for All CIC. They discuss their personal journeys that led them to create a unique approach to gambling recovery, emphasising holistic healing and individualised support. We explore the challenges faced in the gambling recovery landscape, the importance of funding and accessibility, and the need for collaboration within the community to effectively support those affected by gambling addiction. Lorraine and Claire discuss the challenges and strategies in the field of gambling recovery therapy, the importance of making their voices heard, the need for better funding, and the systemic issues surrounding gambling addiction. The conversation also touches on the necessity for transparency in financial systems and the importance of education in mental health awareness [37:36 – 1:21:57].&nbsp;Choice quotes: "I was married to a gambling addict""We want people to uncover who they are""How do you make your voices heard?""The messaging is fucked up.""It's the transparency that matters."Gambling Recovery Therapy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gamblingrecoverytherapy/Mark Schmidt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-schmidt-aa27398b/As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their support. In no particular order they are: &nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In no way is this week’s episode a nod to our corporate overlords in any way, shape or form.That said, first up in this episode there’s a brief chat between Fintan and Jon [0:00 – 10:22], followed by another interview from Jon’s recent visit to Everymatrix’s shiny new London offices, this time with Russell Colvin, Commercial Director, and Mark Wilson, Head of Trading, to talk about the FSB acquisition and more. Jon finds out why they bought FSB then built their own solution, because you’ve got to ask, am I right? [10:23 – 21:50]Then the hosts welcome Rony Vexelman, VP of Marketing at OptiMove, to discuss their new product, Optimove Engage, designed for modern marketers. The conversation explores the challenges of content creation and management in marketing, the role of AI in optimising marketing efforts, and the importance of maintaining brand consistency across customer journeys. Rony emphasizes the need for quality control in marketing automation and shares best practices for leveraging AI effectively. We get into the importance of customer engagement and optimisation in marketing, introducing Ignite+, a program designed to support emerging operators in the iGaming industry. The discussion emphasises the need for personalisation in CRM strategies while also addressing the philosophical implications of reducing individuals to mere data points. The conversation concludes with reflections on the human element in digital interactions and the importance of community in business.Choice quotes: "Creating content is no longer the problem.""Quality control on steroids.""Trust but verify, as Reagan said.""We believe we can help them come and grow.""This is how we're going to do it.""The King's English is way behind…""You got honey trapped, mate."Russell Colvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellcolvin/Mark Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-wilson-b1778763/Rony Vexelman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronyvexelman/As ever, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They 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.&nbsp;Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!&nbsp;The cool kids of the podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, every guy wants to be them… and so does every girl.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: <a href="https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In the intro for this episode, we get Jon’s recent interview with Richardt Funch, EveryMatrix’s global commercial director, which was done during the visit to the opening of the firm’s new London offices. It’s worth a listen by itself [0:00 – 20:14], but honestly when we package it with the main event it’s an irresistible bundle of joy!Our guest this week is the brilliant Steve McAllister who joins us to discuss the current state of the gaming industry in Canada, focusing on the regulatory changes in Ontario and anticipated developments in Alberta. We explore the impact of these changes on operators and players, the booming market in Ontario, and the role of charitable gaming. The discussion also touches on emerging trends and challenges within the industry, highlighting the dynamic nature of gaming regulation and market competition. We get into the evolving landscape of the gambling industry, focusing on legal battles, the integration of cryptocurrency, advertising strategies, and public perception. The speakers discuss the implications of legal resources in gambling disputes, the challenges and opportunities presented by cryptocurrency, and the impact of advertising on consumer attitudes towards gambling. They also explore the future of gambling media and regulation, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to advertising and responsible gambling messaging.Richardt Funch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardt-funch-7374882/Steve McAllister on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mcallister-011a1213/&nbsp;As ever, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They 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.&nbsp;Or create it, I forget which.The cool kids of the podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re turning heads every time they walk in the room…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! &nbsp;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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Fintan’s here! And he’s mocking Jon’s weight! The chaps talk about the wonderful term kummerspeck, which apparently translates from German as ‘grief bacon’, and it's something Jon's been enjoying a little too much. Also, as usual we talk about lots of other things too [0:00 – 18:43]. Our returning guest, Legal Gaming’s Antti Koivula, discusses the evolving landscape of Finnish gambling legislation, highlighting the current status of regulatory changes, the rarity of prohibition orders, and the implications of marketing restrictions. He emphasizes the challenges posed by taxation laws on gambling winnings and the limited enforcement capabilities against black market operations. The discussion provides insights into the complexities of regulating gambling in Finland and the potential impact on operators and players alike. We also get into tax implications for players, marketing restrictions, the role of influencers, and the future of Veikkaus amid new competition [18:44 – 1:04:05].Choice quotes: "Finns still lose a lot of money on gambling.""Crypto money just becomes better for me to keep gambling.""Anti-social-media concept in Finnish gambling.""Influencers are prohibited on their own social media channels.""Player acquisition costs will be interesting to see.""It will be a good time to be a newspaper, TV channel, or radio station."Antti on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koivula-antti/https://legal-gaming.com/As ever, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They 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.&nbsp;Or create it, I forget which.The cool kids of the podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re turning heads every time they walk in the room…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/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/&nbsp;Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: <a...