The Gambling Files

Hosted by Jon Buford & Fintan Costello

NewsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

295

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

The global gambling industry is fast moving and always changing, staying on top of things is hard for industry professionals. Join Jon Bruford (21 years covering the casino industry) and Fintan Costello (CEO at BonusFinder.com) each week as they discuss with leading international experts the latest issues within the gambling industry. If you want to stay up to date with the gambling industry and have a laugh along the way, then this is the show for you!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 15, 202654 min

RTFM 281: Ex-EGR Clark Beecroft on his passion for… Sh¡thead: the game

Former EGR bloke Clark Beecroft comes on the podcast to share his passion for the game of Sh¡thead, a passion that has led to him developing his own custom deck for the game! We also get into Clark’s gambling industry experiences, and his plans to travel the world while promoting the game. This (blockbusting) episode explores innovative ideas for game development, industry insights, and personal stories. And more, of course. Things we talk about, in a list: Clark Beecroft's career at EGR and industry insights The game of shithead and its potential as a gambling product Innovative ideas for game development and monetization Clark's travel plans and global monster project Industry challenges and opportunities in online gambling Chapters, but add a a couple of minutes for the music and that other bit Jon’s added about the sponsors, who we love. Music used with permission of the artist, I should add!: 00:00 Introduction and guest background 02:00 Industry insights and reflections on gambling in Russia and Brazil 03:23 Clark Beecroft's career at EGR and industry experiences 04:22 Leaving EGR and passion for the game of Shithead 07:17 Clark's long tenure in the gaming industry and fond memories 09:12 The evolution of gambling games and the potential of Shithead 11:15 Popularity of Shithead among different demographics 13:34 Modifications to the game for faster play and better experience 15:22 Creating a branded deck of Shithead cards 17:10 Challenges with Amazon and product sales 19:50 Clark's travel plans and projects around the world 23:33 The monster project and cultural exploration 28:19 Organising a Shithead tournament and community engagement 33:44 Potential for digital versions and online tournaments 37:33 Industry attitudes towards gaming and fun 43:26 Favourite movies and cultural interests 45:39 Closing remarks and contact information Clark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-beecroft-89539222/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

October 8, 20261 hr 3 min

RTFM 280: Nick Devor on the gamblification of collecting

In the gambling industry’s favourite podcast*, we meet immaculately-coiffed journalist Nick Devor to discuss the gamblification of collectibles like Pokemon and baseball cards, the parallels with gambling mechanisms, and the regulatory challenges facing the industry. We explore how these trends impact addiction, regulation, and the future of gambling and collectibles. No bloody Fintan again though, the part-timer. *other podcasts are available, but they’re not the favouritest ones Stuff we talk about, in a list: The gamblification of collectibles like Pokemon and baseball cards The psychological mechanisms behind gambling and collecting Regulatory challenges and the lack of federal oversight The link between trading cards and problem gambling The impact of social media on gambling behaviours The rise of prediction markets and their legal implications The role of brands and marketing in gambling and collectibles The influence of regulation and federalism on gambling laws The connection between poverty, gambling, and risky behaviours The importance of industry involvement in research and treatment Choice quotes: "Let the content dictate the format, don't force structure." "Spending money on random card packs is linked to problem gambling." "Opening packs is about the experience, not just the cards." Chapters, but add some time because of our beautiful music, used with permission from Mara Carlyle: 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 12:49 The link between trading cards and problem gambling 24:48 The experience of opening collectible packs 36:30 Market dynamics and regulation challenges 48:02 The role of social media and marketing 59:03 Regulatory landscape and federal oversight Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-devor/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

October 7, 202655 min

BONUS EPISODE: RTFM 279: NEXT’s Zak Thomas-Akoo stops by, says hi

In this bonus episode, AWARD-WINNING gambling industry journalist Zak Thomas-Akoo shares insights on investigative journalism in the gambling industry, the importance of regulation, and the evolving landscape of gambling markets worldwide. It’s weird that we hadn’t asked Zak on before, given that he won the inaugural Gambling Book Awards prize for industry journalist of the year. But hopefully we have made up for that now! Things we talk about, in a list: The role of investigative journalism in the gambling industry Challenges of balancing commercial interests and journalistic integrity The influence of regulation and independent regulators Gambling markets in Brazil and global trends The importance of long-form journalism and quality reporting The significance of industry awards and recognition The impact of AI and digital transformation on journalism The social harms and gambling addiction issues Choice quotes – no bonus points for guessing who said them, either: "Balancing regulation and commercial interests is tricky" "Regulation should be independent from government influence" "Poverty drives gambling addiction more than anything else" Chapters – but you’re going to need to add a couple of minutes, because Jon added a thing to the front, then there’s the lovely music… 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 03:43 Zach's industry awards and their significance 08:04 Transition to investigative journalism at NEXT.io 11:17 Challenges of sourcing and verifying information 15:34 The importance of source relationships and untangling biases 17:01 Industry bias and media balance in gambling reporting 18:18 Gambling's social harms and regulatory challenges 20:12 Brazil's gambling ban and political landscape 23:30 Global gambling markets and regulatory trends 27:47 The independence of gambling regulators 28:48 Poverty, addiction, and social impacts of gambling 33:55 Proud moments in investigative journalism 36:19 The challenges of regulatory transition and reform 38:27 The separation of user data and treatment data 41:14 The future of quality journalism and AI 43:46 Recognising industry journalists and their contributions 45:11 The importance of long-form journalism and deep reporting 49:33 The evolution of gambling journalism and industry coverage 51:37 The role of niche journalism and specialised reporting Zak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-thomas-akoo-48b570233/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

October 1, 20261 hr 7 min

RTFM 278: Jennings Bet's Greg Knight on why bookies are up against it

In this episode, Greg Knight, CEO of Jenningsbet, a popular British high street bookmaker, discusses the challenges faced by independent bookmakers, the rising costs of media rights, and the broader issues affecting the UK high street and retail betting industry. Discover insights into the economic pressures, industry dynamics, and potential future directions of betting shops and racing. This episode, no Fintan, so there’s much better quality questions and less nonsense. Things we talk about, in list form: Rising costs of media rights and their impact on independent bookmakers The decline of high street betting shops and community impact Industry dynamics between media rights providers and bookmakers The effect of online gambling on retail betting Industry responses to economic and regulatory challenges Choice quotes: "Nobody's really talking about the cost of media rights" "Content is bundled and we can't pick what we want" "Racing is underfunded and costs are rising faster than revenues" Chapters, but add some time because of our beautiful music, used with permission from Mara Carlyle: 00:00 Introduction to Greg Knight and Jenningsbet 01:59 Overview of Jenningsbet and UK retail betting 03:08 Sponsorships and industry partnerships 03:59 The cost of media rights and industry impact 10:06 Comparison of media rights costs over five years 15:12 Content quality and package issues for bookmakers 19:57 Competition and cooperation among media rights providers 25:03 The effect of media rights costs on industry sustainability 29:49 The state of the UK high street and retail challenges 40:01 Community role of betting shops and social impact 50:09 Industry regulation, government policy, and future outlook – I’m not sure why this list ends here though, because there’s a good 20 minutes more of this episode after this point… Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg~knight/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

September 17, 202656 min

RTFM 277: “The medal is just a piece of metal.”

In this episode Fintan and Jon welcome back Keith O'Loughlin, now a best-selling author! Of course he’s also an expert in sports betting and gaming, and in this episode he tells us about his new venture, shares insights on transforming the betting industry, making sports betting more accessible, and the importance of trust and fun in gaming. We explore innovative betting technologies, responsible gambling, and the future of sports and media integration. Stuff we talk about, in a list: The evolution of sports betting over the last 20 years The importance of trust and simplicity in betting platforms Innovations in media integration for sports betting The role of responsible gambling and protecting players The concept of 'fun' in betting and sports engagement The impact of technology and AI on betting experiences The story behind the name 'Funteron' and its mission The future of sports rights and viewer engagement The challenges and opportunities in expanding betting to new markets Keith's insights on the importance of experience over trophies Choice quotes: "The medal is just a piece of metal." "Life is about experiences, not trophies." "Your scoreboard in life is not about money." Chapters, but add 30 seconds or so because of the music which we use with permission by Mara Carlyle: 00:00 Introduction to Keith O'Loughlin and the episode's focus 02:16 Keith shares his recent experiences and insights 09:21 Keith discusses his book about Eddie Jordan 11:48 Upcoming book 'The Medal Is Just Metal' and its themes 16:13 Personal stories about achievements and trophies 18:07 The true scoreboard of success in life 19:29 Challenges in the current global landscape 25:59 Keith's new betting business and industry insights 34:19 Simplifying sports betting and making it fun 40:17 How integration with media works in betting platforms 48:17 Future vision for responsible and fun betting Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitholoughlin/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

September 10, 202650 min

RTFM 276: Hizi, a new self-service operating system for studios

In this episode of the industry's shiniest five-year-old podcast, Robert Lenzhofer discusses the innovative Hizi platform, a self-service operating system for iGaming studios that simplifies game development, deployment, and management, aiming to revolutionize the industry with cloud-based solutions. Hosts Fintan Costello and Jon Bruford welcome Robert – a returning guest! – as they discuss the usual mish-mash of topics alongside Robert’s innovation. As ever, we thank our superb sponsors – you can find out more about Optimove, World Gaming, and GLI further down this page… Choice quotes: "This is more like an operating system for studios" "Allows you to create any RNG game directly in the back office" "It's like AWS for the gambling industry" “The RGS all grown up. The operating system for studios.” “If you still have to code into the backend, then it’s not self-service.” “We just give you the best tool that possibly can be built.” Chapters (but add 30 seconds or so because of our beautiful music, which is copyright Mara Carlyle…) 00:00 - Opening banter and the challenge of recording multiple episodes 01:02 - Moving house, lampshades, and the magnetic knife rack 03:18 - Holiday talk, hustle culture, and the death of downtime 04:04 - The world’s best theme park in Devon: Diggerland, and possibly the best jingle for a theme park ever. 10:29 - Robert’s summer chaos and building a point-and-click adventure with his daughter 12:20 - Introducing Robert Lenzhofer and the move beyond Holle Games 13:01 - What Hizi means and why it is about more than an RGS 14:43 - What the platform is for in practical studio terms 15:48 - Why RGS infrastructure should be treated like a commodity 16:29 - Self-service signup and instant dedicated instances 18:14 - Pricing tiers and what’s included in the basic package 19:20 - The no-code, AI-assisted Hizi engine 21:02 - Early traction, partner growth, and game deployments 23:36 - What studios actually do inside the platform 24:34 - Why billing and back-office tooling matter for small teams 26:15 - Migration paths for existing studios and hybrid deployments 27:40 - How Hizi compares with Stake’s model and game-upload systems 29:00 - The “end of RGS” idea and B2C engine support 31:12 - Could a simple card game or pub machine be built on Hizi? 33:15 - How the platform reduces startup friction and contract pain 35:07 - What onboarding looks like and the learning curve 36:06 - Why Hizi’s challenge is broader than a single-operator system 37:43 - Scaling with a lean team and moving from beta to wider onboarding 41:39 - Distribution as the bottleneck for smaller studios 44:05 - Starting a game studio and the “Doctor Hour” joke 45:16 - Bamboo Guerillas arrives 47:56 - Closing thanks and an invitation to revisit the project in 12 months Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlenzhofer/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

September 3, 20261 hr 8 min

RTFM 275: Deal Me Out’s Jordan Lea talks about everything, and more

In this episode, Jordan Lea from Deal Me Out discusses the evolving landscape of gambling regulation, black market impacts, prediction markets, and industry challenges. We explore how regulation, industry reputation, and consumer safety are interconnected and what future steps are needed. This episode is brought to you thanks to the auspices of our Mighty Sponsors: GLI , Optimove , and World Gaming . More on their magnificence after the bit where you can see what’s in the podcast. Things we talk about, but in a sexy list: Gambling regulation and its evolution Impact of black market gambling on the industry Prediction markets and their perception as safer alternatives Industry reputation and media portrayal of gambling Regulatory challenges and government engagement Black market gambling's influence on consumer behaviour Strategies for industry self-regulation and public trust The role of education and community engagement in harm prevention Future trends in gambling technology and regulation The importance of industry unity and advocacy Choice quotes: "The industry has improved significantly over the years" "Illegal gambling is a growing problem we must address" "Prediction markets are being mistaken for safer alternatives" Chapters – but add 30 seconds or so because of our beautiful music, which the rights holder – Mara Carlyle – has allowed us to use: 0:01 — Intro and film chat 1:10 — John’s cinema rundown 3:09 — Nirvanna the Band, the Show, the Movie 5:52 — Catching up and sponsor banter 8:00 — Fintan’s podcast charts success 9:39 — GLI sponsor read 11:00 — Guest intro: Jordan Lea from Deal Me Out 14:06 — What Deal Me Out does 15:19 — Funding changes and shifting priorities 16:17 — Pivot to illegal gambling 19:15 — Offshore vs licensed markets 23:57 — First report findings 27:12 — Youth gambling, gaming, and Roblox 31:12 — Second report findings 34:09 — Regulation, taxation, and industry politics 37:11 — Why the industry isn’t the only messenger 42:24 — What the industry should do differently 46:29 — Grassroots brand building and good causes 48:15 — Media narratives and image change 52:25 — Prediction markets and investment behaviour 57:49 — What young people are seeing 60:29 — What Deal Me Out is doing next 64:31 — Parliament and industry representation 66:01 — Where to find Deal Me Out Jordan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-l-6160391b9/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

August 27, 20261 hr 12 min

RTFM 274: Staicy.win’s Ryan Robey talks AI-driven sports betting and more

Just Jon in the driving seat this episode, so what could possibly go wrong? He’s joined by Ryan Robey from Staicy.win , who shares insights into AI-driven sports betting, community building, and the US gambling landscape. Discover how data, human oversight, and community engagement are transforming betting strategies and industry perceptions. This episode is brought to you by the titans at Gaming Laboratories International , Optimove , and World Gaming , plus the letters X and T, and the number 28 . Stuff we talk about, in list form: AI-driven sports betting models Community building in betting platforms Data sources and analytics in sports predictions Human oversight and AI collaboration US gambling laws and market dynamics Arbitrage betting and market edges Community engagement and social aspects of betting Impact of sports events like World Cup on betting trends Choice quotes: "We identify where Vegas is lagging behind" "Our community is what sets us apart" "All the colour in bourbon comes from the wood" “The reason that people go to sports bars is not because they have this burning desire to go spend money to do something they could otherwise do for free. They do it because they love community.” Chapters, but add 40 seconds maybe because of our beautiful music: 00:00 - Fintan’s new podcast and today’s sponsor rundown 02:27 - Why Optimove and GLI are supporting the show 05:00 - Introducing Ryan Robey and Staicy.win 06:38 - Why the company spelling includes an “I” for AI 07:35 - How Staicy.win builds betting predictions from data and models 09:40 - Arbitrage betting versus finding real edge in player props 11:40 - Where the data comes from: Stat feeds, betting lines, and APIs 15:08 - Why human oversight still matters in an AI betting platform 17:08 - Building guardrails around a custom betting LLM 18:24 - The team behind Staicy.win and why Ryan avoids “goobers” 24:12 - Strange office interactions and the Delaware mailbox story 26:11 - How the subscription model works and where the revenue comes from 28:09 - From crypto community project to a real betting business 31:21 - Transparency, ROI, and why community is the core differentiator 36:03 - World Cup betting, Spain futures, and soccer learning curves 39:01 - Leicester City in Vegas and the power of sports fandom 43:40 - Scottish supporters, St. Patrick’s Day, and sports-bar chaos 45:18 - Ryan’s day job as a trial lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky 49:28 - A courtroom case involving a horse-drawn carriage in a Christmas parade 51:35 - Bourbon, Kentucky, and the difference between whiskey and bourbon 56:27 - Why lawyers hate John Grisham and legal fiction gets law wrong 61:17 - How Grisham may have changed the portrayal of lawyers in media 64:14 - Gambling stigma, legal betting, and the US college sports problem 67:44 - College player props, integrity concerns, and Kentucky’s rules 69:05 - Getting into the Apple App Store and coming back during football season 70:19 - Closing thoughts on disappointing your family and trial catchphrases Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-robey-3b092356/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

August 20, 20261 hr 16 min

RTFM 273: DEDPRZ’s Nick Papagorgio on the future of casino content, and much, much more

In this episode, Nick Papagorgio, CEO of DEDPRZ Casino, shares insights into the world of crypto gambling, the importance of player trust, and the future of online casinos. Discover how innovative strategies and community engagement are shaping the industry. Hosts Fintan Costello and Jon Bruford explore the evolving landscape of gambling streaming, the challenges of streamer marketing, and innovative approaches to engaging audiences in the gambling industry. Our guest Nick shares insights on responsible gaming, licensing, and the future of casino content. Stuff we talk about, but in a list: Crypto casino licensing and regulation Player trust and community engagement Use of NFTs and blockchain technology Impact of AI and provably fair systems Future trends in online gambling The evolution of gambling streaming and its impact Challenges of streamer marketing and fake statistics Building long-term relationships with streamers Legal and licensing considerations in different markets Responsible gaming tools and player protection Innovative casino game development and provably fair systems The potential of private tables and unique dealer content The role of energy and entertainment in casino streams Choice quotes: "Streaming slots is quite compelling" "Gambling streamers now make more than athletes" "Gambling streaming is like a mind sport" Chapters, but add 30 seconds or so because of our lovely music: 00:00 - Cold open and banter 03:04 - Weight loss, gym talk, and summer energy 09:08 - Optimove sponsor read 12:41 - GLI sponsor read and guest intro 15:55 - DEDPRZ Casino origin story 18:02 - Crypto, fiat, and licensing 21:03 - Building trust in a crypto casino 23:38 - Support, payouts, and player experience 29:54 - What makes DEDPRZ different 38:06 - Why gambling streams work 46:24 - How Nick vets streamers 55:52 - Responsible gambling tools and self-exclusion 58:52 - Nick’s recovery story 66:21 - Streaming as a business model 73:33 - Closing thoughts and wrap-up Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-papagorgio-38b2b6274/ Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

August 13, 20261 hr 1 min

RTFM 272: Simon Mach talks crypto ‘signals’ and more

Oh man, if ever there was an episode where you need Fintan, it’s this one. But alas, he is away doing things that no doubt Jon would barely comprehend. So, in this episode, Jon meets Simon Mach (in unconnected news, Jon is soon changing his name to Max Power), CEO of MyCryptoParadise. Simon shares insights into crypto trading signals, market analysis, and the psychology behind crypto trading. We explore how risk management, belief, and market manipulation influence cryptocurrency volatility and trader behaviour, and more. Things we talk about, but in a list: Crypto trading signals and their components Risk management and trade planning in crypto Market influence factors: liquidity, belief, and manipulation Psychological aspects: FOMO, anxiety, and discipline Regulation and its impact on crypto legitimacy Choice quotes: "Risk first, trade second." "Crypto value is based on belief." "FOMO influences all aspects of life." Chapters, but add 30 seconds because of our beautiful music: 00:00 Introduction to Simon Mach and MyCryptoParadise 07:04 What Are Crypto Trading Signals and How Are They Used? 14:08 Factors Influencing Crypto Volatility and Market Manipulation 22:09 The Role of Belief and Liquidity in Crypto Prices 29:56 Psychological Factors: FOMO, Anxiety, and Emotional Discipline 42:58 Why Crypto Is Different from Traditional Currencies 56:09 Crypto Regulation and Its Future Impact 01:00:02 Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Simon Mach Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-mach-38299033a/ Website - https://mycryptoparadise.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MyCryptoParadise Resources & Links: As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible. Optimove , who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove , your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago. Then of course there is Clarion Gaming , no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do. And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com . 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/

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing