Betting on Trouble: When VIP Gamblers Go Too Far, with Katherine Sayre

The Role of Tech in Gambling Harm Minimization with Duncan Garvie

A huge thank you to our sponsor, EveryMatrix [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/]! They offer a sportsbook platform—OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/]—that covers sports and esports, paired with real-time data and unmatched accuracy. Whether you're looking for complete solutions or specific features, EveryMatrix has your back. Thanks for powering our podcast!   Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0] is the ace up your sleeve! When it comes to keeping track of players, promotions, and everything else in iGaming, you couldn't have better CRM software than Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0]. Thanks for helping us stay ahead of the game!    Clarion Gaming [https://www.clariongaming.com/] is like that rare power-up in a game that boosts everything! They fuel businesses, connect the industry, and somehow keep our podcast running like a well-oiled machine. It's a mystery to us how they do it all—but we're just here to say a huge thank you! Clarion Gaming [https://www.clariongaming.com/] makes it all look easy—see you at ICE Barcelona 2025 [https://www.icegaming.com/about-ice]!   Join us in this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 185) for a fascinating conversation with Duncan Garvie, a true pioneer in the online gambling industry. From his early days with ThePOGG.com to his current work with Bet Blocker, Duncan talks about the evolving landscape of online gambling, and how we can create a safer and more responsible industry for all.   In a nutshell:   * The challenges of regulating the black market and the need for a multi-faceted approach.   * The need for greater transparency and accountability from operators and software providers.   * The importance of empowering consumers with the knowledge and tools to make responsible gambling choices.   * The impact of cryptocurrencies and the rise of unregulated online casinos.   * The effectiveness of responsible gambling tools, such as blocking software and deposit limits.   * Addressing the root causes of gambling harm, such as financial distress and social isolation.   Choice quotes:   * Duncan Garvie: "Sometimes, problem gamblers who are vulnerable and most desperately need the support—they're the least able to access it."    * Duncan Garvie: "If a problem gambler has to pay for blocking software, they'll sometimes gamble that money to try to win back what they've lost."    * Fintan Costello: "I love entrepreneurs. I love people who go out and build stuff."    * Jon Bruford: "If grey market operators are doing any kind of banking services, then there's leverage. Pressure can be applied. You can say to them either behave or f**k off."    * Jon Bruford: "I like to not shit my pants, but it just takes a sneeze at the wrong time."    * Jon Bruford: "I don't like admitting that I don't know as much as somebody else, especially people with hair."     Thanks to Duncan Garvie for being on the show!    Learn more about  Duncan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-garvie-588658199/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-garvie-588658199/]   Get the free gambling blocker software, Bet Blocker: https://www.betblocker.org/ [https://www.betblocker.org/]    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/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/]   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR [https://apple.co/3A57jkR]   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF [https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF]    Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast  [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast]   Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/]    Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/]    Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/]    Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/]    Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/ [https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/] This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com [https://www.successwithstories.com]

The Science Behind Trade Shows in the Gaming Industry with Kate Chambers

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 184), Jon Bruford and Fintan chat with Kate Chambers to discuss the science behind trade shows in the gaming industry. They explore the importance of evaluating trade show effectiveness, the changing landscape of events, and the power of partnerships and community.    We'd like to give a special shoutout to our sponsor, EveryMatrix [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/], and to their OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/]! If you're in the world of sports betting, their top-notch coverage and reliable data are second to none. With a wide range of markets and an unparalleled level of accuracy, they offer everything you need to enhance your betting experience. Thanks for supporting our show!   Some companies roll the dice when it comes to CRM software, but not us. With Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0], we've landed on a winning streak that's turned every interaction into a jackpot. Thank you Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0] for making customer relationship management feel as thrilling as a high-stakes roulette spin (and for sponsoring our show)!   Kate Chambers, founder of the Gaming Boardroom, is a seasoned professional in the gaming industry, known for her expertise in events and trade shows.    In a nutshell:   * Evaluating trade show effectiveness and setting clear objectives.   * The changing landscape of gaming industry events, with a focus on smaller, more targeted events.   * The need for accountability and feedback loops in trade show planning and execution.   * The role of trade shows in building brand awareness and generating leads.   * The challenges of measuring the ROI of trade show participation.   * The need for better communication and collaboration between marketing and sales teams.   * The future of trade shows in the gaming industry and the rise of silent exhibiting.   Choice quotes:   * Kate Chambers: "In the gaming industry, marketing campaigns are about brands, visibility, and selling stuff. And there's no doubt that events are an essential part of a marketing mix."   * Kate Chambers: "There's a lot of talk in the gaming industry about how there are too many events and conferences. And yet people still turn up to all of them."   * Fintan Costello: "With B2B sales, there's a long lead time—6 months, 12 months, years to close a deal. So with gaming industry events, it's difficult to evaluate whether to invest in them as an exhibitor."    * Jon Bruford: "Smaller, more targeted events are undoubtedly the future of the gaming industry."    * Fintan Costello: "You can run empires on spreadsheets."    Thanks to Kate Chambers for being on the show!    Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katechambers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katechambers/]    Check out The Gaming Boardroom: https://thegamingboardroom.com/ [https://thegamingboardroom.com/]    Check out our previous chat with Kate: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/kate-chambers-launches-the-gaming-boardroom-the-gambling-files-rtfm-72/  [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/kate-chambers-launches-the-gaming-boardroom-the-gambling-files-rtfm-72/]   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/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/]   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR [https://apple.co/3A57jkR]   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF [https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF]    Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast  [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast]   Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/]    Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/]    Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/]    Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/]    Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/ [https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/] This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com [https://www.successwithstories.com]

Free-to-Play Casino Games for Healthier Habits with Sina Azeri

In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 183), Jon and Fintan talk with the CEO of Transform Gaming. They discuss the company's mission to create safer, free-to-play casino-style games for problem gamblers. They also explore how new technology could be used to detect risky gambling behaviors and offer solutions that promote responsible gaming.   Today's guest is Sina Azeri, a man on a mission to help problem gamblers by creating safer gaming environments. With a passion for innovative technology, Sina is reshaping the gaming industry, one player at a time.   Thanks to our new sponsor EveryMatrix [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/] and their OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/]! Their cutting-edge platform provides competitive sports and esports coverage, real-time betting data, and industry-leading accuracy. Whether you're looking for a full sportsbook solution or just data feeds, they have you covered. We're proud to have them supporting the podcast!   And thanks to our sponsor Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0]! If CRM software were a game of poker, Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0] would be holding a royal flush. You've taken us from folding under pressure to calling all the shots with your system. Thank you!   This episode in a nutshell:   * The growing problem of gambling addiction in the UK and worldwide.   * Sina and Transform Gaming's free-to-play alternative for problem gamblers.   * Using touchscreen data to monitor emotional states and prevent risky behavior.   * A vision for social casino games that engage without aggressive monetization.   * How social casino gaming differs from real-money gambling in terms of user spending.   * The challenges of preventing relapses for self-excluded gamblers.   * Transform Gaming's strategy of acquiring and consolidating social casino companies.   * Developing a fun and innovative gaming experience for free-to-play users.   * The importance of maintaining customer loyalty over quick profits.   Choice quotes:   * Sina Azeri: "Solutions [to problem gaming] won't just present themselves. You need to create them and test them to see if they work."   * Sina Azeri: "We aim to work with gambling operators. When they determine that a user is showing problematic gaming behaviors, the operator can then promote our product, a free-to-play social casino game."    * Jon Bruford: "My beauty is on the inside."   Thanks to Sina Azeri for being on the show!    Learn more about Sina at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sina-azeri/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sina-azeri/]    Learn more about Transform Gaming: https://transformgaming.com/ [https://transformgaming.com/]    This podcast is presented by EveryMatrix [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/]. If you're looking for sports data feeds and a feed aggregator, look no further than OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solution [https://everymatrix.com/oddsmatrix/]!   This podcast is also presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0], not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It's frickin' awesome.   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/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/]   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR [https://apple.co/3A57jkR]   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF [https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF]    Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast  [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast]   Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/]    Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/]    Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/]    Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/]    Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/ [https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/]   This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com [https://www.successwithstories.com]

Betting on Trouble: When VIP Gamblers Go Too Far, with Katherine Sayre

You bet, we thank our sponsor, Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0]! We hit the ultimate payout with Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0]! With their CRM software, you're not just tracking customers—you're managing high-rollers and casual gamers with the finesse of a blackjack dealer. Now you can double down on personalized offers and never worry about going bust. Thank you Optimove for stacking the deck in our favor!   Also big thanks to our sponsor Clarion Gaming [https://www.clariongaming.com/] and ICE Barcelona 2025 for not only keeping the gaming world connected 365 days a year, but also for making sure Jon and Fintan can keep talking about it! You guys really are the master key to this chaotic, wonderful gaming universe, and without you, we'd all be lost in a sea of buttons, screens, and confusing strategies. Thank you Clarion Gaming for being the champions of connection, and we'll see you in Barcelona for ICE 2025!    How do gambling companies balance VIP treatment with responsible gaming practices? Also, what role do gambling companies play in exacerbating addiction among high-rollers?   In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 182), reporter Katherine Sayre of The Wall Street Journal returns to discuss her investigative reporting on gambling addiction within the high-roller VIP circles.   This episode in a nutshell:   * Katherine's investigation into a psychiatrist's gambling addiction and the VIP treatment she received (link to the article below).   * VIP programs: When perks and bonuses cross the line.   * Differences in regulatory approaches between the U.S. and the UK/Europe.   * The role of state regulators in curbing gambling addiction.   * High-roller bettors and their influence on operator revenues.   * The fine line between entertainment and exploitation in gambling marketing.   * The growing scrutiny around sweepstakes casinos in the U.S.   * The rise of unregulated sweepstakes in the online casino space.   Choice quotes:   * Fintan Costello: "The VIP team play a very, very important part of every operator."    * Katherine Sayre: "Back in 2019, PointsBet reported internally that a half a percent of their sports betting customer base generated 70% of its revenue. So that stuck out to me as proof of how important high rollers are [to digital gambling platforms]."   * Katherine Sayre: "The gambling industry has always promised to do something about this [problem gambling]. It's [now] time to see how they are actually going to handle this."   * Jon Bruford: "If gambling businesses say that they take responsible gambling seriously, and then don't, there's going to be repercussions—especially when it's part of their licensing."   * Jon Bruford: "VIP high rollers and problem gamblers do share some commonalities in how they play. But they also share them with money launderers, and that doesn't mean that every problem gambler is a money launderer."   Thanks to Katherine Sayre for being on the show!    Read Katherine Sayre's The Wall Street Journal article, "A Psychiatrist Tried to Quit Gambling. Betting Apps Kept Her Hooked," that was discussed in this episode: https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/gambling-addiction-sports-betting-apps-4463cde0 [https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/gambling-addiction-sports-betting-apps-4463cde0]    Connect with Katherine at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesayre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesayre]   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/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/]   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR [https://apple.co/3A57jkR]   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF [https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF]    Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast  [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast]   Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/]    Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/]    Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/]    Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/]    Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/ [https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/]   This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com [https://www.successwithstories.com]

Use AI to Level Up Your Affiliate Game with Roo Wright

Let's take a spin and land on the perfect CRM marketing solution for iGaming—Optimove [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0]! Thanks to Optimove's software, iGaming and Sports Betting operators can keep track of everything without rolling the dice. They make customer retention feel like hitting the jackpot every single day, and for that, we're throwing confetti their way!    In this episode (The Gambling Files RTFM 181), Fintan interviews a seasoned affiliate marketer and entrepreneur to discuss his journey from building a successful bingo affiliate empire to founding BoostBox, a new AI-driven content creation tool for affiliates.   Today's guest is Roo Wright. Roo's love for all things tech and affiliate marketing shines through in his witty anecdotes and deep industry knowledge.   In a nutshell:   * Roo's transition from affiliate marketing to building AI-driven tools.   * How BoostBox helps affiliates create optimized content faster.   * SEO's future in an AI-driven world.   * How AI can assist affiliates with content, compliance, and conversions.   * The challenges smaller affiliates face in a competitive market.   * The balance between using AI tools and maintaining human oversight   Choice quotes:   * Roo Wright: "Use AI as a research tool and as the basis for your content. But never just copy it word for word."   * Roo Wright: "We have generations of users who are familiar with Google and won't change over to ChatGPT or other LLMs because—Why would they?"   * Fintan Costello: "If a new product is actually going to disrupt a core, existing product, then the new one doesn't need to label itself as a disruptor."    Thanks to Roo Wright for being on the show!    Connect with Roo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roowright/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/roowright/]    This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info [https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0], not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It's remarkable.   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/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/]   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR [https://apple.co/3A57jkR]   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF [https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF]    Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast  [https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast]   Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/]    Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/]    Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/]    Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ [https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/]    Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/ [https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/] This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com [https://www.successwithstories.com]