The Gambling Files Jon Bruford & Fintan Costello

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 unique perspectives in a crowded marketplace. Brett brings us up to date on some of what’s going on in the US right now, including the current legislative season, with Maryland and Maine failing to legalize casinos. How the industry is facing negative blowback from scandals and oversaturation of advertising is discussed too, then tangents might be gone off on, including Jon’s experiences working at QVC in the early 2000s. Online drunk shopping mishaps also come up [14:08 – 1:10:03].
In a nutshell:
CasinoReports.com aims to provide quality journalism and unique perspectives in the crowded US iGaming and online casino industry. The current legislative season has not resulted in any wins for the industry, with Maryland and Maine failing to legalize casinos. The industry is facing negative blowback from scandals and oversaturation of advertisements. There is still potential for growth and opportunities for independent media outlets to provide in-depth reporting and differentiate themselves. Online shopping can lead to unexpected purchases and regrets.  
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, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s awesome.

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 scams and tokenized fan engagement, highlighting the lack of due diligence by world-famous football clubs in partnering with fraudulent crypto companies, resulting in financial losses for fans. The discussion covers examples such as Manchester City's sponsorship deal with a non-existent company and Fulham's partnership with a pyramid scheme. The conversation also delves into the pitfalls of tokenized fan engagement, where schemes exploit fans' desire for involvement while prioritizing trading volume and profit. We also explore the lack of regard for fans and the failure of football clubs to protect themselves and their supporters from fraudulent schemes, highlight the need for better governance and cost control in football, as well as the prevalence of corruption and gambling sponsorships. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the unsustainable nature of the current football model and the potential for future scandals [25:28 – 1:39:32].
Martin's new book is called No Questions Asked and is available from all good book outlets, and Amazon.
In a nutshell:
Football clubs have shown a lack of due diligence in partnering with fraudulent cryptocurrency companies, resulting in financial losses for fans. Tokenized fan engagement schemes that prioritize trading volume and profit over meaningful fan involvement. The promise of fan participation in club decision-making often falls short, with voting on trivial matters and limited impact on club operations. The crypto market's volatility and the lack of regulation make it susceptible to scams and manipulation. Football clubs have shown a lack of regard for fans and have failed to protect them from fraudulent schemes. The proposed football regulator is a step towards better governance, but it may not address the underlying issues in the industry. There is a need for better cost control and sustainability in football to prevent financial instability. Corruption and gambling sponsorships are prevalent in the industry, and there is a lack of action to address these issues. The current football model is unsustainable and may lead to future scandals.  
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, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s awesome.

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 parent, the high severance packages of top executives, and more. We also explore the idea of joint ventures between online operators and land-based casinos, why they might or might not work, Bally’s high debt and what it means going forward; the potential sale of GameSys, and sport stadiums in Chicago. We also touch on the role of algorithms in AI and the gambling industry, and the marketing strategies of gambling companies, the importance of transparency and accountability in algorithmic decision-making, car bumper stickers and niche clothing. It’s everything you could want and more.
Some choice quotes from the episode:
"I paid a fortune in therapy to learn what you've just done automatically as a nine-year-old." "For that kind of money, you could give me whatever nickname you wanted. Who's the real winner here?" "This must be what it's like to be one of your nipples. I feel so dirty." "Cash is king. You can't be bleeding cash if you've got a ton of debt." "If they're not having those conversations already, they are mental." "The problem with AI is even the AI companies don't really understand how the algorithm works." 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, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s awesome.

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 op-ed piece in The Nevada Independent. They explore the evolution of Las Vegas as a destination beyond the casino floor, the negative consequences of F1 on small businesses, and the financial losses incurred by the county. They also discuss the future of F1 in Las Vegas and potential remedies for the challenges faced by small resorts. Additionally, they touch on the possibility of a baseball team coming to Vegas and the challenges of highly paid athletes in the city. The episode concludes with a discussion on cigars and whiskey in Las Vegas, including recommendations for cigar bars, and how beginners should choose their smoke.
And as promised, Michael’s Substack is here: https://creativediscourse.substack.com/
So, in summary:
Las Vegas has great cigar bars, such as Davidoff of Geneva and a cigar bar in Caesars with a Cuban-inspired bar. When choosing cigars, consider factors like smoking time, flavour profile, and the expertise of the staff at the cigar shop. Nicaraguan cigars are a good choice for beginners, as they tend to be smoother and have a milder flavour. Rye whiskey, such as Whistle Pig, is a favourite of Michael’s, and he recommends enjoying it with a little ice and water. The Cromwell and Davidoff of Geneva are recommended places for old fashioned cocktails in Las Vegas Michael's creative agency focuses on helping brands tell their stories through digital art, graphic design, photography, videography, and coaching.  
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, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s awesome.

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 that organisations should seriously consider investing in public affairs as part of their team. We also get in to lobbying and the importance of engaging politicians, the challenges of regulation on marketing and advertising, the impact of marketing strategies, the concept of denormalization, the black market and much, much, much more. [9:24 – 1:15:21]
For people that like lists better, the episode includes how…:
Public affairs involves shaping and organizing relationships with governments, both proactively and reactively. Investing in public affairs can be beneficial for organizations in the gambling industry, especially those with long-term goals. Determining the legitimacy of a lobbyist requires evaluating their approach, experience, and references from policymakers. Proactive lobbying for regulatory change is relatively rare, with most lobbying being reactive to events and crises. Regulating the online gambling industry is challenging, with marketing and advertising practices being a major focus. Engagement with politicians is crucial, but the approach may vary depending on the country and the industry's reputation. Denormalization of the gambling industry can occur when there is a perception that the activity is undesirable. Lessons can be learned from other regulated industries, such as alcohol and tobacco, in terms of responsible marketing and addressing public concerns. The presence of illegal operators poses risks to the industry and can undermine regulatory efforts. Quantifying the black market in gambling is challenging and requires a better methodology. Humanizing the impact of the black market can help in raising awareness and addressing the issue. The industry needs to take bold action and engage in self-regulation to stay ahead of legislation. The transition from a gray to a black or white market is happening, and market consolidation is expected. Further education and qualifications can provide valuable insights and expertise in the gambling industry. 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, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s awesome.

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 and how it can be used to influence behaviour and encourage brand engagement. Bourke emphasizes the importance of creative messaging in attracting and retaining customers, and the need for granular data analysis to effectively target audiences. He also discusses the limitations of personalization and the importance of surprise and chemistry in customer interactions. Bourke highlights the potential for expanding the addressable audience and acquiring new players through data-driven marketing strategies [2:39 – 59:48].
There’s a lot to unpick here… But fundamentally, data-driven businesses can acquire entirely new players quickly and elegantly, and it will leave you wondering just how much autonomy we have as humans when it really boils down to it.
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, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s awesome.