In the inaugural episode of Before the Bet, host Elizabeth Thielen kicks off the conversation with Becca Vykydal of the Illinois Lottery and Ivan Fernandez of the Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association to explore responsible gambling from an industry perspective.

The conversation covers gambling literacy, player protection, age verification, online safeguards, self-exclusion, player behavior monitoring, and the importance of making responsible gambling information available before harm occurs. Becca and Ivan also share how their organizations are using research, education, training, and point-of-sale resources to help players make informed choices and recognize when additional support may be needed.

Plus, Elizabeth highlights several resources where listeners can learn more about responsible gambling, understand their own gambling habits, and find support if needed.

Additional Resources:

• www.areyoureallywinning.com
• www.responsibleplay.org
• www.playsmartfromthestart.org
• Illinois Lottery Annual Responsible Gaming Reports: https://www.illinoislottery.com/illinois-lottery/responsible-play/our-commitment
• Illinois Lottery “Where
  to Get Help” Responsible Play Webpage & Be Smart, Play Smart®
  RG Brochures: https://www.illinoislottery.com/illinois-lottery/responsible-play/where-to-get-help

Gambling has changed and so has the way we encounter it.

Today, gambling can be in the palm of our hands, integrated into sports and entertainment, delivered through mobile apps and shaped by technology, advertising and an ever-changing industry.

But what happens before the bet?

Welcome to Before the Bet, a new podcast exploring the technology, trends, psychology and industry forces shaping modern gambling.

I’m your host, Elizabeth Thielen, Senior Director at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services.

Each episode, we’ll take a closer look at the forces shaping the gambling landscape.We’ll talk about sports betting, mobile gambling, gaming, advertising, emerging technologies, the psychology behind gambling and the ways these changes are affecting consumers and communities.

And we won’t be doing it alone.

Through honest conversations with experts, advocates and industry voices, we’ll ask questions, challenge assumptions and explore different perspectives to better understand the risks, realities and decisions surrounding modern gambling.

Because understanding gambling means looking at more than what happens when the bet is placed.

It means understanding what happens before the bet.

This is Before the Bet.

Follow Before the Bet wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for our first episode.