First up, we're joined by stand-in interim temporary agency co-host Melanie Ellis of Northridge Law fame, and we talk a bit about things in the UK. Mel luckily brings her brand of common sense to the table, which is definitely an area Jon is lacking [0:00 – 29:24]. We get into the social impact of tax hikes for the UK industry, among many other things – including the revelation that Melanie is no longer baking pastries. I KNOW RIGHT.

Then we're joined by the genuinely excellent Huw Thomas of Recovery in Gaming. Jon revels in the chance to speak to a fellow addict and they get into what a good support network means for people, and how Huw's growing organisation can support people in the industry at events, conferences and the like. Huw also points out that with a bit of funding, they can help a lot more people… Huw is, as ever, candid and frank in conversation [29:25 – 1:13:47]. It's all well worth a listen.

Huw Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huwowenthomas/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support. They are truly the Mad Max: Fury Road, to our Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.

In no particular order they are: the mighty EveryMatrix – 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. If I had to fight to the death in a weird, muddy amphitheatre in a dystopian future, I’d want these guys with me.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that are like the sacred gasoline – of DATA!!!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. Yeah, the show where there is that guy shooting all fire out the end of his guitar which he’s playing on the roof of a truck. We love you guys infinity plus one.

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:

It’s an epic episode this week, with one extra-long intro and a really special main guest. Oooh, maybe we could call it an epicsode!

The brilliant Scott Longley steps in for Fintan in the intro, and it developed into quite a long chat about the state of things in the UK at the moment. We got right into the implications of taxation, the rise of the black market, and the historical context of gambling regulation. We delve into the importance of betting shops to local communities and the relationship between the racing industry and betting operators, then the challenges faced by regulators and the potential consequences of government actions on the gambling landscape. We go far and wide in this one [0:00 – 49:39].

Then we meet our special guest, the first of our author guests with a book submitted for the inaugural Gambling Book Awards. Meet Alex O’Brien, science writer and passionate poker player. Alex’s book The Truth Detective: Lessons from Poker on Risk, Reward and Imperfect Information is available from all good bookshops right now and it’s well worth a read.

In this episode, Alex discusses the importance of critical thinking, the overlap between science writing and poker, and the role of women in the poker industry. Alex shares insights on parenting, teaching children critical thinking through poker, and the evolution of women's poker tournaments. The conversation also touches on misinformation, perfectionism, and the future of poker and parenting [49:40 – 1:38:32].

Choice quotes:

• “Hey, it’s Enrico Palazzo!”
• "Practice makes progress, not perfect."
• "Poker is a game of understanding others."

Alex O’Brien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-brien-8876686/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support. They are truly the Mad Max: Fury Road, to our Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.

In no particular order they are: the mighty EveryMatrix – 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. If I had to fight to the death in a weird, muddy amphitheatre in a dystopian future, I’d want these guys with me.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that are like the sacred gasoline – of DATA!!!

Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. Yeah, the show where there is that guy shooting all fire out the end of his guitar which he’s playing on the roof of a truck. We love you guys infinity plus one.

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:

First up, Fintan and Jon reveal their new thing, the Gambling Industry Journalist of the Year award that will also make its debut at ICE, and this bad boy comes with a stonking cash prize of £4000 for the winner [0:00 – 26:45]. Yeah, I know right? Jon’s a shoo-in. Or deserves a shoeing, one or the other.

Then the chaps are joined by Howard Stutz, senior reporter (and utter legend) from The Nevada Independent, to discuss the current state of Las Vegas, including the controversial narrative that 'Vegas is dead.' With an 8% drop in visitation in July, international numbers crashing, and people generally having a good old moan about the cost of things, they explore room rates, visitor trends, the impact of resort fees, and the entertainment landscape, including the Sphere. The conversation also touches on international visitor trends, the future of conventions and sports events, and the dynamics between local casinos and the Strip. Finally, they discuss the A's move to Las Vegas and the implications for the city's future [26:46 – 1:19:37].

Howard Stutz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-stutz-b3b0219/

As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support. They are truly the Godfather II, to our Godfather III.

In no particular order they are: the mighty EveryMatrix – 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 horse’s head, and EveryMatrix will make you an offer you won’t want to refuse.

Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that bring people to abandoned level crossings for an ambush – of DATA!!!

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 infinity plus one.

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: