In no way is this week’s episode a nod to our corporate overlords in any way, shape or form.

That said, first up in this episode there’s a brief chat between Fintan and Jon [0:00 – 10:22], followed by another interview from Jon’s recent visit to Everymatrix’s shiny new London offices, this time with Russell Colvin, Commercial Director, and Mark Wilson, Head of Trading, to talk about the FSB acquisition and more. Jon finds out why they bought FSB then built their own solution, because you’ve got to ask, am I right? [10:23 – 21:50]

Then the hosts welcome Rony Vexelman, VP of Marketing at OptiMove, to discuss their new product, Optimove Engage, designed for modern marketers. The conversation explores the challenges of content creation and management in marketing, the role of AI in optimising marketing efforts, and the importance of maintaining brand consistency across customer journeys. Rony emphasizes the need for quality control in marketing automation and shares best practices for leveraging AI effectively. We get into the importance of customer engagement and optimisation in marketing, introducing Ignite+, a program designed to support emerging operators in the iGaming industry. The discussion emphasises the need for personalisation in CRM strategies while also addressing the philosophical implications of reducing individuals to mere data points. The conversation concludes with reflections on the human element in digital interactions and the importance of community in business.

Choice quotes:

"Creating content is no longer the problem."

"Quality control on steroids."

"Trust but verify, as Reagan said."

"We believe we can help them come and grow."

"This is how we're going to do it."

"The King's English is way behind…"

"You got honey trapped, mate."

Russell Colvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellcolvin/

Mark Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-wilson-b1778763/

Rony Vexelman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronyvexelman/

As ever, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which. Oh, and tell them you came via us and you get your first month free!

The cool kids of the podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, every guy wants to be them… and so does every girl.

Clarion Gaming are last but certainly not least, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and the upcoming iGB Live! in London this July. We love you guys, all of you!

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:

In the intro for this episode, we get Jon’s recent interview with Richardt Funch, EveryMatrix’s global commercial director, which was done during the visit to the opening of the firm’s new London offices. It’s worth a listen by itself [0:00 – 20:14], but honestly when we package it with the main event it’s an irresistible bundle of joy!

Our guest this week is the brilliant Steve McAllister who joins us to discuss the current state of the gaming industry in Canada, focusing on the regulatory changes in Ontario and anticipated developments in Alberta. We explore the impact of these changes on operators and players, the booming market in Ontario, and the role of charitable gaming. The discussion also touches on emerging trends and challenges within the industry, highlighting the dynamic nature of gaming regulation and market competition. We get into the evolving landscape of the gambling industry, focusing on legal battles, the integration of cryptocurrency, advertising strategies, and public perception. The speakers discuss the implications of legal resources in gambling disputes, the challenges and opportunities presented by cryptocurrency, and the impact of advertising on consumer attitudes towards gambling. They also explore the future of gambling media and regulation, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to advertising and responsible gambling messaging.

Richardt Funch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardt-funch-7374882/

Steve McAllister on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mcallister-011a1213/

As ever, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which.

The cool kids of the podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re turning heads every time they walk in the room…

Clarion Gaming are last but certainly not least, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and the upcoming iGB Live! in London this July. We love you guys, all of you!

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:

Fintan’s here! And he’s mocking Jon’s weight! The chaps talk about the wonderful term kummerspeck, which apparently translates from German as ‘grief bacon’, and it's something Jon's been enjoying a little too much. Also, as usual we talk about lots of other things too [0:00 – 18:43].

Our returning guest, Legal Gaming’s Antti Koivula, discusses the evolving landscape of Finnish gambling legislation, highlighting the current status of regulatory changes, the rarity of prohibition orders, and the implications of marketing restrictions. He emphasizes the challenges posed by taxation laws on gambling winnings and the limited enforcement capabilities against black market operations. The discussion provides insights into the complexities of regulating gambling in Finland and the potential impact on operators and players alike. We also get into tax implications for players, marketing restrictions, the role of influencers, and the future of Veikkaus amid new competition [18:44 – 1:04:05].

Choice quotes:

• "Finns still lose a lot of money on gambling."
• "Crypto money just becomes better for me to keep gambling."
• "Anti-social-media concept in Finnish gambling."
• "Influencers are prohibited on their own social media channels."
• "Player acquisition costs will be interesting to see."
• "It will be a good time to be a newspaper, TV channel, or radio station."

Antti on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koivula-antti/

https://legal-gaming.com/

As ever, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which.

The cool kids of the podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re turning heads every time they walk in the room…

Clarion Gaming are last but certainly not least, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and the upcoming iGB Live! in London this July. We love you guys, all of you!

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:

We catch up with Games Global's legendary CEO Walter Bugno to ask "Hey Walter, if you were stranded on a tropical island, what would you want to have with you?"

He chooses:

• 3 movies
• 3 books
• 3 albums
• 1 song
• 1 pet
• 1 object
• 1 dessert
• …and advice: one piece to give to his younger self, and one from his younger self to his older self.

Walter is engaging as ever, and we hope you enjoy this offshoot episode while we prepare its own feed and landing page et cetera…

The 'I Will Always Love You' of sponsors, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They turn customer data into soaring ballads of love that give you goosebumps, with tools that make businesses simply work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that don't sound anywhere near as good as Whitney Houston's voice.

The Greatest Love of All sponsors are undoubtedly OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s software is so sexy, even Kevin Costner can't stay away. Down Costner, down!

Clarion Gaming wants to dance with somebody, wants to feel the heat with somebody, possibly at iGB LIVE! in London this July. Pretty sure Fintan will be there, perhaps Jon too, but Clarion will definitely be there.

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/

Seriously, this episode takes in - but is not limited to - the following subjects: Gambling, Casinos, Folk Music, Trump, Tupac Shakur, Community Engagement, Environmental Issues, Casino Management, Political Polarization, Lithium Mining, entertainment, community impact, tribal sovereignty, economic development, lottery laws, music authenticity, historical roots, personal connections… It's a wild ride, and our guest Gary Green is here to show us the path.

In this episode Jon speaks with Gary Green, a multifaceted figure in the gambling industry with a rich background in journalism, music, and casino development. They discuss Green's unique career path, his experiences in the folk music scene, and his surprising connection with Tupac Shakur. The conversation shifts to the controversial history of Trump's casino ventures, exploring the mechanics of bankruptcy in the casino industry. As the discussion progresses, they touch on political polarization, community engagement, and Green's new venture in McDermitt, Nevada, where he plans to establish a union casino while addressing environmental concerns. In this engaging conversation, Gary Green discusses his passion for building an entertainment venue that reflects his roots in folk and country music. He emphasizes the importance of community impact through casinos, particularly in tribal areas, and the potential for economic development. The discussion also touches on the challenges of construction timelines, the significance of historical connections, and the authenticity of music as an art form.

Gary on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygreen/

http://www.garygreen.com/

Choice quotes:

• "I have had a bizarre career."
• "I only do fun things in life."
• "This is going to rock and roll."
• "We are going to be a union casino."
• "Casinos can be a force for good."
• "I have a cat in my family tree."

The Pink Ladies of our 1950s high school, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They turn customer data into Greased Lightnin’, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which.

The T-Birds at Rydell High podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re turning heads every time they comb their slick hair. These really are the cool kids…

Clarion Gaming is surely the Principal McGee of our podcast family, helping keep the industry on track, and we thank them for sponsoring our podcast. Now they’re looking forward to July’s iGB Live! after a hugely successful ICE in Barna.

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:

Steve Ruddock from Straight To The Point joins Jon and Fintan to discuss various aspects of the gambling industry, focusing on responsible gaming initiatives in North America, the importance of agency and accountability, and the challenges faced by regulators. They explore the new messaging strategies for responsible gaming, the need for transparency in gambling odds, and the holistic approaches required to address gambling addiction. The conversation also touches on the regulatory landscape and the complexities surrounding Kalshi. Steve gets into the complexities and challenges surrounding sports betting exchanges, regulatory barriers, market dynamics, user experience, and the potential future of sports betting regulation. The conversation also touches on the imitative nature of the gambling industry and cultural reflections on gambling practices.

Steve on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-ruddock-23148138/

Steve’s newsletter, subscribe for free on Substack or get a sexy, sexy paid sub:

https://straighttothepoint.substack.com/

Choice quotes:

• "RG is your catastrophe insurance."
• "If you need that, then aren't you betting?"
• "Is it really that big a deal?"
• "It's hard to say what their market is."
• "The bookies have way more firepower."

The Pink Ladies of our 1950s high school, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They turn customer data into Greased Lightnin’, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that take away the pain. Or create it, I forget which.

The T-Birds at Rydell High podcast are of course OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions – the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re turning heads every time they comb their slick hair. These really are the cool kids…

Clarion Gaming is surely the Principal McGee of our podcast family, helping keep the industry on track, and we thank them for sponsoring our podcast. Now they’re looking forward to July’s iGB Live! after a hugely successful ICE in Barna.

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:

OK, so it's not really as dramatic as the title suggests… We had a cancellation this week for a great episode, so what we thought we would do is give listeners to the main podcast an episode of the offshoot so they can see what it's all about. This is definitely not replacing the existing podcast, we just had a gap. We are back on that horse next week.

Meet Jen Bowman of IGT fame. Jen talks us through her choices to take to a deserted tropical island:

• 3 albums
• 3 books
• 3 movies
• 1 song
• 1 pet
• 1 object
• 1 dessert
• …and one piece of advice to give her younger self.

Have to say, this episode is completely worth it just for the pet part. Brilliant.

Anyway, you can find the RSS for the offshoot here: https://feeds.captivate.fm/tgf-did/

And it's available at all good podcast outlets. Probably the dodgy ones too. And if you have a guest suggestion, we are all ears. Fintan especially, that's why he keeps his hair all bushy.

In this episode of the Gambling Files podcast, a Fintanless Jon Bruford discusses the current state of online gambling regulation in Germany with returning guest Michelle Hembury. They explore the evolution of gambling legislation since 2021, the challenges faced by operators, and the ongoing issues with the black market. Jon laughs a lot at the country’s hugely optimistic channelisation hopes. The conversation highlights the frustrations of the industry regarding regulatory restrictions and the need for more effective enforcement measures. They also touch on the importance of dialogue between regulators and operators to improve the gambling landscape in Germany. We also get into the recent story with Merkur and The Mill Adventure, with a huge data breach and more.

Choice quotes:

• "It's not just a sponsorship, it's an endorsement."
• "The German regulator announced a channelization rate of 100%."
• "The regulator says they've achieved 95% channelization."
• "The regulator is interpreting restrictions more restrictively."
• "Operators are resigned to a certain degree saying, what now?"
• "Players are scared off by the registration flow in Germany."
• "The relationship between consumers and operators is changing."

The alchemists of CRM, we thank Optimove for their support, which helps us to keep this podcast ticking over. They turn customer data – aka lead – into PURE GOLD, with tools that make businesses work better. Optimove, your support helps us make things that people listen to. I was going to write 'entertain people' but realised it was simply not true.

Clarion Gaming are both court jester and shaman to the industry, and we thank them for keeping the gaming industry buzzing and sponsoring our podcast! Now they’re looking forward to July’s iGB Live! after a hugely successful ICE in Barna. Every day with Clarion is laughter and magic, in a good way.

Last but definitely not least we come to OddsMatrix Sports Betting Software Solutions — the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. EveryMatrix’s coverage is so damn good, they’re not a part of the king’s court – they are the court.

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: