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The Gambling Files

The Gambling Files

By: Jon Buford & Fintan Costello
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The global gambling industry is fast moving and always changing, staying on top of things is hard for industry professionals. Join Jon Bruford (21 years covering the casino industry) and Fintan Costello (CEO at BonusFinder.com) each week as they discuss with leading international experts the latest issues within the gambling industry. If you want to stay up to date with the gambling industry and have a laugh along the way, then this is the show for you!TheGamblingFiles.com Economics Management Management & Leadership Politics & Government
Episodes
  • RTFM 280: Nick Devor on the gamblification of collecting

    RTFM 280: Nick Devor on the gamblification of collecting
    8 Oct 2026
    In the gambling industry’s favourite podcast*, we meet immaculately-coiffed journalist Nick Devor to discuss the gamblification of collectibles like Pokemon and baseball cards, the parallels with gambling mechanisms, and the regulatory challenges facing the industry. We explore how these trends impact addiction, regulation, and the future of gambling and collectibles. No bloody Fintan again though, the part-timer.*other podcasts are available, but they’re not the favouritest onesStuff we talk about, in a list:The gamblification of collectibles like Pokemon and baseball cardsThe psychological mechanisms behind gambling and collectingRegulatory challenges and the lack of federal oversightThe link between trading cards and problem gamblingThe impact of social media on gambling behavioursThe rise of prediction markets and their legal implicationsThe role of brands and marketing in gambling and collectiblesThe influence of regulation and federalism on gambling lawsThe connection between poverty, gambling, and risky behavioursThe importance of industry involvement in research and treatmentChoice quotes:"Let the content dictate the format, don't force structure.""Spending money on random card packs is linked to problem gambling.""Opening packs is about the experience, not just the cards."Chapters, but add some time because of our beautiful music, used with permission from Mara Carlyle:00:00 Introduction and episode overview12:49 The link between trading cards and problem gambling24:48 The experience of opening collectible packs36:30 Market dynamics and regulation challenges48:02 The role of social media and marketing59:03 Regulatory landscape and federal oversightNick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-devor/ Resources & Links:As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible.Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago.Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do.And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.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/3A57jkRSubscribe 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/
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    1 hr and 3 min
  • BONUS EPISODE: RTFM 279: NEXT’s Zak Thomas-Akoo stops by, says hi

    BONUS EPISODE: RTFM 279: NEXT’s Zak Thomas-Akoo stops by, says hi
    7 Oct 2026
    In this bonus episode, AWARD-WINNING gambling industry journalist Zak Thomas-Akoo shares insights on investigative journalism in the gambling industry, the importance of regulation, and the evolving landscape of gambling markets worldwide. It’s weird that we hadn’t asked Zak on before, given that he won the inaugural Gambling Book Awards prize for industry journalist of the year. But hopefully we have made up for that now!Things we talk about, in a list:The role of investigative journalism in the gambling industryChallenges of balancing commercial interests and journalistic integrityThe influence of regulation and independent regulatorsGambling markets in Brazil and global trendsThe importance of long-form journalism and quality reportingThe significance of industry awards and recognitionThe impact of AI and digital transformation on journalismThe social harms and gambling addiction issuesChoice quotes – no bonus points for guessing who said them, either:"Balancing regulation and commercial interests is tricky""Regulation should be independent from government influence""Poverty drives gambling addiction more than anything else"Chapters – but you’re going to need to add a couple of minutes, because Jon added a thing to the front, then there’s the lovely music…00:00 Introduction and episode overview03:43 Zach's industry awards and their significance08:04 Transition to investigative journalism at NEXT.io11:17 Challenges of sourcing and verifying information15:34 The importance of source relationships and untangling biases17:01 Industry bias and media balance in gambling reporting18:18 Gambling's social harms and regulatory challenges20:12 Brazil's gambling ban and political landscape23:30 Global gambling markets and regulatory trends27:47 The independence of gambling regulators28:48 Poverty, addiction, and social impacts of gambling33:55 Proud moments in investigative journalism36:19 The challenges of regulatory transition and reform38:27 The separation of user data and treatment data41:14 The future of quality journalism and AI43:46 Recognising industry journalists and their contributions45:11 The importance of long-form journalism and deep reporting49:33 The evolution of gambling journalism and industry coverage51:37 The role of niche journalism and specialised reportingZak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-thomas-akoo-48b570233/ Resources & Links:As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible.Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago.Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do.And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.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/3A57jkRSubscribe 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/
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    56 min
  • RTFM 278: Jennings Bet's Greg Knight on why bookies are up against it

    RTFM 278: Jennings Bet's Greg Knight on why bookies are up against it
    1 Oct 2026
    In this episode, Greg Knight, CEO of Jenningsbet, a popular British high street bookmaker, discusses the challenges faced by independent bookmakers, the rising costs of media rights, and the broader issues affecting the UK high street and retail betting industry. Discover insights into the economic pressures, industry dynamics, and potential future directions of betting shops and racing. This episode, no Fintan, so there’s much better quality questions and less nonsense. Things we talk about, in list form:Rising costs of media rights and their impact on independent bookmakersThe decline of high street betting shops and community impactIndustry dynamics between media rights providers and bookmakersThe effect of online gambling on retail bettingIndustry responses to economic and regulatory challengesChoice quotes:"Nobody's really talking about the cost of media rights""Content is bundled and we can't pick what we want""Racing is underfunded and costs are rising faster than revenues"Chapters, but add some time because of our beautiful music, used with permission from Mara Carlyle:00:00 Introduction to Greg Knight and Jenningsbet01:59 Overview of Jenningsbet and UK retail betting03:08 Sponsorships and industry partnerships03:59 The cost of media rights and industry impact10:06 Comparison of media rights costs over five years15:12 Content quality and package issues for bookmakers19:57 Competition and cooperation among media rights providers25:03 The effect of media rights costs on industry sustainability29:49 The state of the UK high street and retail challenges40:01 Community role of betting shops and social impact50:09 Industry regulation, government policy, and future outlook – I’m not sure why this list ends here though, because there’s a good 20 minutes more of this episode after this point…Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg~knight/ Resources & Links:As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible.Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago.Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do.And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.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/3A57jkRSubscribe 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/
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    1 hr and 7 min
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