Afleveringen

  • 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.

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  • 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.

  • We begin with idle chit-chat between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 7:43] some of which may involve beautiful sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. They’re just so wholesome and virile!

    Then the chaps are joined by Alex Pratt, MD of Clarion Gaming, to discuss various topics related to the gaming industry. The conversation covers the genius business decision to sponsor the Gambling Files podcast, the subsequent success of ICE London, the impact of the event on the city, the importance of event staff, the plans for moving ICE to Barcelona, the acquisition of Global Gaming Business, and future plans for ICE. We also touch on sand theft, Married at First Sight Australia and a tattooed watch, among other things.

    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.

  • There’s the usual nonsense to kick off, Jon apologising for not doing an episode last week, that kind of thing [0:00 – 20:30], then the chaps meet their latest guest, the excellent Antti Koivula, legal advisor for Legal Gaming, of Finland.

    Antti covers the surprising news about Betsson in Finland and the subsequent blacklisting; we delve into the background of the Betsson case, the legislative reform for gambling advertisement, and the administrative proceedings against the company. Antti explains the advertising restrictions in Finland and some of the nuances around affiliate marketing. The conversation also explores PSP blocking and its potential impact on Betsson. Finally, the timelines and licensing process in Finland are discussed, and Antti is surprisingly optimistic about the future of the country’s legal gambling market [20:31 – 1:07:18].

  • We begin with more small talk between Jon and Fintan [0:00 – 14:00] some of which may involve premier sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. They’re just so hot right now!

    Another returning guest this episode, it’s the brilliant Charles Cohen of Department of Trust fame. We do start this one – and it’s on Charles – talking about Ludlow and its influence on video games despite being in the arse-end of nowhere. But then we get into it: frictionless affordability checks. Charles explains that these checks are aimed at identifying financial vulnerability rather than determining what individuals can afford, and we discuss the upcoming changes to UK legislation and the potential impact on operators and consumers. The conversation explores the identification of financially vulnerable customers and the need for resilience in the gambling industry. It also discusses adverse life events and long-term health as factors that contribute to financial vulnerability. The focus is on identifying financially vulnerable customers rather than setting levels of affordability. We highlight the importance of risk-based approaches and the need for operators to develop policies and criteria for identifying and supporting financially vulnerable customers. The standardization of assessments and the potential for innovation in the industry are also discussed [14:01 – 1:07:35].

    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.

  • First up, Fintan and Jon talk about some stuff or other, a bit of this and that, plus their benevolent sponsor overlords Optimove and Clarion Gaming [0:00 – 22:44].

    Then star guest and UK gambling law scion Melanie Ellis, of Northridge Law fame, joins the chat. We discuss the newly-minted online slot stake limits, debate the effectiveness of stake limits, the lack of evidence for the impact of same, and have a brief look at the recent WSJ article about a psychiatrist's gambling addiction. This leads to discussing where the responsibility of player and operator overlap, the responsibility of gambling companies and the government, the debate on financial risk checks, the illegal bookie story, the impact of stake limits on customers, the debate on affordability checks in horse racing, and more.

    The challenges in measuring the impact of stake limits are highlighted, along with the opportunity for intervention and checks with lower stake limits. The introduction of new affordability and financial risk checks is also discussed. The conversation concludes with a timeline for implementing stake limits and financial risk checks, as well as a brief off-topic discussion on pastries, baking, fire alarms, and Amsterdam architecture [22:45 – 58:16].

    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.

  • OK, joking aside – this episode, it’s well worth skipping the intro, even though we discuss our benevolent and beloved sponsors Optimove and Clarion Gaming. Jon talks absolute waffle, even going into a race he once organised, and a wedding fayre (that’s how they spell it, really), and bigging up his own credentials to run ICE as a result. Fintan is not convinced [0:00 – 37:37].

    Then they’re joined by the lovely and knowledgable Frank Op de Woerd of www.CasinoNieuws.nl – basically if Frank doesn’t know it about the Netherlands industry, it’s not worth knowing. The conversation covers various gambling industry topics in the Netherlands, kicking off with the return of Betsson to the Dutch market and the history of their involvement. The discussion then moves on to the court case involving Entain and BetCity, where undisclosed investigations and fines are causing legal issues. The conversation also touches on the advertising restrictions for individuals under 24 and the challenges faced by affiliates. Finally, there is a discussion on societal polarity and the role of faith in shaping people's beliefs and ideologies. The conversation explores the demonization of others, negative prospects for the future, the importance of faith, creating a cause for the disenfranchised, the appeal of Trump, the role of dark money, dysfunctional government and corporate influence, the historical angle of voting, and the choice between Biden and Trump. Yeah, we go all over the place. We finish up with a discussion about the upcoming Dutch Online Casino Awards [37:38 – 1:26:51].

    It's another winner! Except for Jon droning on in the intro.

    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.

  • First post-ICE edition and it’s a doozy. Thanks, Ned*! First up, Fintan and Jon talk about their very different experiences of ICE. Clue: one included golf, socialising and nice dinners and lunches, and one included recording the podcast, editing it, staying in a shitty hotel and almost no socialising [0:00 – 20:10].

    Then we’re joined by top guest and newly-minted CEO of OddsJam.com, Matt Restivo.

    He discusses his passion for running marathons and participating in endurance races (mostly with Fintan; Jon’s glory days are long gone, and were not very glorious anyway). He shares his journey from running to triathlon and the challenges and rewards of training for these events. Matt also talks about his personal health and fitness regimen and the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. He then introduces OddsJam, a data-driven platform that provides tools and educational content for sports bettors. Matt explains how OddsJam helps users identify value in the betting market and make informed decisions, and discusses the target audience and customer success stories of OddsJam. Finally, Matt shares the future plans for OddsJam and his participation in the ICE conference (yes, we recorded this just before ICE). In this conversation, the hosts and guest discuss various topics related to attending conferences and customer retention. They start by joking about swag and conference preparations, including laptop stickers and jam. But we left all this stuff in anyway because it’s GOLD [20:12 – 1:03:09].

    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.

    *Ryerson, not Flanders

  • Jon flies solo in the week's third outing, as Fintan responds to Chairman emergencies around the globe in his role as some kind of chair-superhero. I guess his name would be simply, Chair Man. That works.

    Anyway, first guest on Thursday was the lovely Chief Vision Officer from Xprizo, Richard Mifsud, with their genius product which not only helps businesses wanting to enter potentially difficult markets with transaction handling, it also helps people without access to traditional banking. It's proper genius [0:00 - 17:25].

    Second up, the excellent and virile Kyle Wiltshire, CEO of Testa. It's a brilliant business idea and honestly, I have no idea why it's not been done before. Also, Terry Fox gets mentioned again because any excuse for Jon and he's right there [17:26 - 39:39].

    And finally, drum roll please… Optimove CEO Pini Yakuel chats to Jon about how the business started, why Israel is so good at tech innovation, and more. We will be having Pini on again for sure, as this just scratches the surface [39:41 – 1:05:38].

    Coincidentally, 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.

  • Well, Jon messed up and left his car keys at the hotel, which would have been fine but his mic was locked in the car, which is at ExCeL. So a slightly more rustic feel to today's episode, not least because Fintan is busy doing chairman things. It also means no intro, so we go straight into the action with Better Change's Rob Mabbett. Rob joins Jon to talk about the team's tie-up with RG24/7, as they now offer the latter's training free of charge. How to spell Leeds also comes up, along with tales of Deb The Greek and Mick The Coin off Ludlow market, and even Terry Fox. But mainly, it's about the training stuff and why it's valuable [0:00 - 25:05].

    Then the Mighty Mel Ellis joins Jon as he eulogises about the excellent Optimove software, and the pair get into how the consultation on the UK white paper is going. Norwegian pastries make an appearance, and of course, ICE is discussed. Just what does a top gambling industry lawyer do at a top gambling industry trade event, exactly? Find out here! [25:06 - 53:20]

    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.

    More tomorrow!

  • It's been a banging first day at ICE 2024; the place is absolutely heaving, ExCeL is buzzing and if you're not here, why not?

    We're doing an episode a day in theory, as our benevolent wonders Clarion Gaming kindly found us a room to record in. So, the intro is Fintan and Jon talking about stuff including Optimove, the other wonder sponsor, as the room is very close to their stand (which is at the entrance to N5, you can't miss it, go and mention the podcast for an amazon voucher. But also, get a demo. You will not regret it.) [0:00 - 11:17].

    First guest is Jon's friend Reda Seiliute, to talk about how people use ICE in different ways; Reda is looking for her next project in gaming, so is here for the networking and is pounding the floor in sensible shoes [11:18 - 23:11].

    Next up is Stuart Simms of Fair Play Sports Media, talking about their growing presence in the gambling industry and the world of Oddschecker, among their many brands. It's a many-tailed conversation that occasionally rambles, in a good way [23:12 - 51:19].

    Finally, we are graced by the magnificent combination of Mark Flores-Martin and Adam Davis of XGENIA. These guys are part of a team creating AI software so that the end user can customise their own slots for the ultimate in personalisation. The conversation takes in the need for AI regulation, and what the gambling industry should bear in mind on this path. It brings up some hard subjects (that's what she said). Also, is the CMO role really dying out? [51:20 - 1:25:07]

    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.

    More tomorrow!

  • Helloooooo!

    First up, Jon shares some of what he’s learned using dating apps, which is useful for all mankind. Then Fintan shushes him before it goes entirely off the rails [0:00 – 14:05].

    The guest this episode is the returning Paul Sculpher of Gaming Recruitment Solutions, with his varied observations on all things industry and recruitment. We discuss career aspirations, recruitment trends, and challenges in the gaming industry. We also explore the importance of networking, making connections, and leveraging LinkedIn for job opportunities. The conversation also touches on the difficulties and sacrifices of senior roles, the value of character in hiring decisions, and the support available for employees in casino closures. The hosts share their favourite and least-favourite casinos, and the episode concludes with a lighthearted discussion about strip clubs and the Hippodrome’s Magic Mike show. Oh, and Las Vegas; we talk Vegas too [14:06 – 1:21:19].

  • Jon and Fintan are joined in a star-studded intro this episode – it’s a bit like guest stars coming on Kojak, I suppose, or one of those Agatha Christie movies from the 1970s where it’s got all the big names in – as they’re joined by two of podcast sponsor Clarion’s top cheeses. Sadie Walters is the genius behind ICE Vox, and Andy Ventris is ICE Event Director. They discuss whether books are available outside London, how keeping a good work-life balance results in a healthy head of hair, and more! Not least the highlights you can expect to see in London next week at ICE [0:00 – 28:31].

    Then Jon is joined by the brilliant Howard Stutz, a long-time reporter covering the Las Vegas beat, Now with The Nevada Independent, who comes to discuss the evolution of gambling in the US and the transformation of Las Vegas. He shares his background in reporting and covers the expansion of gambling beyond Nevada, including the growth of tribal casinos and the legalization of sports betting. The conversation also explores the changing perception of gambling and the challenges faced by the industry. The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of Las Vegas and the potential for new developments and events [28:32 – 1:26: 00].

    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.

  • To kick off, Fintan and Jon discuss salt in food. Yeah, we don’t know why either. Then they talk a bit about Optimove, which segues nicely into Clarion Gaming, because they organise ICE and Optimove are at ICE. I know right! And then they talk about listener messages; and the possibility of Gambling Files merch appearing, because it’s a thing now [0:00 – 22:01].

    Then David Williams, Director of Public Affairs at the Rank Group, joins the hosts. They discuss David's appearance in a book and the excitement of being a character, something David and Fintan have both experienced, while Jon is merely a psychic dugong. The conversation then shifts to the need for gambling reforms in the UK and the urgency to implement them. They also explore the potential of sports betting in UK casinos and the role of the Betting and Gaming Council. The episode concludes with a discussion on the potential of event sports venues in the UK. The conversation covers various topics including paninis and sticker collections, favourite films and actors, arts and Bluey, neighbourhood connections, and a hypothetical question about Justin Fletcher and Jamiroquai [22:02 – 1:14:05].

    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.

    Links:

    You can read David's excellent article here: https://bettingandgamingcouncil.com/news/the-clock-is-ticking-for-casino-reforms

    and connect with David on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-williams-b6276112/

  • If you want the inside track on Curacao, you’ve come to the right place.

    This episode, the chaps have big news, something different to show you, and much more.
    Jon’s big news is that he went to see the new Godzilla film, and it was apparently really good. Fintan’s news is bigger though: a new sponsor has joined the podcast family in the shape of Optimove, and after an in-depth product demo the chaps are bedazzled. Bedazzled!
    The gents discuss the product, and Optimove’s presence at ICE, and Amazon gift vouchers, and more [0:00 - 20:14].
    Oh, and our something different is, we’ve done video this time. It might not be live when this goes live, but you can see the channel here.

    Then the week’s very special guest is the wonderful Aideen Shortt, advisor to Curacao’s Minister of Finance and who has been at the heart of the island’s regulatory overhaul. Aideen has had a long and impressive career in gambling, with many big-name companies and quality job titles on her resumé.
    Aideen discusses the changes to Curacao's gambling licensing regime, clarifying that the LOK has not been rejected and explains the parliamentary process it is going through. She emphasises the need for modernization and the economic, social, and reputational benefits it will bring to Curacao, discusses the timeline and process for existing and new licensees, and explains the flexibility and transparency of the GCB portal.
    Rather excitingly, we talk about the draft crypto legislation and the involvement of experts in shaping it, the game-changing potential of Curacao and the importance of forward-looking legislation.

    At ICE, Curacao’s Gaming Control Board will be at N9-260 so stop by and say hello, tell them we sent you. No reason though, it’s just nice to be mentioned, so thanks in advance for that.
    And you can find the gaming control portal here.


    This podcast is presented by Optimove. 56% of the EGR Power 50 Personalize Player Experiences with Optimove. Visit Optimove here, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours.

    Our other key sponsor is the excellent Clarion Gaming, organisers of the legendary ICE event. Registration for the final London event is now open!

  • In this episode, Fintan and Jon discuss the concept of taking a sabbatical (which Fintan is doing) and the challenges of burnout in the workplace (which Jon has done), and getting bad references. They also share personal stories of job difficulties and the importance of prioritizing social connections. The conversation then shifts to the upcoming ICE conference and our plans for the event [0:00 – 28:54].

    Then we meet the fabulously bearded Lorand Minyo, founder and chairman of the Neveli Foundation, which aims to make a positive impact in the world by focusing on philanthropy, advisory services, and impact investing. Laurent explains the three tracks of the foundation and how they work together to achieve their goals. He also emphasizes the importance of teaching children about AI and the need to address biases in AI systems. Laurent shares the foundation's goals for 2024 and encourages listeners to spread the message and do good in their own lives [28:55 – 1:14:29].