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!
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In this episode Fintan and Jon welcome back Keith O'Loughlin, now a best-selling author! Of course he’s also an expert in sports betting and gaming, and in this episode he tells us about his new venture, shares insights on transforming the betting industry, making sports betting more accessible, and the importance of trust and fun in gaming. We explore innovative betting technologies, responsible gambling, and the future of sports and media integration.
Stuff we talk about, in a list:
The evolution of sports betting over the last 20 years
The importance of trust and simplicity in betting platforms
Innovations in media integration for sports betting
The role of responsible gambling and protecting players
The concept of 'fun' in betting and sports engagement
The impact of technology and AI on betting experiences
The story behind the name 'Funteron' and its mission
The future of sports rights and viewer engagement
The challenges and opportunities in expanding betting to new markets
Keith's insights on the importance of experience over trophies
Choice quotes:
"The medal is just a piece of metal."
"Life is about experiences, not trophies."
"Your scoreboard in life is not about money."
Chapters, but add 30 seconds or so because of the music which we use with permission by Mara Carlyle:
00:00 Introduction to Keith O'Loughlin and the episode's focus
02:16 Keith shares his recent experiences and insights
09:21 Keith discusses his book about Eddie Jordan
11:48 Upcoming book 'The Medal Is Just Metal' and its themes
16:13 Personal stories about achievements and trophies
18:07 The true scoreboard of success in life
19:29 Challenges in the current global landscape
25:59 Keith's new betting business and industry insights
34:19 Simplifying sports betting and making it fun
40:17 How integration with media works in betting platforms
48:17 Future vision for responsible and fun betting
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.
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.
RTFM 276: Hizi, a new self-service operating system for studios
Season 2 · Episode 276
Thursday, September 10, 2026 • Duration 50:29
In this episode of the industry's shiniest five-year-old podcast, Robert Lenzhofer discusses the innovative Hizi platform, a self-service operating system for iGaming studios that simplifies game development, deployment, and management, aiming to revolutionize the industry with cloud-based solutions. Hosts Fintan Costello and Jon Bruford welcome Robert – a returning guest! – as they discuss the usual mish-mash of topics alongside Robert’s innovation.
As ever, we thank our superb sponsors – you can find out more about Optimove, World Gaming, and GLI further down this page…
Choice quotes:
"This is more like an operating system for studios"
"Allows you to create any RNG game directly in the back office"
"It's like AWS for the gambling industry"
“The RGS all grown up. The operating system for studios.”
“If you still have to code into the backend, then it’s not self-service.”
“We just give you the best tool that possibly can be built.”
Chapters (but add 30 seconds or so because of our beautiful music, which is copyright Mara Carlyle…)
00:00 - Opening banter and the challenge of recording multiple episodes
01:02 - Moving house, lampshades, and the magnetic knife rack
03:18 - Holiday talk, hustle culture, and the death of downtime
04:04 - The world’s best theme park in Devon: Diggerland, and possibly the best jingle for a theme park ever.
10:29 - Robert’s summer chaos and building a point-and-click adventure with his daughter
12:20 - Introducing Robert Lenzhofer and the move beyond Holle Games
13:01 - What Hizi means and why it is about more than an RGS
14:43 - What the platform is for in practical studio terms
15:48 - Why RGS infrastructure should be treated like a commodity
16:29 - Self-service signup and instant dedicated instances
18:14 - Pricing tiers and what’s included in the basic package
19:20 - The no-code, AI-assisted Hizi engine
RTFM 275: Deal Me Out’s Jordan Lea talks about everything, and more
Season 2 · Episode 275
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 01:08:36
In this episode, Jordan Lea from Deal Me Out discusses the evolving landscape of gambling regulation, black market impacts, prediction markets, and industry challenges. We explore how regulation, industry reputation, and consumer safety are interconnected and what future steps are needed.
This episode is brought to you thanks to the auspices of our Mighty Sponsors: GLI, Optimove, and World Gaming. More on their magnificence after the bit where you can see what’s in the podcast.
Things we talk about, but in a sexy list:
Gambling regulation and its evolution
Impact of black market gambling on the industry
Prediction markets and their perception as safer alternatives
Industry reputation and media portrayal of gambling
Regulatory challenges and government engagement
Black market gambling's influence on consumer behaviour
Strategies for industry self-regulation and public trust
The role of education and community engagement in harm prevention
Future trends in gambling technology and regulation
The importance of industry unity and advocacy
Choice quotes:
"The industry has improved significantly over the years"
"Illegal gambling is a growing problem we must address"
"Prediction markets are being mistaken for safer alternatives"
Chapters – but add 30 seconds or so because of our beautiful music, which the rights holder – Mara Carlyle – has allowed us to use:
0:01 — Intro and film chat
1:10 — John’s cinema rundown
3:09 — Nirvanna the Band, the Show, the Movie
5:52 — Catching up and sponsor banter
8:00 — Fintan’s podcast charts success
RTFM 274: Staicy.win’s Ryan Robey talks AI-driven sports betting and more
Season 2 · Episode 274
Thursday, August 27, 2026 • Duration 01:12:19
Just Jon in the driving seat this episode, so what could possibly go wrong? He’s joined by Ryan Robey from Staicy.win, who shares insights into AI-driven sports betting, community building, and the US gambling landscape. Discover how data, human oversight, and community engagement are transforming betting strategies and industry perceptions.
This episode is brought to you by the titans at Gaming Laboratories International, Optimove, and World Gaming, plus the letters X and T, and the number 28.
Stuff we talk about, in list form:
AI-driven sports betting models
Community building in betting platforms
Data sources and analytics in sports predictions
Human oversight and AI collaboration
US gambling laws and market dynamics
Arbitrage betting and market edges
Community engagement and social aspects of betting
Impact of sports events like World Cup on betting trends
Choice quotes:
"We identify where Vegas is lagging behind"
"Our community is what sets us apart"
"All the colour in bourbon comes from the wood"
“The reason that people go to sports bars is not because they have this burning desire to go spend money to do something they could otherwise do for free. They do it because they love community.”
Chapters, but add 40 seconds maybe because of our beautiful music:
00:00 - Fintan’s new podcast and today’s sponsor rundown
02:27 - Why Optimove and GLI are supporting the show
05:00 - Introducing Ryan Robey and Staicy.win
06:38 - Why the company spelling includes an “I” for AI
RTFM 273: DEDPRZ’s Nick Papagorgio on the future of casino content, and much, much more
Season 2 · Episode 273
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • Duration 01:16:29
In this episode, Nick Papagorgio, CEO of DEDPRZ Casino, shares insights into the world of crypto gambling, the importance of player trust, and the future of online casinos. Discover how innovative strategies and community engagement are shaping the industry. Hosts Fintan Costello and Jon Bruford explore the evolving landscape of gambling streaming, the challenges of streamer marketing, and innovative approaches to engaging audiences in the gambling industry. Our guest Nick shares insights on responsible gaming, licensing, and the future of casino content.
Stuff we talk about, but in a list:
Crypto casino licensing and regulation
Player trust and community engagement
Use of NFTs and blockchain technology
Impact of AI and provably fair systems
Future trends in online gambling
The evolution of gambling streaming and its impact
Challenges of streamer marketing and fake statistics
Building long-term relationships with streamers
Legal and licensing considerations in different markets
Responsible gaming tools and player protection
Innovative casino game development and provably fair systems
The potential of private tables and unique dealer content
The role of energy and entertainment in casino streams
Choice quotes:
"Streaming slots is quite compelling"
"Gambling streamers now make more than athletes"
"Gambling streaming is like a mind sport"
Chapters, but add 30 seconds or so because of our lovely music:
00:00 - Cold open and banter
03:04 - Weight loss, gym talk, and summer energy
09:08 - Optimove sponsor read
RTFM 272: Simon Mach talks crypto ‘signals’ and more
Season 2 · Episode 272
Thursday, August 13, 2026 • Duration 01:01:41
Oh man, if ever there was an episode where you need Fintan, it’s this one. But alas, he is away doing things that no doubt Jon would barely comprehend. So, in this episode, Jon meets Simon Mach (in unconnected news, Jon is soon changing his name to Max Power), CEO of MyCryptoParadise. Simon shares insights into crypto trading signals, market analysis, and the psychology behind crypto trading. We explore how risk management, belief, and market manipulation influence cryptocurrency volatility and trader behaviour, and more.
Things we talk about, but in a list:
Crypto trading signals and their components
Risk management and trade planning in crypto
Market influence factors: liquidity, belief, and manipulation
Psychological aspects: FOMO, anxiety, and discipline
Regulation and its impact on crypto legitimacy
Choice quotes:
"Risk first, trade second."
"Crypto value is based on belief."
"FOMO influences all aspects of life."
Chapters, but add 30 seconds because of our beautiful music:
00:00 Introduction to Simon Mach and MyCryptoParadise
07:04 What Are Crypto Trading Signals and How Are They Used?
14:08 Factors Influencing Crypto Volatility and Market Manipulation
22:09 The Role of Belief and Liquidity in Crypto Prices
29:56 Psychological Factors: FOMO, Anxiety, and Emotional Discipline
42:58 Why Crypto Is Different from Traditional Currencies
56:09 Crypto Regulation and Its Future Impact
01:00:02 Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Simon Mach
So, we got an email from some dude saying hey, I want to come on the podcast, I’ve got a story to tell… And he did! Noah Rafkin had a great idea for a website, it works as both information and a unique (we think, anyway) affiliate experience for players; it’s all good. So Noah tells us about Bonus Bandit, shares insights into the sweepstakes industry, transparency issues, and how data can empower consumers. We discover how his platform aims to protect players and promote industry accountability.
This episode is brought to you by our partners GLI, Optimove, and Clarion Ga World Gaming. We love you. More on this love further down…
Things we talk about, in a list:
Sweepstakes industry transparency
Data-driven trust scores for gambling sites
Consumer protection in online gambling
The architecture of sweepstakes sites and LLCs
Impact of regulation on gambling operators
Chapters, but add a good 40 seconds because of our gorgeous music (Bowlface en Provence, by the unique Mara Carlyle)
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
01:00 Meet Noah Rafkin, founder of Bonus Bandit
02:04 Sponsors and sponsorship messages
04:54 The origin story of Bonus Bandit
07:05 The importance of trust and transparency in gambling
08:54 How Noah started in the sweepstakes industry
11:05 The methodology behind Bonus Bandit's trust scores
12:57 The role of news and public sentiment in site evaluation
14:54 Open data and transparency in the industry
17:03 Criteria used to assess sweepstakes sites
19:03 Common issues in redemption and verification processes
21:02 The impact of reviews and public sentiment analysis
23:09 The architecture of LLCs and site networks
25:07 Regulation, transparency, and industry challenges
RTFM 270: Mel Ellis on strife and palavers in the UK
Season 2 · Episode 270
Thursday, July 30, 2026 • Duration 01:08:00
Another sooper-dooper episode of the gambling industry’s most-tolerated podcast. Hurrah!
In this episode, Jon Bruford is joined by Northridge Law’s Melanie Ellis to delve into UK gambling regulations, industry changes, and the impact of recent policy shifts. They also touch on personal stories, societal issues, and the future of gambling oversight.
This episode might mark a new record too, as they manage to make it to around 28 minutes before they actually talk about gambling…
What we talk about in a list but not in order:
UK gambling regulation updates
Impact of recent policy changes on industry
Personal stories and societal issues in gambling
Future trends in gambling oversight
Industry challenges and opportunities
Baking
Choice quotes:
"You can be fat and active, look at me."
"Who doesn't love Doogal?"
"This episode is brought to you by GLI."
Chapters, but add a bit because of our sensational music (which is Bowlface en Provence, by the wonderful Mara Carlyle, used with the artist’s permission):
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:57 Personal anecdotes and nicknames from childhood and adulthood
07:03 Introduction of sponsor Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
07:59 Discussion on global gambling jurisdictions and GLI's role
11:03 Nicknames in life and their significance
15:57 Discussion on company names and rebranding, including Optimove
21:08 Personal stories about weight, health, and medical interventions
27:58 UK gambling regulation updates: affordability checks and industry response
35:02 Discussion on the departure of key regulators and industry changes
RTFM 269: Patrick Jay: Customer Trust Shapes the Gaming Industry
Season 2 · Episode 269
Thursday, July 23, 2026 • Duration 54:32
In this episode, Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello meet industry expert Patrick Jay about trust in gambling, customer experience, and the future of gaming regulation. They explore how trust impacts regulation, customer loyalty, and industry innovation.
It’s a jolly good episode, and one that is brought to you by our sponsors GLI, Optimove, and World Gaming. More info and links to their worlds of wonder is after the episode info below.
Things we discuss in said episode, in a list:
Customer trust as the root of regulation and industry health
The importance of seamless customer journeys and quick payouts
The impact of regulation driven by trust issues
Innovation cycles in gaming and betting
The role of customer experience in brand and product differentiation
Chapters (but add about 30 seconds because of our beautiful music):
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
01:53 Sponsorships and industry partnerships
06:56 Introducing Patrick J. and his background
11:00 The core argument: industry fighting the wrong war
14:11 Customer trust as the root cause of regulation
17:46 The impact of trust on regulatory actions
21:59 Customer service and trust: lessons from Amazon
25:49 Building customer trust through fast payouts
29:52 Simplifying user journeys and product focus
34:01 The importance of focus and avoiding shiny object syndrome
37:57 Experience as the core of product and brand
41:52 Comparing airline apps: British Airways vs EasyJet
44:45 The pace of change in AI and challenger brands
49:55 The value of focus and simplicity in innovation
53:20 The role of trust in the betting experience
Patrick on LinkedIn:
RTFM 268: Is 1XCARE the real deal? Simon Westbury says it is
Season 2 · Episode 268
Thursday, July 16, 2026 • Duration 01:04:51
In another blockbuster episode of the gambling industry’s favourite podcast, Simon Westbury, Chair of 1XCare, discusses industry perceptions around 1XBET and the new project 1XCARE, regulatory challenges, player protection, and the future of responsible gambling initiatives. He shares insights on transparency, research, and collaborative efforts to improve industry standards. Yeah, we talk about a lot of stuff. No Fintan, sadly.
What we discuss, in an easily-digestible list:
Industry perception and misperceptions of 1X Care
Regulatory evolution and licensing strategies
Player protection and safer gambling initiatives
Research and data in gambling harm prevention
Transparency and accountability in industry practices
Collaborative efforts for industry improvement
Impact of regulation on market expansion
Holistic approaches to gambling addiction
Choice quotes:
"Industry wants to work with us and engage."
"We need to win the conversation with society."
"Gambling has an image problem that needs addressing."
Chapters, but add 30 seconds maybe for the lovely music:
00:00 Introduction and Sponsorships
09:12 1X Care and Addressing Misperceptions
15:00 Player Protection and Industry Challenges
22:06 Research and Polarization in Gambling Addiction
28:01 Collaboration and Future Directions
34:14 Understanding Regulatory Challenges in the Industry
40:18 The Importance of Transparency and Accountability
52:02 Addressing Gambling Addiction and Its Root Causes
58:24 The Future of One X Care and Industry Engagement
Simon on LinkedIn:
21:02 - Early traction, partner growth, and game deployments
23:36 - What studios actually do inside the platform
24:34 - Why billing and back-office tooling matter for small teams
26:15 - Migration paths for existing studios and hybrid deployments
27:40 - How Hizi compares with Stake’s model and game-upload systems
29:00 - The “end of RGS” idea and B2C engine support
31:12 - Could a simple card game or pub machine be built on Hizi?
33:15 - How the platform reduces startup friction and contract pain
35:07 - What onboarding looks like and the learning curve
36:06 - Why Hizi’s challenge is broader than a single-operator system
37:43 - Scaling with a lean team and moving from beta to wider onboarding
41:39 - Distribution as the bottleneck for smaller studios
44:05 - Starting a game studio and the “Doctor Hour” joke
45:16 - Bamboo Guerillas arrives
47:56 - Closing thanks and an invitation to revisit the project in 12 months
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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