It’s an epic episode this week, with one extra-long intro and a really special main guest. Oooh, maybe we could call it an epicsode! The brilliant Scott Longley steps in for Fintan in the intro, and it developed into quite a long chat about the state of things in the UK at the moment. We got right into the implications of taxation, the rise of the black market, and the historical context of gambling regulation. We delve into the importance of betting shops to local communities and the relationship between the racing industry and betting operators, then the challenges faced by regulators and the potential consequences of government actions on the gambling landscape. We go far and wide in this one [0:00 – 49:39]. Then we meet our special guest, the first of our author guests with a book submitted for the inaugural Gambling Book Awards. Meet Alex O’Brien, science writer and passionate poker player. Alex’s book The Truth Detective: Lessons from Poker on Risk, Reward and Imperfect Information is available from all good bookshops right now and it’s well worth a read.In this episode, Alex discusses the importance of critical thinking, the overlap between science writing and poker, and the role of women in the poker industry. Alex shares insights on parenting, teaching children critical thinking through poker, and the evolution of women's poker tournaments. The conversation also touches on misinformation, perfectionism, and the future of poker and parenting [49:40 – 1:38:32].Choice quotes:<ul><li>“Hey, it’s Enrico Palazzo!”</li><li>"Practice makes progress, not perfect."</li><li>"Poker is a game of understanding others."</li></ul> Alex O’Brien on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-brien-8876686/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-brien-8876686/</a>As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support. They are truly the Mad Max: Fury Road, to our Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. In no particular order they are:&nbsp; the mighty <a href="https://everymatrix.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EveryMatrix </a>– the industry go-to for sportsbook platforms and data feeds. <a href="https://everymatrix.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EveryMatrix</a>’s coverage is so damn good, they’re gaining tier-1 operators all the time. If I had to fight to the death in a weird, muddy amphitheatre in a dystopian future, I’d want these guys with me.<a href="https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Optimove</a>, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. <a href="https://hubs.la/Q02gLC7C0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Optimove</a>, your support helps us make things that are like the sacred gasoline –&nbsp;of DATA!!! Then of course there is <a href="https://www.clariongaming.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Clarion Gaming</a>, providers of the magnificent ICE expo (January ’26 in Barcelona) and iGB Live! in London. Yeah, the show where there is that guy shooting all fire out the end of his guitar which he’s playing on the roof of a truck. We love you guys infinity plus one. &nbsp;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: <a href="https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/</a>Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/3A57jkR" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://apple.co/3A57jkR</a>Subscribe on Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF</a>&nbsp;Subscribe on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast&nbsp;</a>Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/</a>&nbsp;Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/</a>&nbsp;Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/</a>&nbsp;Sponsorship enquiries: <a href="https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Get our newsletter: <a href="https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/</a>

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

RTFM 231: The Truth Detective: Alex O’Brien on the lessons we can learn from poker

The Gambling Files

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews