In the latest episode of Martin Lycka's Safe Bet Show, Martin chats with Monica Shafaq, CEO of Gordon Moody, delving into her extensive charity sector background spanning housing and mental health.

Monica shares her journey, including her 14-year tenure as CEO of Kaleidoscope Plus Group, a mental health support organisation.

A crucial part of the conversation explores the significant interplay between mental health and problem gambling, with Monica highlighting that over 70% of Gordon Moody's clients have a diagnosed mental health condition. As a mental health first aid instructor, she also shares key skills for providing initial support.

Beyond the charity sector, Monica discusses her allegiance to Wolverhampton Wanderers and her passionate involvement in football governance, driven by a desire to destigmatise mental health in sports and champion equality and diversity.

Monica also outlines exciting future plans for Gordon Moody, including increased social media presence, service diversification, and international expansion.

Join Martin Lycka on another episode of his Safe Bet Show as he welcomes Simon Vincze, Head of Sustainable and Safe Gambling at Casino Guru.

In this insightful conversation, Simon shares his experiences growing up in the post-Czechoslovak environment, reflecting on the unique dynamic between Czechs and Slovaks and his personal connection to both cultures.

He provides an in-depth look into Casino Guru's mission to offer reliable information about online casinos, explaining their rigorous process for establishing the safety index and their efforts to act as a "Wikipedia for online casinos".

Simon delves into the crucial topic of responsible gambling, sharing his thoughts on player education and the need for gambling companies to bring their players "out of the shadow". He also discusses his spearheaded project to develop universal recommendations for online self-exclusion practices.
Beyond his professional life, Simon reflects on how fatherhood influences his career and travel.

In this episode of the Safe Bet Show, Martin Lycka is joined by Sarah Ramanauskas, Co-Founder and CEO of the The Game Safety Institute, to discuss her early life and career, experiences at Betfair and William Hill and the evolution of online gambling.

Sarah shares her insights on why safer gambling starts with respect, the evolution of customer behaviour and the importance of community support through initiatives such as Bet No More.

Also on the agenda is the role of Gambling Integrity in promoting safer gambling practices, the unique challenges posed by the US gaming industry and why there needs to be a shift in focus from individual responsibility to product safety.