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.

In this episode of the Safe Bet Show, Martin Lycka interviews José Francisco Manssur, a key figure in the regulation of the gambling industry in Brazil.

The duo discuss the realities of Brazil beyond common myths, Manssur's journey in sports law and the challenges he faced in regulating the betting industry.

Also on the agenda are the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions, the importance of combating the black market and the role of football in Brazilian culture, highlighting how partnerships between football clubs and sports betting operators can contribute positively to social issues in Brazil.

In this episode of the Safe Bet Show, supported by the Player Protection Hub, Martin Lycka is joined by Daniel Trolaro, Co-Managing Director of Education and Training Services at Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), who details his journey from prison to gambling harm prevention educator.

Trolaro speaks about how he used gambling as a coping mechanism after witnessing the terror attacks of 9/11 and also the fulfilment he has found in educating college athletes in his roles at EPIC Global Solutions and IC360.

The duo also discuss the latest initiatives of the New Jersey Council, the merits of using the term safer gambling over responsible gambling and why education on gambling is needed throughout all stages of the US schooling system.

The Player Protection Hub is a membership-only news discussion and research hub dedicated to the global player protection and responsible gambling space.

Designed to be the home of player protection news and multimedia content, and one-stop-shop for all relevant research, and to facilitate discussion led by our high-level membership base.

The Player Protection Hub aims to raise industry standards across the board.

Register here https://playerprotectionhub.com/

• (00:00) - Introduction to Dan Trelaro and New Jersey
• (03:04) - The Impact of 9/11 on Dan's Life
• (05:52) - Coping Mechanisms: Gambling as an Escape
• (08:46) - Recovery and Advocacy in Gambling
• (12:06) - Current Initiatives in Gambling Education
• (14:59) - The Role of IC 360 in Gambling Integrity
• (17:51) - The State of Responsible Gambling in the US
• (20:47) - Sports Betting and Its Challenges
• (23:52) - Key Messages and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the Safe Bet Show, supported by the Player Protection Hub, Martin Lycka is joined by Lou Rogacki, Deputy Director and Assistant Attorney General at the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) who talks about his background, experience working in the legal field and his role in the regulation of the gambling industry in New Jersey.

The duo also discuss the NJDGE’s commitment to responsible gambling, the Seton Hall Law School gambling compliance bootcamp and why collaboration is crucial between different states and jurisdictions.

The Player Protection Hub is a membership-only news discussion and research hub dedicated to the global player protection and responsible gambling space.

Designed to be the home of player protection news and multimedia content, and one-stop-shop for all relevant research, and to facilitate discussion led by our high-level membership base.

The Player Protection Hub aims to raise industry standards across the board.

Register here https://playerprotectionhub.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
07:41 Lessons from the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
11:26 Key Role in Internet Gaming and Sports Betting
19:23 Working with Director Rebuck and Highlights of Their Interaction
24:00 Commitment to Responsible Gambling and Continuous Improvement
29:02 The Seton Hall Law School Gambling Compliance Bootcamp
33:08 Sports Teams and the Role of Luck in Gambling
36:16 Final Thoughts and Collaboration Among Regulators

• (00:00) - Introduction and Background
• (07:41) - Lessons from the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
• (12:01) - Key Role in Internet Gaming and Sports Betting
• (20:19) - Working with Director Rebuck and Highlights of Their Interaction
• (24:56) - Commitment to Responsible Gambling and Continuous Improvement
• (29:58) - The Seton Hall Law School Gambling Compliance Bootcamp
• (34:04) - Sports Teams and the Role of Luck in Gambling
• (37:12) - Final Thoughts and Collaboration Among Regulators

The latest episode of Martin Lycka’s Safe Bet Show is out and features Aaron GlynWilliams, Chief of Staff at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

Martin and Aaron discussed the similarities between his previous roles lobbying for transport in Toronto and his current work with OLG, how changing consumer behaviour is shaping OLG’s offering and why the globalised nature of the gaming industry means that regions can learn from each other.

The duo also spoke about the “strong multicultural fabric” of Ontario and why operators need to remain culturally relevant as Ontraio’s gaming market becomes open to an increasingly diverse player base.

The Player Protection Hub is a membership-only news discussion and research hub dedicated to the global player protection and responsible gambling space.

Designed to be the home of player protection news and multimedia content, and one-stop-shop for all relevant research, and to facilitate discussion led by our high-level membership base. The Player Protection Hub aims to raise industry standards across the board. Register here https://playerprotectionhub.com/

00:00
Introduction and Background

04:05
The Reputation of Pearson Airport

07:57
The Role of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation

10:41
Transformation and Growth in the Gaming Industry in Ontario

17:25
The Future of the Gaming Industry in Ontario

23:15
Regulatory Developments in Alberta

26:12
Diversity and Inclusion in the Gaming Industry

30:40
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Sports

32:55
Key Messages and Conclusion

In the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show, supported by the Player Protection Hub, Martin Lycka returns once again to the hot seat and is joined by Valerie Spicer, Founding Partner at Trilogy Group.

The Player Protection Hub is a membership-only news discussion and research hub dedicated to the global player protection and responsible gambling space.

Designed to be the home of player protection news and multimedia content, and one-stop-shop for all relevant research, and to facilitate discussion led by our high-level membership base. The Player Protection Hub aims to raise industry standards across the board. Register here https://playerprotectionhub.com/

00:00
Introduction and Overview
04:04
Valerie Spicer's Role in Tribal Gaming
09:25
The Regulatory Landscape in Arizona
16:19
Tribal Gaming in Other States
26:49
The Future of the National Council on Problem Gambling
32:21
Closing Messages