Addiction: An Hour With Auer

About Addiction: An Hour With Auer

Gambling addiction expert Dr Michael Auer co-hosts this unique podcast where we discuss addiction in a holistic way with experts from around the world.

Publisher

The Gambling Files Presents

Category

education · health & fitness · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

28 Oct 2025

Latest episode

22 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

43 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Addiction 43: Jussi Palomäki talks risk thresholds, decision making and more

   In this blockbusting episode of everyone’s favourite* addiction-related podcast, we explore the complexities of gambling behaviour, risk thresholds, and the psychological mechanisms behind decision-making and risk management. Top guest Jussi Palomäki is a cognitive scientist and gambling harm researcher, and shares insights on how understanding the brain's response to risk can inform better policies and personal choices. This episode comes to you courtesy of 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. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com (http://www.gaminglabs.com/). *The opinion of the hosts’ mothers is as valid as anyone’s. But yes, we are playing fast and loose with the word ‘everyone’ here. Things we talk about, dressed up to look all nice in a list: Risk thresholds in gambling and their empirical basis The role of cognitive biases and illusions in gambling behaviour The importance of neurobehavioural literacy for responsible gambling Impact of market changes and regulation on gambling harm The concept of lower risk gambling guidelines and their practical application Choice quotes: "State monopoly allows for serious player protection." "Market saturation may not linearly increase harm." "Increasing neurobehavioral literacy can reduce shame." Chapters, but add maybe 45 seconds or so because of our beautiful music and ad read: 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction 07:59 Finland’s gambling market and the end of the state monopoly 11:01 Slot machine availability and gambling behaviour 14:03 Monitoring gambling participation and gambling harm 16:30 Online casino gambling and market saturation 17:34 Lower-risk gambling thresholds and empirical data 20:57 How lower-risk guidelines should be communicated 25:11 Comparing gambling risks with rock climbing and other activities 29:02 Preparation and risk mitigation in high-risk activities 31:25 Gambling mechanics, reward systems, and manipulation 33:34 Education and neurobehavioural literacy 36:02 Individual differences in susceptibility to cognitive biases 36:30 Visual illusions and risk perception 38:46 Cognitive biases, the gambler’s fallacy, and education 41:07 Defining problem gambling and gambling harm 43:08 Measuring harm and the limitations of gambling thresholds 45:40 Closing discussion and future topics 45:59 Prospect theory and behavioural economics Jussi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jussi-palomäki-3bb24228/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jussi-palom%C3%A4ki-3bb24228/) Resources & Links: GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/ (https://gaminglabs.com/) The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/) Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world. Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/) Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/) Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/) Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/) Other podcasts we do: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/) https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/)

2. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Addiction 42: Dr Jim Whelan explains how data is changing treatment

   In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford meet Dr Jim Whelan to explore the intersection of gambling research, treatment, regulation, and marketing. Jim – of the University of Memphis – delves into how data-driven approaches are transforming gambling treatment and responsible gambling initiatives, and much more. Oh, and Jon has a sore throat. All his own fault. This episode comes to you courtesy of 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. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com (http://www.gaminglabs.com/). Things we talk about, in a list: Gambling treatment and research in Tennessee The role of data and measurement in treatment efficacy Challenges and opportunities in gambling regulation Marketing strategies for responsible gambling Impact of online sports betting on gambling behaviour Comorbidity and personalised treatment approaches Choice quotes: “I don't put the seatbelt on because I think I'm gonna get in an accident.” “Get them in the door, keep them in the door, and send them on their way with a toolkit that might help them afterwards.” “Who needs what, when?” Chapters, but add a bit because of the music and intro: 00:00 – Welcome, voice jokes, and the therapy discussion 04:17 – Meet Dr. Jim Whelan 05:36 – Tennessee’s treatment and research partnership 07:04 – Clinics, telehealth, and treatment research 09:57 – Precision treatment: who needs what, and when? 13:01 – Marketing treatment and future-self messaging 16:47 – Tennessee’s gambling landscape 19:32 – Prevalence data and research limitations 26:48 – How gambling tax revenue funds treatment 36:24 – Why gamblers distrust operator-led messaging 42:18 – Safe gambling versus problem gambling 45:14 – Comorbidity and measurement-based care 50:38 – Nature, nurture, and gambling risk 52:05 – Online sports betting and sports integrity 56:56 – Regulation, transparency, and the case for change Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-whelan-b9b45487/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-whelan-b9b45487/) Resources & Links: GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/ (https://gaminglabs.com/) The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/) Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world. Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/) Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/) Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/) Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/) Other podcasts we do: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/) https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/)

3. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Addiction 41: Dr Ayan Orujov talks trading, betting, and behavioural patterns

   In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford welcome Dr. Ayan Orujov from the University of Liverpool to discuss the impact of sports betting legalisation on suicide rates in the US, the challenges of prediction markets, and the intersection of gambling and behavioural psychology. He’s pretty awesome. This episode comes to you courtesy of 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. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com (http://www.gaminglabs.com/). Things we discuss, in a list: Impact of sports betting legalisation on suicide rates Challenges in prediction market regulation Behavioural patterns in gambling and trading Legal and regulatory landscape of US gambling Data collection and research in gambling studies Choice quotes: "Legalisation of sports betting affects suicide rates." "Prediction markets face regulatory and legal hurdles." "Gambling and investment are increasingly intertwined." Chapters, but add thirty seconds or so because of our intro: 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:41 Guest introduction: Dr. Ayan Orujov and his background 05:07 Region-specific gambling industry insights from Azerbaijan and Liverpool 10:11 Dr. Ayan Orujov’s research on gambling and suicide rates 17:33 Analysis of the effects of sports betting legalization in the US 22:23 Comparison of gambling research across different countries 26:09 Differential effects of gambling on various demographic groups 31:08 Research methodologies and data collection challenges 36:37 Perception of sports betting among Gen Z and young people 42:23 Prediction markets, regulation, and legal challenges 48:17 Future legal battles and the role of tribes and states 55:10 Psychological aspects of gambling and investment perceptions Resources & Links: GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/ (https://gaminglabs.com/) Ayan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayan-orujov-3b403099/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayan-orujov-3b403099/) The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/) Addiction: An Hour With Auer is a weekly podcast where hosts Dr Michael Auer – he of the title – and Jon Bruford talk about addiction in all its forms. Not just gambling addiction, they discuss all forms of addiction with experts, academics and researchers from around the world. Dr Auer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-auer-51a48a/) Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/) Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/) Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/) Other podcasts we do: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/) https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/ (https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/)

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

14 ratings

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