The Gambling Harm Podcast

A special edition of The Gambling Harm podcast, hosted by leading broadcaster John-Paul Davies, is a chance to look back at ten years of EPIC Risk Management, picking out a few highlights of an unforgettable decade. We look into how EPIC has sought to take the harm out of gambling, targeting high-risk gambling sectors and utilising the lived experience of people whose lives have been affected by gambling-related harm. We start by hearing from the first two members of the team; Paul Buck and head of delivery Mark Potter (01:01). We then look at the big breakthrough for EPIC; the signing of its first contract to deliver education to professional athletes, thanks to an agreement with the Rugby Players Association in 2016. RPA’s player development manager, Emily Lord, and general secretary Christian Day outline why they see EPIC’s work as being so important for their members (09:35). We hear from Dan Trolaro, vice president of prevention, who has travelled to institutions all over the US to share his story since arriving from The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and explains how gambling has been woven into the fabric of American culture (23:56). And finally a selection of people that make EPIC happen day in and day out; discussing our American growth and the future of EPIC (32:44).

The Gambling Harm Podcast is back with a new episode: Loot Boxes. Special guests Dave Sproson (Head of Safer Gambling at EPIC), Jonny Peniket (Gaming and Esports Consultant at EPIC), Nathan Quarless (Programme Facilitator at EPIC and pro boxer) join our new host John-Paul Davies, best known for his presenting roles with the BBC and Sky Sports. In this episode we will be discussing what loot boxes are and the role they play in gaming; a pertinent topic with many parents set to buy the latest games for their children this Christmas (1:28). We will be asking the question if these are an early introduction to gambling to the younger generation (33:52). What makes them particularly dangerous and do they target a specific demographic? (47:52) And finally what the future holds for legislation around loot boxes (44:48).

In episode five of The Gambling Harm Podcast by EPIC Risk Management, Scott Davies and Alan Smart talk about the impact of gambling harm on an addict’s friends and family, hosted by Steve Cotton from JMP. Among other topics, they discuss: their personal experiences of gambling harm (01:30), how they affected those closest to them through their gambling addiction (06:50), the process of re-building trust (09:50), why speaking to those closest to you can be the hardest thing to do (13:50), why it feels strange being applauded for telling the story of their gambling addiction (19:15), the domino effect of how many people gambling harm can impact (22:50), the legacy of their addiction (29:35) and looking to the future (34:35). Trigger warning: This episode includes a mention of suicide attempt For further information about EPIC Risk Management, please visit: https://www.epicriskmanagement.com

In episode four of The Gambling Harm Podcast by EPIC Risk Management, Andy Margett and Craig Cornforth look at the road to recovery from gambling addiction, hosted by Steve Cotton from JMP. Among other topics, they discuss: their personal experiences of gambling harm (01:30), why it is so important for their respective recoveries to tell their stories on a regular basis (05:00), Craig rediscovering his love for watching football in recovery (08:20), Andy on how difficult it was to break away from watching horse racing as a spectator sport (12:00), why recovery doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach/dealing with temptation in the initial stages of recovery (16:20), the impact on those closest to gambling addicts (21:40), the process of re-earning trust from family and friends (26:20), the time they lost during the height of their addictions (33:20) and how giving up gambling was the hardest thing marathon runner Andy has ever done (36:30). Trigger warning: This episode includes mentions of suicide ideation and attempt. For further information about EPIC Risk Management, please visit: https://www.epicriskmanagement.com