🎙️ In this episode of Martin Lycka's Safe Bet Show, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Shatley, Executive Director of Roga (Responsible Online Gaming Association), for a conversation on the future of responsible gaming. With a unique academic background—especially her communications degree rooted in research and statistics—Dr. Shatley brings a data-driven mindset to her work. She reflects on her tenure at Caesars, where she led initiatives like Responsible Gaming training and the creation of the Res...
Jun 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 45
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 cl...
Mar 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 44
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 ...
Mar 14, 2025•31 min•Ep. 43
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 promot...
Feb 20, 2025•33 min•Ep. 42
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 partne...
Jan 30, 2025•35 min•Ep. 41
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 ...
Dec 05, 2024•33 min•Ep. 40
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 colla...
Nov 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 36
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 multicultur...
Oct 24, 2024•36 min•Ep. 39
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 discussi...
Sep 12, 2024•33 min•Ep. 38
Former professional hockey player turned broadcaster Luke Gazdic was the latest guest on the Martin Lycka Safe Bet Show, supported by the Player Protection Hub , filmed live at the recent Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto. Gazdic recapped his time in the NHL and the minor leagues, before discussing his current role as a hockey analyst and how sports betting has changed in Canada from the start of his career until now. The Player Protection Hub is a membership-only news discussion and research hu...
Jul 22, 2024•26 min•Ep. 37
Martin Lycka welcomes Mark Hicks, Managing Director of the NCAA, to discuss the NCAA’s relationship with sports betting, college prop bets and protecting the welfare of student-athletes. The pair also talk about the NCAA’s partnership with Epic Global Solutions which aims to teach students about responsible gambling and the impact of Caitlin Clark on women's basketball.
Jun 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 34
Martin Lycka welcomes Adam Warrington, Vice President of Responsible Gaming at Underdog Sports to discuss his time working in the alcohol industry at Anheuser-Busch and the differences between problem drinking and problem gaming. The pair also discussed Adam’s time at Fanduel spearheading their responsible gambling ambassador program and Underdog’s new $1 million GuardDog fund that aims to help start-ups developing new responsible gaming technology.
May 31, 2024•34 min•Ep. 35
Martin Lycka welcomes Arthur Paikowsky, President of the International Centre for Responsible Gambling to discuss Arthur's experience with the ICRG, formerly the NCRG, including growing the organisation, and their work and research in the United States and now beyond over the last 25 years. Martin and Arthur also discuss Arthur's fundraising experience and the challenges charities face in this area, advertising in the industry, how new technologies impact combating gambling harms and much more....
Apr 25, 2024•35 min•Ep. 33
Martin Lycka returns once again and joining him in the Safe Bet Show hotseat is Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association. In the latest episode, the duo talk about Paul's career before entering the gambling sector, comparing the two different environments, key objectives of the CGA and the Associations partnership with SBC regarding the Canadian Gaming Summit.
Feb 23, 2024•31 min•Ep. 32
The Buckeye State's Amanda Blackford of the Ohio Casino Control Commission talks about how the state has adapted since the launch of sports betting one year ago, including expanding education at all levels. Blackford also delves into how the OCCC has developed a process that integrates stakeholder feedback at every level and how that has improved the industry in the state.
Jan 27, 2024•30 min•Ep. 31
The latest person to enter the Safe Bet Show hotseat is Michael Auer, the Founder and Managing Director of Neccton. Joining Martin Lycka, the duo discuss the importance of statistics, the UK White Paper consultations and its key priniciples, while also reflecting on the future of the UK market. Later on in the show, Lycka quizzes Auer on which responsible gambling tools he believes to be the most efficient.
Dec 13, 2023•32 min•Ep. 30
There are many dynamic duos. Bert and Ernie. Batman and Robin. Sonny and Cher. For US online gambling, you could arguably put Entain SVP American Regulatory Affairs & Responsible Gambling Martin Lycka and Princeton Public Affairs Group’s Bill Pascrell III on the list. The two joined forces at SBC Summit Barcelona for a live version of The Safe Bet Show. The two longtime colleagues reminisced on their years of work to bring gambling expansion to the US, most notably in New Jersey. They also t...
Oct 31, 2023•37 min•Ep. 29
Up in the hot seat of Martin Lycka’s Safe Bet Show this month is Richard Taylor, Senior Manager Responsible Gambling at BetMGM, discussed his career in the US military, construction and how his path led to BetMGM.
Oct 27, 2023•34 min•Ep. 28
Up in the hot seat of Martin Lycka’s Safe Bet Show this month is Dallas Baker, Head of International Operations at BetMakers, who laid out the case for rolling out fixed-odds racing betting in the US.
Aug 11, 2023•31 min•Ep. 27
Martin talks to Glenn Healy about his 50 year career in the NHL, the ups and downs, and what it was like to win the Stanley Cup.
Jun 30, 2023•33 min•Ep. 26
Martin interviews NFL star Amani Toomer and have a discussion on responsible gambling around the NFL and Sports Betting.
Jun 29, 2023•35 min•Ep. 25
Martin Lycka is joined by Executive Director of UNLV, Brett Abarbanel, in the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show. Brett discusses gambling in the esports space compared to gambling on non-digital sports, and much more in todays episode of Martin Lycka’s Safe Bet Show.
Apr 28, 2023•23 min•Ep. 24
Martin Lycka is joined by founder and CEO of Yield Sec, Ismail Vali, in the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show. Ismail discusses the illegal side of the gambling industry and all the good that Yield Sec can provide to help making the gambling space a safer, more enjoyable space for all.
Mar 27, 2023•35 min•Ep. 23
Martin Lycka is joined by host of 'ALL IN: The Addicted Gambler's Podcast', Brian Hatch, in the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show. Brian discusses his dark past in gambling addiction, how he overcame the grasp of it and what the industry needs to do to help others who suffer from it.
Mar 02, 2023•27 min•Ep. 22
Martin Lycka is joined by Director of the Louisiana Attorney General's Office Gaming Division, Christopher Hebert, in the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show. Chris discusses the current state of responsible gambling in the US, igaming regulations and black market gambling.
Jan 26, 2023•31 min•Ep. 21
Martin Lycka is joined by serial entrepreneur, sports betting pioneer and co-founder of Wager Score, Bo Grey, in the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show. Bo discusses Charles Oakley's 'Oak Out Hunger' tour, the evolution of safer gambling and how betting has changed for the currrent generation.
Dec 20, 2022•28 min•Ep. 20
In episode 19 of Martin Lycka's Safe Bet Show, it's a great pleasure and privilege to welcome Indiana State Senator Jon Ford on to the show. He represents District 38 of the great Hoosier State, having been first elected to the Indiana Senate back in 2014. Before running for office Ford was the president of All State Manufacturing. His main goal was to "focus on building the Wabash Valley's reputation as a quality place to study, work and live." Ford was a member of the Honey Creek Township Boar...
Nov 29, 2022•32 min•Ep. 19
Birgitte Sand, CEO of Birgitte Sand & Associates, Board Member at Mindway.AI, Global Advisory Board Member at the All-In Diversity Project, former long-time Director General at the Danish Gambling Authority, and all-round industry titan joined Martin for a special live edition of the Safe Bet Show. Filmed at the Player Protection Symposium, at September's SBC Summit Barcelona 2022, Martin and Birgitte had a fascinating discussion in front of a live audience, touching on a number of topics, f...
Nov 10, 2022•44 min•Ep. 18
The latest episode Martin Lycka's Safe Bet Show features Cait DeBaun, vice president, strategic communications and responsibility. Martin and Cait chat about the AGA, stamping out the black market, online casino regulating slower than sports betting, Responsible Gambling Education Month, and Washington DC Fandom.
Nov 10, 2022•31 min•Ep. 17
Keith Whyte, Executive Director for the National Council on Problem Gambling joined Martin Lycka in the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show to discuss the evolution of the gambling sector on a global scale, being an advocate for problem gamblers from a neutral stance, the limits on voluntary self-regulation and the modernisation of helplines.
Sep 02, 2022•37 min•Ep. 16
