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.

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/

Resources & Links:

GLI: https://gaminglabs.com/

The Gambling Files on LinkedIn: 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/

Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/

Podcast homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/addiction/

Media behemoth homepage: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/

Other podcasts we do:

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/the-gambling-files/

https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/dessert-island-discs/