MGCB’ s Dual Down Podcasting Informing The state of michigan Residents Regarding Gambling Business

The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced in April that it had stepped up its communications game by launching a podcast.

Five episodes in, the podcast, named Double Down, is delivering on its promise of providing residents with information about the gambling industry in Michigan.

However, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams does more than just speak with the regulator’s employees about regulations. It is also not simply a live read-through of the MGCB website.

How come the MGCB have a podcasting?

As the gambling industry continues to grow, regulators are making efforts to effectively communicate with the public. While press releases can only go so far and advertisements about responsible gambling are effective but costly, there is also a chance that people will tune out ads, as we often do.

With the Double Down podcast, the MGCB can deliver its desired communication unfiltered. Although residents will need to actively seek it out, there is a good chance they won’t tune it out once they find it.

“Through our podcast, Michigan citizens can learn more about the gaming industry and its impact on the state and its patrons,” said Williams in a press release announcing the podcast. “If you enjoy gaming or are interested in how the industry works, our podcasts will provide insights from the regulator’s unique perspective. We will also assist our listeners by sharing information on responsible gaming and problem gambling.”

The question, of course, is whether people will seek it out. As of now, the podcast has two five-star ratings on Apple Podcasts and one review. However, as anyone who has tried launching a podcast knows, listeners don’t simply appear overnight.

MGCB Dual Down concentrated mostly upon responsible video gaming

As one would expect, the main focus of the podcast in its first five episodes has been responsible gambling.

Three of those five episodes have featured podcast host Williams speaking with guest experts on RG. MGCB Responsible Gaming Manager Sandra Johnson was featured in Episode 1, while Alia Lucas, the Gambling Disorder Program Manager for the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services, was in Episode 5.

Episode 2 also focused on responsible gambling, with a more personal touch, as Williams welcomed Michael Burke, the Executive Director of the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling and a board member of the National Council on Problem Gambling. Burke also authored “Never Enough: One Lawyer’s True Story of How He Gambled His Career Away.”

Burke spoke at length – it’s definitely the podcast’s longest episode at 52 minutes – about his own experiences, as well as myths and facts about problem gambling, and how to support a loved one who is dealing with it.

While it’s the longest episode, it’s also the most captivating, as Burke’s personal story adds a layer to the otherwise information-only podcast.

The other two episodes focused on horse racing, but from different perspectives. Episode 3 featured Steve Carlo, co-owner of Northville Downs. Carlo talked at length about horse racing in Michigan, the history of Northville Downs, and his future vision for it.

Episode 4 was a discussion with MGCB Horse Racing Section Manager Heather Gaunt, and was more educational in nature.

Where are you able to find the MGCB podcast?

The Double Down podcast is available where most podcasts are found: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Podcast Directory, and Spotify.

Episodes are released at the end of each of the previous three months.