Jon Bryan Poker
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Jon Bryan Poker
@jonbryanpoker.bsky.social
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Two years ago I wrote a pamphlet about my thoughts on gambling, and how the dominant narrative needs to be challenged. A failure to do so risks us losing our liberty and freedoms that we have fought hard for.

Grateful to the Academy of Ideas for publishing it.

academyofideas.org.uk/letters-on-l...
Letters on Liberty: Risking it All: the freedom to gamble
Jon Bryan argues that a crackdown on gambling should worry us all, as our liberties could easily be fluttered away by politicians and pundits alike. Whether you are a fan of the slots machine or not, ...
academyofideas.org.uk
Once again on gambling taxes 👇

"The understandable concerns from both the car industry and car drivers are given serious consideration in the media, while the concerns of the consumer in the sphere of gambling (which is also facing tax hikes) are not."

open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
All taxpayers are important, but some taxpayers are more important than others
In discussions about which taxes the government should increase, there is a big difference in how members of the public are treated. Some are seen as 'an easy hit'. Others, less so. Read on...
open.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
"Jobs are at risk and punters are likely to suffer, which is what we need to keep repeating to those parliamentarians who are prepared to listen."

open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Gambling is not a 'social ill'
My thoughts on a discussion in parliament yesterday
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:26 AM
In the lead up to a debate in London at the Battle of Ideas on Saturday 18th October 2025, here's some of my thoughts on the issue of gambling and morality:
#BattleFest
www.slotshawk.com/news/the-deb...
The Debate Around Morality and Gambling
In the lead up to a debate in London at the Battle of Ideas next month, Jon Bryan gives us a sample of his views about gambling and morals.
www.slotshawk.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:43 PM
My latest Substack post is a few comments about a new book on Risk by David Reid.

I'm looking forward to the session about this at 'The Battle of Ideas' in two weeks

#BattleFest

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/putting-ri...
Putting 'Risk' into some sort of perspective
Some brief comments on a new book about RISK
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Labour MPs are going after gambling and gamblers. And ITV didn't want to hear a voice from a punter on the issue, so I wrote this article this morning 👇👇

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/dozens-of-...
Dozens of Labour MPs seek redemption for previously voting to keep the two-child benefit cap
They have gambling and gamblers as their target instead
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
There's a session on gambling at the Battle of Ideas, London, which I'm talking at, alongside @mzc.bsky.social

It should be 👍 😊

#BattleFest

Saturday 18th October. More details and tickets, etc, here 👇

www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/is-g...
Is gambling immoral? - Battle of Ideas
This summer, the think tank IPPR has revived the idea of sharp rises in the ‘sin taxes’ on gambling. Not only is this intended to increase revenues for the Treasury, but it also chimes with a longstan...
www.battleofideas.org.uk
September 21, 2025 at 1:14 PM
⛔⛔⛔⛔🏇🏇🏇🏇

No horse racing took place on Wednesday in the UK this week, as a Racing Strike took place. There is a campaign to #axetheracingtax, and my thoughts on it are here 👇👇

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/the-racing...
The Racing 'Strike': when racing stopped and went to Westminster
My thoughts on one of the big events of the week
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
🆕🚨🆕🚨🆕🚨

"For those interested in the stance that political parties and politicians take on gambling and gamblers, there are some worrying views amongst some MPs, who adopt a very illiberal approach."

Read more 👇👇
www.slotshawk.com/news/gamblin...
Gambling, Politics and Political Parties
Jon Bryan gives a run-down on gambling and politics in the UK over the summer period.
www.slotshawk.com
September 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I've written my thoughts about gambling and taxation in my latest post on Substack 👇

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/gambling-t...
Gambling Taxes and Child Poverty: there's no reason to back Gordon Brown on this one
Why we shouldn't take the advice of Gordon Brown, or the Institute for Public Policy Research, nor the Social Market Foundation
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
August 9, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I took part in the UK government’s consultation on remote gambling taxes.

"This modest submission is concerned with the impact of these changes on the gambling consumer."

Read more:
www.slotshawk.com/news/tax-tre...
Tax Treatment of Remote Gambling - A Submission to the Consultation
SlotsHawk writer Jon Bryan took part in the UK government's consultation on remote gambling taxes. Here, we reproduce that submission.
www.slotshawk.com
August 1, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Changes to casino regulations this week should be welcomed by all of us

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/casinos-ge...
Casinos get a much needed boost
But not everyone is happy about it
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Reposted by Jon Bryan Poker
According to the history books, some form of poker has been played for hundreds of years – there are records…

Read More: How To Read the Poker Board
How To Read the Poker Board
According to the history books, some form of poker has been played for hundreds of years – there are records… Read More: How To Read the Poker Board
dlvr.it
July 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Jon Bryan Poker
New Poker Quiz Alert!

A brand-new poker-themed quiz is live on PokerListings – and this time it’s all about Women in Poker.

• 15 beginner-level questions
• Takes around 10 minutes
• Test your knowledge and learn something new

Take the quiz now: www.pokerlistings.com/poker-quizze...

#poker
Women In Poker Quiz - PokerListings
www.pokerlistings.com
July 21, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I wrote my latest article about gambling after a talk I did at "Living Freedom", which generated a good discussion. Here's some of my thoughts 👇

www.slotshawk.com/news/theres-...
"There's Nothing Wrong with Gambling"
Jon Bryan offers his reflections on a recent conference where he spoke about gambling.
www.slotshawk.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
🚨🆕🚨
🎰🎲💷♥️♠️♦️♣️
Since the 2024 General Election, there have been lots of comments in the Houses of Parliament on gambling. Here's my top five 👇

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/top-five-s...
Top Five speeches/statements on gambling in the Houses of Parliament (2024/25)
One year after the 2024 General Election, I have chosen my top five contributions about gambling over the last twelve months in Parliament.
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
July 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM
One year after the 2024 General Election, I've chosen my least favourite contributions in parliament on the subject of gambling

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/my-five-le...
My five least favourite contributions about gambling in the Houses of Parliament (2024/25)
The 2024 General Election was one year ago this week, which means it's a good time for reflection. In debates about gambling, here's the five worst contributions by politicians, as chosen by me.
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
June 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
🚨🆕🚨🆕🚨
I have an article in 'Gambling Insider', which you can read here 👇👇

www.gamblinginsider.com/magazine/125...
June 27, 2025 at 9:03 AM
One year after the General Election, has much changed on the issue of gambling?

"This government has picked up where the last one stopped...there is not much difference between this Labour government led by Starmer & the Sunak-led Conservative one"

By me 👇👇

www.slotshawk.com/news/a-year-...
A Year in Parliament 2024/25
SlotsHawk's Jon Bryan offers some thoughts on politics and parliament & what this means for the gambling industry and the gambling consumer.
www.slotshawk.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Speaking at this event - Living Freedom - at the end of the month. Looking forward to discussing gambling regulations with others.

livingfreedom.org.uk/living-freed...
Living Freedom Summer School 2025 - Living Freedom
SUMMER SCHOOL OVERVIEW Our three-day residential school takes place in central London on 26 to 28 June and is open to anyone aged 18 to 30, based in the UK … Continue reading "Living Freedom Summer Sc...
livingfreedom.org.uk
June 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

NEW ARTICLE ON GAMBLING CONSUMERS

"The Gamblers Consumer Forum...deserve much credit for what they do...they speak out for the more than 20 million gambling consumers...Everyone reading this should consider offering them your support."

www.slotshawk.com/news/underst...
Understanding The Voice Of The Gambling Consumer
Writing for SlotsHawk, Jon Bryan offers his thoughts on the latest news from the Gambling Commission, as they launch a new Consumer Voice framework.
www.slotshawk.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by Jon Bryan Poker
How lucky is this?! A woman who placed a £1 bet at a Kent casino scooped £19,000 after landing an incredible poker hand. Full story: buff.ly/DW6dj60
Woman wins £19k off £1 bet
A mystery woman has scooped more than £19,000 after placing a £1 bet at a Kent casino.
www.kentonline.co.uk
June 10, 2025 at 10:23 AM
As we approach the start of the 2025 World Series of Poker, here's one day at last year's WSOP when I watched Mark 'Cookie Monster' Checkwicz win his first bracelet.

Read on...

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/the-day-i-...
The day I spent with a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Bracelet winner
At the 2024 WSOP, I spent the day with Mark "Cookie Monster" Checkwicz as he took down event 99 in Las Vegas and picked up his first WSOP bracelet. Here's the story of how and why that happened...
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
May 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
My latest article on Substack is about the enjoyment of going to The Races, and why horse racing is an important industry

jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/theres-not...

"The anticipation of what we might be winning is a great feeling to have."
"There's nothing like a day at the Races"
The enjoyment of horse racing, and why it's an important industry
jonbryanpoker.substack.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:43 AM
My latest article about gambling looks at new regulations being proposed by the government.

There is a need to "stand up for gambling, gamblers, and (on this issue) for the companies which provide services for all of us to have a punt."

Comments welcome
www.slotshawk.com/news/will-th...
Will the UK Government's Approach to Gambling Regulation Lead to 'A Spiral of Decline?'
Writing for SlotsHawk, Jon Bryan looks at a recent government announcement and considers what it might mean for the future of gambling.
www.slotshawk.com
May 14, 2025 at 7:59 PM