Octogenarian and debut novelist both make inaugural Gambling Book Awards shortlist

Four shortlisted authors will be flown to Barcelona for winner announcement; shortlist comprises an octogenarian, an academic, a female science writer and a debut fiction author.

The organisers of The Gambling Book Awards are proud to announce the inaugural shortlist for the event.

Amazingly, three of the shortlisted authors are first-timers: Alex O’Brien, Peter Venison, and Connor Hutchinson. Alex is the aforementioned science writer, Peter is the list’s octogenarian, and Connor is the debut novelist. Jonathan Cohen may have the world’s longest job title (the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Senior Program Officer for American Institutions, Society, and the Public Good at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences).

“Bringing an outstanding list down to just four books was no easy feat, with some genuinely excellent books just missing the cut,” said Fintan Costello, co-founder of the awards.

The shortlist is as follows:

The authors will all be attending the prize-giving during the renowned European Casino Awards on Monday January 19th, at the Renaissance Barcelona Fira venue.

All shortlisted authors win £1000 and their trip to Barcelona, with the winner taking the grand prize of £7000.

All the authors (both long- and shortlisted) have appeared on the organisers’ podcast, The Gambling Files. Below are the shortlisted author episodes:

Podcast Episodes with Shortlisted Authors:

Alex O’Brien:
The Truth Detective – Lessons We Can Learn from Poker

Jonathan D Cohen:
How the US Got It Wrong

Peter Venison:
Building Dreams – Peter Venison talks Sol Kerzner

Connor Hutchinson:
Connor Hutchinson talks about Dead Lucky

The ceremony will also see the award for gambling industry trade journalist of the year given, with a shortlist of three of the industry’s outstanding journalists up for the award.

Find out more information about the awards at www.gamblingbookawards.com

Contact:
Email the organisers with questions or for information at
info@gamblingbookawards.com

Notes for editors:

The Gambling Files podcast has been covering the gambling industry for over four years and 240+ episodes. The podcast covers all aspects of the industry from law and regulation to responsible gambling practice and much more. The podcast has a following and listener group comprising largely C-level, founders, owners and partners within the industry. It is available from all good podcast outlets, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Fintan Costello is currently a non-executive director and board advisor in the gambling industry. He is recognised as ‘the hair’ of this project.

Jon Bruford has been covering the gambling industry as a journalist for over 20 years, and has been podcasting within it for more than five years. He’s the bald one.