Jon Bryan Poker
@jonbryanpoker.bsky.social
Recreational Poker Player
Occasional Gambling Writer
http://slotshawk.com/author/jon/
http://spiked-online.com/author/jon-bryan/
http://substack.com/@jonbryanpoker
http://twitter.com/jonbryanpoker
http://pokernews.com/poker-players/jon-bryan/
Occasional Gambling Writer
http://slotshawk.com/author/jon/
http://spiked-online.com/author/jon-bryan/
http://substack.com/@jonbryanpoker
http://twitter.com/jonbryanpoker
http://pokernews.com/poker-players/jon-bryan/
Pinned
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
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...
Grateful to the Academy of Ideas for publishing it.
academyofideas.org.uk/letters-on-l...
From me on the effects of gambling compliance.
'While some claim that the gambling industry is all about ‘preying on the vulnerable', that is not a picture that I recognise, and it certainly wasn’t true on that Monday night when we went to the casino.'
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
'While some claim that the gambling industry is all about ‘preying on the vulnerable', that is not a picture that I recognise, and it certainly wasn’t true on that Monday night when we went to the casino.'
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Gambling is NOT too easy and accessible
Contrary to what you might hear from anti-gamblers, the barriers to gambling are in plain sight
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:16 PM
From me on the effects of gambling compliance.
'While some claim that the gambling industry is all about ‘preying on the vulnerable', that is not a picture that I recognise, and it certainly wasn’t true on that Monday night when we went to the casino.'
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
'While some claim that the gambling industry is all about ‘preying on the vulnerable', that is not a picture that I recognise, and it certainly wasn’t true on that Monday night when we went to the casino.'
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
"Gambling can be - enjoyable and uniting - even when you don’t win"
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
'Lets choose that one'
How to pick a horse by its name, rather than its form
open.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:28 PM
"Gambling can be - enjoyable and uniting - even when you don’t win"
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Here's my comments about the controversy and discussion which followed WPT Global appointing Ren Lin as a poker ambassador.
This led to @daraokearney.bsky.social and @dklappin.bsky.social parting company with WPT Global
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
This led to @daraokearney.bsky.social and @dklappin.bsky.social parting company with WPT Global
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Poker, Cheating, and Principles
Why the credibility of the game of poker is at risk when rules and principles are disregarded
open.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Here's my comments about the controversy and discussion which followed WPT Global appointing Ren Lin as a poker ambassador.
This led to @daraokearney.bsky.social and @dklappin.bsky.social parting company with WPT Global
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
This led to @daraokearney.bsky.social and @dklappin.bsky.social parting company with WPT Global
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
There's nothing wrong with indulging at Christmas time, including having a gamble.
My take on the killjoys who appear at Christmas, and all year round 👇
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
My take on the killjoys who appear at Christmas, and all year round 👇
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
December 21, 2025 at 11:56 AM
There's nothing wrong with indulging at Christmas time, including having a gamble.
My take on the killjoys who appear at Christmas, and all year round 👇
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
My take on the killjoys who appear at Christmas, and all year round 👇
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Why did the two lead MPs in this group not celebrate the lifting of the two-child benefit cap, but instead gleefully post a video on social media about how great it was that gambling was going to be taxed more in the coming years?
Answer👇
They are anti-gambling.
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Answer👇
They are anti-gambling.
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Anti-Gambling, Labour MPs and the Budget
On Wednesday, the Labour frontbench and backbench came together to attack gamblers and the gambling industry
open.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Why did the two lead MPs in this group not celebrate the lifting of the two-child benefit cap, but instead gleefully post a video on social media about how great it was that gambling was going to be taxed more in the coming years?
Answer👇
They are anti-gambling.
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
Answer👇
They are anti-gambling.
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
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...
"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
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...
"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...
"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...
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
"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...
open.substack.com/pub/jonbryan...
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...
#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
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...
#BattleFest
www.slotshawk.com/news/the-deb...
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...
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
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...
I'm looking forward to the session about this at 'The Battle of Ideas' in two weeks
#BattleFest
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/putting-ri...
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-...
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
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-...
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/dozens-of-...
Reposted by Jon Bryan Poker
Poker as a social skill in London’s networking circles www.londondaily.news/poker-as-a-s... #news #london #londonnews
Poker as a social skill in London’s networking circles | London Daily News
Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, both for the thrill it offers and the connections it creates. It is because of this social side of the game that many Londoners have started seeing...
www.londondaily.news
September 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Poker as a social skill in London’s networking circles www.londondaily.news/poker-as-a-s... #news #london #londonnews
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...
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
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...
It should be 👍 😊
#BattleFest
Saturday 18th October. More details and tickets, etc, here 👇
www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/is-g...
⛔⛔⛔⛔🏇🏇🏇🏇
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...
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
⛔⛔⛔⛔🏇🏇🏇🏇
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...
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...
🆕🚨🆕🚨🆕🚨
"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...
"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
🆕🚨🆕🚨🆕🚨
"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...
"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...
I've written my thoughts about gambling and taxation in my latest post on Substack 👇
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/gambling-t...
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've written my thoughts about gambling and taxation in my latest post on Substack 👇
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/gambling-t...
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/gambling-t...
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...
"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
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...
"This modest submission is concerned with the impact of these changes on the gambling consumer."
Read more:
www.slotshawk.com/news/tax-tre...
Changes to casino regulations this week should be welcomed by all of us
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/casinos-ge...
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
Changes to casino regulations this week should be welcomed by all of us
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/casinos-ge...
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/casinos-ge...
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
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
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
Read More: How To Read the Poker Board
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
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
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
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
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-...
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
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-...
www.slotshawk.com/news/theres-...
🚨🆕🚨
🎰🎲💷♥️♠️♦️♣️
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...
🎰🎲💷♥️♠️♦️♣️
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
🚨🆕🚨
🎰🎲💷♥️♠️♦️♣️
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...
🎰🎲💷♥️♠️♦️♣️
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...
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...
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
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...
jonbryanpoker.substack.com/p/my-five-le...
🚨🆕🚨🆕🚨
I have an article in 'Gambling Insider', which you can read here 👇👇
www.gamblinginsider.com/magazine/125...
I have an article in 'Gambling Insider', which you can read here 👇👇
www.gamblinginsider.com/magazine/125...
June 27, 2025 at 9:03 AM
🚨🆕🚨🆕🚨
I have an article in 'Gambling Insider', which you can read here 👇👇
www.gamblinginsider.com/magazine/125...
I have an article in 'Gambling Insider', which you can read here 👇👇
www.gamblinginsider.com/magazine/125...
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-...
"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
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-...
"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-...
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...
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
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...
livingfreedom.org.uk/living-freed...