With just weeks to go until the main event, the organisers of The Gambling Book Awards – Fintan Costello and Jon Bruford, co-hosts of The Gambling Files podcast – have announced the competition’s long list.

“We knew there were great books about gambling, the industry, and titles related to gambling, because we read them,” said Costello. “But the sheer quality of the submitted books has been a joy to see, and made life extremely difficult in whittling them down to a long list.”

Bruford added: “Luckily, we have a judging panel for these jobs because this kind of (enjoyable) stress can make you lose your hair.”

Connor Hutchinson is among four first-time authors named with his novel Dead Lucky about a gambling-addicted embalmer, alongside Alex O’Brien (The Truth Detective), Rob Furber (The Gambler), and Peter Venison (Sol).

Peter is also a standout as the publication of his first book, Sol, has come in his 80s – the title is his personal experience of working in gambling and hospitality alongside the legendary Sol Kerzner during an amazing period for the industry.

Details of the long list can be seen below.

The award ceremony for shortlisted authors will take place during the European Casino Awards, at the Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel, on 19th January 2026. The shortlist will be announced in early January.

The ceremony will also see the award for gambling industry trade journalist of the year given, which carries a main prize of £4000 for the winner and also two runner-up awards. The quality of submissions for this has also been outstanding, with many of the industry’s finest journalists put forward by peers or editors.

Find out more information about the awards at www.gamblingbookawards.com or email the organisers with questions or for information at info@gamblingbookawards.com

The long list in full:

Gambler, by Billy Walters published by Avid Reader Press
Billy, ‘the Michael Jordan of betting’, looks at his life and betting system in this popular title.

Dead Lucky, by Connor Hutchinson published by Little, Brown
Fiction, a black comedy about an embalmer who is also a gambling addict. It’s funnier than it sounds.

The Truth Detective, by Alex O’Brien published by Souvenir Press
Science writer Alex explains how poker can teach life skills and critical thinking for everyone in an engaging and thought-provoking read.

The Devil’s Playbook, by Markus Heitz published by Arcadia/Quercus
Fiction. A wild ride where a retired gambler acquires a mysterious playing card, possibly made by the devil…

Losing Big, by Jonathan D Cohen published by Columbia Global Reports
Jonathan analyses where it all went wrong as US states rushed to legalise sports betting in the post-PASPA era.

The Gambler, by Rob Furber published by Mirror Books
A memoir so crazy it could be fiction – one man’s quest for love via betting on specialist events like Eurovision…

Smart Money: The Fall and Rise of Brentford FC, by Alex Duff published by Little, Brown
Brentford supporter Alex delves into the club’s use of data and gambling-funded owners obsessed with detail to chart the rise of an unlikely Premier league power.

Sol: My Friend and Adversary Sol Kerzner, by Peter Venison published by Ride or Die Press
Peter’s memoir covers his years working with – and later against – the unique and driven visionary Sol Kerzner, a South African icon.