Hi, I’m Max Gamble — a Canadian journalist and independent iGaming analyst based in Toronto, Ontario. For more than fifteen years, I’ve been exploring the online casino world from every angle: newsroom, affiliate desk, player seat, and research lab.
My mission is simple — to help Canadian players find fair, safe, and transparent casinos in an industry that often prefers glamour over honesty.
Who I Am
I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, in a home where numbers met narratives — my father worked in accounting, and my mother taught literature. Somewhere between spreadsheets and storybooks, I found a passion for analysing how people take risks and why they trust certain systems.
That fascination led me to journalism. In 2005, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University, then known as Ryerson University. Shortly after, I joined a small entertainment magazine as a junior editor. My early assignments covered everything from tech startups to gaming expos, but it was the rising tide of online casinos that caught my attention — and never really let go.
My Professional Journey
Between 2008 and 2012, I worked full-time as a journalist and editor, covering the evolution of iGaming when it was still a digital Wild West. I contributed to respected industry platforms such as Casino.org, AskGamblers.com, and SlotsTemple, publishing guides that explained RTP, licensing, and payout processes to everyday players.
In 2013, I began collaborating with Better Collective as a content strategist, helping to improve transparency across affiliate networks. That same year, I consulted on marketing campaigns for Betsson Group, learning first-hand how game providers build and promote their titles. Those experiences opened my eyes to how the industry really works — and how often players are left in the dark.
By 2015, I had enough. I wanted to build a resource that gave players real data and honest testing instead of recycled marketing. That’s when I launched FairPlay Casino Reviews — a project that grew into my full-time focus and professional calling.
Education and Development
To solidify my technical expertise, I completed the Introduction to iGaming course at iGaming Academy in 2018, gaining practical insight into licensing frameworks, RNG technology, AML compliance, and responsible gaming.
In 2019, I joined a workshop on Responsible Gambling and Player Protection hosted by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which deepened my understanding of Canada’s unique regulatory ecosystem. I stay up to date with regulatory news through iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), ensuring that all my reviews reflect the latest legal standards for Canadian operators.
I’ve also attended major industry events — including ICE London 2020 and SiGMA Malta 2021 — where I’ve met regulators, developers, and compliance experts working to make online gaming more transparent worldwide.
Year-by-Year Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Graduated in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. |
| 2006–2007 | Worked as Junior Editor for a Toronto entertainment magazine; began writing about online gaming. |
| 2008–2012 | Published investigative articles on fairness in iGaming; contributed to Casino.org, AskGamblers.com, and SlotsTemple. |
| 2013–2014 | Partnered with Better Collective and Betsson Group; developed content for regulated casino brands. |
| 2015 | Founded FairPlay Casino Reviews, focusing on honest casino evaluations for Canadian players. |
| 2018 | Completed Introduction to iGaming certification at iGaming Academy. |
| 2019 | Attended Responsible Gambling Workshop hosted by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. |
| 2020 | Attended ICE London; wrote feature series on casino licensing and player safety. |
| 2021 | Guest speaker at SiGMA Malta on affiliate ethics and the role of E-E-A-T in casino SEO. |
| 2022–Present | Operating FairPlay Casino Reviews full-time, auditing Canadian casino operators for fairness, payout integrity, and player satisfaction. |
Areas of Expertise
- Online Casino Testing: I personally test casinos using real deposits and withdrawals to evaluate their transparency, speed, and fairness.
- Regulatory Compliance: Experienced with multiple licensing bodies, including the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, and iGaming Ontario.
- Game Design Analysis: I specialize in reviewing slot mechanics, volatility models, and Return to Player (RTP) statistics.
- Affiliate Transparency: I promote ethical affiliate marketing practices and disclosure standards within the Canadian iGaming space.
- Canadian Market Research: I follow provincial trends, payment systems (like Interac and crypto), and evolving responsible gaming frameworks.
My Philosophy
I believe that fair play isn’t just a slogan — it’s a promise to players. Every casino I review is tested manually by me or my small team: real deposits, real spins, real withdrawals. I never accept money for positive coverage, and I don’t use paid backlinks or hidden affiliate bias.
If a casino misleads players, I say it openly.
If it treats them fairly — I celebrate that.
My goal is to rebuild trust in online gambling by replacing hype with hard facts and transparency.
Outside the Casino World
When I’m not testing new platforms or reviewing games, I spend my free time cycling along Toronto’s waterfront, brewing espresso from local roasters, or reading philosophy — especially works that explore risk and play, like Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse.
I also mentor young writers who want to enter the iGaming space with integrity and critical thinking.
Contact
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/max-gamble-reviews
🐦 Twitter/X: @MaxGambleReviews
📸 Instagram: @MaxGambleMedia
🎥 YouTube: Max Gamble — Honest Casino Reviews