Hi! I’m Jamie Hooper and I’m very pleased to reveal myself as the author here at Casino Wise. I’m a self-titled gambling expert with years of experience in this industry. This is something I’m extremely passionate about, so it made sense to combine my love of gambling with my career as a journalist. Lo and behold, this has led me to where I am today, chatting away with you lovely people about all things gambling!
You’ve probably seen my funny face below the articles on this site and wondered, who the hell is this guy? So, here’s a little about myself that you may (or may not – I won’t be offended if you don’t) find interesting.
My Journey To A Career In Gambling
Like all journeys, mine started with being born. But, I’ll jump ahead nearly two decades to where the fun truly begins. In 2005, I graduated from Lancaster University with a BA in Linguistics. I followed this up with a Master’s in 2006 – and then a PhD in Phonetics and Phonology in 2009. As you can tell, I’m a bit of a nerd for languages. It’s just something that interests me, so the natural progression from University was to explore a career in writing.
I’ve been based in London all my life, apart from my University years, so I’ve always been surrounded by gambling options. There were loads of local betting shops and casinos close to where I live, so many of my formative years were spent gambling away. I enjoy the thrill involved with gambling, but the main thing that intrigues me is the risk element. There’s a skill to learning how much risk you should take on each bet. As a bit of a geek, I always loved things like probability anyway, so you can see why gambling is right up my street.
Like most betting enthusiasts, I went from in-person gambling to online gambling when that scene started to take off. It didn’t take long for me to realise that there were so many nuances in online gambling and online casinos. So, I started to write about them. I created a blog and wrote about different online casinos, reviewing the features and saying what was good or bad about them. I also recognised that the UKGC was implementing lots of new regulations and rules – many of which were a bit confusing. As such, I began writing about these things as well, educating the masses on key terms like GamStop or Gamban.
All of this was happening while I was studying. So, after graduating, I finally turned my passion into a career. My blog became a big hit, getting lots of visitors every single day. Slowly but surely, I became something of a knowledge source for UK punters. After many years of writing, I was contacted by the team behind Casino Wise. They were looking to create a website that would help UK players find the best casinos out there – and they needed a writer.
I think you can guess what happened next! It was a match made in heaven – I could continue writing about my biggest passion, but now I’m part of something much bigger than my original blog!
Why Gambling?
People often ask me, of all the industries, why did you choose a career in gambling?
To me, it was a simple choice because gambling has always been a big part of my life. Moreover, this is such an interesting industry with ever-changing regulations and new updates all the time. It’s so easy to be confused by what’s going on, which is why I wanted to be the person that made things simpler for players.
There’s never a dull day in my line of work. Ultimately, I wake up every day and write about something I love. It makes answering this question so easy – why wouldn’t I pursue a career in gambling if it’s something that interests me?!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your favourite online casino game?
Oooh, it’s a tough one. I like the easy nature of slots – and the jackpots are massive. But, I’ll have to say roulette is the one for me. I think there’s a tactical nouse to roulette that most people don’t realise, so I love trying to outwit the wheel.
Do you like the UKGC restrictions?
No, not really. I appreciate that the UKGC is there to keep players safe, but I think they go too far. It’s reached the point where the restrictions are too restrictive. Ironically, this makes gambling less safe as people look for alternatives to UKGC casinos. In turn, they can stumble upon dodgy sites that might make them lose more money. Thankfully, Casino Wise is here to ensure you only find trustworthy online casinos (yes, that is a shameless plug).
What’s your opinion on GamStop?
I’m going to sound like a hypocrite, but I actually think GamStop is good. It does a great job of helping players take a moment to breathe and avoid gambling after heavy losses. Sometimes, you need a break to clear your head and re-assess the way you gamble, helping you come back as a more responsible player.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for UK players?
Always read the terms and conditions. Regardless of whether this is for bonuses or deposits/withdrawals, always read the T&Cs.