About the Authors
Welcome to plainenglish.io/gambling, your go-to source for reliable information on the US gambling market. Since our launch in 2023, our aim has been crystal clear: to provide you with detailed, current, and precise insights into gambling across the United States. Whether you’re well-versed in the nuances of betting or just dipping your toes into casino gaming, we’re here to demystify the process, offering guidance with a straightforward approach.
At the heart of our content is Lucas Van Cleef, who meticulously checks each casino to ensure you get the real scoop on what to expect. Now, you might wonder how we manage this thorough vetting process, especially with Lucas based in Boston, where online casinos aren’t regulated. The secret? We have a network of testers spread across all US states where gambling is regulated, ensuring every review is based on actual experiences and tailored to give you the insider view, no matter where you are. Stick with us for expertly crafted content that puts you in the know, ensuring your gambling journey is both informed and compliant with state regulations.
Christopher Brunne
Christopher Brunne hails from the heart of Boston, a city whose vibrant energy he embodies, especially when it comes to his love for sports. A die-hard fan of the Boston Celtics, Christopher experiences the highest highs when cheering on his team. However, following the New England Patriots sometimes means riding a rollercoaster of emotions—a testament to his commitment as a fan.
His enthusiasm for sports goes beyond spectating; Christopher has always enjoyed the adrenaline and fellowship of playing basketball. Albeit in a more intellectual direction, these were the same motivators behind his degree in Journalism, where he developed his skills in curiosity, analysis, and storytelling.
Over the years, Christopher has amassed extensive experience in sports writing. His articles offer more than just statistics and play-by-plays; they capture the emotional and dynamic aspects that make sports truly enthralling. He founded his sports betting portal to share his knowledge and assist others in making well-informed betting choices.
Outside the digital arena, Christopher’s world revolves around his family. He lives with his wife and their young child in Boston, where every day is filled with new adventures. Whether it’s a game of hide and seek or a peaceful evening at home, he deeply values the time spent with his loved ones.
Sunil Sandhu
Sunil Sandhu, the founder & CEO of In Plain English, has a diverse career background, transitioning from a Law degree into recruitment, communications management, and later, software development. He established a publication focusing on JavaScript which expanded into In Plain English, covering various programming topics. Under his leadership, the publication has grown, developed partnerships with tech companies, and added full-time staff. His work involves weekly meetings, decision-making, and future planning for the company.
Sunil Sandhu encountered Christopher Brunne at a conference in Boston. Recognizing a shared commitment to clear, accessible information, Sunil invited Christopher to contribute to the platform. As the collaboration between them grew stronger and recognizing the workload on Christopher and Lucas, Sunil began to contribute as a fact checker, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the content. For more details about Sunil, you can read an interview on BalanceTheGrind.co or check out his profile on linkedin.com as a logged in user.
Lucas Van Cleef
Lucas Van Cleef is a key contributor to plainenglish.io/gambling. Lucas’s mornings often start with a uniquely satisfying breakfast of buttered toast generously topped with chocolate sprinkles, known in Dutch as “Hagelslag“. It’s a small ritual that precedes all of his day-to-day activities, which include a blend of physical exercise and synthesizing information from out network of casino testers.
A sports enthusiast through and through, Lucas doesn’t just watch games; he actively participates in various sports activities. This physical engagement not only keeps him fit but also sharpens his focus, a trait that proves invaluable when he settles down to evaluate and review online casinos for hours on end. This dedication is crucial for plainenglish.io/gambling, especially since it’s a burgeoning project with limited resources.
The project’s owner, Christopher Brunne, recognizes Lucas’s contributions as foundational to building a trusted platform for gambling enthusiasts. Lucas’s commitment to the project, fueled by his passion for sports and gambling, underscores the collaborative spirit and dedication behind plainenglish.io/gambling.
Bestari Hock
Bestari Hock, a native of Malaysia, is not only an accomplished copywriter at the tech site ohsem.me but also a contributor to plainenglish.io/gambling. His collaboration with Christopher Brunne began during a memorable Boston Celtics game in Boston, where the duo bonded over mutual interests in the unique gambling landscape of Malaysia.
Recognizing the challenge of evaluating online casinos across different markets, Christopher enlisted Bestari’s expertise to provide insights into Malaysia’s gambling scene. Bestari now dedicates part of his time to enriching the content at plainenglish.io, leveraging his local knowledge and writing skills.
Sven Engländer
Sven Engländer, based in Cologne, Germany, merges his passion for soccer with his expertise as a webmaster for a German sports news portal. Recruited to cover the German market for plainenglish.io/gambling, Sven provides a unique perspective shaped by his deep appreciation for local traditions like Carnival and Kölsch beer.
He harbors mixed feelings about Germany’s strict gambling regulations; while he acknowledges the benefits of market regulation, he laments the loss of traditional casino games like Blackjack and the diminished fun in playing slots under stringent conditions.
Tanica Ning
Tanica Ning, a childhood friend of Christopher and a native of Hong Kong, contributes to plainenglish.io/gambling by testing various operators in the region. With a focus on table games like Baccarat and Roulette, she brings a practical perspective to her reviews.
Residing in Hong Kong, Tanica enjoys local favorites such as dim sum and char siu, and she is an avid badminton player, which is her favorite sport. Her contributions are strictly apolitical, centering solely on the gaming experience.
Yoshiko Botan
Yoshiko Botan connected with Christopher at CommerceNext 2023 in New York, sharing a passion for online gaming.
She’s a dedicated tennis player and diving enthusiast, maintaining a strict vegetarian diet. Yoshiko actively participates in IKAN, the Iruka & Kujira (Dolphin & Whale) Action Network, an organization committed to protecting marine life, particularly cetaceans, through conservation and public education efforts. Her favorite vegetarian dishes include tofu teriyaki and vegetable tempura, reflecting her commitment to both her cultural heritage and personal values.
Chiara Tornar
Chiara Tornar, residing in Finale Ligure, Italy, brings her expertise to plainenglish.io by testing online casinos in the fully regulated Italian market. She initially met Christopher through Upwork. Aside from her professional activities,
Chiara is an avid explorer of the local cave systems. The area around Finale Ligure is renowned for its extensive karst landscapes and caves like the Grotte di Toirano, which offer fascinating insights into geological and historical contexts. For diving enthusiasts, Chiara also frequents Bergeggi Island, known for its clear waters and marine life, despite the Mediterranean’s generally sparse diving locales.
Ligaya Baria
Ligaya Baria, from Batangas in the Philippines, assesses legal online casinos for plainenglish.io, with a keen focus on table games like baccarat. The unstable internet in Batangas sometimes challenges her work, but she enjoys the local seaside lifestyle.
Ligaya is a fan of Batangas’ seafood cuisine, particularly enjoying dishes like “sinigang na isda” (a tangy fish soup) and “kilawin” (vinegar-marinated raw fish), which are popular in her region.
Jaakko Kiimamaa
Jaakko Kiimamaa is an avid sports enthusiast living in Helsinki. He has a strong passion for both basketball and soccer, often spending his free time either playing or watching these sports. Jaakko enjoys the fast-paced nature of basketball, appreciating the skill and agility required to excel in the game.
Recently, Jaakko met Lucas Van Cleef in a forum while looking for job opportunities related to online gambling. This connection has opened up new possibilities for Jaakko as he explores career options in the online gambling industry.
Marcel Hansen
Marco Hansen, hailing from Denmark, is a passionate Star Wars fan who finds immense joy in the galaxy far, far away. He loves the city of Aarhus, often visiting its vibrant cultural sites and picturesque landscapes. Marco, who should not be confused with the soccer player from Denmark, spends a significant amount of his time on Twitch, where he enjoys watching casino streams and interacting with the gaming community.
Marco’s perfect dish is “Stegt flæsk,”, a traditional Danish dish consisting of crispy pork belly served with parsley sauce and potatoes. This hearty meal complements his love for Danish cuisine and provides the perfect accompaniment to his evenings spent immersed in the worlds of Star Wars and online gaming.
Einar (John) Drakenberg
Einar (John) Drakenberg, from Sweden, resides in the vibrant city of Malmö. Einar has a keen interest in online gambling, spending much of his time exploring various online casinos. However, he is not a fan of the Swedish regulation that imposes strict controls on both players and operators. Despite these restrictions, Einar’s passion for gambling remains strong.
He works closely with Lucas Van Cleef to publish comprehensive Swedish casino reviews online, providing valuable insights and information to other gambling enthusiasts. Einar’s dedication to the online gambling community is evident through his efforts to help players navigate the regulated Swedish market and find the best gaming experiences available.
Emma Strøm
Emma Strøm from Norway is an avid nature enthusiast, a trait that’s almost a given in such a beautiful country. Her passion for nature truly comes alive in the summer when she travels the fjords for whale watching, diving, and hiking. Emma’s adventures through Norway’s breathtaking landscapes reflect her deep love for the natural world.
However, when winter arrives and the days grow dark and cold, Emma turns to her other passion: gambling. The long Norwegian winters provide the perfect backdrop for her to engage in online gambling, enjoying the excitement and challenge it brings. Emma’s dual love for nature and gambling perfectly balances her adventurous spirit and her enjoyment of cozy indoor activities during the harsher seasons.
Molly Pace Balzan
Molly Pace Balzan hails from the sunny Mediterranean island of Malta. Known for its rich history and vibrant culture, Malta offers Molly a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. She enjoys the island’s beautiful beaches and historic sites, making the most of Malta’s pleasant climate.
Molly is also an active participant in the online gambling scene, a popular activity in Malta due to its favorable regulations and numerous licensed operators. She enjoys trying out different online casinos, often sharing her experiences and insights with fellow enthusiasts. Balancing her love for the Maltese outdoors with her interest in online gambling, Molly embodies the dynamic and lively spirit of Malta.
Yasmine Radu
Yasmine Radu, an enthusiastic gambler from Bucharest, has a long-standing affinity for Novomatic slots, enjoying them both online and in physical venues.
Her primary role at plainenglish.io involves rigorously testing casinos.
Living in a modest apartment in Bucharest, she dreams of saving enough to move near the Black Sea.
In her leisure time, Yasmine enjoys cooking traditional Romanian dishes such as “sarmale” (cabbage rolls), “mămăligă” (polenta), and “ciorbă de burtă” (tripe soup), and she also likes playing soccer with her friends.