About the Author
Chris Wassel has spent more than two decades writing about sports, sports betting, and online gaming – long before iGaming became a mainstream topic in English-speaking markets. Based in Rahway, New Jersey, he began his career as a beat writer covering the New Jersey Devils in the NHL and gradually shifted his focus toward the intersection of sport and wagering as legal sports betting expanded across North America.
That transition was not accidental. When New Jersey became one of the first US states to legalise sports betting following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, Chris was already embedded in the industry, documenting its growth from the inside. He has personally tested sportsbooks, evaluated casino products, reviewed bonus structures, and played through wagering requirements across regulated markets in the United States, Canada, and beyond. That first-hand experience informs every piece he writes.
Professional Background
Chris currently contributes to Gambling.com Group, one of the most recognised affiliate media operations in the global iGaming space. His byline has appeared on some of the most widely read platforms in sports betting and online gambling, including Sports Betting Dime, VegasInsider.com, USA Today SportsWire, The Hockey News, Sportsnet, NHL.com, numberFire, Canada Sports Betting, and NHL Rumors, among others.
He is a long-standing member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) and the Fantasy Sports Gaming Association (FSGA), where he has won multiple league titles and recognition for analytical fantasy sports content. He has also worked directly with major operators including DraftKings and FanDuel, giving him an operator-side perspective that most pure journalists do not hold.
Chris holds an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Applied Science from Union County College, with a focus on business and accounting, and has completed additional journalism coursework at Montclair State University.
Over his career he has covered multiple Stanley Cup finals, attended several NHL Entry Drafts and award ceremonies, and appeared as a regular expert guest on radio broadcasts and on NHL.com for fantasy hockey and wagering analysis.
Areas of Expertise
Chris writes across a defined set of topics where his experience is direct and verifiable:
Sports Betting – NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and tennis betting analysis, including odds evaluation, line movement, and value identification across US and international sportsbooks.
iGaming and Online Casinos – Hands-on reviews of online casino platforms, slot titles, live dealer games, and bonus mechanics. Chris plays through casino products himself before forming a view and does not rely on operator-supplied summaries.
Fantasy Sports – More than 30 years of active fantasy hockey participation, with a particular focus on injury analysis, prospect tracking, and non-standard league formats. He has contributed educational fantasy content to social media audiences and industry publications alike.
Regulated Market Coverage – Ongoing reporting on the legal status and regulatory developments of sports betting and online gaming in New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and other regulated jurisdictions.
Editorial Independence and How This Content Is Produced
Chris does not accept payment from operators in exchange for editorial coverage. Affiliate relationships may exist between the platforms his work appears on and the casinos or sportsbooks reviewed, but those commercial arrangements have no bearing on his written assessments.
When reviewing an online casino or sportsbook, Chris deposits his own money, completes the registration and verification process as a standard user would, tests withdrawal processes, contacts customer support, and evaluates the product through actual play. Ratings and recommendations reflect that experience, not promotional materials.
When an operator falls short on a metric that matters to players – payout speed, bonus clarity, responsible gambling tools, or customer service – that is stated plainly in the review. The goal is to give readers an accurate read on a product, not to generate clicks for its own sake.
Sources used in analytical and news content are cited where possible. Claims about odds, statistics, and regulatory status are checked against primary sources including official regulator websites, operator terms and conditions, and major data providers.
Responsible Gambling
Chris covers an industry that carries real financial and personal risk for some users. He takes that seriously. Any content discussing casino games, sports betting, or promotional offers includes context around the inherent house edge or variance involved. He does not write content designed to encourage chasing losses, promote betting as a reliable income source, or minimise the risks associated with problem gambling.
Readers in New Zealand who need support can contact the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand or call the free helpline on 0800 664 262. In Australia, the national helpline is available at 1800 858 858. In the United States, the National Council on Problem Gambling operates a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Publication History
A selection of platforms where Chris Wassel’s work has appeared:
- Gambling.com Group
- Sports Betting Dime
- VegasInsider.com
- USA Today SportsWire
- The Hockey News
- Sportsnet
- NHL.com
- numberFire
- Canada Sports Betting
- Dobberhockey
- NHL Rumors
Contact Chris Wassel
Chris is available for editorial enquiries, expert commentary requests, and fact-checking collaboration from other journalists and researchers covering the iGaming and sports betting industries.
You can reach him via his professional Twitter/X profile at @ChrisWasselDFS, or through the editorial team at Gambling.com Group using the contact details listed on the Gambling.com About Us page.
Chris does not respond to requests for paid placements, sponsored content under his byline, or link insertion enquiries. Those requests are not forwarded.