About the Author – Ethan McAllister

Hey, I’m Ethan. I’m a Sydney bloke in my late 30s who has tried more careers than I care to admit. Split a few years in the army helping out with tech equipment, then jumped into a corporate job where the only thrill was waiting for Friday. But every weekend, when I fired up online pokies, I realised what really gives me a buzz — discovering platforms that feel fair, fast and fun.

So I swapped the office badge for a gamer’s mindset — and now I spend my time testing how gaming websites treat everyday Aussie players like us. I sign up, I claim bonuses, I check how smooth the mobile version is, and then I write about the real experience — not what the ads promise. If a casino tries something dodgy, you’ll hear it straight from me.

What I’m Good At

• Spotting where the user journey is smooth and where it trips you up
• Comparing bonuses and checking whether the fine print is fair
• Testing mobile apps and browser play on Aussie internet
• Giving simple, straightforward advice without tricky lingo
• Understanding what local players actually want from a platform

Experience in the Gaming World

I’ve been deep in the online gaming scene for over 10 years. It started with mates asking, “Which site should I choose?”… and now I help big iGaming projects understand what real players think — often as a ghostwriter behind the curtain.

Where My Knowledge Comes From

• Over a decade of hands-on testing and personal play
• Observing how bonuses & loyalty rewards actually work over time
• Checking how customer support responds when things go wrong
• Tracking updates and new features across leading platforms

Education

• High School: St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney
• TAFE NSW: Digital Media & Web Technology Basics
• Degree: Interaction Design, University of Sydney
  https://www.sydney.edu.au

A Few Personal Bits

• Love testing new pokies while a footy match is on the telly
• Can BBQ better than most of my mates (they’ll admit it grudgingly)
• Big fan of classic Aussie movies — anything with a dusty road in it
• Currently teaching my dog not to jump on the keyboard

Languages: Australian English — casual, friendly, and straight-up.

I write under different names depending on the project. Closed contracts, NDA rules — you know how it goes. So even if my name isn’t shown, there’s a good chance I’m the one who tested that casino before you tried it.