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About Avery Thompson - Ontario-Based Online Casino Analyst for Canadian Players

I write so you can play with confidence.

For the past four years I've focused on one thing: helping Canadians decide where it's safe, legal, and sensible to gamble online. If you're here to understand how operators like power-play operate across Canada and in Ontario, how fast Interac e-Transfer withdrawals really are, or what wagering requirements mean in practice, you're in the right place.

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1) Professional identification

I'm Avery Thompson, an online gambling analyst and regulatory reviewer based in Ontario. I'm the lead author and editor at power-play-ca.com, where I publish compliance-first guides and hands-on reviews for Canadian players.

  • Role: Lead Author & Editor, power-play-ca.com
  • Experience: 4 years covering the Canadian iGaming market, with a specialty in Ontario's AGCO/iGO framework and Curacao licensing as it applies to Canadians outside Ontario
  • Focus: Transparent testing of sign-up flows, KYC/AML checks, payment speeds (especially Interac e-Transfer), bonus terms, geolocation compliance, and responsible gambling tools
  • Professional reference: Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) resources (no formal membership)

OBSERVE -> I live and work in Ontario, so I see how regulation affects your everyday play. EXPAND -> I read the standards, test the products, and compare the results across brands. ECHO -> My work is grounded in real policies, real testing, and clear, player-first conclusions.

2) Expertise and credentials

I come from an industry-blogging background focused on the Canadian market. Over the last four years I've authored regulatory reviews, payments guides, and product comparisons, with a consistent emphasis on how Ontario differs from the rest of Canada. My review process includes:

  • Policy analysis: Mapping AGCO registrar standards and iGaming Ontario (iGO) requirements to what players actually experience (geolocation, KYC, advertising rules, and responsible-gaming controls)
  • Operator verification: Cross-checking license and corporate data (for example, Deck Entertainment B.V. and Curacao registry items) against public registries and operator disclosures
  • Payments testing: Evaluating deposit/withdrawal options Canadians use most (Interac e-Transfer, Visa/Mastercard, e-wallets), plus time-to-cash and common verification steps
  • Bonus auditing: Reading full T&Cs to identify wagering requirements, game weightings, RTP/restrictions, and expiry rules-then translating them into plain English
  • Fairness checks: Reviewing RTP disclosures, RNG certifications, and independent audits where available

I follow guidance from AGCO, iGO, the Responsible Gambling Council, and the Canadian Gaming Association. I don't claim a formal gambling regulator certification; my credential is repeatable, verifiable analysis: links to source documents, dated screenshots, and clear test notes for each review.

3) Specialization areas

  • Canadian market and regulations: Ontario's regulated model (AGCO/iGO) vs. the rest-of-Canada landscape, with practical notes on Curacao-licensed operators for players outside Ontario
  • Bonus policy translation: No-wagering vs. high-wagering offers, transparent vs. restrictive terms, real playthrough math
  • Payments: Interac e-Transfer, card rails, e-wallets, and realistic KYC/AML expectations for Canadians
  • Game coverage: Slots, live dealer blackjack, and table games-plus RTP context and RNG fairness basics
  • Compliance UX: How Ontario geolocation affects app/desktop play and what to expect during ID verification
  • Operator transparency: Corporate structure, license scope, and jurisdictional responsibilities

OBSERVE -> Canadians prize fast, reliable withdrawals and straightforward terms. EXPAND -> I test those exact points. ECHO -> Each review connects policy to product so you can see what will happen before you deposit.

4) Achievements and publications

My work on power-play-ca.com centres on regulatory clarity and practical how‑to guidance. Cornerstone resources I authored include:

  • Bonuses Guide - A plain-English breakdown of wagering requirements and fair-play terms, with examples relevant to Canadian players
  • Payments & Withdrawals - What to expect from Interac e-Transfer, cards, and e-wallets, including typical verification timelines
  • Responsible Gaming - A toolkit for setting limits, self-exclusion, and finding help in Canada
  • Apps & Mobile - Ontario geolocation, app permissions, and how mobile UX differs from desktop
  • Casino & Betting Insights - An ongoing hub for operator comparisons and regulatory updates

These pieces are updated regularly and cross-referenced in our brand reviews, including coverage of power-play's licensing scope for Ontario vs. the rest of Canada. I prioritise citations, regulator links, and timestamped updates so readers can validate every claim.

5) Mission and values

  • Unbiased reviews: No "pay-to-play" write-ups-operators don't control ratings or editorial conclusions
  • Responsible gambling first: I place limit-setting, timeouts, and self-exclusion resources up front in every review
  • Affiliate transparency: If our site may earn a commission from a link, I disclose it and make clear that commissions never change review verdicts
  • Fact-checking cadence: I re-check licensing and T&Cs on a schedule and after each regulatory update
  • Legal compliance: Ontario readers are guided to AGCO/iGO-regulated options; out-of-province readers get clear jurisdiction notes

OBSERVE -> Players need facts more than hype. EXPAND -> I preface risk, terms, and verification into each review. ECHO -> My mission is simple: informed choices and safer play.

6) Regional expertise (Canada + Ontario)

My work bridges the real-world differences Canadians face:

  • Ontario: Licensed by the AGCO and operating under iGaming Ontario agreements; geolocation checks are mandatory, advertising is tightly regulated, and operators must meet specific RG standards
  • Rest of Canada: Access to operators licensed outside Canada (commonly Curacao); guidance focuses on license validity, corporate disclosures, payment safety, and dispute routes
  • Power‑Play context: Operated by Deck Entertainment B.V. (Curacao reg. no. 144851). For Canadians outside Ontario, power‑play operates under Curacao Gaming Authority license OGL/2025/999/0482 (active in 2025). In Ontario, operations are authorised under AGCO oversight with an iGO operating agreement (obtained June 2023). Always confirm current authorizations on regulator sites before you play.
  • Payments Canadians prefer: Interac e-Transfer, Visa/Mastercard, and e-wallets-each tested for speed, limits, and typical verification triggers

When regulator data is incomplete or updated, I link to source registries and flag any "needs clarification" items so you can check status before you deposit.

7) Personal touch

I'm an "entertainment-budget first" player. My quick break is low‑volatility slots; when I want something more involved, I'll sit at a live dealer blackjack table with a strict stop-loss. My philosophy: plan your spend, set your limits, and never chase.

8) Work examples

Here are resources I maintain for power-play-ca.com readers. Each page is designed to be scannable, up-to-date, and practical for Canadian play:

  • Home - What's new for Canadian players, including regulatory changes and brand updates
  • Bonuses - My framework for evaluating bonus fairness (clear math, simple examples, and red-flag terms)
  • Payments - Interac-first guidance and what to expect from withdrawals, including KYC timing
  • Responsible Gaming - A one-stop hub for Canadian support, self-assessment, and operator tools
  • Apps - Ontario geolocation setup, permissions, and troubleshooting tips for mobile play

Power‑Play coverage you'll see reflected across these pages includes:

  • Licensing overview for Ontario vs. rest-of-Canada, with links to AGCO/iGO and Curacao registry information
  • Payments testing notes relevant to Canadian accounts (e.g., Interac and typical verification triggers)
  • Terms translation of any bonus or promotion players commonly ask about

I maintain the five cornerstone guides above and integrate brand-specific insights (including on power-play) within them. Each page lists its last-updated date and links to source materials so you can verify claims quickly.

9) Contact information

If you spot an error, want clarification, or have data I should review, I want to hear from you. Transparency and accessibility are part of my job.

  • Email: Not publicly listed - please use our Contact page
  • Press and reader messages: Contact
  • Editorial policy and data use: Privacy and Terms

Responsible gaming - quick notes

Casino games are entertainment, not a way to earn money. They carry financial risk and should be treated as a spending category, not an investment. If you're worried about how much you're playing, these steps help immediately:

  • Set deposit, loss and session limits in your account settings
  • Use timeouts or temporary self-exclusion if play is getting out of hand
  • If you need more support, consult local resources and professional help

For more detail on signs of problem gambling and ways to limit play, see our Responsible Gaming hub: Responsible Gaming.

Editorial notes on licensing

For readers comparing Ontario versus the rest of Canada:

  • Ontario: Operators active here are under AGCO oversight with iGaming Ontario agreements. Always confirm an operator's current authorisation on the AGCO/iGO websites before you play.
  • Rest of Canada: Operators may run under Curacao or other offshore licences. For Canadians outside Ontario I verify Curacao license items (where applicable) and flag any gaps or "needs clarification" notes on our site.

When licence numbers or corporate records aren't public or change, I note that on power-play-ca.com and link you to the source registries so you can confirm quickly.

Last updated: October 2025

This material is an independent editorial review published on power-play-ca.com and is not an official page of any casino or operator.