About the Author
Robyn McNeil
Bio & Media Credits
Who is Robyn McNeil?
Robyn McNeil (she/they) is a lead writer at Bonus, focusing on news relevant to online casinos. She specializes in responsible gambling coverage, legislative developments, gambling regulations, and gambling-related legal fights.
Career-wise, McNeil is something of a Girl Friday, with experience across industries, including culinary arts, music, film, tech, and journalism. She started her journey with Catena Media in early 2021 as a freelancer at Online Poker Report before quickly transitioning to a full-time role. Before joining Bonus in March 2023, McNeil mainly wrote and edited for PlayCanada, PlayOntario (since retired), and PlayIllinois. McNeil has also contributed to PlayNY, PlayOhio, and PlayMaryland, which are all part of Catena’s affiliate network.
Outside of office hours, you’ll most likely find Robyn twisting herself into challenging shapes, digging in the dirt, or exploring the coastlines of Nova Scotia, where she lives in an empty nest with her cat, Edith.
Robyn McNeil in the Media
- Media Musings, Gaming News Canada Newsletter, Nov. 2, 2023
- Come on Barbie, Let’s go Gamble: Is gambling advertising allowed in a Barbie world?, Ifrah Law, Aug. 7, 2023
- On The Homefront, Gaming News Canada Newsletter, Feb. 23, 2023
- Sports Betting Goes Live In Ontario: Why It’s Important, Business Insider, Apr. 4, 2022
- This Has Been A Long Time In The Making’: IGaming Launches In Ontario, CTV Windsor, Apr. 4, 2022
- Online gambling expected to create more Ontario jobs, CTV Windsor, Apr. 1, 2022
- PlayCanada Report Outlines Job Creation Potential In Ontario, Canadian Gaming Business, March 29, 2022
- Report Argues Online Gambling Will Create 1300 Jobs In Ontario, iheartradio.ca, March 29, 2022
Top Bonus.com Articles by Robyn McNeil
- GambleAware Research Seeks Understanding of LGBTQ+ Gambling Harm, Jan. 18, 2024
- NCLGS to Craft Model iGaming Legislation for States Considering Expansion, Jan 12, 2024
- Social Media Linked to Higher Rates of Teenage Gambling, Risky Behaviors, Dec. 19, 2023
- Operator Data Reveals Most Gamblers Pass on Available RG Tools, Nov. 29. 2023
- ADHD & Problem Gambling: ADHD Symptoms Predict More Severe Relapses, Nov. 15, 2023
- The Federal Investigation Into Scott Sibella: What Do We Know?, Oct. 20, 2023
- ‘Robin Hood 702’: Who is the Gambler Behind the Sibella Lawsuit?, Oct. 19, 2023
- Researchers Investigate ‘Magic Mushrooms’ as Problem Gambling Aid, Oct. 10, 2023
- New ‘Ticket in-Bonus Out’ Casino Tech Could Pose Problem Gambling Risk, Sept. 6. 2023
- Reddit Gamblers Show Surprising Interest in UberEats & Other Subreddits, June 16, 2023
Other Writing by Robyn McNeil
PlayIllinois, Illinois Gambling History Series
- Black Sox Down: The 1919 Chicago White Sox Scandal (Part 2), Dec. 16. 2022
- Black Sox Down: The 1919 Chicago White Sox Scandal (Part 1), Dec. 15. 2022
- John “Mushmouth” Johnson, Chicago’s Black Gambling King, Dec. 1, 2022
- Corruption, Extravagance, And Ingenuity In Early Illinois Gambling, Nov. 17, 2022
- King Of Chicago To US Race Wire Gambling Czar, Meet Mont Tennes, Nov. 4, 2022
- Bullets, Ballots And Bribery Define Early Illinois Gambling History, Oct. 21, 2022
Contact Info
To reach Robyn with a news tip, email her at [email protected].
Latest articles
Opinion: How We Write About Problem Gambling Matters
As journalists and editors, the language we use to tell the stories we share matters. For those who write about the gambling industry, it’s time we interrogate how our words may impart more meaning and harm than intended. At least, that was my takeaway after attending How We Speak Matters: Undoing Stigmatizing Language, the 2024 […]
Who Spends the Most on Gambling? — High-Income Millennials Dominate US Market, Says TransUnion Study
Despite a dip in overall betting activity, high-income millennials dominated US gambling spend as 2023 came to an end. However, according to TransUnion’s (TU) latest US Gaming Report, rising debt and the return of student loan payments could indicate coming headwinds. “We continue to see the relationship between consumer liquidity and the industry,” Declan Raines, […]
Danish Study Finds Higher Bonuses, Game Choice, Better Payouts Fuel Unlicensed Online Gambling
According to new research, Danish gamblers who intentionally play on unlicensed sites seek higher bonuses, bigger payouts, and more games. The findings highlight the importance of gambling regulations that foster a competitive industry. “Channelization”—or ensuring players choose regulated sites over unregulated ones—is a hot topic in European markets, but one that US regulators haven’t yet […]
California Sports Betting Effort Scrapped, Surprising Exactly No One
Proponents behind an effort to legalize California sports betting have pulled a pair of initiatives after facing strong opposition from tribal gaming interests. As a result, Californians won’t be voting on sports betting in 2024. In addition to pushback from most of the 110 federally recognized tribes in California, leading sports betting operators came out […]
GambleAware-Backed Research Seeks Understanding of Drivers and Burdens of LGBTQ+ Gambling Harm
An upcoming GambleAware study will examine the LGBTQ+ experience of gambling and gambling harms. According to the Request-for-Proposal (RFP), the research will expand on the results of a recent scoping review that found evidence of “compounding” gambling harms among groups within Great Britain’s LGBTQ+ community. The yet-unpublished review highlighted the need for further study into […]
Maryland Bill to Repeal Prohibition on Casino Lobbying Gets First Committee Hearing
Maryland State Delegate Jon Cardin has again tabled legislation to allow state casino operators to contribute to the political campaigns of state legislators and political parties. Cardin reiterated the bill’s importance during a Wednesday afternoon Ways and Means Committee Bill Hearing. This is about consistency, transparency and elections, clear rules and meaningful policies. Cardin introduced […]
GRIT Act Proposes Dedicated Federal Funding for Gambling Harm Prevention, Treatment, and Research
New legislation introduced last week, the Gambling Addiction, Recovery, Investment, and Treatment (GRIT) Act, earmarks funding for the treatment, prevention, and study of gambling addiction in the United States. If passed, the bill, backed by House Representative Andrea Salinas (OR) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), will establish dedicated federal funding for gambling addiction for the […]
NCLGS to Craft Model iGaming Legislation for States Considering Gambling Expansion
The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) will form a committee to draft model gambling legislation to assist states considering gambling expansion, focusing first on online casinos. On Jan. 4, the coalition of state lawmakers announced that public hearings with industry stakeholders will kick off soon, possibly as early as March. Ideally, the […]
Pennsylvania AG Petitions Supreme Court for Skill Games Appeal
Pennsylvania Attorney General (AG) Michelle Henry has asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear an appeal of lower court decisions that ruled skill gaming machines are not illegal gambling. In the petition filed on Jan. 2, the Attorney General argues that the ruling of the Commonwealth Court contradicts existing precedent. Specifically, the petition holds that […]
Indiana’s Terre Haute Casino Announces April 5 Grand Opening
After an extended wait, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) has revealed the opening dates for its Terre Haute Casino Resort. On April 5, Indiana’s newest casino will host its much-anticipated grand opening event. About a month later, on May 15, the resort’s 122-room luxury hotel will welcome its first guests. CDI formerly operated the TwinSpires online gambling brand […]
