John Ferguson

John, our General Manager, has an extensive background in writing, editing, and affiliate management across various gaming platforms, including online casino, fantasy sports and sports betting. He brings first-hand knowledge of the industry’s leading operators to his work at Bonus.com.

Industry Experience

Over a decade deep in online gambling, from DFS to sports betting to sweepstakes casinos. Basically, if there’s a way to wager on it, I’ve probably tested it, written about it, or laughed at its terms and conditions.

Editorial Background

Led and contributed to high-performing content across major gambling and sports media brands, combining SEO, conversion strategy, and a refusal to write boring, copy-paste casino reviews like those dorks at casino.org (I said it).

Awards & Achievements

Recognized as a top performer and team leader, including “Star of the Quarter” honors and multiple revenue-driving content initiatives that actually moved the needle.

Personal Interests

Diehard Oakland A’s fan (it builds character), little league coach, and frequent traveler who’s lived in Mexico, the UK, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Posts by John Ferguson

Responsible Gambling in Canada

It is crucial that Canadians gamble responsibly, if they choose to do so. Here, you will find resources that will help you do that.

John Ferguson April 15, 2026

Editorial Standards and Policies for Bonus.com Canada

Find out more about the editorial policy and standards we maintain at Bonus.com Canada, and learn more about our mission.

John Ferguson January 20, 2026

How We Rank the Best Online Casinos for Canadians

Here, we detail the criteria we use to rank casinos at Bonus Canada. Legitimacy, payment options and data security are among the factors.

John Ferguson May 12, 2026

Find the best online casinos in Ontario recommended by the experts at Bonus.com.

John Ferguson July 2, 2025

Getting to Know John Ferguson

If you can spend money on it with a chance to win money, I’ve done it.

I started in fantasy sports, grinding through DFS content before it was cool, covering everything from mainstream slates to niche sports that felt like inside jokes. Then PASPA fell in 2018 and the entire industry cracked open, so I went all in. Sports betting, online casinos, sweepstakes platforms… if it launched, I was probably already writing about it.

Along the way, I covered the AAF and XFL pre-COVID (I was kind of a big deal, got a shout out from Matthew Berry), pivoted to Korean baseball when the world shut down, and briefly turned into an amateur stock trader like everyone else with Wi-Fi and questionable confidence.

My work sits at the intersection of content, product, and performance. I’ve written reviews, guides, news, and strategy pieces for brands like USA Today, Action Network, FantasyPros, and Sportsbook Review—but more importantly, I’ve built systems behind the scenes that make that content actually drive results.

I’m heavily data-driven (Google Data Analytics certified, not just vibes), which means I’m constantly testing, measuring, and optimizing. If something converts, I know why. If it doesn’t, I fix it—or kill it.

Professional Experience

General Manager, Bonus.com (Catena Media): September 2025 – Present
Digital Content Strategist, Regional Play Sites (Catena Media): May 2024 – September 2025
Affiliate Partnerships Manager (Stokastic/OddsShopper): 2022 – 2024
Senior Editor & SEO, (Stokastic/OddsShopper): 2021 – 2022
Content Manager (Sportsbook Review): 2021 – 2022
Featured Writer & Data Analyst (Establish the Run, Action Network): 2020 – 2022
Lead Editor & SEO (FantasyPros/BettingPros): 2018 – 2021
Sports Writer (USA Today, FantasyData, Gridiron Experts): 2012 – 2018

Education & Certifications

Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere

Google/Coursera | Dec 2023

Core Data Analytics Concepts: Learned key terms, the role of data analysts, and the fundamentals of data ecosystems.
Analytical Thinking & Tools: Assessed analytical skills and explored the use of spreadsheets, query languages, and data visualization in data analysis.

Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

Google/Coursera | Jan 2024

Data-Driven Problem Solving: Applied structured thinking and a problem-solving road map to analyze scenarios and make informed decisions.
Fundamental Data Analysis Skills: Used spreadsheets to enter, organize, and manage data for effective decision-making.

I also graduated from high school, but it was homeschool, so take that with a grain of salt.

Favorite Sports Teams

Oakland A’s (FJF), Los Angeles Dodgers, Kenai Oilers (baseball guy, obvs).

Favorite Gambling Movie

Casino with De Niro and Pesci is the “correct” answer, but The Hangover and Vegas Vacation are absolutely in the rotation.

Casino Nickname

Johnny Bonus, and I would obnoxiously run around the casino yelling “BONUS!” every time I hit something.

Favorite Casino Game

Texas Hold ’em. I learned from my grandfather using matchsticks while camping. Which, despite his Franzia boxed wine fueled yelling, was still a better intro than most apps give you.

Q&A With John Ferguson

How did I get started writing about gambling and bonuses?

I started in fantasy sports, which naturally evolved into sports betting as legalization spread. Early on, I realized how confusing bonus offers were, and how much of the real value is buried in fine print. That turned into a mission to break promos down in a way that actually helps people make smarter decisions.

What’s my favorite type of casino bonus — and why?

Bet-and-gets are my favorite (more common in sports betting), but anything with a 1x wagering requirement is elite. The fewer hoops you have to jump through, the better.

What’s the biggest mistake I see players make with bonuses?

Depositing first, thinking later. People jump in expecting “free money,” then realize they can’t play their favorite games, they’ve got a 24-hour clock ticking, and the wagering requirements are way tougher than expected. You’re basically donating money.

What’s the most interesting trend I’ve seen in the gambling industry?

The rise of skill-based and player-vs-player gaming. Less house edge, more performance-based outcomes, and some of these platforms lean into retro arcade vibes, which I’m all in on.

What’s one piece of advice I’d give new online casino players?

Don’t go chasing waterfalls… I mean jackpots. The odds are brutal. Powerball is about 1 in 292 million. Getting struck by lightning? About 1 in 15,300. Shark attack? Roughly 1 in 4.3 million. You’re not “due.” You’re just optimistic.

If I could change one thing about online bonuses, what would it be?

Stricter regulation around terms. High playthrough requirements and withdrawal restrictions create friction and kill trust early. Operators make a bad first impression, then wonder why players don’t stick around.

What’s the most surprising thing I’ve learned covering the gambling industry?

How much focus there is on acquisition over retention. Most platforms don’t give players a compelling reason to stay, then act shocked when loyalty is nonexistent.

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