Mark Podd Senior Writer · Games & Software · BestOnlineCasino.com
Mark Podd is our Senior Writer for games and software, an iGaming journalist with deep knowledge of game mechanics, RTP, volatility and the industry’s leading providers. Over the years he has interviewed developers at studios including Microgaming and personally tested many slot and software releases.
Credentials at a Glance
From Slots Fan to Software Specialist
My love for electronic games started young, and it never really stopped growing. After completing my BA in Multimedia Journalism at Glasgow Caledonian University’s Glasgow School for Business and Society, I turned my full attention to iGaming, drawn in by the pace at which the technical side of the industry was moving.
I’m especially fond of online slots because they give you the chance to hit a special round or a jackpot at any moment — something a purely skill-based game like live blackjack can’t offer. But it’s not just the unpredictability; great graphics and genuinely entertaining themes are what keep me coming back to review a title, and they shape which sites make our list of the highest-rated online slot sites.
Interviewing the people behind the games is one of my favourite parts of the job. I’ve sat down with professionals from studios such as Microgaming, and it’s always clear within minutes why the strongest studios lead the market. That’s why my columns lean heavily on slot reviews and the software providers behind them.
I joined BestOnlineCasino.com in its early days, when the project was just a handful of enthusiasts getting started. Since then the team has grown considerably, but the aim hasn’t changed — whether it’s a new online casino launching in the UK or a shift in gambling law, we want to be the first to tell you about it, accurately.
I don’t claim to know everything, but through plenty of trial and error — most of it the hard way — I’ve learned a great deal. I only score what I’ve personally played, which is set out in our rating system, and I’m driven by a simple idea: helping fellow players avoid the mistakes I made along the way.
How I Test a Slot or Software Studio
Every casino game and provider I cover clears the same six checks, in the same order, before it earns a place in a review.
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1Provider BackgroundI start with the studio itself — how long it has been building games, what it is known for, and which UK-licensed casinos carry its titles.
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2Certification & FairnessI check which independent test house certifies the studio’s RNG — usually eCOGRA or iTech Labs — because that is what makes a published RTP worth quoting.
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3Mechanics & RTPI take the RTP and volatility from the game’s own information panel rather than a third-party database, and flag it when an operator ships the same title at a different RTP setting.
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4Real-Money PlayI play every slot or table game with my own money, on desktop and mobile, before it goes anywhere near a review.
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5Feature & Bonus Round TestingI trigger the bonus features and special rounds myself, so the description in the review matches what you’ll actually see.
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6Sign-OffTwo editors agree the write-up before it publishes with its date — the same sign-off every review on the site goes through.
Quick Q&A with Mark
