About Ramona Depares
Formerly Head of News at Malta’s leading media house and then Head of Media with one of the world’s largest organizers of iGaming conferences, Ramona is used to being top of her game within any sector. She is the author of three best-selling publications and throughout her 20+ year career in journalism she received two awards. Her fascination with digital content led to a career shift towards iGaming.
What makes Ramona an expert?
Ramona joined the online casino community in the mid-noughties, at the height of the iGaming boom. She has witnessed the evolution of online and crypto casinos first-hand, which has given her an uncanny ability to zoom in to slots, games and bonuses that are ahead of the player trend.
Her legal background enables her to go through the important details with a fine tooth comb, guaranteeing player protection and recommendations that will never disappoint.
Experience
Casino.org
- Content Writer (Freelance) – October '23 - Present
Time2Play Media
- Content Editor - Nov '22 - Oct '23
Sigma.mt
- Head of Media - Apr '22 - Nov '22
Education
Ramona's law degree has helped her gain incisive researching skills that are invaluable in preparing comprehensive gambling guides that are accurate, honest and easy to understand.
- University of Malta, Doctor of Laws 1999
- University of Malta, Diploma in Notarial Law 1997
- University of Malta, Bachelor of Arts in Law & Humanities 1996
7+ years experience
Ramona is well known in the industry
4 languages
Ramona speaks English, Maltese, Italian & French
Award-winning talent
Winner of Award for Cultural Journalism & Award for Opinion Writing
University of Malta
Doctor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, Notarial Diploma
How does Ramona stay up to date?
As a journalist, Ramona has a passion for getting the scoop on everything so as to be the first to share that knowledge with players. Whether it’s a new bonus that’s about to drop or a major shift in regulations that will affect your experience, Ramona sniffs it out and reports on it. Some of her favourite iGaming news portals include:
EGR Global
Ramona turns to EGR for reliable, up-to-the-minute iGaming industry news from around the world.
Gambling Insider
Gambling Insider features top stories from the fast-paced industry. Ramona trusts them for the inside scoop.
Next.io
Alongside running highly-acclaimed conferences, Next.io cover international news stories in the iGaming space.
Q&A with Ramona
What got you into writing about casinos?
"I’m based in Malta, so I’m literally bang in the centre of this massive iGaming hub. Even just dropping in for a coffee takeout in the morning I’m having a chat with the CEO of some massive online casino! I fell in love with how dynamic and forward looking the industry is, and I wanted to be one of the people that shapes it. Being a player was not enough, I wanted to be part of this big movement that was getting everyone so excited and flocking to my tiny island.
Writing has always been my passion. I’m not only a journalist, but also a published author of three best-sellers. Becoming a gambling journalist was a natural step for me and I took to it immediately. I get a rush from discovering something, whether it’s a great deal or a new game, and sharing it with my followers."
What's the first thing you look for at an online casino?
"This is going to be a boring answer - blame the lawyer in me. I dive straight into the T&Cs. Nowadays most online casinos are in a position to offer numerous games, so that is almost never the deal breaker. On the other hand, not everyone has clear and easy-to-find T&Cs, so that’s my first indication whether I will be looking at an online casino favourably or not. More specifically I zoom towards bonus terms and cashout terms."
If you could only play one casino game forever, what would it be?
"Blackjack. Not only was it my grandmother’s favourite and my first introduction to card games, but it combines the perfect amount of skill and strategy with that dash of luck. Perfection."
What can you tell us about your track record in the industry?
"Well, I guess you can judge that for yourselves as you’ll find that I have been a major contributor to some of the most respected platforms in the industry. Google my name and I’m there, like a lucky penny. I have made it my mission to only partner up with respected and trustworthy names like Casino.org, so as to ensure that I am not shackled in my quest to offer objective and honest reviews and analysis."
"Cultivate enough self-control that you don’t always feel pressured to meet wagering requirements and cash out. Never be afraid to move away from a site that isn’t giving you the expected joy."
Ramona's areas of expertise
After nearly a decade in iGaming, Ramona has worked in nearly every corner of the industry. She does have her specialisms though, and you can count on her for the following:
Casino reviews
Give her a casino, and she’ll dissect it. Ramona will have all the important terms down for you and will instantly know whether a site is worth your while and money or whether it’s better to move along. And she’s not afraid to say it.
Regulatory knowledge
Ramona has all the legal knowledge and research skills necessary to stay up-to-date on different markets and the laws that drive them. This means that it only takes her a couple of hours to build an accurate picture of the safety and legality of any site within any jurisdiction.
Ramona's favorite iGaming influencer
RocknRolla
I’ll say this upfront - I’m not big on following influencers as I’d rather check out a gambling news report. That said, I do find myself dropping in on the infamous RocknRolla’s Youtube channel on occasion, simply because it is so entertaining. He calls out a casino if it’s not on point, and I can certainly get behind that. He’s also not scared of betting big - while making it clear that this is his expendable income, so let’s not lose sight of that.
I’m the kind of person who starts small and tends to continue small, so I get a vicarious adrenalin rush from watching RocknRolla go all in. He combines entertainment, thrills, news and an adrenalin rush. What’s not to like?
What iGaming events does Ramona recommend?
With so many iGaming events taking place throughout different times of the year, it’s a bit difficult to choose. Below are some of my favourites.
SBC Summits in Europe
They’re big enough to offer the full-on experience, without being too chaotic, and they have the best satellite events going on. And they’re always held in a different city, so it’s an excellent way to discover new places with your gambling peers.
CasinoBeats Summit Malta
Of course I’m going to enjoy a mega event right on my turf. This summit tends to shape the landscape and anyone attending is assured a snapshot of upcoming trends, and movers and shakers.
IGB Affiliate London
This is where it all happens, for anyone involved in the affiliation industry. A must-do, no matter where you’re based.
Ramona's casino memories
Best gambling experience
- "Getting all dolled up for the first time to visit an actual brick & mortar casino in Malta. You never forget your first time, right? I was so nervous that I made a mess of all my hands, but I still had a blast. The best part? This old lady got fed up and donated all her chips to me on her way out, telling me: “looks like you’re having a blast, here go have some more fun”. Amazing!"
Worst gambling experience
- "Going from some $3,000 worth of chips in blackjack to zero in one hand. I started out with a $10 bet and had a spate of excellent luck, got cocky and started making reckless wagers. At one point I got the dreaded 16 and I actually said ‘hit’. I was, indeed, hit by the worst luck ever and had to exit the game and make myself a good restorative coffee to make up for that."
“It’s a personal quest for me to make sure that players receive expert advice that will steer them towards an positive experience. It’s not about the winning, it’s about curating a happy journey that will leave you feeling happy and entertained. I have the knowledge to make that happen and I use it in all my reviews.”
Ramona Depares' top posts
It's not just Ramona doing the research...
Our team of casino writers, editors, and fact checkers triple check everything to ensure we only ever recommend safe, secure casinos. Meet more of our team below:
