author-background

Heather Gartland – Casino Content
Editor & Gambling Specialist

Meet Heather Gartland

Heather Gartland

Heather Gartland is an experienced casino content editor and writer with over two decades of involvement in the online gambling industry. 

Based in New Zealand, she specialises in reviewing online casinos, analysing pokie mechanics, and breaking down complex gambling concepts into clear, practical guidance for players. Heather’s work focuses on transparency, accuracy, and player safety, helping readers understand how casinos, bonuses, and games actually work before they commit. 

With a background that spans affiliate operations, editorial oversight, and hands-on platform testing, she brings a real-world perspective to every piece of content. Her goal is always to empower players to make informed, responsible choices while enjoying online casino entertainment.

You can follow Heather Gartland on:

Linkedin Casino.com

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Professional Experience

writer

Casino Content Editor & Writer (2000–Present): Over 20 years’ experience producing and editing online casino content, including reviews, guides, and regulatory-focused articles for international audiences.

casino-websites

Affiliate Site Owner & Content Lead (2003–Present): Responsible for editorial standards, content strategy, and compliance across multiple gambling-focused websites.

Online Banking

Banking & Financial Services Background (Pre-2000): Early career experience in finance as a Credit Manager, supporting a strong understanding of payments, risk management, and consumer protection.

 

Outside of writing, I’m a huge animal lover and actively support animal charities whenever I can. I spend a lot of my free time with my dog, getting outdoors and switching off from screens. Giving back to causes that protect animals is important to me, and it keeps me grounded and balanced alongside my work in the online gambling space.

Heather Gartland’s Writing Philosophy

Heather approaches content writing with a strong focus on accuracy, transparency, and reader trust. She believes gambling content should inform and educate rather than persuade, helping players understand how casinos, games, and bonuses work before making decisions. 

Her process involves hands-on testing, careful fact-checking, and keeping up to date with industry and regulatory changes. Heather aims to write in a clear, practical tone that avoids hype and jargon, while always promoting responsible gambling.

Every piece of content is written with the reader in mind, ensuring it remains useful, balanced, and trustworthy.

Heather Gartland’s numbers

  • 20
    Years of writing experience
  • 20
    Years in the online gambling industry
  • 4
    Casino reviews written
  • 4
    Pokies reviews written
  • 19
    Casino guides & informational articles
  • 27
    Total articles written for Casino.com

Areas of Expertise

Heather Gartland specialises in several areas of online gambling content, developed through years of hands-on industry experience and editorial oversight.

Casino apps

Online Casino Reviews: In-depth evaluations of casino platforms, focusing on usability, payments, game libraries, and player protections to help readers make informed choices.

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Pokies & Game Mechanics: Clear explanations of slot formats, features, volatility, and RTP, including complex mechanics such as Megaways and bonus structures.

bonuses-promotions

Bonuses, Promotions & T&Cs: Detailed breakdowns of bonus terms, wagering requirements, and promotional conditions, written to help players avoid misunderstandings.

Responsible Gaming Measures

Responsible Gambling: Content that promotes safer play, realistic expectations, and awareness of tools and support services available to players.

 

For me, gambling has always been about entertainment rather than chasing wins. I enjoy playing the pokies, and one of my fondest memories was winning a NZ$12,500 Super Grand jackpot while playing pokies at SkyCity. Moments like that are exciting, but I still see gambling as purely entertainment, and if I win, I consider it a bonus. 

Q&A with Heather Gartland

I started writing because I was frustrated with how unrealistic many casino reviews were. After years of playing and working in the industry, I wanted to create content that reflects what players actually experience, not marketing hype.

I tend to enjoy pokies with interesting mechanics and bonus features, especially games that feel engaging rather than repetitive.

I focus on clarity and honesty. I look at how a casino really works in practice and explain things in a way that’s easy for players to understand. I also put myself in the shoes of a beginner who has never gambled before, so that I can cover aspects they may not know about.

Rushing in without reading the small print. Taking a few minutes to understand bonuses, game features, or limits can make a huge difference to how enjoyable the experience is.

Treat gambling as entertainment, not a way to make money. Setting limits and understanding how games work helps keep them enjoyable and stress-free.