Dave Consolazio

Sports Betting Industry Expert at VegasInsider.com

Dave Consolazio has been a professional writer in Los Angeles, California for over 15 years. He specializes in sports betting and casino gaming content. When he isn't writing about or watching sports, you'll likely find Dave at a poker table or reading a new book on his Kindle

Personal Background & Life History

• What did you study in school or university? Did it influence your career?

I studied broadcast journalism in school, so becoming a professional writer and editor makes sense! The most important lessons I learned in school were the importance of attention to detail and accuracy in reporting, especially nowadays when false information is everywhere.

• Have you ever lived in a city known for its casinos, like Las Vegas or Monte Carlo?

While Los Angeles isn’t necessarily known for its casinos, it does have some well-respected poker rooms like The Bicycle Casino, Commerce Casino and Hustler Casino. I’ve spent plenty of hours playing cash games and tournaments at all three.

• What’s something people might not know about you?

I’m a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction books! I love to read, and find these genres especially fun as I enjoy the escape from the real world.

Casino Experience & Gaming Preferences

• Do you consider yourself more of a casual player or a serious strategist?

This depends on the game! In table games I always adhere to optimal strategy, and I take strategy very seriously in poker too. But I also enjoy letting Lady Luck do all the work and being a casual player of zero-strategy games like slots and roulette. 

• If you have been to Las Vegas, what’s the biggest mistake you made there? (There’s always one, especially on your first trip.)

I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but one that always comes to mind is going downstairs 10 minutes before the hotel coffee shop opened. Since I had 10 minutes to kill, I hopped on a blackjack table; and suddenly my $5 cup of coffee cost me $205, with the $200 lost there!

• What’s one mistake you see new gamblers make all the time?

Blaming the dealers for their bad luck. The dealers have no control over the cards, and if they did, they’d be helping the table win so they’d have happier customers and collect more tips! Always be nice to your dealers, and if the table is cold, you can always stand up and walk away.

Writing & Industry Expertise

• How did you get started in writing about casinos and gambling?

I got my start in the online gaming industry writing about sports betting. As online casinos became more prevalent, my knowledge of the industry coupled with my enjoyment of casino games made transitioning into casino writing a natural fit.

• What’s your opinion on casino streamers and influencers?

I am a big fan of casino influencers like Vegas Matt, who post both their winning and losing sessions. I think casino content is a ton of fun to watch, but I also think it’s important to be honest with the audience. Creators who only post wins and highlights can paint a false picture of casino gaming, which includes plenty of losses in between those wins. 

• What advice would you give someone who wants to write about casinos for a living?

Learn the games! Too many aspiring writers enter an industry simply because it is trendy, and their lack of knowledge shows up in their writing no matter how talented they may be. The internet is loaded with free resources to learn and play all casino games; become a real expert so that you can write like one.

Casino Industry Insights & Trends

• Do you think online casinos will overtake land-based casinos in popularity?

Yes, but it is going to take a while. The convenience and safety of online casino gaming alone make it a better option, but land-based casinos will continue to hold the edge until legislation makes online casinos far more accessible across the United States.

• What’s your take on casino loyalty programs? Are they worth it?

Casino loyalty programs are a no-brainer. The house always wins in both online and land-based casinos; responsible players understand this, and are willing to pay for entertainment and play with money they can afford. While doing so, why not take advantage of programs that earn you perks like free plays and comps at no additional cost?

• What’s the most underrated casino game that more people should play?

Pai-Gow Poker. Each hand you play has a roughly equal chance of being graded a win, loss, or push; and you get your money back on a push. This means you’ll win or push about 66% of the time, making Pai-Gow a great choice for players who want their bankroll to last longer than it will on most other games.

Fun & Personalized Questions

• What’s your guilty pleasure game—something you know isn’t the best odds, but you love playing it anyway?

Slots! I spend plenty of time studying optimal strategy and making bets with the lowest house edge on table games. But sometimes it’s nice to just relax, push the button, and hope to see some flashing lights and hear some bells and whistles.

• If you could give one piece of gambling advice to your past self, what would it be?

Play more poker! There are still plenty of profitable games out there today, especially in live poker. But advancements in training sites, software, and Game Theory Optimal strategy have made me wish I’d taken better advantage of the days when you could rack up wins even playing simple ABC strategy. 

• If you had to teach a beginner one casino game, which would you pick and why?

Baccarat. Table games can be intimidating for beginners, but baccarat is very easy to learn and has one of the highest RTP (Return To Player) percentages on the entire casino floor. No strategy is required and players have no control over the result of the hand, so beginners don’t have to worry about messing up or making mistakes.