Sports Betting and Casino Expert at VegasInsider.com
Justin Colombo has over 8 years of experience in the iGaming world and Sports Media industry. In that span, Justin has worked to provide in-depth coverage and insight into the worlds of college football, MLB, NFL, as well as the growing online casino and sports betting industries in the US. Justin is a big Crystal Palace supporter, and an even bigger New York Mets fan.
Personal Background & Life History
Did you always have an interest in gambling, or was it something you discovered later?
I discovered gambling later on in life. It wasn’t until I began my post-collegiate life that I encountered gambling opportunities and found myself enjoying every aspect of it. Like most people my age, the WSOP and televised poker was my first big exposure to gambling and from there I began to explore every aspect of the casino floor.
What did you study in school or university? Did it influence your career?
Believe it or not, I have a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting. My first acting job out of college was a touring production of a big Broadway musical and we happened to play a lot of cities and venues that either had a casino nearby or the theater was in a casino.
That being said, I have always felt that my career as an actor has helped me immensely in my writing career. Gambling has its ups and downs, it’s an emotional rollercoaster, as is acting in a role. Being able to describe and communicate the wonderful of gambling wouldn’t be possible without my storytelling abilities.
Casino Experience & Gaming Preferences
What’s the first casino you ever visited, and what was the experience like?
Like I said, I got bit by the casino bug later in life. When I was on tour with a Broadway musical, we played Caesars in Atlantic City for about three weeks one summer which meant we had to live at the casino. Side note: 100% would recommend a trip to the Caesars in Atlantic City.
And after doing all of the touristy things one can do in Atlantic City, there was nothing else to do except hit the casino floor. I tried out a lot of different casino games, played a million slots and even met some wonderful dealers who I chatted with for hours.
The whole experience was very cool, being both part of the entertainment and someone who could partake in Caesars offerings. 10/10, would do it again
What’s your favorite casino game and why?
I don’t know if it’s boring or not, but I love blackjack. It’s a classic for a reason, but I really love when a perfect table comes together and everyone’s having a blast. Some of my favorite memories have come from sitting around a blackjack table with strangers.
Writing & Industry Expertise
What advice would you give someone who wants to write about casinos for a living?
Look beneath the surface. There’s so much going on in the world of casinos that often I feel like people don’t truly grasp how cool the technology is or how interesting the game mechanic designs can be in today's game.
Odds will always be important and game payouts will always be rising, but the games themselves are changing everyday. That’s something that I think is often overlooked, and something that new casino writers should really sink their teeth into.
Casino Industry Insights & Trends
Have you ever visited a casino outside of your home country? How did it compare?
I love going to casinos in Canada. I’ve spent time in each province and always try to find a time to hit some kind of casino. Seeing the differences between Calgary and Edmonton and Medicine Hat was a treat, but Canada’s casinos tend to lean into their local flair a lot more than casinos in the U.S. Then again, I did go to Cowboy Casino in Calgary, so that may just have been my fault.
Fun & Personalized Questions
What’s one non-casino-related skill or hobby you’re passionate about?
I love sports. I LOVE SPORTS. I actually began my writing career as a sports writer and transitioned to the world of casino writing pretty recently. I’m a big New York Mets fan, Crystal Palace supporter, and a fan of most New England sports teams. However, my favorite thing is college football.
I didn’t go to a big, D-1 college (shoutout Ithaca College, Go Bombers!), so I never really had a college team to cheer for outside of Boston College and Providence College. I started covering college football in 2022 and instantly became hooked. Since then I’ve become a fairweather fan of almost every team (still politely respecting rivalry lines) and will park myself on the couch most Saturdays for a full slate of collegiate football greatness.
What’s your guilty pleasure game—something you know isn’t the best odds, but you love playing it anyway?
I know I said that blackjack is my favorite casino game, but Slots are a close second in my book. However, if I’m being truthfully, any movie-themed slot is my JAM. I know, I know. I can hear you booing me. Hear me out.
Sure, the Huff ‘N Puffs of the world will always be a hot ticket, but I just think there’s something cool about seeing what a slot designer does with a movie franchise to make it work as a slot. We’ve all seen the millions of Wizard of Oz slots, which beautifully makes my point. There’s something so cool to me about finding news to engage with a familiar theme but also with the casino games we love.
But also, the Dark Knight slot had a serious hold on me back in 2013. Wowza.