An Interview with Dermot Heathcote – iGaming Expert from IrishLuck

The start of the New Year came in with a pleasant surprise as we sat down with iGaming expert & online casino specialist Dermot Heathcote from IrishLuck, and managed to get some tea from the industry. As a leading online casino portal in Ireland, IrishLuck is a great place to get some vital gambling information, not only for the locals but for the people abroad as well. You can read the interview below. 

So, Dermot, knowing the potential iGaming is offering nowadays, can you tell us something more about how you found yourself in the industry?

That, most certainly, is an interesting story. I studied marketing with business management at Leeds Trinity and All Saints University in Yorkshire, and that was the first time when I got a glimpse into iGaming. Once I finished my paper in 2014 and successfully graduated, I was primarily working in the iGaming industry, specialising in online casinos – a subject I love the most!

Ever since I slipped into the industry, I have been really dedicated. Now, the years have passed, and that passion is still alive and burning. I am focused on providing valuable information to the readers. Ones that they cannot find elsewhere. And I am relying a lot upon the knowledge I gained during my University years, making sure my team does the same. 

Wow, that sounds passionate and motivating! How come you got so interested in the iGaming business in the first place? What ignited your fire?

Throughout Uni, I was infatuated by the fast pace of the iGaming industry, and with recent spikes in technology, this seems to have catapulted the interactivity and player experience tenfold. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching how the iGaming industry has adapted and continued to innovate its platforms, games, and services to make online gaming as enjoyable as possible, not just in terms of design and player experience either, with operators now putting a lot of emphasis on player satisfaction, care, and social responsibility.

I kind of foresaw the rising of the industry as I was impressed by how adaptable iGaming and online casinos are – you can stick with your laptop or desktop, and now you can even use your mobile device, smartwatch or tablet to lose yourself in games and options. I just felt I want to be a part of the greatness that is brewing in the industry.

One thing led to another and I found myself at IrishLuck and I can say I am more than satisfied. My career has been progressing rapidly ever since.

Thank you, Dermot. That sounds amazing. What are your main duties in the team? 

Well, haha… I do a lot of things really. But, to put it simply – I update UK players on every aspect of online casinos. That’s my main call. 

Players often find it difficult to choose which game can help them make big winnings. Consequently, they play games with fewer deals making them lose a lot of money. That’s why I love to keep my readers well-informed on all the latest online casino information or industry-related sports news. 

My specialization in the team is writing detailed updates and recommendations that will speak to both visitors and regular players, beginners and proven experts and keep them up to date with the latest industry trends and the best online casino options on the market.  

And how do you do it?

I use my marketing experience and business marketing education to fish out casino platforms with the best deals for the locals. Not only that, I will tell you the curve in the online space. Meaning, you will know when betting times are good and when they’re not. 

Also, you will know how to go about your bets without incurring huge losses, as I keep my readers up to date with the best strategies, online casino bonuses, and information at any time. 

Wow. Your passion towards iGaming is very radiant! It won’t be odd if you convince me to set off on the same route by the end of the interview. You must have played games yourself, haven’t you?

Oh, of course, I have. I still play them now. If you ask me, first-hand experience is the best knowledge you can get, whatever industry you find yourself in. Whenever I see a new game title I make sure to test it out and play it thoroughly. After that, and only after that, I sit and make a review. 

I must say that I cringe when someone makes blind commentary and does game reviews with no real knowledge of it. My expertise in the matter made me so sensitive to misleading information that my ‘fakeness’ radars turn on whenever I see articles without real practical experience in the matter. It’s not only the marketing skills you need here, but the love for the game and the knowledge.

As a game tester, when I put out a game review, I will make sure I have gone through everything any player will go through. So, when I write, I write not only as an iGaming representative but as a true online casino gaming fan and passionate player. That’s what you will get by reading my articles – trueness, realness, vital details, and objectivity. That’s my mantra. 

Cool. It’s really good to have someone to rely on in an iGaming world that is constantly moving forward at incredible speed. We’ve also heard you worked as a live dealer for some time. How was that?

Oh, yes. Actually, I volunteered with some partner sites of ours. I had a lot of fun. But, not only that. I really saw it as an opportunity to acquire vital first-hand experience in the business, not as a player, but as a person from the other side of the desk, someone who leads the game. I was a live dealer at all standard live dealer games – Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat.

This experience definitely added to my career as an online casino writer. Being able to gain experience from both sides really helped me improve my understanding of what my readers truly need. I now understand how it’s not enough only to provide reviews, no matter how detailed they are. Players want hacks. They want something they can make use of when making their tactics. They want ‘insider’ information. Something that will help them gain an advantage. 

That’s why I dedicated myself to providing value to my followers. And that’s something I choose to do every day. 

Sounds like you had a good time. What was the game you would stick to as a live dealer if you would embrace such a career? 

Oh, yes, it was! It was…

Well, it’s hard to pick, but if I had to choose, I would say I would stick to Texas Hold’em. It’s good, it’s intense, it’s fun, and you get to see the moves from the experts. It truly is a unique experience. Although being a Baccarat or a Blackjack live dealer has its charms. 

Great. Thank you, Dermot. Being such a passionate person, do you have any other side projects, hobbies, or things you are interested in?

Thanks for asking! Sure I do.

There is one side project of mine I am very proud of, I call it the ‘old barn makeovers’. Some time ago I started renovating our family’s old barn. That’s cool, right? The thing is I renovate it single-handedly whenever I have some free time. That’s my recreation. I love spending time redoing the oldy, it boosts my creativity and lets me lose myself in work. 

Other stuff I do is mountain climbing, running and endurance races, and I also have my two boys, border collies Flash and Thunder I love spending time with. They are my best friends. We enjoy many mornings, days, and evenings together. 

Wow, Dermot. You have such a lively personality! Glad we have a talk.

Thank you! I had a great time as well.

To finish this interview off, would you like to share any other thoughts about the iGaming industry, its future and trends with our readers?

Sure thing. What I think is that iGaming is here to stay. Its future is very bright. We could specifically see it during the 2019 coronavirus outbreak. The world has never been more grateful for online gaming and gambling platforms.

Just look at the fact that in just one year, online casinos received a huge boost in their activities. New games appeared, and the demand for quality providers and good games became high, as well as the number of operators on the market. Happy to see these positive changes in the industry, I have never been more dedicated to guiding players in choosing the right games and making smarter gaming moves than now.

And with all the new emerging technology such as VR, AR, AI, smart contact lenses, Blockchain, better internet connection, Internet of Things, Face recognition, quantum computing, and many many more, we are at the new dawn of the iGaming business.