Patti Santoro
Casual Gaming Correspondent
Phoenix, AZ
20+ Casinos Tested
About Patti
I started playing online slots during the pandemic when my dental office shut down for three months. With two teenagers doing remote school and a husband working from the garage, I needed something that was just mine — fifteen minutes of peace during my lunch break where nobody needed anything from me.
What started as a $20-a-week escape has turned into a genuine hobby. I’ve tested more online casinos than I can count, and I’ve developed a sixth sense for which ones are legitimate and which ones will make you wait six weeks for a withdrawal. I’ve been burned exactly once — a site that folded before I could cash out a $340 win — and I’ve been on a crusade ever since.
The gambling media is written by and for young men who bet on football and talk about “EV” like everyone knows what that means. I write for people like myself: busy professionals, mostly women over 40, who just want to have some fun without feeling stupid or getting ripped off. Does the site pay out? Is the customer service real? Can I figure out how to use this without a computer science degree? Those are my questions.
Areas of Expertise
Withdrawal Speed
Customer Service
Bonus Terms
Budget Gaming
Red Flag Detection
Video Poker
Arizona Casinos
What I Don’t Cover
Sports betting isn’t my world — I’ve never placed a sports bet in my life. I also stay away from crypto casinos (I don’t understand it and I don’t trust it) and high-roller content (my bankroll tops out at $100/week). I play blackjack when I’m at Talking Stick with my sister, but I don’t write strategy guides. For those topics, check out our other writers.
My Review Process
Real Money Tested
100%
Every casino I review, I’ve played at
Weekly Budget
$100
Same as my readers
Withdrawal Tested
Always
I test cashouts, not just deposits
Sponsored Content
Zero
No one pays me to say nice things
The Personal Stuff
When I’m Not Playing
- Running the front desk at Dr. Morrison’s dental practice
- Monthly trips to Talking Stick with my sister Marie
- Book club (one thriller, two bottles of wine)
- Tending to my truly impressive succulent collection
Industry Pet Peeves
- Casinos that advertise “24/7 support” but only have bots
- Bonuses with 60x wagering buried in the fine print
- The assumption women only play slots because we don’t “get” other games
- Influencers who get paid but pretend they don’t
“I’m not here to tell you how to spend your money. I’m here to make sure you don’t get ripped off spending it. If a casino does right by me, I’ll say so. If they don’t, you’ll hear about that too.”
Latest Articles by Patti
[Author posts will be dynamically loaded here]
Connect with Patti
Questions about online casinos or want to share your experience? Reach out through our contact page.
