G’day! I’m Amelia, but call me “Ace” — fitting, right? A little luck and a lot of curiosity have guided me through life. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, I’ve spent over a decade exploring online casinos, pokies, and the thrill of the game. I’m fascinated by how games work, why people play, and how to make the experience fun and safe. Basically, if there’s a way to turn numbers, odds, and player psychology into stories, I’m there — coffee in one hand, spreadsheet in the other.
My journey
My career path wasn’t planned; I thought I’d crunch numbers forever after my Bachelor of Commerce at University of Adelaide (Digital Marketing & Consumer Behaviour). Then I discovered online casinos — suddenly marketing wasn’t just about clicks, it was about bonuses, odds, and human behaviour.
I started at Better Collective, coordinating affiliate content and learning how the industry really works. Later, I joined CasinoGuru, writing honest reviews, attending conferences in London and Malta, and sharpening my analytical skills. To formalise my know-how, I completed iGaming Academy’s “Introduction to iGaming” course, officially certifying my “casino nerd” credentials.
In 2021, I launched my own site, Vortex Casino Reviews, a place where I could combine everything I’d learned — research, industry insight, and honest storytelling — to help players navigate online casinos, pokies, and bonuses safely and enjoyably.
What my areas of expertise are
I get asked a lot, “Amelia, what exactly do you do?” The short answer: I play (and study) a lot of pokies — I get asked: “What exactly do you do?” Short answer: I study pokies responsibly and explain the casino world in plain English. Long answer: I analyse bonuses, review online casinos, explore regulations, and help players understand odds. I focus on responsible gambling, affiliate transparency, and player psychology, making online gaming safe and fun.
My life, year by year
| Year | Age | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | Born in Adelaide, South Australia. Family says I was competitive even as a toddler — explains a lot. |
| 2008–2012 | 18–22 | Studied Commerce at University of Adelaide. Learned marketing, stats, and that spreadsheets can be fun. |
| 2013 | 23 | Started at Better Collective as content coordinator. Coffee and pizza became my main fuel. |
| 2015 | 25 | First deep dive into Australian online casinos. Spent hours analysing pokies, bonuses, and payout percentages. |
| 2016–2018 | 26–28 | Joined CasinoGuru editorial team. Travelled to London & Malta, met industry pros, and experienced my first “jackpot” thrill (metaphorical at first). |
| 2019 | 29 | Completed iGaming Academy’s “Introduction to iGaming”. Certificate proudly pinned on my wall. |
| 2020 | 30 | Published first white paper on responsible gambling in Australia. Fancy but fun. |
| 2021 | 31 | Launched Vortex Casino Reviews, a site to write honestly, crack jokes, and educate players about online casinos. |
| 2023 | 33 | Spoke at Australian Gaming Expo in Sydney on “Transparency in Casino Reviews.” Terrifying but exhilarating. |
| 2024 | 34 | Site hits 100,000 unique monthly readers. Still pinching myself every time I see that number. |
How to contact me / find me online
I love connecting with readers, industry pros, or anyone who just wants to chat about pokies or responsible gaming. Here’s where you can find me:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amelia-ace-hart
- Twitter: @AmeliaAceHart
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: Suite 5, Level 8, Business Centre Tower, 12 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
- Phone: +61 (0)8 7323 0000
Fun fact & disclaimer
In Australia, you need to be 18+ to gamble — so yes, I was legally old enough when I first dipped my toes into online casinos. Remember: always play responsibly, and if you hit a jackpot, send me a postcard — I love stories about luck!