Meet Colin MacKenzie, Our Sweepstakes Specialist
Colin MacKenzie
Sweepstakes Specialist
13+ Years ExperienceColin MacKenzie is the Sweepstakes Specialist at Covers, with more than a decade of experience writing in the online gambling space, including the last three years focused on sweepstakes casinos. He brings firsthand knowledge and a player-first perspective to every piece, from honest reviews of North America’s top iGaming operators to bonus code guides.
Colin regularly tests sweepstakes platforms throughout the year, revisiting operators as bonuses, games, redemption options, and terms change. His hands-on testing has included leading brands such as Crown Coins, McLuck, Stake.us, Funrize, RealPrize, Spree, LoneStar, FreeSpin, and SplashCoins, where he creates real accounts, claims promotions, plays games, tests mobile experiences, completes KYC, and evaluates prize redemptions.
Based in the Maritimes, Colin breaks down the fine print so players know exactly what to expect and can navigate offers confidently and responsibly. When he’s not deciphering bonus terms and playthrough requirements, he’s either soaking up the sea breeze or turning fairways into sand traps.
What makes Colin MacKenzie an expert?
Experience
Colin’s background in iGaming and media began with blogging and curating content across North American pro and college sports before transitioning into online casino coverage at Covers. His hands-on experience includes time spent on both the affiliate and operator sides of the industry, giving him a well-rounded perspective on what players need to know.
Colin is dialed in on sweepstakes and social casinos, where he puts every offer to the test. From sign-up bonuses to daily login rewards, Colin knows how to spot value and guide players through every promo with clarity and confidence.
Covers.com
- Senior Content Editor
- July 2025 – Present
- Sweepstakes Casinos
- Publication
- Sweepstakes Casino No Deposit Bonus
- Publication
- Best Social Casinos
- Publication
- Content Editor
- January 2023 – July 2025
- Hello Millions Casino Promo Code
- Publication
- RealPrize Promo Code
- Publication
Education
Colin MacKenzie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary's University, where he wrote for The Journal before graduating in 2007.
Saint Mary's University, Halifax
- Bachelor of Arts (English Literature)
- September 2001 - May 2027
12+ years in iGaming
Colin has extensive iGaming experience, having reviewed hundreds of online casinos and sweepstakes casinos, prioritizing trustworthy content, while comparing brands and products to surface valuable information to improve the user's gaming experience.
Diverse experience
Colin has a wide variety of experience with international and local iGaming markets. He's an expert on U.S. state gambling laws for both online casinos and sweepstakes casinos.
Multiple jurisdictions
Colin has a thorough understanding of North American online casino markets and the regional markets within. He is an expert on sweepstakes legislation and the ever-changing laws of the dual-currency iGaming model.
Specialist
Colin has a passion for creating data-driven content for the North American iGaming market. He puts player experience at the centre of his content.
How does Colin stay up to date?
Ben keeps close tabs on industry developments with the help of Covers' in-house journalists, including Geoff Zochodne and Ryan Butler. Vixio is also an excellent source of updates regarding market trends and regulatory shifts.
Industry News
Covers' industry news team has its pulse on the iGaming sector, publishing stories in real time while providing readers with well-balanced and informed content.
The Closing Line
The Closing Line brings the latest news from leading gambling analyst Dustin Gouker. It is available via Substack and as a mini-podcast with deeper dives on trending topics.
SBC Americas
SBC Americas is a trusted online platform providing timely news and insights on online casinos and sweepstakes developments across North America.
Q&A with Colin MacKenzie
What do you look for in a sweepstakes?
First, I check the game library to see if there are any games I'm interested in playing. Then, I look for the no-deposit bonus and the daily login bonus. Sweepstakes are meant to be fun, and having the games I want and free coins puts me well on my way to a good time.
What is your best advice for sweepstakes players?
Always claim your daily login bonus, even if you're not going to play. Just take your free coins and build your bankroll. Also, submit any KYC account verification information when you create your account, as it will make prize redemptions so much easier.
What are your favourite sweepstakes slots?
Two of my favourite slots are ThunderStruck 2 and anything from Pragmatic Play's Big Bass series.
Colin's top Covers tip
Check out our sweepstakes casinos page, updated daily with the latest offers and the newest sweepstakes casinos. Sweeps are free to play, and every time you sign up, you can activate a no-deposit bonus.
Colin's areas of expertise
Colin specializes in creating compelling, informative content that empowers iGaming users across North America to make smarter, more confident wagers. Colin brings clarity to the emerging world of sweepstakes casinos by delivering accurate, well-researched insights presented in a clear, conversational style that’s easy for readers to understand and trust.
Player-centric content
Colin produces high-impact content that informs and supports sweepstakes casino players throughout their journey. Leveraging deep expertise in content strategy, audience engagement, and adaptive storytelling, he develops reliable, user-focused resources that empower players to make confident, well-informed decisions.
Operator promos
Keeping track of U.S. legislation updates, Canada compliance developments, and grey-market nuances is all part of the job. State betting guides, province pages, and country hubs have all been written to help players feel comfortable playing at safe and legal casinos in their region.
Sweepstakes casinos
Colin has played a key role in leading Covers' strategic expansion into the sweepstakes casino vertical. In an industry defined by rapid growth, shifting regulations, and frequent new market entrants, his in-depth understanding of the sweepstakes landscape has proven invaluable, positioning Covers as a trusted authority in this emerging space.
Colin's memories
🚀 Big Win
Live betting the Pats in Super Bowl LI.
😭 Bad Beat?
It started with pocket rockets and ended with a walk of shame.
Colin's Articles
It's not just Colin doing the research
Ryan Butler
Senior News Analyst
Ryan is a Senior Editor at Covers reporting on gaming industry legislative, regulatory, corporate, and financial news. He has reported on gaming since the Supreme Court struck down the federal sports wagering ban in 2018. Based in Tampa, Ryan graduated from the University of Florida with a major in Journalism and a minor in Sport Management. Before reporting on gaming, Ryan was a sports and political journalist in Florida and Virginia. He covered Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine and the rest of the Virginia Congressional delegation during the 2016 election cycle. He also worked as Sports Editor of the Chiefland (Fla.) Citizen and Digital Editor for the Sarasota (Fla.) Observer.
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Lauren Nickson
Contributor
Lauren Nickson brings over five years of experience in the gambling industry , combining a background in media and video production with expertise in writing, editing, and content management . After graduating from Staffordshire University in 2018, she has since developed her experience covering the latest developments shaping the gambling sector. When writing and editing industry news, Lauren s coverage spans iGaming, sports betting, prediction markets, regulatory updates, and emerging industry trends, with a particular focus on the evolving US gambling market. From state-level legislation and regulatory changes to wider shifts and federal updates, she always aims to deliver clear reporting that gives readers the key facts and context behind the headlines, making complex regulations easy to understand. Away from the keyboard, Lauren enjoys all things gaming from board and video games to card and casino games.
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Bill Gelman
U.S. Casino Expert
Bill Gelman is a national iGaming writer based in South Jersey, the heart of Philadelphia Eagles country. It's the place he has called home for the majority of his life. One of his career highlights was covering the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl parade. It only took what seemed like a lifetime to experience it. After spending the early part of his career being an award-winning newspaper writer, Bill made the jump to the online gambling industry in 2018. That would be the same year the Garden State legalized sports betting. Bill still remembers covering the NJ online casino industry when a $20-million month seemed like a big deal. It's news he laughs about today, especially after the Garden State keeps smashing previous record months. Being a short drive from Atlantic City has allowed Bill to cover land-based casino news. Over the years, Bill has secured exclusive interviews with executives representing BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, and Hard Rock. His gaming industry coverage has appeared on regional and national websites, while he recommends using a variety of online casino apps with BetMGM, DraftKings, and Borgata being a few of his favorites.
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