Meet Michael Hoad, Our Betting Editor
Michael Hoad
Betting Editor
2+ Years ExperienceMichael is a commercial editor with Covers, helping bettors find the best sportsbooks and sports betting bonuses in their jurisdiction. He brings well over a decade of gambling experience to the role and has an excellent understanding of what makes a platform stand out from the pack.
When he’s not looking for the latest must-bet odds boosts, you can find Michael watching NFL action or sweating out Toronto Blue Jays games.
What makes Michael an expert?
Experience
Before joining Covers, Michael spent a combined 10 years with Rogers Sportsnet and Yahoo Sports, two of Canada’s most esteemed sports media brands. This experience working alongside the country’s top journalists helped Michael develop excellent writing and editing skills, as well as a keen eye for detail.
He made the professional jump to the betting side of the sports world in 2024, joining Oddspedia as a Commercial Content Editor.
Covers.com
- Betting Editor
- 2026 – Present
Oddspedia
- Commercial Content Editor at Oddspedia
- 2024 – 2026
Yahoo Sports Canada
- Senior Editor at Yahoo Sports Canada
- 2021 – 2023
Sportsnet.ca
- Associate Editor at Sportsnet
- 2020 – 2021
Education
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University, graduating with Honours with Distinction. Following his undergraduate studies, he attended the graduate Sports Journalism program at Centennial College.
Centennial College, Toronto
- Certificate, Sports Journalism
- January 2014 - December 2014
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
- Bachelor of Arts (BA), Honours Sociology with Distinction
- September 2009 - June 2013
5+ years in iGaming
Michael was a major contributor to Yahoo Sports’ fantasy and DFS coverage for multiple years. Since making the transition to commercial content, his work now focuses on practical, firsthand insights that make it easier to compare odds, bonuses, features, and overall value.
12+ years in content
Michael has more than a decade of experience creating, editing, and managing digital content. His background spans hands-on writing, editorial strategy, SEO, quality control, and producing content that is clear, useful, and trustworthy.
Multiple jurisdictions
Michael offers a deep understanding of regional market dynamics, evolving regulatory environments, and effective strategies for localized content across North America.
Diverse sports knowledge
Michael is an expert in all the major North American sports, but also understands the nuances of more niche competitions like swimming, skiing, tennis, and squash. This diverse array of knowledge gives him a unique perspective when it comes to betting, allowing him to find value in events that may be blind spots for others.
How does Michael stay up to date?
Michael keeps pace with the latest developments in the North American sports betting industry through reporting from Covers’ in-house journalists such as Geoff Zochodne and Ryan Butler. He also follows a range of external betting experts and industry sources to bring a balanced, well-informed perspective to his work.
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.
Vixio
Michael uses Vixio to stay up to date on constantly changing gambling regulations across North American jurisdictions, helping drive informed decisions and reduce compliance risks.
Q&A with Michael Hoad
Where does your love of sports come from?
My passion for sports betting really took off when I was in university. My roommates and I would all pick one leg of a parlay, and we’d sweat out the games together, watching on as many screens as we could cobble together. The stakes were not all that high — we’re talking $5 wagers here — but the experience brought us closer together and gave us some unforgettable memories. If the parlay lost by one leg, the person who made that selection had to treat for the first round of drinks at the bar.
Did you play sports growing up?
Yes. Basketball was the main team sport I played in elementary school and high school, but my favourites were tennis and skiing, both of which I still enjoy to this day.
What do you look for in a sportsbook?
I look for a sportsbook that offers competitive odds across a wide range of markets, not just the biggest leagues and events. Features such as reliable live betting, early cash-out options, and fast withdrawals also matter because they can have a direct impact on the overall value and convenience of the platform. A strong variety of bonuses is the cherry on top.
What's your best advice for sports bettors?
Set a budget before you start betting and treat it as money you can afford to lose. Avoid increasing your stake just because you are on a losing run, and do not let one bad result influence your next decision.
Use Covers to compare odds across multiple sportsbooks before placing a bet. Even a small difference in price can significantly affect your long-term returns, so avoid automatically wagering with the first operator you check.
Michael's areas of expertise
Michael’s expertise is built on more than five years in the sports betting industry and over 12 years in digital content. He combines hands-on sportsbook testing, industry research, and editorial strategy to create clear, practical content that helps bettors make more informed decisions.
Content strategy and editing
Michael specializes in creating and refining commercial sports betting content that’s accurate, useful, and easy to navigate. His work spans writing, editing, SEO, quality control, and content strategy, with a focus on answering user questions clearly while maintaining trust.
Sportsbook promos
Michael regularly evaluates sportsbook welcome offers and ongoing promotions, translating complicated terms and conditions into straightforward language. He focuses on identifying each offer’s true value, highlighting key restrictions, and giving bettors the information they need before opting in.
Sportsbook reviews
Michael has extensive experience reviewing and comparing online sportsbooks, from major international operators to newer regional brands. He assesses each platform based on factors such as odds, market depth, app usability, payment options, promotional value, and overall betting experience.
Michael's memories
🚀 Big Win
The Toronto International Film Festival is an annual highlight for me, so cashing a futures bet on The Life of Chuck to win the 2024 TIFF People’s Choice Award at +800 odds was a thrill. I had recommended the wager to a few friends right after I got out of the screening of the film, which made the win even sweeter.
😭 Bad Beat?
Out of solidarity with some friends and colleagues, I backed England on the moneyline against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinal. My bet looked set to cash after Anthony Gordon gave England a second-half lead, but Argentina equalized in the 85th minute before scoring the winner in stoppage time, turning a likely win into a painful 2-1 loss.
Michael's Articles
It's not just Michael 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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Peter Clarke
Senior Editor
Peter Clarke is dedicated to keeping bettors informed about the biggest sports betting events, such as the Super Bowl and March Madness, and the best way to cash in on sportsbook promos. He's also always on top of the latest welcome offers from the biggest sportsbooks, so he can share the best deals and the most exciting games to use them on every day.
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Matt Burke
Contributor
Matt Burke is an online casino and sports betting expert. He has been an editor and writer in the betting space for more than a decade. He has produced thousands of real money online casino pages and sports betting articles. The University of Connecticut graduate prides himself on accuracy and giving users all of the information they need to make informed wagers.
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