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About Emma Tremblay - Canadian Online Casino Analyst

Yay! You've found the "About the Author" page... but, wait, what does that really tell you about whether you can trust my gambling advice?

You've likely seen author bios on casino review sites and you probably even know they matter for E‑A‑T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). You might also know gambling content is YMYL (Your Money or Your Life), so it should be written by people who understand regulations, payments, and player safety.

My pic

But beyond that surface-level "author box" stuff, maybe you've wondered...

  • Who is the person evaluating casinos and bonuses for Canadian readers?
  • What makes their advice reliable in Ontario, elsewhere in Canada, or for jurisdictions like Kahnawake?
  • How do they check AML/FINTRAC and payments risk, and why does that matter for you?
  • How do they keep affiliate transparency front and centre?
  • What happens when a brand's licensing sits outside Canada (for example, Bulgaria's NRA for sesame.bg)?

All of those questions have been on my mind since I started writing about iGaming. I got tired of vague bios that say "expert" without showing the work. So, I rolled up my sleeves and built this page to show you exactly how I approach every review, recommendation, and red flag-so you can decide if my guidance earns your trust.

1) Professional Identification

Name: Emma Tremblay

Title: Canadian Online Gambling Analyst & Payments Compliance Blogger

Role at sesame-ca.com: Lead author and content steward for casino reviews, bonuses, payment-method explainers, and responsible gambling resources.

Experience: 4 years focused on payments compliance and player-safety content in the Canadian online gambling market.

Fact: My home base is Ontario. My editorial work compares operator policies to AGCO / iGaming Ontario standards and Canadian best practices for context; sesame-ca.com is an independent review site and not an AGCO/iGO‑registered operator.

My approach: I combine hands-on payments/AML research (Interac e‑Transfer flows, chargebacks, KYC, withdrawals) with day-to-day evaluation of casino UX, bonus terms, and regulatory fit.

2) Expertise and Credentials

What I do (fact-based): I assess brand licensing, game fairness (RNG testing providers such as iTechLabs, eCOGRA, GLI), bonus clauses (wagering, contribution rates, expiry, max bet), payout speeds, and dispute pathways. I evaluate Interac e‑Transfer flows, card acceptance, bank transfer timelines, verification checkpoints, and identity checks with FINTRAC considerations in mind.

  • Online gambling analysis/reviews: Licensing checks, RNG certificates, lab reports, and terms scrutiny.
  • Payments compliance focus: Practical checks to reduce friction at cash‑out and spot AML risk signals.
  • Education: Ongoing, self-directed-grounded in public regulator bulletins and testing-lab documentation (I do not claim formal certifications).
  • Industry affiliation: No formal affiliation with the Canadian Gaming Association; I reference its public materials for policy context.
  • Editorial standards: Structured fact-checking against operator terms, regulator registries, and lab certificates; rolling updates when rules change.

My stance: Compliance-first analysis, transparent sourcing, and clear Canadian jurisdictional guidance are central to everything I publish.

3) Specialization Areas

I focus on player protection, Canadian banking clarity, and licensing transparency:

  • Regulatory coverage (Canada): AGCO and iGaming Ontario rules; Kahnawake Gaming Commission context; comparisons with offshore licences and what they mean for Canadian access-used for comparison, not as an indication of operator licensing unless stated.
  • Payments expertise: Interac e‑Transfer, CAD-denominated bonuses, realistic withdrawal timelines, ID checks, and common verification friction points.
  • Bonus analysis: Wagering requirements, game weighting, max bet caps, expiry windows, and fair-value comparisons in CAD.
  • Game coverage: Slots, table games, RNG vs live dealer, and live game-show nuances when RNG multipliers are involved.
  • Responsible gambling: Ontario self-exclusion options, limit tools, and how to find help in your province.

4) Achievements and Publications

On sesame-ca.com: I maintain the site's core player-safety and payments explainers and contribute market-facing reviews.

  • Publications: 5+ in-depth guides and explainers for Canadian players (see Work Examples below).
  • Industry engagement: No formal Canadian Gaming Association affiliation; I monitor public updates to keep content current.
  • Practical value: Each piece is built to reduce friction and uncertainty before you deposit-spotting bonus traps, clarifying licensing, and explaining payment timelines in CAD.

5) Mission and Values

My mission: Help Canadian players make informed, safe, and legal choices-without hype.

  • Unbiased, honest reviews: I evaluate terms and test processes from account creation to withdrawal. If a clause looks risky, I say so plainly.
  • Responsible gambling advocacy: I regularly link to tools and self-exclusion options and never claim "guaranteed wins."
  • Affiliate transparency: If a page includes affiliate links, I disclose it and explain how that affects (or does not affect) rankings and recommendations.
  • Rigorous fact-checking: I verify licensing, testing-lab seals, and payment policies before publication and re-check on updates.
  • Canadian compliance orientation: I map reviews against AGCO/iGO and Kahnawake frameworks for comparison where relevant; this does not indicate operator licensing under those regulators.

6) Regional Expertise (Canada)

For Canadian players-and especially for folks in Ontario-the details matter. Here's how I align guidance with local realities:

  • Law and oversight: I check operator status against AGCO / iGaming Ontario registries where applicable and contrast that with Kahnawake or offshore licensing when brands target Canadian players (for example, sesame.bg is licensed by Bulgaria's National Revenue Agency, not AGCO/iGO).
  • Banking and preferences: Interac e‑Transfer, CAD bonuses, realistic withdrawal timelines, and ID checks that match Canadian norms.
  • Cultural context: I explain volatility, RTP, and payout expectations with practical, Canada-first examples so newcomers aren't surprised.
  • Industry network: I keep contact with payments and compliance stakeholders so regulatory changes are reflected quickly in our guides.

7) Personal Touch

I'm a cautious player at heart: I set limits before I deposit, prefer low-to-medium volatility slots so entertainment lasts, and if a promotion's terms aren't crystal clear I skip it. Fact vs impression: facts are the checks I run; impressions are how the player experience felt during testing.

8) Work Examples

The guides below show how I work: observe the rules and fine print, expand context so it's useful, and echo safety checkpoints you can apply anywhere.

Most impactful work related to sesame and similar brands: When a brand operates under a non‑Canadian licence (for example, sesame.bg under the National Revenue Agency of Bulgaria; corporate EIK 205723651 for Sesame Online EOOD), I document the licensing body, the public registry path for verification, and what that means for Canadian players in terms of access, protections, and dispute options. This comparative approach helps you quickly see whether a site aligns with your provincial rules and expectations for fairness, payments, and recourse.

9) Contact Information

If you have questions about a review or want me to clarify a clause, I welcome your message.

I read and respond to messages routed through our support inbox. Accessibility and transparency are non‑negotiable-if I miss something, tell me and I'll fact‑check and update.

How I Apply the Observe -> Expand -> Echo Method

OBSERVE: I start with verifiable facts-licensing records, RNG certificates, AGCO/iGaming Ontario registrations where applicable, and the literal wording of bonus terms.

EXPAND: I translate those facts into plain-English implications for Canadian players: eligibility, withdrawal friction, risk trade-offs, and realistic timelines in CAD.

ECHO: I repeat the critical safeguards-responsible gambling tools, proof points to check, and how to verify a claim-so you can take the same steps on any site you visit.

Important notes and consumer safeguards

Responsible gaming reminder (fact): Casino games are a form of entertainment and carry financial risk. They are not a way to earn money or an investment. If you think you may have a gambling problem, please consult our dedicated resources: Responsible Gaming.

Practical warnings (my voice): I always separate facts (licence checks, lab certificates, T&C clauses) from my impressions (how the player journey felt in testing). If you rely on my opinion, treat it as guidance-not financial advice.

Transparency and independence

I aim for full transparency. If a page includes affiliate links, I disclose that relationship and explain how it affects (or does not affect) rankings and recommendations. All content on this site is independent commentary and not an official operator page.

Independent review notice: This material is an independent review and not an official casino page for any operator.