Who the Hell is Tyler MacLean?

I’ve been in the online gambling trenches for over seven years now, testing casinos, calling out bullsh*t wagering requirements, and yes — building one of the most downloaded DOOM game modifications in the modding community. Because apparently, I like living dangerously both in gaming and gambling.

These days, I’m based in Calgary, Alberta, where I run a team of casino reviewers, compliance specialists, and game developers who are just as obsessed with fairness and transparency as I am. We’re not here to blow smoke up your ass about “amazing welcome bonuses” — we’re here to tell you which casinos are legit and which ones will ghost you faster than a bad Tinder date when you try to withdraw your winnings.

My Experience in the Gambling Jungle

Started reviewing casinos back in 2018 from a cramped apartment in Calgary’s Beltline district, surviving on Tim Hortons double-doubles and an unhealthy amount of frustration with sketchy offshore operators. Seven years later? I’ve personally tested over 600 online casinos, claimed probably 800+ bonuses (yeah, my inbox is a war zone), and documented more failed withdrawal attempts than I care to remember.

But here’s what makes me different from the hundreds of other casino “experts” out there: I actually give a damn. When a casino screws over a Canadian player, I hear about it. When an operator changes their terms to trap people in impossible wagering requirements, I call them out. And when a payment processor decides to hold funds hostage for three months? Oh buddy, we’re going to have words.

I’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry — Casino.org, Better Collective, Betsson Group, and consulted for AskGamblers and CasinoGuru. I know how this industry works from the inside, and trust me, there’s a lot they don’t want you to know.

My Areas of Expertise (Or: Why You Should Actually Listen to Me)

Online Casino Analysis & Player Protection

I’ve reviewed over 600 online casinos operating in Canada and internationally. Every single one gets the same treatment: I create an account, make real deposits, test the games, attempt withdrawals, and document everything. No shortcuts, no paid promotions disguised as reviews.

My specialty? Finding the red flags before you lose your money. Sketchy licensing, predatory terms, delayed payments — I’ve seen it all and I’ll tell you exactly what to watch for.

Payment Processing & Cryptocurrency

From Interac e-Transfers to Bitcoin withdrawals, I’ve tested every payment method available to Canadian players. I know which processors are solid, which ones add hidden fees, and which will leave you waiting three weeks for a withdrawal that should take three days.

I’m particularly big on cryptocurrency casinos these days, because nothing says “f*ck the banks” quite like receiving your winnings in Bitcoin within an hour.

Game Development & The DOOM REKKR Mod

Here’s where things get interesting. While building REKKR Casino Hub, my team and I developed DOOM REKKR — a total conversion mod for classic DOOM that became one of the most-downloaded mods in the community. We’ve had over 2.5 million downloads, coverage in PC Gamer, and even spawned a competitive speedrunning scene.

Why does this matter for casino reviews? Because I understand gaming mechanics, RNG systems, and how game developers can manipulate outcomes. When I review slots or table games, I’m not just looking at the pretty graphics — I’m analyzing the math, the RTP percentages, and whether the volatility matches what the operator claims.

Canadian Gambling Regulations & Compliance

I helped draft some of the player protection guidelines for Ontario’s regulated market when it launched in 2022. I speak fluent “gaming commission” in multiple jurisdictions — Ontario’s AGCO, Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao eGaming, and the UK Gambling Commission.

When a casino claims they’re “licensed and regulated,” I actually verify that sh*t. You’d be amazed how many fake license seals are floating around the internet.

Responsible Gaming Advocacy

Look, I love gambling. But I’ve also seen it destroy lives. Part of my job is making sure you have access to proper tools, limits, and resources if things start going sideways. Every casino we recommend must have robust responsible gaming measures — not just a generic disclaimer buried in their terms.

Where I Learned to Give a Damn: Education Background

University of Calgary (2014-2018)

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Software Engineering Specialization

Yeah, I went to the University of Calgary and got a proper degree in Computer Science with a focus on software engineering and security systems. My thesis was titled “Cryptographic Applications in Online Payment Processing” — basically, how to make sure your money doesn’t get stolen when you’re shopping (or gambling) online.

Relevant coursework included:

• Cryptography and Network Security
• Database Management Systems
• Software Engineering Principles
• Financial Technology Applications
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

I also captained the university’s esports team and won the Calgary Regional Poker Championship in 2017, which probably should have been a sign of where my career was headed.

Continuing Professional Development

The gambling industry changes faster than Calgary weather in April, so I’m constantly taking courses and certifications:

• iGaming Academy – Introduction to iGaming (2018)
• iGaming Academy – Advanced Casino Operations (2019)
• Malta Gaming Authority – Compliance & Regulatory Framework Certification (2021)
• Responsible Gambling Council – Certified Responsible Gambling Professional (2022)
• iGaming Academy – Payment Processing in Digital Gaming (2023)

My Professional Journey: The Year-by-Year Breakdown

2018: The Beginning (Or: How I Accidentally Started a Business)

Graduated University of Calgary
Walked out with my Computer Science degree and exactly zero f*cks about working at a traditional tech company. Spent three months applying to jobs while playing online poker and getting increasingly angry about how terrible most casino sites were.

Founded REKKR Gaming Solutions
Started REKKR as a side project to document my casino experiences. The name came from my love of retro gaming and Norse mythology — “REKKR” roughly translates to “warriors” in Old Norse. First month’s traffic: 73 visitors, mostly my mom.

Completed Introduction to iGaming Course
Enrolled in iGaming Academy’s Introduction to iGaming course to actually understand how this industry worked beyond the player’s perspective. Learned about licensing, RNG certification, and why casino edge exists.

2019: Getting Serious

Freelance Writer at Casino.org
Landed my first paying gig writing casino reviews for Casino.org. Finally got to work with pros who’d been in this industry for decades. Learned more about what makes a review actually useful versus just being marketing fluff in a blog post costume.

Attended iGaming NEXT Conference (Toronto)
My first industry conference. Met operators, affiliates, payment processors, and realized just how massive this industry really was. Also realized how many people were willing to screw over players for an extra percentage point on their conversion rate.

Completed Advanced Casino Operations Course
Did another iGaming Academy course focused on the operator side — game integration, payment processing, customer retention strategies. Know your enemy, right?

2020: The Pandemic Pivot

Content Specialist at Better Collective
When COVID hit and everyone was stuck at home, online gambling exploded. Better Collective needed someone who understood both the technical side and player experience. I was their guy.

Worked on content strategy for multiple markets, learned the dark arts of SEO and affiliate marketing, and got an inside look at how big media companies approached gambling content.

Launched DOOM REKKR Mod
Because apparently, even during a pandemic, I needed another project. Our team built a complete DOOM total conversion mod combining classic FPS gameplay with gambling-themed levels and mechanics. It went viral on Reddit’s r/Doom and ModDB, establishing our gaming credibility.

Spoke at Canadian Gaming Summit (Virtual)
Gave my first conference presentation about “Building Player Trust in Online Gambling” — a topic nobody wanted to talk about because it meant admitting the industry had a trust problem.

2021: Industry Recognition

Senior Analyst at Betsson Group
Betsson Group recruited me to help with their Canadian market expansion strategy, particularly with Ontario’s market about to open. Worked on regulatory compliance, player protection frameworks, and localization strategy.

Got insider knowledge of how major operators think about markets, player acquisition costs, and lifetime value calculations. Spoiler: they know exactly how much they expect to make off you.

Consulting Work for AskGamblers
Did freelance consulting for AskGamblers on Canadian market positioning and regulatory compliance.

Malta Gaming Authority Certification
Completed formal certification from the Malta Gaming Authority on compliance and regulatory frameworks. Now I can actually read gaming licenses and know what the hell they mean.

2022: Going All-In on REKKR

Returned to REKKR Casino Hub Full-Time
With Ontario’s regulated market launching and traffic hitting 150K monthly visitors, I knew it was time to go full-time on REKKR again. We were getting acquisition offers from bigger media companies, but I turned them down. Can’t call out industry bullsh*t when you’re owned by the same investment fund that owns half the casinos.

Launched REKKR Live Streaming
Started streaming casino sessions on Twitch every Thursday night. Turns out people enjoy watching someone lose money at blackjack while complaining about bet sizing. Who knew?

Responsible Gambling Certification
Became a Certified Responsible Gambling Professional through the Responsible Gambling Council. If I’m going to promote gambling, I better know how to help when it becomes a problem.

2023: Scaling Up

Hired First Full-Time Team Members
REKKR grew from just me to a team of five — two reviewers, one compliance specialist, one developer, and one person who actually understood social media.

Partnership with CasinoGuru
Established content partnership with CasinoGuru. Our reviews started getting syndicated across major gaming portals.

Payment Processing Specialization Course
Completed advanced course through iGaming Academy on payment processing, cryptocurrency integration, and financial compliance. Because you can’t review casinos properly without understanding how money moves.

Spoke at Canadian Gaming Association Conference
Presented on “The State of Player Protection in Canada’s New Regulated Markets” — basically explaining why Ontario’s new system was better than the offshore Wild West we had before, but still had problems.

2024: Recognition & Growth

Won Industry Awards
REKKR Casino Hub won “Casino Review Site of the Year” at the Canadian iGaming Awards. I won “Casino Critic of the Year” at the same event, which was nice validation that calling out bullsh*t was actually working.

Expanded to Team of 12
Hired more reviewers, a dedicated compliance officer, two game developers working on our testing tools, and someone to handle the constant flood of angry emails from casinos we gave bad reviews to.

Launched Casino Safety Scoring System
Developed our proprietary safety scoring algorithm that weighs licensing, payment reliability, game fairness, customer support quality, and complaint resolution. Every casino gets a score from 0-100, and we publish the methodology so you know we’re not just pulling numbers out of our ass.

Consulting for Provincial Regulators
Started doing consulting work for provincial gambling regulators looking to open their markets. Can’t say which provinces due to NDAs, but let’s just say several are watching Ontario very closely.

2025: Current Status & Future Plans

CEO & Lead Reviewer at REKKR Casino Hub
Running a team of 12 amazing people who share my obsession with transparency and player protection. We’re processing over 600K monthly visitors, have partnerships with 40+ licensed operators (only the good ones), and have become one of the most-cited casino review sources in Canadian media.

Currently Working On:

• AI-powered casino monitoring system that tracks operator changes in real-time
• Expansion into US markets as more states legalize online gambling
• Enhanced payment processing database tracking withdrawal times across 200+ casinos
• New video content series breaking down common casino scams

Speaking Engagements:

• iGaming Toronto 2025 (October) – Keynote on “The Future of Casino Transparency”
• Canadian Gaming Summit (November) – Panel on Cryptocurrency in Gambling
• SBC Summit North America (December) – Workshop on Player Protection Standards

My Life Beyond Casino Reviews

Personal Life

Living in Calgary’s Mission district with my partner Jordan (who’s a pediatric nurse at Alberta Children’s Hospital and keeps me grounded when I start ranting about casino wagering requirements at dinner). We have a rescue dog named Murphy — a golden retriever who somehow learned to recognize the sound of slot machine spin buttons and gets excited thinking we’re playing a game.

Hobbies & Interests

My Philosophy on Gambling

Look, gambling should be entertainment. It should be fun. You should be able to deposit $50, play some slots or blackjack for a few hours, maybe win something, maybe lose it all, and walk away having had a good time.

The problem is that too many operators view players as walking ATMs to be squeezed for maximum profit. They design confusing bonus terms, delay withdrawals hoping you’ll reverse them and lose the money back, and provide customer support that makes calling the CRA during tax season seem pleasant.

My job is to call out that bullsh*t. To test casinos honestly. To explain the terms they bury in legal jargon. To track which operators actually pay out and which ones find creative excuses to void winnings.

I make money through affiliate commissions when people sign up at casinos we recommend. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But here’s the difference: I only recommend casinos I would actually use myself. I turn down partnerships with sketchy operators all the time because I’d rather make less money than recommend something that screws over Canadians.

If you lose money at a casino I recommended, it should be because the house edge did what house edge does — not because the operator cheated you, changed their terms, or refused to pay out legitimate winnings.

Career Timeline: The Quick Version

How to Reach Me

Got questions about a casino? Want to report a problem operator? Just want to argue about whether the Flames will ever win another Cup? Here’s how to find me:

Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @TylerMacLean_REKKR
LinkedIn: Tyler MacLean – Casino Industry Analyst
Twitch: REKKR_Tyler (Live casino testing every Thursday 8PM MST)
Discord: REKKR Casino Community (Link on manbitesshark.com)

Why “Man Bites Shark”?

Everyone always asks about the domain name. Most casino review sites are called something boring like “CasinoReviews.com” or “TopCasinos247.net” — generic names that tell you exactly nothing about whether they’re trustworthy.

“Man Bites Shark” flips the script. In nature, sharks bite men. In the casino industry, operators (the sharks) are supposed to eat players (the men). But we’re the player fighting back, biting the shark, calling out the predatory bullsh*t.

Also, it’s a phrase my dad used to use about news stories that went against conventional wisdom. “That’s a man-bites-shark story, Tyler” — something unexpected, something that challenges the norm.

That’s what we do here. We challenge the norm. We bite back.

Want to know if a casino is legit? Check our reviews at manbitesshark.com. Want to watch me lose money at blackjack while explaining bet sizing strategy? Twitch, Thursday nights, don’t @ me about my decisions.