About Me - Oliver Thompson, UK Online Casino & Betting Expert

About the Author - Oliver Thompson, UK Online Casino & Betting Reviewer

1. Professional Identification

I'm Oliver Thompson, a London-based casino journalist and independent gambling reviewer, and I write the majority of the long-form betting and casino content you'll find on the Liveskorebet.com homepage. My work is centred on the UK online gambling market, particularly sportsbook-led brands such as Live Score Bet (our review is filed under live-score-bet-united-kingdom) and, crucially, how they actually treat real players once the adverts, welcome offers and catchy slogans have faded into the background and you are just another UK punter with an account balance.

I've been covering online betting and casino sites for a little over four years, with a particular emphasis on player safety, UK regulation and in-play football betting. My job here is straightforward enough to explain, even if it can be quite time-consuming to do properly: I watch how UK-licensed sites behave in the wild, I expand on that with context and comparison against other options in the market, and I echo the key risks, protections and genuine positives in language that makes sense to regular UK bettors rather than industry insiders or marketing teams.

I'm not employed by any bookmaker or casino, and I don't work for Live Score Bet or any of its related companies. My relationship is with Liveskorebet.com and its readers, and my work is guided by the simple idea that if I wouldn't recommend a site to a friend in the pub before a Saturday kick-off, I won't recommend it to you here either. That independence is especially important in a UK landscape where many comparison sites quietly push brands that pay the highest commission rather than those that actually look after their customers.

2. Expertise and Credentials

My background is in digital writing and research, and since 2021 I've specialised in sportsbook-focused casino reviews and practical guides for UK players. The core of my expertise comes from two things: first, spending far too many hours reading the small print (bonus terms, payout rules, withdrawal policies, timeout options, you name it); second, tracking how those rules translate into real-world player experiences, from the first deposit through to withdrawals, account checks and, if needed, complaints.

On the regulatory side, I work directly from primary sources rather than recycled marketing copy or hearsay. In practice, that means I routinely consult:

• the UK Gambling Commission public register (for example, checking the status of remote operating licence 56859 held by LiveScore Betting & Gaming (Gibraltar) Limited before recommending Live Score Bet to UK readers or mentioning it on this site at all),
• the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner's licensing information for corporate structures behind familiar UK brands, especially when there are several related companies involved, and
• ADR bodies such as IBAS, which UK players may end up dealing with if disputes can't be resolved directly with an operator.

I don't claim formal gambling certifications or academic titles I don't hold - that would be entirely the wrong approach in a sector where trust is already thin on the ground. Instead, my professional credibility comes from:

• years of hands-on analysis of UKGC-licensed casino and betting sites, including smaller brands as well as the big TV names,
• a working knowledge of UK Gambling Commission licensing standards, social responsibility rules and how they are applied in everyday situations such as affordability checks and timeouts,
• familiarity with GAMSTOP self-exclusion procedures and the in-site safer gambling tools that UK operators are expected to offer as standard, and
• the rather unglamorous habit of cross-checking marketing claims against the licence conditions and technical standards that operators are supposed to follow, rather than taking a glossy banner at face value.

If there's a common thread, it's that I pay close attention to how sites handle affordability, KYC, withdrawals and complaints - the unexciting details that, for UK players, make the difference between a reasonable betting experience and an unnecessary headache. These are the areas where frustration usually builds up, so they deserve at least as much attention as welcome bonuses or eye-catching odds boosts.

3. Specialisation Areas

Over time, my work has naturally gravitated towards a few specific areas where I feel I can add the most value for UK readers who may not have the time or inclination to sift through pages of terms themselves:

• Sportsbook-led casinos and in-play betting: Brands like Live Score Bet that blend live scores, in-play football markets and casino games are my core focus. I look at how their odds, in-play tools and markets compare to the wider UK field, how reliable the live data feels on a busy Saturday, and whether the live betting experience is genuinely usable on a matchday when you might be following several games at once.
• Online casino games: I cover slots, table games and live casino in my reviews, paying particular attention to game suppliers, RTP information where disclosed, and how easy it is to find basic details like minimum stakes, rules and table limits. I also note whether games are presented transparently or buried behind vague category names and promotional tiles.
• UK-facing bonuses: I spend a disproportionate amount of time on bonuses & promotions, reading the full terms rather than just the headline. Wagering requirements, contribution rates, game restrictions, maximum win limits and time limits all get checked before I describe an offer as "fair", "average" or "poor value" for UK players.
• Payment methods for UK players: From UK debit cards to e-wallets, bank transfers and newer options, I look at fees, processing times and withdrawal policies. My reviews link back to our dedicated payment methods guidance so readers can compare options before depositing a penny, with an honest view of how long withdrawals are likely to take in practice.
• Customer support and complaint handling: In the UK market it's increasingly common to see operators rely on 24/7 live chat and email only. I take note of response times, the quality and accuracy of answers, and escalation paths, especially when phone support (as with Live Score Bet) is not available. How a site responds when something goes wrong often tells you more than any welcome offer.

Those patterns - games, odds, bonuses, payments, support, and regulation - form a checklist I apply consistently to UK brands. This is how I try to move from vague opinion ("seems fine") to a structured, repeatable view of what a site does well, where it falls short, and whether it deserves a place on your shortlist if you are a UK-based player looking for a legal, relatively straightforward betting experience.

4. Achievements and Publications

Most of my professional work appears here on Liveskorebet.com. I publish new reviews and guides throughout the year, with a focus on keeping pace with changes to UK regulation, payment options and safer gambling tools. By the time you read this, you should find dozens of articles and reviews under my name; the simplest way to see the list is to search for "Oliver Thompson" on our homepage or look out for my byline on key guides.

A few examples that readers have found particularly useful include:

• Our in-depth Live Score Bet (live-score-bet-united-kingdom) review, where I break down how the brand's UKGC licence (no. 56859), link to live football data and 24/7 live chat support fit together in practice for UK bettors, including the pros and cons of focusing heavily on football.
• A practical guide to UK betting bonus offers, explaining how wagering works, why some "free" bets are anything but, and how to compare promotions without falling for headline numbers or "up to" amounts that are realistically out of reach for most people.
• Our overview of UK deposit and withdrawal methods, where I walk through debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets from the point of view of speed, fees and verification checks, with examples of what typically happens when an operator asks for extra documents.
• The responsible gaming tools section, which I helped to structure around the real decisions UK players face: choosing sensible deposit limits, using product blocks and time-outs, understanding GAMSTOP self-exclusion, recognising the signs that gambling is becoming harmful, and knowing where to get support if things have gone too far.
• A series on sports betting strategy for UK football fans, focusing not on "systems" or tips but on probability, variance and sensible staking with UK-licensed firms. These pieces are written with the typical weekend acca punter firmly in mind.

I don't currently chase speaking slots or awards - my time is better spent updating content than standing on a stage - but I do stay plugged into the industry conversation by following regulatory consultations, operator announcements and player forums. The benefit to you is that when something important changes (for example, a licence status, withdrawal policy, new affordability checks, or the addition of mandatory GAMSTOP participation), I can update our reviews and guides promptly rather than leaving you with stale or misleading information.

5. Mission and Values

If there is a single principle that drives my work, it's that your money and wellbeing come first, and the affiliate commission model must never be allowed to obscure that. To keep myself honest, I work to a few simple rules that reflect how real UK players actually use betting sites rather than how operators would like them to be used:

• Unbiased assessments: I don't describe a site as "safe", "trusted" or "recommended" unless its licence, terms and track record justify that for UK players. Good odds in one sport or a flashy app will not excuse poor withdrawal practices, aggressive marketing to vulnerable customers or weak safer gambling tools.
• Responsible gambling first: In every review I try to repeat the same core message: only bet what you can comfortably afford to lose, treat casino games and sports betting as paid entertainment rather than a source of income, make full use of deposit limits and other tools, and consider GAMSTOP self-exclusion if you feel control slipping. Our responsible gaming section describes the warning signs of problem gambling and the practical ways to limit yourself in more detail.
• Casino games are not an investment: However good a promotion looks, casino games and betting markets are designed so that the house or operator has the long-term edge. They are not a reliable way to pay bills, clear debts or "beat" the system. I make a point of underlining this wherever possible so that readers do not confuse gambling with saving or investing.
• Transparency about money: Where Liveskorebet.com may earn commission if you sign up with a site, I want that to be clearly disclosed and never to influence whether I highlight negatives. A generous welcome offer with unfair or confusing terms will be called out as such, even if that means fewer sign-ups.
• Fact-checking and updates: The UK market moves quickly. I revisit key reviews, including our Live Score Bet coverage, on a rolling basis. Our internal data for Live Score Bet was last comprehensively refreshed in November 2025, and I continue to monitor their UKGC listing and terms thereafter, updating content on Liveskorebet.com when anything material changes.
• Compliance and legality: I never encourage the use of unlicensed operators or "workarounds" such as VPNs to access offshore sites. All of my recommendations stay within the framework set by the UK Gambling Commission and other relevant UK authorities, because that framework is there to give you at least some protection when things go wrong.

The online gambling world is noisy, with plenty of filler articles and recycled press releases. My aim is to cut through that, quietly and consistently, so that UK readers can make better decisions without needing to become experts themselves, and without forgetting that this is a risky form of entertainment rather than a path to guaranteed profits.

6. Regional Expertise - Focus on the UK

Living and working in London, I write squarely for a UK audience. That colours everything I do, from the terminology I use to the assumptions I avoid. When I review a site like Live Score Bet, I'm thinking about how it fits into the day-to-day reality of a UK punter checking odds on their phone on the commute or during half-time, not a theoretical global user.

• UK law and regulation: I look at how the operator's UKGC remote operating licence is structured, whether mandatory schemes like GAMSTOP are clearly signposted, and how the site implements UK-specific rules on advertising, bonuses and social responsibility. I also keep an eye on consultation papers and enforcement actions to understand where the regulator's focus is shifting.
• Local payment habits: I take into account the reality that most UK players fund accounts via Visa/Mastercard debit, bank transfers or well-known e-wallets, and that credit cards are no longer permitted for gambling under UK rules. I note when a site is slow to refund back to the original payment method or sets unreasonably high minimum withdrawal amounts.
• British gambling culture: The weekend football accumulator, the in-play flutter during a televised match, interest in big racing meetings like Cheltenham or the Grand National, and spur-of-the-moment bets around major events all shape how UK players interact with sites. I also recognise how these habits can become risky, especially when combined with 24/7 access via mobile apps.
• Customer support expectations: UK players tend to expect prompt, competent support via live chat at a minimum, with clear escalation routes when issues aren't resolved quickly. Where a brand, like Live Score Bet, declines to offer phone support, I factor that into the overall assessment and explain what that means in practice, especially for players who prefer to speak to someone when money is involved.

Over the years I've built up a network of contacts across the industry - other writers, compliance specialists, and occasionally people working inside operators and regulators. I don't trade in gossip, but I do pay attention when patterns emerge (for example, recurring complaints about slow withdrawals or aggressive account closures from a particular brand) and I feed those observations back into my work here so that UK readers benefit from a wider view than their own experience alone.

7. Personal Touch

When I'm not poring over terms and conditions, I'm usually watching football - often the sort of mid-table or lower-league matches that feature heavily in the in-play coupons but rarely on glossy advertising posters. My personal gambling philosophy is decidedly dull: small stakes, strict limits, and an acceptance that most bets will lose. I'm far more interested in enjoying the match than in chasing any particular return, and I am very conscious of how quickly things can escalate if you treat gambling as anything other than entertainment.

That mindset, developed over years of watching both financial and betting markets chew up overconfident punters, is the one I try to pass on in my writing. If a piece I write encourages even one reader to set a sensible deposit limit, take a break, or seek help when they recognise the warning signs described in our responsible gaming advice, then it has done its job just as much as any detailed review or odds comparison.

8. Work Examples on Liveskorebet.com

To get a feel for how I approach reviews and guides, you might like to start with:

• The full Live Score Bet UK review (filed under live-score-bet-united-kingdom), where I walk through the brand's launch in the UK, its regulatory set-up, the integration with live football data, and what the lack of phone support means day-to-day when you need an issue resolved quickly.
• Our guide to bonus offers and wagering requirements, which breaks down real examples from UK bookmakers so you can see how much a "£20 free bet" might actually cost in practice once wagering, minimum odds and other conditions are taken into account.
• The detailed overview of deposits and withdrawals on UK betting sites, including practical notes on verification, processing times and common sticking points like source-of-funds checks and maximum withdrawal limits.
• The sports betting guides, aimed mainly at UK football fans who want to understand odds, markets and variance without buying into systems, tipster subscriptions or unrealistic claims about guaranteed returns.
• Our mobile apps section, where I test how well UK operators have translated their desktop offers onto phones and tablets, paying attention to navigation, stability, live betting usability and access to safer gambling tools on smaller screens.

Beyond those, you'll find my fingerprints on the faq, some of the privacy policy explanations (particularly around how affiliate tracking works and what data we collect), and clarifications in our terms & conditions. All of this is aimed at helping UK players understand not just what we recommend, but why we recommend it, and where the limits and risks sit.

9. Contact Information

If you have a question about something I've written, have spotted an error, or simply want to suggest a topic for a future guide, you can reach me via the site's contact options.

Email: Direct email contact details for individual authors are not currently published; please use the site's contact form for any queries about my work.

You can also use the site's contact us form, and messages addressed to "Oliver" or referencing a specific review will be routed my way. I can't provide individual betting tips or personal financial advice, but I do read feedback carefully and use it to improve future content, especially where readers flag changes at UK bookmakers before they are widely reported.

Last updated: November 2025.

This page forms part of an independent editorial review on Liveskorebet.com. It is not an official page for Live Score Bet, any other casino, bookmaker or gambling operator, and nothing here should be taken as financial advice or a promise of profit. Casino games and sports bets are always a form of entertainment with real financial risk, not a way to earn a regular income.

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