About Meghan Lavoie - Canadian Casino Blogger, iGaming Guide & Professional Overthinker

Let's Back Up: How I Got Here

Let's back up a sec-I didn't grow up planning to write about gambling. It sort of happened when I started on forums and just... never left. Anyway, the bullet points are cool, but let me tell you about that first weird casino deposit. Before we get into lists, quick story: My first Interac withdrawal took three days and cost me a Tim's coffee. That's when I started reading up, then writing.

Expertise and Credentials

Since 2020, this has been more than a side hustle. My credentials, such as they are (besides a stubborn streak):

• Detailed casino reviews - Stuffed with options, but Leon happens to be my go-to lately-haven't found anything sketchy yet.
• Regulatory analysis - From Curaçao eGaming licenses to Kahnawake quirks, always on the lookout for new twists... and trust me, there are plenty.
• Hands-on experience - Used to hang out and moderate Canadian casino forums, swapping stories about withdrawals that took forever or bonuses with "surprise" terms. Transparency, quick payouts, and dependable support? That's non-negotiable.
• Industry connections - Being part of the Canadian Gaming Association keeps me looped in-and let's face it, half the best tips come from the after-panel coffee chats.

I geek out over details-communications is my game, but keeping things safe and legal? That stuff matters big-time to me, especially after hearing horror stories from real players.
Do I catch every mistake? Probably not. But I do triple-check stuff after I once published the wrong withdrawal time-yikes.

Specialization Areas

Slots, live casino, payment options-been there, tested that. Ask me about that time I tried a new slot, forgot about volatility, and nearly blew my session before lunch. I tend to latch onto what actually matters for people here in Canada:

• Online casino games - From old-school Vegas slots to flashy Megaways and even those wacky crash games, I get a kick out of picking apart mechanics (the wildest RNG fail I've seen was almost art).
• Payment solutions - Interac? The gold standard-everyone's got it. E-wallets, prepaid, crypto-tried 'em all. Some are awesome, some just... meh.
• Regulatory expertise - Licenses matter more than you'd think. Canadian rules, Kahnawake trivia, Curaçao loopholes-I keep tabs so you don't end up frustrated at tax time.
• Bonus and terms analysis - If a bonus looks sweet but is impossible to cash out? I'll call it. Seriously, I've seen the weirdest fine print-it's a trap sometimes.
• Mobile casino trends - App experience is huge, mostly because half of us "just try" a new site while waiting at hockey practice. Some mobile apps are smooth, some'll freeze faster than a snowstorm in Saskatoon.
• Player verification & responsible gaming tools - Turned into the unofficial KYC tech support for friends and family. Player limits? I set them for peace of mind, not fun-policing.

For instance, I once watched a buddy try to cash out with a new crypto wallet-took three tries and half a plate of fries at St-Hubert before it worked.

Achievements and "Honest" Highlights

I've churned out more than 40 guides, rambled about payment hacks, and (occasionally) nailed a traffic spike for a quirky slot review. Some resources are more helpful than others-just ask me about the time I tried to summarize every bonus type and nearly lost my mind. (Spoiler: I didn't.) Here are a few standouts, but not every piece is a masterpiece. Sometimes my reviews ramble. Sometimes it's just, 'Don't do what I did!'

• Responsible Gambling Guide - Folks actually read it (and use it). Check it out here
• Leon Review - Latest licensing and payout quirks at Leon, from fast deposits to random maintenance windows-if it annoyed me once, it's in the review.
• Payment Methods Analysis - All about Interac and e-wallets, plus that time I discovered a withdrawal fee after midnight. Heads up here
• Casino Apps Reviews - Some apps are slick; one froze while I was at a dépanneur. Still rated it, maybe too bluntly. More ranting here
• Bonus Terms Explained - Unpacked more bonus fine print than I care to remember. Get the breakdown

Some of my stuff gets cited, which is flattering (and a bit surreal). Sometimes, an "insider tip" is just me remembering to avoid my own mess-ups. True story: I once spent two hours reading withdrawal policies just to make sure my info was still fresh. (No regrets. Maybe a little regret.)

My Mission and Values

It honestly bugs me when I see players getting burned-so if I can help someone dodge a scam, that's a win. (Full confession: I almost fell for one my first year.) I'm all about playing safe-probably to a fault. My friends joke I'm the 'mom' of our casino group. Hey, someone's gotta check the rules.

• Unbiased and honest reviews - Won't play cheerleader for any casino, even the ones I use.
• Responsible gambling advocacy - Helping people play safe isn't just a checkbox for me. After talking to friends who lost big (ugh, still haunts me), it's something I really believe in now.
• Transparency in affiliate relationships - If you ever feel a review is too rosy, call me out. I'll appreciate it (probably be mildly embarrassed) and fix it.
• Fact-checking and regular updates - If I ever miss a detail, just shoot me an email. Been there (embarrassed), fixed that.
• Canadian player protection - I nitpick rules and bans, honestly-I'm a bit of a stickler for the details. Some folks find it annoying. I just call it being careful.

Regional Expertise: Down-to-Earth Canadian Focus

Montrealer for life here-if your casino ignores Interac or can't handle French, it won't last long up here, trust me. Oh, and don't test us on hockey nights.
You'll find me at a downtown café, double-double in hand, checking the latest Ontario rule changes-not kidding, once caught a big update on my phone at a Habs game.

• Canadian gambling laws & licensing - I explain how Curaçao and Kahnawake licenses affect your rights and which brands are truly Canada-friendly (Leon makes the list for me lately).
• Payment preferences - Can we talk Interac? Honestly, if you're Canadian, you probably use it without thinking. iDebit, too. E-wallets, crypto-those are hit-or-miss, but hey, options matter.
• Cultural insights - Living in Montreal means dodging construction, poutine cravings, and the occasional casino bonus that looks too good to be true. And sometimes, real insight shows up chatting with folks at the dépanneur or waiting in a Rideline lineup.
• Local industry network - Through the Canadian Gaming Association... not gonna lie, most news spreads over bad coffee and too many e-mails.

Regional advice is more than just laws. Keeping my finger on the pulse means I can flag those weird little changes (like new withdrawal rules in Ontario or Quebec quirks) before they hit a Reddit rant. Confidence matters, but hey, even I still double-check tiny print now and then-old habits die hard.

Personal Touch

Blackjack's my go-to-can't really explain it, I just get a rush thinking about that one card... I always wonder if my luck'll ever run cold. I believe every player should chase entertainment first, not just wins, and always play within their limits. My motto? Fun first, safety always. Live dealer blackjack. Can't help it. Guess it's something about chatting with the dealer... or maybe just trying to outsmart the RNG.

Work Examples & "Hits and Misses"

You'll find my best-and, let's be honest, a few rambly-pieces right here on leon-ca.casino. A few highlights:

• Casino Bonuses in Canada - My breakdown of bonus types, hidden terms, and how to get the most value safely.
• Canadian Payment Methods - Most up-to-date Interac/crypto stuff, but full warning: rates change on you fast (once caught me mid-review).
• Responsible Gaming Resources - Actual stuff people message me about! Setting limits isn't a buzzkill, promise.
• Mobile Casino Apps - If an app made me grumble, you'll spot it in the review. I drop rankings based mostly on, "Would I make grandma try this?"
• Online Casino FAQ - Real questions, honest answers (and sometimes, I had to look it up myself-looking at you, weird bonus expiry dates).

Not every casino is sunshine. I've grumbled at customer support, messed up bonus claims, and once even picked the wrong payment method. But hey, learned a lot so you don't have to. At first, I thought writing these guides would be simple, but the more I dug, the messier it got-now I just try to help folks avoid my old mistakes. Honestly, my early guides were a bit off-I misunderstood RTP and got called out on it. Learning curve's real, but that's part of the fun.

Want to Chat? Feedback, Questions & Gripes Welcome

Got questions, feedback, or need help with a casino issue? Seriously, I read it all (eventually-Timmy's runs slow me down). Reach me directly at . Whether you want to call me out on a mistake, share a big win, or rant over withdrawal times, I'm always up for casino talk. Or bad puns. Dealer's choice.