Author Spotlight: Zach Roberts
What was your first impression when you discovered Playboy was expanding into the iGaming industry and that you’d be joining its official iGaming content team?
"I was surprised that this was an avenue Playboy wanted to go into, but it just speaks to the overall rise in this field. Sports and iGaming continue to grow and become very synonymous, so this makes all the sense in the world.
Nowadays, if a site or publication isn’t diverse, it’s lacking. Being able to cover a wide variety of topics and have analysis in different fields is crucial to the overall health and viability of an outlet, so this is a good move."
What would you say has been the most gratifying part of writing for the iGaming industry as a whole?
"I think the ability to write about sports in conjunction with all of this is the most gratifying. In many ways, it provides a new way to analyze sports. What the odds are saying is now a key component of discourse.
Odds give a look at the state of things, so we can use them to understand better who is actually having the best season in the NBA, who actually can win the Super Bowl, or where a player might actually sign in the MLB."
Do you have any hopes or predictions for the future of iGaming?
"I believe the future is bright for iGaming if for no other reason than that it has become incredibly prevalent. It is connected to a lot of different avenues, and with that many anchor points, it’s going to have some longevity.
iGaming is likely to continue evolving, too. The industry doesn’t quite resemble what it once did, and we’ve seen a lot of changes in a short amount of time. I expect that to continue in the near future."
What originally inspired you to become a casino and sports betting writer?
"The link between sports and sports betting influenced my journey down this path. They have become almost inextricably linked. The MVP odds for a given sport are rarely wrong when it’s all said and done, so there’s an undeniable connection.
It gives me a new way to connect with and discuss sports. In some instances, it can be a wonderful backing for an argument. If the odds agree with my assessment, that certainly has some weight."
Have you received any unique awards or public recognition as an iGaming writer, or as a professional/academic writer in any field?
"I have not received any awards, but one day I would love to."
What would be your advice for anyone looking to become a professional writer in the iGaming industry?
"Diversify yourself. Coming out of college, I didn’t ever expect to be even close to this field. I also didn’t start out that way, either, so things can and do change all the time. That’s especially true today.
I began as a gaming writer who then added some sports roles, which eventually connected to some sports betting writing. Now, here I am, and I never would’ve arrived if I wasn’t a diverse writer."
What is your favorite niche within the industry? (sports betting, casino gambling, sweepstakes casinos, other)
"Sports betting is my favorite niche within this industry. As I’ve mentioned, it provides another way to engage with the sports I love writing about. It is a good tool for analysis and understanding.
If the odds agree with what I believe, then there’s good reason to think I’m right. If the odds disagree, then there’s an opportunity for me to explore why that might be or to strengthen my argument overall."