My name is Alex M. T. Russell. I’m an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at CQUniversity (Australia), where I’ve spent the better part of the past decade studying how online gambling actually works – not from a marketing angle, but from the perspective of behavioural science and player psychology. I work at the Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory (EGRL), and most of my day-to-day research involves understanding what drives gambling decisions, how digital environments shape risk, and what responsible design looks like in practice.
When 7Bit Casino asked me to contribute analytical content to their Australian platform, I agreed for one reason: I believe informed players make better decisions. My work here is not about selling you on a game or pushing you toward a deposit. It’s about giving Australian players the kind of honest, evidence-based context that lets them engage with online casinos on their own terms, with a clear head and realistic expectations.
General Profile
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alex M. T. Russell |
| Academic degree | PhD (Psychology) |
| Position | Associate Professor / Principal Research Fellow |
| Institution | CQUniversity (Australia) |
| Laboratory | Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory (EGRL) |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3685-7220 |
| Publications | 150+ peer-reviewed works |
| Currency focus | Australian dollar (A$) |
Education and Academic Path
I completed all three stages of my academic training at the University of Sydney. My research journey began with a strong grounding in experimental design and cognitive psychology, which I now apply to understanding the complexities of the Australian iGaming landscape.
| Qualification | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Psychology) | University of Sydney | — |
| Graduate Diploma (Psychology) | University of Sydney | — |
| PhD (Psychology) | University of Sydney | 2014 |
Career and Professional Activity
After completing my doctorate, I transitioned through key research positions, moving from Southern Cross University to CQUniversity, where I have been a staple of the gambling research community since 2016.
| Period | Position | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–2016 | Postdoctoral Fellow & Chief Statistician | Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University |
| 2016 – present | Associate Professor / Principal Research Fellow | Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, CQUniversity |
Key Research Areas
My published work sits at the intersection of digital design and gambling behaviour, focusing on how specific mechanics influence risk taking:
| Area | Focus |
|---|---|
| Online casino mechanics | Slot volatility, autoplay, and near-miss design |
| Sports betting | Push notifications and mobile app escalation |
| Gamification | Loot boxes and the convergence of gaming and gambling |
| Behavioural risk | Distinguishing recreational play from problematic patterns |
| Harm minimisation | Policy design and regulatory effectiveness in Australia |
My Approach to Reviewing 7Bit Casino
When I evaluate any gambling platform, I examine it through a research-oriented lens rather than a promotional one:
- Licensing and accountability: Verification of licensing (e.g., Curaçao 8048/JAZ2016-065) and dispute resolution frameworks.
- Game fairness: Scrutinising RTP figures and auditing of RNG systems by providers like Pragmatic Play and NetEnt.
- Payment handling: Transparency of fees and processing times for A$ and cryptocurrency transactions.
- Responsible gambling tools: Evaluation of deposit limits, session timers, and accessibility of support services.
Published Academic Contributions
My publication record is used by regulators and health bodies to shape modern gambling policy. Key works include:
| Year | Topic | Source / Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Social casinos and online gambling relationships | Computers in Human Behavior |
| 2018 | Digital platforms and problem gambling risk | Psychology of Addictive Behaviors |
| 2020 | Loot boxes as a pathway to gambling | Gambling Research Australia |
| 2021 | Sports betting advertising on social media | Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation |
| 2023 | Population-level gambling behaviour in NSW | NSW Responsible Gambling Fund |
Guidance for Australian Players
The house edge is a structural certainty. Every legitimate platform is designed so that, over time, the casino keeps a percentage of total wagers. To keep gambling recreational, I recommend these principles:
- Set a session budget in A$ before you deposit.
- Understand that bonuses always come with wagering requirements.
- Use limit-setting tools proactively.
- Treat losses as the cost of entertainment, not a debt to chase.
- Keep the Gambling Help Online number (1800 858 858) accessible.
Why I Write for iGaming Platforms
Most Australian adults who gamble online will never read an academic journal. If evidence-based information only exists in paywalled research papers, it fails to reach the people who need it most. Writing for consumer-facing platforms like 7Bit Casino is how I close that gap. My interest is in ensuring that whatever a player reads is accurate, honest, and provides the tools necessary to stay in control.
