I'm James Hargreaves, and I run the slots coverage here at Admiral Shark. I grew up in Manchester, studied maths at the University of Leeds, and spent seven years after graduation working as a data analyst for a fintech startup in the City. Somewhere between spreadsheets and late-night poker sessions with mates, I got properly hooked on online slots — not just playing them, but pulling apart how they actually work under the bonnet.
By 2021 I was writing about slots more than I was doing my day job, so I made the jump. I've been reviewing games full-time ever since, and I wouldn't swap it for anything.
Every review you read on this site goes through my hands. I spin each game myself — usually a few hundred rounds at minimum — before I write a single word about it. I look at the maths (RTP configs, hit rates, volatility in practice versus what the provider claims), the bonus mechanics, and whether the game is actually enjoyable or just another reskin with a different coat of paint.
I also keep tabs on what the major studios are doing. When Pragmatic drops a new Megaways title or Hacksaw announces a feature buy at 500x stake, I want to know whether it's worth your time before you find out the hard way.
Honestly? Because most slot review sites are rubbish. Half of them copy-paste the provider's press release, slap a score on it, and call it a day. I wanted to build something where a player could actually learn what a game does before loading it up — real volatility, real bonus frequency, real screenshots from real sessions. No fluff, no filler.
If you've got questions, feedback, or just want to tell me I rated your favourite slot too low — drop me a line at [email protected]. I read everything.
