Honouring a Pioneer in Fair Gaming: Bryan Bailey

 “Bryan was never too busy to say hello or talk about the industry, or shy to comment or share his opinions boldly on how affiliate marketing should be done! As a result we ultimately all learned something from his lead, leaving a legacy that will likely never be forgotten in the casino industry.”

“In my opinion, this Hall of Fame thing is for Bryan in the industry, not just at Casinomeister. No one has been more instrumental in pioneering, championing, and setting the gold standard for player advocacy in online gaming than Bryan.

He did everything first, others well know that they’ve just been following his fine example. Happy trails Big Guy, and thanks for the memories.”

Furthermore his charity drives, such as raising over $100,000 along with Ted Loh for the Tsunami Appeal Fund in January 2005, in the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, showed firsthand the type of man Bryan is.

Over the past 20 years, not only has Bryan been someone I have looked up to and turned to for advice, but he has also become one of my closest friends. For those that know him personally, they will I am sure attest to the fact that he is most definitely one of the nicest, fairest, downright good souls you could ever meet.

It was for me personally a sad day when Bryan chose to sell Casinomeister and retire. Those of us that remain working on the site, will strive to ensure it sticks to  the ethos and principles that  Bryan ran the site with for over the past 27 years.

It is therefore only fitting Bryan, that you are afforded the honour of being the first inductee into the Casinomeister Hall of Fame.”

“As the founder of Casinomeister, he championed fairness, transparency, and player advocacy during an era when such principles were scarce. His tireless dedication to exposing unethical practices and promoting responsible gaming earned him the trust of both players and operators alike.”

“Casinomeister became the go-to resource for industry news, reviews, and community engagement including the annual, Meister Meets. Bryan’s contributions have not only elevated industry standards but also inspired online gambling groups to prioritise trust, transparency and fairness in their operations.”

“Many have tried to duplicate the work Bryan has done for online gambling over the years, some in a shady way, some with pure intentions, but few have had the same impact, especially over a sustained period of time.”

“For his unparalleled influence and stamina in a tough online marketplace, Bryan Bailey rightfully earns first place in the Casinomeister Hall of Fame.”

“Go well Bryan, it’s been emotional and pretty freakin’ awesome.”

“You’ve been in the trenches alongside players, affiliates, and operators, standing up against dishonesty and greed. Your efforts have not only defended countless individuals but also elevated the standards of the entire online gaming ecosystem.

“Your charitable contributions and unwavering dedication to community-building reflect the heart and soul of what Casinomeister stands for. On a personal note, I’m deeply grateful for the guidance you gave me over 20 years ago when I was just starting out as a webmaster, affiliate marketer, and forum owner. You never let competition get in the way of friendship, and I’m proud to call you both a mentor and a friend.

“Retirement suits you well, and I know the online gambling world misses your presence, but your legacy is firmly cemented in all of us who’ve had the honor of working with and learning from you. Cheers to all the memories, including those unforgettable conference beers! 🍻

Here’s to you, Bryan—Casinomeister, pioneer, and friend. Enjoy this well-deserved recognition!”

“As a pioneer and entrepreneur, Bryan has certainly left his mark on the industry. Thanks to insights from the Casinomeister platform, I was able to launch and successfully market brands in countries that were foreign to me. I also unearthed customer issues that might have stayed buried if it weren’t for the Casinomeister platform. And let’s not forget our blossoming friendship—after he graciously invited me to his epic 50th birthday bash in London, I knew I had officially earned my friendship badge!

Casinomeister was a groundbreaking concept at the time that brilliantly bridged the gap between players and operators, giving us invaluable insights into player experiences. It offered a lifeline for players to voice their concerns, especially when some operators were less than responsive. Bryan and Max were the fair referees in this wild game, always considering all sides, which made collaborating with them a true pleasure.

Bryan undeniably elevated the profile of an industry that might have been labeled a bit sketchy back in the day. His contributions could easily be dubbed legendary. So, here’s a heartfelt thank you to Bryan for everything he’s accomplished and for being such a wonderfully vibrant friend!”

“Bryan had created the only casino site where quality took precedence over revenue. Of course, the site received a commission when players joined through the site, but we weren’t offering top rates. Bryan could easily have chosen another casino who would have paid double, maybe more, yet he continued to let player experience choose who was ranked or even featured at all. He must have turned away hundreds of offers for adverts on what very quickly became “the place to be” for any brand looking to grow. He created a truly independent review site, a one of a kind.”

“Bryan, thanks for the recognition over the years, your awards made a marketeer’s life a lot easier. People living in the UK must have got fed up with 32Red ads boasting “Best Casino,” but we were proud of it.”

“Almost 20 years on, I’m older, greyer, and fatter but I still have that same pride. Lottomart are Casinomeister’s Best UK casino for two years running and as CEO, I make sure to tell anyone who is interested just how unique it is to be awarded by CM.”

“You may be retired, but your ethics and morals are still what makes Casinomeister great. Cheers to you, Bryan!”

“Now, I’m not saying Bryan is mean, but when I asked him where he was staying he looked rather coy and said it was a Gay Hotel. He said it was really clean and cheap and that one of the hotel features was a cage in each room. At that point I decided not to ask any more questions on his hotel, and I still laugh about it today!”

“I really would like to thank Bryan for his strong principles that he absolutely stuck to on Casinomeister for the player community and ensuring that all of the operators that he was promoting kept to the Casinomeister (Bryan Bailey) code of practice.”

“Thank you Bryan and thank you for always being there.”

“When I began my journey in 2004, the first resource I turned to was Casinomeister—one of the pioneering casino review sites, run by Bryan. It quickly became more than just a source of information.”

“Through his forum, and by interacting with players, moderators, and the community, I gained a deeper understanding of what the industry should truly stand for. It wasn’t just about business or profit—it was about transparency, fairness, and kindness. These values guided me, showing me the right way to succeed, by focusing on integrity over financial gain.”

“What really sets Bryan apart is his genuine passion for the industry. He’s always been transparent, kind, and dedicated to building a better environment—not for money, but because he loves the people and the work itself.”

“His dedication to creating a positive, ethical industry culture is something that’s always inspired me.”

“When I launched my B2C operation, Slotsmillion, I took those lessons with me. I made sure to approach everything with openness and honesty, applying the values I learned from Casinomeister. That experience transformed the way I operated and how I built relationships in the industry.”

“Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have come across Bryan and Casinomeister at the start of my career. They shaped my approach to the industry in a way that continues to influence everything I do. Bryan has been a mentor, even from afar, and his impact on my professional journey is something I’ll always be deeply grateful for.”

“Innumerable questions from players have been answered, millions retrieved from disputes and paid to players and ne’er-do-wells shamed while the good guys were recognised with awards respected throughout the industry, proudly displayed on the sites of their recipients. 

This in turn led to something rarely seen in the world of online forums and review sites — people, real people meeting up through his efforts and establishing more trust, personal friendships and partnerships.  

For that very reason I can attest to the importance of what Bryan established and nurtured in his tenure as head Meister, notwithstanding the contributions to good causes over this period. I have known him for over twelve years, met all his team and numerous other partners of Casinomeister and you won’t find a more honest and loyal bunch of associates. 

Joining Bryan’s site actually changed the direction of my life through the people I met and opportunities afforded me. And that is for one simple reason — they are in the main reflections of Bryan himself: honest, humorous, helpful and generous!

When you read this Bryan will be retired from Casinomeister operations and along with you all I wish a long and happy future to one of the most stand-up guys I ever met. Thanks for everything! Dazza G (aka dunover)”      

“We hit it off pretty much straight away, sharing similar music tastes and views on things and when he asked me to become a moderator on the forum, I jumped at the chance and our relationship is still going strong 20 years later. 

We go to Vegas every year and talk about music and life frequently and Bryan has remained a good friend over all that time. And anyway, everyone needs at least one aging hippie in their contact list for credibility, right?”

“Bryan focused on what was right, and stuck to that and I was inspired to follow the same path with my website and content. It’s made me an authority in what I do, and I have Bryan to thank for that.”

“Bryan will go down as one of the good ones that stood up for players, and I hope his forum, Casinomeister, will live on for many years as his legacy.”

“Casinomeister’s consistent commitment to protecting players, during an era where there was no effective regulation, was the motivation for the creation of ThePOGG, and Bryan’s approach to the business constantly challenged us to strive to do better.

Bryan’s voice was one that shaped the early development of both the operator and affiliate sectors. His name should echo loud in clear as the industry moves into the future.”

“To help get over my writer’s block, I went to another good friend, Ian Sims to give me a bit of inspiration:

Me:  I don’t know why, but I’m struggling to write something. 

Everybody is saying the same thing, over and over. Bryan is a visionary… Bryan has done so much for the industry… blah, blah, blah.  (laugh)

Don’t get me wrong — he is all that, but surely there must be more to say. 

Ian:  just say he’s been a friend or something. Thats the route I’ll go down. Maybe a bit about him and you being the first ppl I met who actually liked me etc

oh wait…. 😀

Me:  I rarely struggle to write, but I’ve sat down everyday for weeks to write something and I end up with a bunch of word salad… without dressing.

Ian:  use chatGPT 🙂

or talk a bit about GG

Me:  you mean make it about me???  (laugh)

Ian:  or just call him an old hippie twat

So maybe Ian wasn’t much help.

When all is said and done, Bryan deserves all the accolades he’s received and much more. His influence is everywhere in our industry and his legacy will continue for decades to come. Add to that a quarter century friendship that hopefully will continue another quarter century…

Not bad for an old hippie twat!  :p”

“Bryan has always been generous with his time and also his wallet — especially when he was hosting the Casinomeister drinks in London. Here you could find the most avid slot players meeting the brains behind their favourite games. 

Just like the man himself, these events were unique and only possible because Bryan committed to an industry that he was passionate about and gave them meaning.”

Our industry has changed a lot since I joined Rewards in 2005. It used to be the wild west, and now its way more regulated, although that hasn’t stopped the need for honest people. Outside of all this, Bryan has been a great person to shoot the shit with over the years too. He is one of the most genuine people I’ve met in our industry, and I’d say of the people I trust, he is at the top of a very short list.

In addition to the essential service Casinomeister provided to the industry, the Meister himself was always available as a mentor and a friend and still is to this day. I remember confiding in Bryan in early days, debating with him if I should stay out at the party or go to bed so I could man the Casino City booth at 9am the next day.  I remember staying in London after a conference in order to celebrate his 50th birthday party with all of the iGaming originals. I remember proudly carrying over Aunt Jemima pancake syrup along with other goodies from the US to bring to him at conferences. I remember his fun Hawaiian shirts and endless patience when I interviewed him over and over when I first started presenting for CalvinAyre.com. 

Looking back at all the memories, its clear Bryan is at the core of iGaming and his contribution will always be honored and unmatched — I am so grateful for his influence on my career, the industry, and his unwavering friendship for the past 20 years ❤

“In a time when the industry consisted of just a handful of entrepreneurs, Bryan brought us together by being a trustworthy friend. That was key in fostering the culture that allowed the industry to develop, a culture where your reputation was more important than a contract and working with loyal partners was one of the most fundamental decisions you could make.

Without Bryan’s efforts, I am sure the industry would have taken an inferior trajectory. His immense contribution to the industry cannot be overstated. To have taken my industry journey alongside his, and to count Bryan as a long-time friend is a great honour.”