Jonathan Raab

Over 25 Years of Gambling Experience

Jonathan’s gambling journey began at the dawn of online betting in the late 1990s, when he joined Betonline – later rebranded as Blue Square – as one of the first employees. Launched in 1998, the platform was the UK’s first online gambling website.

A Leader in Poker and Beyond

Jonathan’s career has seen him work for some of the biggest names in the gambling world, such as Poker Stars and Playtech. He is best known for his contributions to poker, having founded the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour and gone on to manage several other major poker tours.

A Player with a Passion for Blackjack

In addition to organising and participating in poker events, Jonathan is an avid casino player with a particular fondness for blackjack. His skills at the table earned him the runner-up position in the 2010 European Masters of Blackjack tournament. He loves sharing insights and experiences from years of playing, helping others improve their understanding of a wide range of casino and poker games.

Championing Integrity in the Gambling World

In recent years, Jonathan has channelled his extensive gambling knowledge into content creation and investigative journalism. His commitment to uncovering truths and promoting fair play was recognised in 2024 when he received the Global Poker Award for ‘Best Written Content’ for his groundbreaking article investigating the use of bots in online poker.

A Recognised and Respected Figure

Quite simply, there is likely no one who has spent more time in - or is more recognisable at - casinos and cardrooms across Europe. His ability to balance a deep understanding of the industry with a player’s perspective sets him apart as one of the most trusted and respected names in the gambling world today.

Role at Gambling.com

An expert in all things related to casino games and poker, Jonathan writes exclusive content for Gambling.com users, coloured with insights from his wealth of gambling experience. This includes the Ultimate Guide to Online Blackjack, as well as numerous articles on etiquette and staking systems for casino and poker newcomers. He even created his own staking strategy - the Raab Staggered Progressive - a low-risk system for blackjack or even-money shots on roulette.

Where You’ll Find Him

Originally from Scotland, Jonathan is now based in the Mediterranean island nation of Malta. When not at home with his family or at the beach, you might run into him at Casino Malta or the Portomaso Casino, both in St Julian's.