Denise Hartwell

Casino Games & Responsible Gambling Writer

After 22 years as an ER nurse in Las Vegas, I’ve seen both the fun side of gambling and what happens when it stops being fun. Now I write from a real player’s perspective – someone who treats gambling as entertainment, not income.

About Denise

I grew up in Bakersfield, California – a three-hour drive from Vegas. My parents would take us to a budget casino once or twice a year while we swam in the pool. Fifty bucks was the gambling budget, and when it was gone, it was gone. That mindset stuck with me.

I moved to Vegas in 2002 for a nursing job and spent over two decades in emergency rooms at Sunrise and UMC. When you see the worst-case scenarios, you develop a healthy respect for gambling done right. My husband Ray and I hit the slots at Red Rock maybe twice a month – $100 budget each, dinner comp if we play enough, home by 10pm. That’s the approach I bring to everything I write.

My Expertise

Online Slots
Casino Bonuses
Responsible Gambling
Vegas Locals Tips
Budget Gaming

What I Don’t Cover

Sports betting, poker strategy, crypto casinos, and advantage play aren’t my areas. I don’t understand crypto well enough to write about it honestly, and I’ve never had the patience for card counting. My focus is on casual players who want to have fun without getting ripped off.