Annsley Payne is the editor-in-chief at MyBettingSite and a passionate gambling expert. She fell into the world of gambling almost accidentally. Still, it was a true love story from the start. In the early 1990s, when gambling was still somewhat taboo, Annsley stumbled on her father’s poker books, and it was love at first sight! “It seemed so complex and intricate, but I have always loved a good challenge. So, it sparked my curiosity.” Most of the reading was done in secret, after hours when she was sure her parents were fast asleep. However, this did not last long.
About a month after Annsley found her father’s poker books, he found her reading them. “I was so scared, I thought to myself, ‘Yup, this is it. I’m in so much trouble.’” Instead of scolding her, Annsley’s father brought a pack of cards for them to play; after making her promise she would keep it a little secret. It became some sort of nightly ritual, and soon enough, Annsley was beating her father at his own game.
Annsley’s curious fascination with gambling kept on growing, and from poker, she progressed into other games. Blackjack and roulette were the obvious choices, and it became nothing more than a hobby on the side. After getting her A levels, Annsley went on to study Business Management at the University of Lancaster, a choice that would later contribute to cementing her career. Her interest in gambling never waned. Instead, it was propelled by her sharp business mind, and it was only after she obtained her BSc that she would let her two major interests, business and gambling, collide.
While interning at a company she had always admired, Annsley’s curiosity led her into the wonderful world of writing. “I had wanted to work at this place for so long, and my dream had finally come true. Instead of feeling fulfilled, I felt somewhat empty, like something was missing, you know?” After stumbling on an article detailing the rules of poker, Annsley knew just what had been missing. “It sounds very cliché, but I knew that was what I wanted to do.”
Starting in a new field was hard, especially one she did not have a lot of experience in. “I don’t know how I did it, juggling my internship and budding career. So many times, I wanted to throw the towel in, especially since I wasn’t very good at writing when I started.” As someone who had always been a perfectionist and her biggest critic, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that she was not the best writer.
A few months in, encouraged by her closest friends, Annsley finally got the courage to post her work on the internet, on a now-forgotten blog. “I was so scared. Like what the heck am I doing?” Annsley’s first blog post was on the rapid growth of online casinos, and a guide to choosing the best ones. Her writing soon progressed from generic content to specialised guides on her favourite games. “It just went on from there. The more consistent I was, the better content I produced, and the more people read my work.”
Things took a tragic turn when Annsley Payne lost her mom to ovarian cancer. “My mom was my pillar, my best friend. Gambling had never thrilled her, but she encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and believed in me even when I was dubious.” The loss of her mother affected Annsley, and she deleted the blog, disregarding the traction it had gotten.
A year after the death of her mother, Annsley picked up her pen again. “It seemed like writing about this thing I was so passionate about was the only thing that could heal my grieving heart.” Almost as if she had never left, Annsley settled into writing again, and this time around, with more passion and determination. “I was going to make it. I did not know how, but I knew I was going to make it. When I saw the MyBettingSite job vacancy for a writer, I knew that was where I was meant to be. As soon as my application was accepted, I took it as a sign.”
Annsley’s progression to Editor-in-Chief was comically fast. “One minute I was in charge of writing, and the next? Well, the next, I was giving suggestions and finetuning publications.” Her business acumen coupled with a knack for writing and a passion for gambling made Annsley the perfect fit for the company. A year after her initial employment, Annsley started her job as the Editor-in-Chief at MyBettingSite. “I still don’t know how it happened. One minute, I was creating content. Now, I am overseeing an entire team.”
Annsley’s understanding of the gambling world is far beyond the ordinary. Her analytical mind and her forte in numbers provide a unique insight into her work. Annsley is a well-rounded and insightful professional, and her experience allows her to bring a fresh perspective into the world of gambling. When she is not overseeing the submission of well-written content, Annsley is watching her favourite team, Liverpool, play.