PlayUSA Specialities
Slot reviews, casino game strategy hubs, responsible gambling
Catena Media
Writer
2020-present
iGaming Business
Feature Writer
2020-2024
Scientific Games
Marketing and Communications Manager
2014-2020
Cole Rush
Industry Expertise
Cole has worked in the industry since he was a fresh college grad in 2014. He started at Scientific Games, a lottery and casino supplier, before going freelance in 2020. He's authored more than 120 reviews and resource pages for PlayUSA.
Editorial Background
Cole's experience spans dozens of publications, including in-depth interviews and features for iGaming Business and Global Gaming Business. He has written hundreds of casino and gambling platform reviews for numerous sites like PlayUSA and others.
Awards
Cole has never won an award, but that means he also hasn't lost one. Huge! His claim to fame? A 2022 appearance on "Password," a game show starring Jimmy Fallon and Keke Palmer. Cole is also one of the voices in the chorus you hear during the bonus round of the Heidi's Bier Haus slot game.
Posts by Cole Rush
Online Casino Games in the U.S.
Explore the most popular online casino games in the US. Learn how to play slots, blackjack, and roulette with expert tips and strategy guides.
Play Free Slots – Browse 560+ Online Slot Games
Find the best free slots at US sweepstakes casinos and online casino sites. Play free demos. No registration or download required.
NCPG 2025 Helpline Report: Jaime Costello on Gambling Harm Trends
NCPG’s Jaime Costello discusses the 2025 helpline report, rising online gambling harm, financial stress and the launch of 1-800-MY-RESET.
Best Sweepstakes Casinos in the US for June 2026
See our 2026 US list of sweepstakes casinos. Compare 250+ sites with free slots, free Sweeps Coins, bonuses, and real-money prizes today.
Play Free Habanero Slot Games Online
Play free 3 Habanero slots online. You can enjoy free Habanero slots such as Hyper Hues and Japanese Mask at PlayUSA.
Play Free AGS Slot Games Online
Explore the best online slots from AGS. Play AGS slots for free, including Rakin’ Bacon, Fire Wolf II, Forest Dragons, and Longhorn Jackpots.
Get to know Cole
If you encounter Cole Rush in the wild, chances are he’s doing one of four things: 1) taking his daughter on a long walk around Chicago, 2) reading a doorstopper of a fantasy book, 3) playing pickleball, or 4) typing away at his keyboard. Cole has been doing that fourth item for more than 10 years, and most of his writing is about the gambling industry.
After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in creative writing, Cole worked at Scientific Games for 6 years. A 2020 lay-off gave him the nudge he needed to take the freelance plunge. Now, he thrives in those waters and writes for various clients in the gambling space.
Cole considers himself the writing assassin. When his editors give him a target, he doesn’t miss. That’s because he’s unafraid to dive headfirst into any nook and cranny of the gambling world. He’s written in-depth casino guides, sports betting glossaries, sweepstakes casino reviews, and prediction market overviews, among other things. Cole speaks directly to players in his work because he is a player himself. His reviews and guides can help an absolute beginner feel like a seasoned pro.
Cole is a part-time stay-at-home dad. When he isn’t hanging out with his daughter, he plays hours and hours of pickleball and reads tons of sci-fi and fantasy. He also makes crossword puzzles and publishes them for free on his newsletter, The New Dork Times.
Professional Experience
Education
University of Iowa
Bachelor of Arts, Creative Writing
2013
Cole’s writing from around the web
Note: this is only a sample of other sites that Cole has written for.
Best-Ever Gambling Win
$500 on a $5 scratch-off. Hard to beat!
Favorite Casino Game
Mississippi Stud
Favorite Gambling Movie
Casino Royale (Parkour!)
Favorite Sports Team
DAAAAA BEARS
Know your playthrough requirements! Bonuses are not always the dollar amount advertised.
I’ve got a soft spot for beginners. If you need to know how to use a gambling site from the jump with no knowledge, I’m your guy.
Whenever possible, I test the site myself and confirm anything the site’s terms and conditions say firsthand.
Put me in front of my computer with a cup of coffee and noise cancelling headphones on. The soundtrack of the day varies, but anything with horns or funky grooves will get me typing.
