From Nevada to the world, Axel Hunter Graves seems to have been destined to thrive in the world of high stakes. From a young age, he’s been curious about the mechanisms of risk and reward. Nowadays, he’s a well-known consultant in the world of crypto, financial technology and online betting. In our interview, he opens about his background, his beliefs, and the future of gambling.
Question. First off, Axel, tell us a bit about your upbringing in Las Vegas.
Axel Hunter Graves: When you grow up in Las Vegas, you have a neon-lit playground in your background. You see the glitz and glamour, but you also witness the darker sides of gambling. It’s a city of contrasts: fortunes there can rise and fall in a single move.
Question. You studied Journalism & Media Studies at UNLV. What sparked your interest in journalism?
Axel: I’ve always loved telling stories. Reporting felt the most natural way to channel my curiosity. At UNLV, I learned to sniff out a good lead, and since Vegas is full of stories, material wasn’t hard to get
Question. You also have an Executive Program certificate in Blockchain & Crypto Economics from MIT. What led you there?
Axel: When I got my bachelor’s degree, I realized that traditional reporting wasn’t enough for me. I loved and still love it, but I was looking for something else. As crypto and blockchain started gaining traction, I wanted to understand them deeply. MIT’s Sloan School of Management helped me connect the dots between gambling, fintech, and data analysis.
Question. From journalism to consulting—how did that transition happen?
Axel: It felt natural. I began writing about crypto, then about gambling tech, and businesses started reaching out for advice. Quickly, I found myself consulting on projects and eventually turned it into part of my career.
Question. One of your most quoted lines is: “Betting with data is safer than betting with luck.” How do you explain that?
Axel: The most basic form of a betting platform relies purely on chance. You roll a dice, there you have an online casino. But if you start harnessing data, you’re making something else, and the odds start to be in your favor. Sure, nothing is guaranteed, but you reduce randomness significantly.
Question. You’re well-known for your books on crypto and gambling. Which book was the hardest to write?
Axel: High Stakes and High Tech: The Future of Online Gambling was a challenge. I was trying to map uncharted territory, back then there wasn’t that much information available even at Google. It was just as exciting as stressful: things evolve so quickly in tech.
Question. What’s your take on online casinos versus traditional brick-and-mortar ones in Vegas?
Axel: They’ll coexist for a long time. Traditional casinos offer an experience. Online platforms are more of a convenience that are getting more immersive. Both have their place, but online options will be dominant.
Question. Which emerging technology are you most excited about in the gambling industry?
Axel: AI, no doubt. Machine learning could tailor gaming experiences in real-time. Imagine a platform that knows if you prefer slow-play strategy games or high-intensity slots even before you pick. It seems creepy, but that’s the future.
Question. Any challenges you see with AI and data-driven systems in gambling?
Axel: Ethics and fairness are the most worrying challenges. We must ensure the algorithms aren’t exploiting players or manipulating outcomes unfairly, but how do we do so? Responsible gaming needs to stay at the forefront, so it’s not about milking players, we have to safeguard them as well.
Question. If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting in the online betting world, what would it be?
Axel: Don’t even think about betting before doing some research. Check the house edge, read reviews, look into the site’s legitimacy. Jumping in blindly is the fastest way to lose more than just money: it can hurt your peace of mind as well.
Question. Is there a particular wager or game you enjoy most?
Axel: I’m a sucker for poker. It’s a mind game more than pure chance, and I love reading people. Even online, you can catch someone’s pattern if you pay attention.
Question. Your schedule must be packed—how do you find time to write books?
Axel: I schedule writing sessions like a normal job. There is no magic formula. Early mornings, late nights… whenever inspiration strikes. It’s about consistency, whether I’m working on articles, consultations, or book chapters.
Question. Finally, what’s next for Axel Hunter Graves?
Axel: Writing, writing, and guess what… More writing! I’m already brainstorming a new project related to the intersection of decentralized finance and online sports betting. And I’m working on expanding my consulting services worldwide.
