Iliana Petkova
Iliana Petkova
Fact Checker

About the author

Iliana Petkova is a dedicated Fact Checker at BettingRanker. Originally from Plovdiv and currently living in Sofia, she specialises in verifying sports betting data and reviewing bookmaker platforms to ensure Irish punters receive accurate and clear information. Her daily work involves scrutinising betting claims, validating odds-related data, and confirming essential details regarding betting markets and operators. When she isn't cross-referencing data, Iliana enjoys hiking, photography, reading contemporary fiction, and diving into local history.

Professional experience

Betting Ranker
Fact Checker
September 2024 – Present
Gaming Insights Network (Sofia)
Senior Researcher, iGaming & Platform Analysis
March 2015 – May 2019
Betting Platforms Lab (Sofia)
Lead Platform Analyst
June 2019 – August 2024

Education

Bachelor of Journalism
Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv
2008 – 2012
Master of Journalism and Mass Communication
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
2013 – 2015

Iliana’s impact on the iGaming industry

8+
Years of industry experience
60+
Online casino platforms evaluated
250+
Articles published
20+
Industry reports and research contributions
Why Irish punters can trust Iliana’s reviews

Iliana is highly regarded for her hands-on approach to checking claims and analysing betting and casino platforms. She employs rigorous source verification, systematic testing of platforms, and transparent reporting to identify inconsistencies and verify facts. Her extensive background in platform analysis and research allows her to spot common pitfalls in iGaming data and test them methodically. This blend of practical analysis, disciplined research, and straightforward explanations makes her a dependable fact checker for BettingRanker in Ireland.

“Facts guide my writing: I cross-check claims, test platform details, and explain findings clearly so players and industry readers in Ireland can make informed decisions.”

Common betting questions answered by Iliana

How do you verify a new claim about a sportsbook?

I trace the original source, check official license registries, and compare the claim with the bookmaker's terms and documentation. If something doesn’t match, I seek clarification from the operator or other reliable industry sources to ensure players in Ireland get the truth.

Which resources are most important in your fact-checking work?

Licensing databases, sportsbook rulebooks, and payment provider information for services like Revolut, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are essential. I also use archived webpages to verify how operators present their services to Irish players over time.

What do you do when different sources report conflicting information?

I prioritise primary sources first, such as regulators, official documents, and the specific terms of the betting site. If uncertainty remains, I explain the discrepancy clearly and provide the most credible evidence available to the reader.

What common mistakes do you see in sports betting claims?

Misleading bonus terms, unclear Wagering requirements, and outdated licensing details are the most frequent issues. I focus on clarifying these so readers understand the actual conditions behind an offer before they sign up.

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