The Wizard of Odds Consulting
- Founded
- 1997-01-01 in Orange County, California, USA
- Headquarters
- Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
The Wizard of Odds Consulting is the independent gaming-mathematics consultancy founded by Michael Shackleford, widely known as the 'Wizard of Odds.' Launched alongside his website in 1997, the practice became his full-time focus in 2000 after he left a career as a government actuary. Based in Las Vegas, Shackleford provides mathematically rigorous analysis, game design validation, and strategic advice to online casinos, land-based operators, and game developers. His reputation rests on decades of publishing exact house-edge calculations and optimal player strategies for hundreds of casino variants. The flagship website WizardOfOdds.com was sold in 2014, but Shackleford continues as a consultant and writer for the site, while also operating the independent community forum Wizard of Vegas. The consulting practice is a single-person operation, with Shackleford acting as the principal mathematician and strategist. His work is cited globally by regulators, game makers, and serious players as a gold-standard source of gambling probability, earning trust through independence and transparency.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
Michael Shackleford launched his gambling mathematics website, originally called Mike's Gambling Page, on June 19, 1997, while working as an actuary for the U.S. Social Security Administration. He turned his focus to gambling full-time in 2000 and moved to Las Vegas in 2001, where he built the Wizard of Odds brand into the definitive online resource for casino game odds and strategies. The consulting practice grew organically from his reputation as an impartial mathematician.
Business Model
Shackleford's consulting income is derived from project-based engagements, not from affiliate commissions, reinforcing his objectivity. His services include game-rule analysis, house-edge calculation, game design consultancy, expert witness testimony, and actuarial reviews for game developers and regulators. He personally vets advertisers on his website and pledges to arbitrate disputes between readers and recommended casinos.
Products and Platforms
The flagship website WizardOfOdds.com offers comprehensive strategy guides, house-edge tables, calculators, and simulators for virtually every casino game. Though owned by a separate entity since 2014, Shackleford continues to contribute content. The Wizard of Vegas forum serves as a popular community for strategy discussion and casino reviews. His book Gambling 102 distills his mathematical knowledge for a general audience.
Market Position and Reputation
Shackleford is widely regarded as a gold-standard source of gambling probability mathematics. His independence and transparency have earned him trust across the industry, and his work is cited by regulators, game makers, and serious players. The consulting practice has no other permanent employees; Shackleford collaborates with other mathematicians or legal experts as needed for specific engagements.
Key Products
WizardOfOdds.com
Flagship website offering mathematically correct strategies, house-edge tables, calculators, and simulators for virtually every casino game.
Wizard of Vegas
Independent community forum for gambling strategy discussion, casino reviews, and trip reports.
Gambling 102
Paperback book expanding on Shackleford's mathematical approach to gambling, published after *Gambling 101*.
Gaming Mathematics Consulting
Custom engagements including game-rule analysis, house-edge calculation, game design consultancy, expert witness testimony, and actuarial reviews for game developers and regulators.
Offices & Headcount
1 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Michael Shackleford
Founder & Principal Consultant