Online Casino Reviews: How We Rate Casinos Online
With so many online casino reviews available, knowing which ones to trust can be challenging. That’s why we’re open about sharing how we rate casinos.
We want you to know that our reviews are written by legit, unbiased professionals. They contain valuable, up-to-date, and accurate information so you can play at the best online casinos Australia can offer.
We’ll share the most important things we look for when we review any online gambling site. Keep reading to discover everything about our review process and how we rate each Australian online casino we recommend.
But first, take a look at the casinos we’ve reviewed – to help you find one that’s right for you.
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Industry Expert Reviews
Our reviews are written by experts in the online casino industry who know what to look to determine the best online casinos in Australia – and what to avoid.
With years of experience playing at Australian casinos, they know everything there is to know about casino games, software providers, bonus features, payment methods and more. So you’re getting a breakdown from the very best in the business.
How We Rate Online Casinos
We’ve created a detailed checklist because there are so many online casino Australia sites to choose from (of varying quality!). This checklist outlines the main areas we assess. It helps ensure we always make fair comparisons and assessments.
Let’s look at our review criteria.
Casino License
At AusCasinos, we know the best online casino sites emphasise player safety and security. That’s why we only recommend fully licensed sites with decent reputations.
There is no direct Australian licence or regulating body for Australian online casinos. Instead, Australian players will need to find offshore licensed casinos.
We always look for sites with an international licence from an established regulatory body. That provides protections and safeguards for Aussie players. This can be a casino license from the Government of Curacao or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) in Europe. Some may even be licensed by the notoriously strict UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)UK Gambling Commission - Safer gambling
https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-and-players/safer-gambling #.
We always check the online casinos we review, especially new online casinos, hold at least one of these licenses. We also make sure that the casino license is properly registered and up-to-date. And if we find anything that seems a bit off, we won’t recommend it.
Benefits of Playing at a Licensed Casino
There are plenty of reasons we recommend you play at a licensed casino. Here are just a few.
- Data protection processes and control systems: Licensed sites must follow strict protocols that comply with local data protection laws.
- Excellent security: At a licensed site, data is encrypted and stored on separate servers with additional security protocols.
- External validation: Licensed casinos require third party testing by organisations like eCOGRA or iTech Labs to make sure games are fair for playerseCOGRA - Online Casino Game Testing
https://ecogra.org/testing-inspection/ #. - Regular auditing: To maintain their license, licensed casinos undergo ad-hoc compliance audits by the licensing bodies.
- Regular reporting: Licensed sites are required to regularly report on and analyse unusual or suspicious transactions to help detect money laundering or terrorist financing.
Casino Bonuses
It wouldn’t be a top online casino review without a comprehensive look into all the casino bonuses available for punters. And the best online casinos for Australian players offer various bonuses, particularly for new players.
We look for all the different types of bonuses, like a no deposit bonus, matched deposit bonus, or free spins bonuses you can use on online pokies.
We also consider the value of the free spins to ensure we recommend bonuses that offer the best value for Aussie punters.
Here are some of the things we look for.
Fair Bonus Terms
Our experts review the fine print for you. We examine the general terms and conditions for the online casino and the T&Cs associated with the specific bonus.
The terms help us ensure that online casinos in Australia are fair to their players. We'll award higher ratings to the best online casinos that offer fair T&Cs. We particularly like it when a site makes its terms easy to understand and is written in plain English.
If we notice that the legal terms used by online casinos include a lot of legal jargon that's hard to decipher, we tend to give them a wide berth.
Wagering Requirements
One of the most important things we look out for when it comes to any type of welcome bonus or deposit bonus is wagering requirements.
Unfortunately, wagering requirements are par for the course when you gamble online.
You'll find them at even the best online casinos in Australia. But what are wagering requirements, and how do they work?
Here's an example.
Let’s say you’ve activated a $100 bonus with a wagering requirement of 30x. You need to wager your $100 bonus 30 times before you can cash out any winnings made with the bonus. This means you need to wager up to $3,000 of your own cash.
The higher the amount you need to wager, the longer it will take to complete. Lower wagering requirements are much easier to meet and are our preferred option!
Game Weighting
We check the game weighting when playing games at online casinos. Most online pokies (except for progressive jackpots) contribute 100% to your wagering requirements.
However, some games, especially tabletop games like blackjack and roulette, may only contribute a small percentage (say 5% or 10%). And sometimes nothing at all - particularly in live dealer games.
Based on our experience we recommend casino sites that let you complete the wagering on many games, particularly lots of pokie options. That way, you can get through the requirements quickly - and claim your winnings!
Win Limits
Win limits usually apply to no deposit bonuses or free spins, but they can apply to any casino bonus, depending on the site you're playing at. Casinos use win limits to limit their exposure to big winners.
We prefer bonuses that come with a no-win limit when you play games. Or those bonuses that offer high win limits. For example, a limit of $500 is much better than a win limit of $100!
Expiration Dates
We always check the expiration dates when we review online casinos and their welcome bonuses and deposit bonus offers.
The longer you have to use the bonus and the longer you have to meet the wagering requirements, the better. Take free spins bonuses, for example. We prefer sites that give you up to 30 days to play, compared to just 24 hours, which you'll see at some casinos.
The same goes for completing wagering requirements. The best Australian online casinos will give you 30 days to meet the requirements. But we've seen plenty of sites that only give you a week.
Other Bonus Terms
Many online gamblers have been caught out by bonus terms they weren't aware of before activating their welcome bonus.
Some casinos only allow one active bonus at a time. So you’ll need to use and wager your welcome bonus before claiming a reload bonus.
We also check for bonuses restricted to higher loyalty levels. These offers are great if you're a regular player who has reached a certain loyalty level but useless if you've just signed up.
We also always check that the terms apply to Australian players. Some bonuses aren't available for Aussies.
All of the casino sites we recommend offer a great selection of bonuses for Australian players.
Game Selection
Based on our experience, top online Australian casino sites will offer a good selection of games.
When we review an online casino in Australia, we look to see that they offer:
- Online pokies (combination of classic, progressive jackpots and video pokies)
- Live casino games (featuring a live casino dealer)
- RNG table games (such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat)
- Video poker
We also check if the site offers sports betting, bingo, Keno, scratches and other casino games.
Here are a few factors we consider when assessing online casino games.
Casino Software
When ranking Australian casinos, we look for a good range of casino game suppliers. This helps to ensure plenty of variety and high-quality casino games from some of the best in the business.
While not all the top software developers are available in Australia, plenty of great options remain, including homegrown talent like Big Time Gaming. Other great options include Pragmatic Play casinos, Real Time Gaming casinos and Aristocrat casinos.
Playtech casinos are a great choice for table games. Felt Gaming is also an excellent RNG developer, but there are many more great options to choose from.
When it comes to live dealer games, you can't beat Evolution Gaming casinos. These guys have built a stellar reputation for replicating the feeling of visiting real-money casinos in person!
Payout Rates
Most online casino games are not set up by the casino. Instead, independent game developers set them up so they're consistent across all online casinos.
We look for sites that have games with high RTP (Return to Player) percentages. This helps ensure you get the most potential value out of your gameplay.
Although there's never a sure thing in gambling, a high RTP game, such as live blackjack at 99.60%, should give you more wins in the long run than an 85% RTP pokies game.
Variety of Payment Methods
As an Australian, it can sometimes be hard to know if a casino is designed with the Australian market in mind.
Aussie dollars and well-known Aussie payment methods may not be available at all casinos. It may be challenging to find PayID casinos or Paysafecard casinos, for example.
The sites we rate highly offer a great range of payment options for Aussie players. Here are some things we look for when it comes to casino payment methods.
Transaction Fees
We rate sites highly that don't charge you for making transactions. Remember that transaction fees are usually set by the payment provider - not the casino.
We also check that deposits and withdrawals are available in AUD, so you're not paying huge fees for currency exchange.
Fast Casino Payment Processing
We prefer sites that offer fast payout times. So, casinos that offer payment methods that let you withdraw your winnings in 24 hours or less are rated highly.
Safety and Security
Safety and security are among the most important factors when it comes to rating online casinos.
This includes site-wide encryption, two-factor authentication, and excellent data protection controls.
We recommend sites with valid Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates. We prefer TSL, which is newer than SSL and offers more robust security.
Other factors we consider include:
- IP blocks: We check that the IP isn't blocked for Australian players.
- Identity checks: We make sure there are sufficient ID checks in place to protect your info.
- Data storage: We make sure player data is protected and stored in an encrypted server.
The KYC Process
Regulated Australian casino sites will ask you to provide Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, like your passport or driver’s license.
KYC is a check that helps to reduce the risks of identity theft, fraud, underage gambling and money laundering.
While it can be a pain, we rate sites highly if they have tight KYC protocols. This shows that they value data security and want to avoid unnecessary risks.
Reviewing an Aussie site, we look for clear instructions and helpful document upload tools. For example, you can easily take a photo with your smartphone and upload it so you can complete the KYC process as quickly and easily as possible. This way, there won’t be any delays when it comes to withdrawing your winnings. We also ensure a customer service team can help you if you encounter any problems.
Site Design
A simple, clear layout with great navigation gets a high rating from us!
That’s because a poor website design with bad navigation really impacts your gaming experience. It can make it hard to find the games you’re looking for and clunky to use.
Search functionality is another important factor. When we review online casinos, we make sure the site has a great search function. We look for casinos that let you search by game type, theme or category, software developer and also let you type in and search for specific games.
Finding the payment page and payment methods easily also gets a big tick from us.
Finally, another key factor is a good FAQ section that answers many of the frequent questions we hear from Aussie punters.
Mobile Compatibility
We love playing online casinos on mobile!
When reviewing Australian online casino sites, we make sure the site offers everything that’s available on the desktop version. The best casino sites optimise their site for mobile use – so you get the same great experience no matter what device you’re using.
Easy Sign-Up
Not all online casinos are created equal, which is especially true when creating an account.
While there are plenty of similarities when signing up at different casinos, we look for ones that offer a smooth customer experience. For example, they’re easy and quick and also follow KYC processes.
Customer Service
Access to the help and support you need is a defining factor of a reliable, top-quality casino.
Our reviews look at everything from response times to communication channels and service quality.
We contact every customer support team when reviewing a site. We want to make sure we understand how the customer service team help you when you need it – before we recommend it.
Sites that offer 24/7 support are also rated highly. It’s essential that the customer support officers speak English. And live chat support is a great tool we look for in our top casino reviews.
We really put the customer service teams through their paces by asking a wide variety of support questions. We also measure the friendliness and professionalism we receive – which we believe is essential for player enjoyment!
Who Owns The Casino?
When we review an online casino, we always check who owns the site and run a background check. This helps ensure the site is reliable and trustworthy.
We look at the owner’s history in the online gambling market.
It’s important to us to see if the owner has experience. For example, have they run any online casino sites in the past? If so, we check if they’ve done a good job. And have a stellar reputation to prove it.
We also check if the owners are privately owned or stock-listed.
If any information is hard to find or not available, we dig a little deeper to find out if there’s any reason for the lack of info.
Our team spends a lot of time researching this info to make sure we only recommend the best online casinos in Australia.
Responsible Gambling
At AusCasinos, we know the risks of online gambling. And we’re passionate about promoting sites that take responsible gambling seriously.
When reviewing sites, we check what responsible gambling tools are available for players. Those that offer you time-out sessions, cool-off periods, deposit limits and even self-exclusion are all great tools that rank highly for us.
Conclusion
Reviewing online casinos takes a lot of work and effort, but there’s no point in doing it if we’re not going to be thorough.
We ensure that the casinos we recommend meet our strict criteria, so you can be confident when choosing the right online casino for your playing needs.
Once we review each site and examine the above key areas, we’ll write our honest review so you know that it gets our stamp of approval.
Check out some of the best Australian casinos online and play with confidence today!
How We Rate Casinos FAQ
How do you rate online casinos?
We rate online casinos using a comprehensive and transparent methodology that considers several key factors. These include the variety and quality of games offered, the user experience, the customer support, speed and security of payments and bonuses and promotions on offer. We also check the casino's licensing and regulatory compliance. We test and review each casino to ensure our ratings are accurate and reliable.
Why are licensing and regulation important in your ratings?
Licensing and regulation are important because they ensure that an online casino in Australia operates legally and adheres to strict standards of fairness, security, and responsible gambling. Casinos with reputable licenses are regularly audited, offer secure transactions, and provide a safe environment for players. We prioritise these factors in our ratings to help users choose trustworthy and reliable real money casinos for you!
How often do you update your online casinos Australia ratings?
Our casino ratings are updated regularly to reflect any changes in the casinos' offerings, performance, or regulatory status. We continuously monitor our listed casinos for significant updates or developments that could affect their rating. That way, you can always access the most current and accurate information to help you play at the best online casino in Australia.
Do you consider user feedback in your ratings?
Yes, user feedback is an essential part of our rating process. We collect and analyse player reviews and testimonials to work out the satisfaction and experiences of Aussie players. This helps us validate our findings and ratings, to make sure they accurately reflect your perspectives and experiences.
What makes your casino ratings reliable?
Our ratings are reliable because we use a strict and detailed evaluation process. Best of all - it's carried out by our team of experienced industry experts - who know their stuff! We combine objective criteria, like game selection, licensing, and payment methods. Our independence and commitment to transparency mean we don't allow casinos to influence ratings. Our reviews are unbiased and focused solely on providing value to you.
Are your reviews 100% unbiased?
Yes, our reviews are 100% unbiased. Our goal is to provide accurate, transparent, and helpful information so you can choose where to play. Our experts conduct thorough research and analysis without influence from online casinos or external entities. We've got strict guidelines and criteria for our reviews. And we make sure each online casino in Australia is evaluated fairly and objectively.
How do you test the casino’s customer support?
We test a casino's customer support by looking at several things. The first is the availability of support channels (such as live chat, email, and phone). We also test the responsiveness and efficiency of the support team. And the quality and helpfulness of the support provided. Our team conducts anonymous tests by posing as players. We ask questions to see how well and quickly the support team responds and resolves these queries. This process gives us insight into the overall customer support experience you can expect.
How do I find the license for an online casino?
You can find an online casino's license by looking at the footer of its website. Most casinos prominently display their licensing information. Look for the licensing authority, license number, and sometimes a link to the license certificate. If you can't see the info, check the casino's "About Us" or "Terms and Conditions" pages. You can visit the website of the issuing regulatory authority and search for the casino to confirm its licensing status.
What makes a good casino in Australia?
A good casino in Australia offers a wide range of games from reputable software providers, including pokies (slots), table games, and live dealer games. It should also provide a secure and fair gaming environment. Look for a valid license from a recognised authority and the RNG (Random Number Generator) technology. A good casino offers bonuses and promotions with fair terms, quality customer support, and secure payment options. A good Australian casino should support transactions in Australian dollars (AUD). Local and popular Australian payment methods are also a plus!
Daniel helps you to find the best online casinos to play, with his well-researched, unbiased and accurate casino reviews. He uses strict criteria to only recommend the most trusted and reliable sites for you.
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