Whether you're a blackjack player from Brisbane, a roulette fan from Sydney or a pokies nut from Perth, online casinos in Oz are more sophisticated than ever: they offer great bonuses, a great range of games, and a reliable, legal gaming experience for Aussies everywhere.
Everyone's got questions, of course, so here we've answered a few of the most common queries we get here at Casino.com.au. And if you've still got a question itching to be answered, feel free to fire us an email.
Fair dinkum. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 made it illegal for anyone to operate an online casino in Australia. However, what the 2001 Act didn't do was make it illegal for Aussies to play at online casinos and many foreign operators offer their services to Australian players in 2024.
The Australian government has no jurisdiction over online casinos that operate outside its borders. However, this doesn't mean that online casinos can do whatever they like. They must obtain a license from a country or territory that allows online casinos to operate from within its borders, like Malta or Gibraltar.
Let's take the example of Ruby Fortune, one of our top-rated casinos and one where the Australian dollar is an accepted currency. This casino is licensed in Malta by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), a recognised regulatory body in a country which is a popular base for many online casinos from across the world.
No. Unless your casino gambling is your main source of income (fair dues to you if this includes you) you won't be taxed on any dollars you win from roulette, blackjack or pokies online. That means more winnings to plough back into your favourite Internet gambling websites.
At the time of writing, there are no imminent changes to Australian gaming legislation on the horizon. If any changes do take place in the future, you can rest assured that we'll let you know.
While the Interactive Gambling Act means that there are no Australia-based online casinos that cater to Australians, this doesn't mean there aren't any online casinos run by Aussies, for Aussies. There are actually plenty of them - they're just licensed in other gaming jurisdictions. There's nothing to stop you playing on these sites, and you'll find an extensive list of them at Casino.com.au.
As far as online casino games are concerned, the laws across Australia are broadly similar from a player’s point of view. However there is a bit of wiggle room as far as other gambling activities like sports betting are concerned.
Remember, however, that players are never going to be in trouble with the law for simply playing online pokies or table games. This is the same for wherever you are in Australia.
If it's a solid, reputable casino site, there should be nothing to worry about when you play and deposit AUD. Good sites are independently audited and have proven security in place. Look for the marks of distinction on the casino's homepage like eCogra and SSL - they're indicators that they have proper security measures in place. Better still, let us show you where to find the safest casinos on the net.
Of course. The best online casinos for Australians treat your private information the same way an Internet bank would. Casinos secure players' data using specialised encryption technology known as 128 bit data encryption.
Good sites will have top security measures in place so your funds are safe. Top online Aussie casinos keep player funds segregated so that winnings - no matter how big - can always be paid out if required.
Most great casinos will have their gaming software independently audited by eCOGRA or another of the reputable institutions out there who test casino software. Specifically, the site's RNG (Random Number Generator) will undergo stringent tests in order to make sure the spin of the roulette table or the shuffling and dealing of the blackjack cards is totally fair.
The following is a list of criteria which indicate that the online casino you're looking at is probably safe and operates fairly:
Payout rates differ from casino to casino, and also from game to game. A payout rate of between 95% and 98% is the standard for many online casinos. That said, if you're interested in payout rates, search for the specific pay out rate of the game you want to play.
Don't forget that at the end of the day, online casinos are businesses that exist to make a profit, and in that sense they are no different to land-based casinos. The important thing is that they do this in a fair and transparent way. It's worth mentioning that online casino games tend to have better odds than games in bricks and mortar casinos.
At Casino.com.au you'll find loads of in-depth reviews which will make it easier to choose the casino that's right for you.
The easiest way to avoid casino games that are rigged is to choose games that are made by reputable developers like Microgaming, Net Entertainment and Amaya. Just like online casinos, developers themselves are audited by regulatory bodies which ensure that their games are fair and above board.
All good online casinos accepting Australian players will hold an operating licence somewhere in the world. Most of the time the licensing authority will be in Europe or the Caribbean, however a growing number of other countries have begun issuing online gaming licences.
Under the terms of their licences, online casinos will have their games independently tested over a significant sample size in order to ensure they are playing fair. All reputable sites will display their licence and their testing certificate on their website, so be wary of any site that does not do so. All our recommended sites have been licensed by reputable online gaming regulatory bodies.
Every well established online casino site was once a new site, so the mere fact that an online casino is new shouldn’t be a signifier that it cannot be trusted. New sites are cropping up on a regular basis, and most can be trusted.
As with anything in life, it can help to do your due diligence. Is the site licensed in a recognised territory? Has its RNG been independently tested? Has it got good reviews on an independent review site? If it ticks all these boxes then you shouldn’t be concerned by the fact that it is new.
There are numerous charities and independent bodies around the world that have been set up to ensure those with a gambling problem have somewhere to turn to. The best options for Australian players include http://www.problemgambling.gov.au/ and http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/, while there are also some local charities across different parts of the country.
Essentially, an online casino works in a very similar way to a bricks and mortar casino, except you can play at an online casino while at home in your pyjamas.
To be in with a chance of winning some money, you'll first need to create an account with a specific online casino. This usually takes about five minutes. Once that's done, you'll need to make a deposit using one of several methods, such as VISA, Mastercard or PayPal. Most online casinos have a reasonable minimum deposit, so you won't need to spend hundreds of dollars from the get go if you don't want to.
Once you've made a deposit, you can start playing for real money. If Lady Luck is on your side and you manage to win, you can either withdraw the money, or keep it in your account for future playing sessions.
It's as simple as that!
So you want to make your day a bit more interesting by playing at an online casino. But which one do you choose? If we tried to list every single casino on the Internet we'd be here till next year. Don't worry though, because at Casino.com.au you can find detailed reviews of what we think are the best Australian online casinos.
It's true that the list of online casinos seems endless, but not all of them are made equal. Just like everything in life, some are better than others. Some of the things that make a good online casino are:
No. While most casinos offer a downloadable client (or app on your smartphone) which you save to your computer's hard drive, many casinos in 2024 have no download software which you can play via your web browser. That means you can log in anywhere you are - you don't need to be on your home set-up - and get playing straight away. No-download - or 'instant play' - sites often have slightly inferior graphics and gameplay to their more well-rounded full download cousins, but in general they offer a seamless experience. Just make sure you have access to a great Internet connection where you're playing!
In truth, the only advantage that downloadable casinos have over their non-download counterparts is that the graphics might be a bit better on the former. On the other hand, by playing on a non-download casino (that's a website to you and me) you're taking up less space on your hard drive, and you can play from wherever you like as long as you have a stable Internet connection. Overall, the gaming experience will pretty much be the same.
On the Internet you'll find loads of websites that claim to possess the secret to guaranteed casino wins, but be aware that anyone who does so is a fraud. The truth is that when it comes to pokies, it's purely down to luck. One player could be playing for two hours without winning a cent, while another could come along and win the jackpot on her first spin, the lucky so-and-so. That's just how it is, and you could argue that element of uncertainty is the main reason why gaming is so exciting.
Our advice is simple - focus on having fun responsibly and pay no attention to magic formulas.
If by 'win' you mean 'win money' then you'll need to...
You can then choose to either withdraw your money or keep it in your account so you can keep on playing.
Yes, you can play at any non-download online casino i.e. a website on your Apple Mac. Some downloadable casinos may not work on a Mac, but there are hundreds of online casinos that don't require you to download anything and only require an Internet connection.
If you'd like to test a game before playing it with real money, many online casinos give you the opportunity to play certain games like pokies with free credits. You can even do this before signing up, since you need to be logged out of your account to play with free money anyway.
Yes, several casinos host tournaments, mainly for pokies but also for black jack, roulette and other table games. If a specific casino hosts tournaments, you'll be able to find a list of them on its website.
This will depend on a number of factors, but a lot of the time it will be absolutely fine for you to play online casino games while travelling. Many sites have an international player base, allowing you to play from other countries besides Australia, though others such as France have ring-fenced sites, meaning you can only play on .fr sites and not .com sites.
In addition, there are certain countries which do not permit players to play casino games online at all. Our advice is to check the FAQ pages of your favourite internet casino, where you will find a list of prohibited countries from which you cannot play. This can save you a lot of hassle.
Different online casinos have different perks, so whether one is better than another will generally depend on what you are after from a casino site. Some will have a wider range of pokies, others will have better mobile or tablet games, or better bonus offers.
One thing to look out for as an Australian player, however, is the ability to deposit, withdraw and keep your balance in Australian Dollars, thus ensuring you don’t get stung by exchange rates. In this sense, some casinos online are certainly better for Australian players than others.
Did you know that more than 80% of Aussies participate in gambling of some kind or other, spending nearly $12 billion in the process? We sure do love a flutter. In particular, Australians love having a spin on the pokies (also known as slots and fruit machines in the US and UK respectively). Some of the most popular online pokies among Australians at the moment are Mega Moolah, Hitman™ and The Dark Knight, all of which were created by renowned game developers.
Progressive jackpots are the way to go if you want to turn your little $5 wager into a $5 million fortune. The jackpots prizes in these games keep on increasing until someone is lucky enough to win them. Sometimes a jackpot can go for months without being won, which is always exciting.
As of writing the Mega Moolah jackpot currently stands at $7,261,035. However, the game with the highest jackpot changes whenever someone is lucky enough to hit it, so make sure to visit Casino.com.au's Progressive Jackpot Tracker to find out in real time which progressive jackpot you should be keeping an eye on right now!
The title of most popular online pokie among Aussies is constantly changing, but some pokies that have stood the test of time include Starburst, Elements: The Awakening, Mega Moolah, Hitman, Thunderstruck II and Gonzo's Quest.
Jackpot games have an additional prize which is usually substantially bigger than the wins you can get by playing the base game of the pokie. This is usually activated by finding special symbols on the reels.
There is also another type of jackpot known as a progressive or cumulative jackpot. Just like a lottery, if no one wins this prize it will keep on increasing until somebody eventually does win it. Sometimes a jackpot can end up being worth millions of dollars if it hasn't been won for a few months.
For example, Mega Moolah has not one but four different progressive jackpots within the game, each one being a different size. These are won by triggering certain bonuses in the game.
The casino games that have the best odds are those games in which the online casino has the lowest house edge. These are usually games that involve a degree of skill and strategy instead of just luck. Some games with favourable odds for players are:
If an online casino doesn't promote a game that much, then that game probably has pretty good odds!
This depends on the bets you make within the game, but table games, particularly roulette and blackjack, give you opportunities to minimise the house edge in the short and long term.
Of course this is not the case if you bet on longer shots, like a single number straight-up in roulette, so it really depends on your playing style in addition to the specific games.
Many online pokies, especially those described as ‘progressive jackpot slots’, have gained a reputation for paying out huge amounts to winners. However it is worth being aware that those headline-grabbing wins don’t come around all that often.
The truth is online casino games are a matter of luck, so there is no quick-fix secret to winning quickly. If luck is on your side then you can rack up wins on any casino game, while if you get unlucky you will lose on any game. That’s just the way it is.
Blackjack tends to offer the smallest house edge, sometimes less than 1%, but that also relies on you using the best strategy for the game and generally following blackjack charts.
Of course, some online casinos do not offer the elements that minimise the house edge, with different rules around doubling down and splitting, so always check the specific rules at each online casino where you play.
The house edge is essentially what makes online casino games profitable for a casino in the long run. Some players will win in the short term, but over time the house will be a slight favourite to win.
An examples of house edge is the zero (and double zero) on a roulette table, which means an even money bet will come in 18 times out of 37 or 8, rather than 18 times out of 36.
Live dealer games are sort of like a cross between an online casino, a bricks and mortar casino and a video chat room. The makers of these games have created a real life space to house roulette and black jack tables which are operated by human dealers and croupiers.
Let's say you decide to join a live black jack game. Once you've entered the game, you'll be able to see, hear and interact with the dealer, telling him or her whether you want to hit or stand, within a specific time limit. The dealer will then respond according to your decision, just like in a real casino. The only difference is that the chips you play with and play for are virtual.
If you're a social kind of person, live dealer games can be more enjoyable and authentic since you're interacting with a real human being, albeit through a computer screen.
When it comes to live table games like black jack and roulette, the odds of winning are no different to a bricks and mortar casino, or even the non-live online versions of these table games.
Aside from the usual requirements of playing at an online casino, you'll also need a decent Internet connection to be able to watch the live streaming of the game you're taking part in. Some providers of live dealer games let you choose between watching in HD or lower quality.
Just like all other online casino games, the quality of live dealer games varies from casino to casino.
If a particular live casino game is provided by a licensed developer with a good reputation, on an online casino that is also reliable, then there's no reason not to trust it. If you have any doubts, it's best to trust your instincts and find a different live dealer.
You can find an extensive list of Australian online casinos that offer live dealer games at Casino.com.au.
Rather than utilising the independently tested random number generators (RNGs) seen across the whole gamut of online casino games, live dealer games have an actual real-life dealer and a real roulette table, deck of cards and so on.
The games are streamed direct from a studio, or occasionally from an actual real-life casino, and many have great live chat options allowing you to interact with the dealer and with other players at the table.
To play for real money, first decide which online casino you want to play on (hint: our reviews could help you with that!). Once you've made up your mind, you'll need to sign up and create an account, which only takes about five minutes. Next, you'll need some money to play with, so make a deposit using one of the methods that the online casino makes available to you. You're now ready to play and win!
Yes, the majority of online casinos allow you to try out their games (with the exception of live dealer games) before you decide to play for real money. You can even do this before signing up. Just remember that if you win big using free credits, it isn't real money. Don't kick yourself too hard if this happens.
Before you do anything, decide how much money you're prepared to lose, and stick to that figure. If you're not OK with losing that amount, then reduce it. You have to assume you're going to lose all of this money so it's best to be prepared for the worst. If you manage to win, that's great, but remember that losing is just as much a part of gambling as winning is.
Many online casinos allow you to set your own limits in your account settings, so for example if you reach your limit of $300 a month, you won't be able to wager any more money until the following month. You can also limit how much time you spend playing.
Playing on the pokies is all about having fun, but if you find yourself unable to stop playing even when you're losing more money than you can afford, you may have a gambling problem and we would advise you to talk to someone about it. It's nothing to be ashamed of, but if the problem persists or worsens, you should seek professional help. www.gamblinghelponline.org.au is a good place to start if you'd like some help and advice.
The mobile revolution in 2024 means that you can now enjoy the same great roulette and blackjack games on your smartphone or tablet anywhere, any time. Most online casinos these days offer a mobile version of their suite of games which are specifically suited to your phone's screen and OS. Blackjack at the swipe of a finger? Don't mind if I do!
When it comes down to it, a good mobile casino should have the same qualities as a good casino on PC or Mac - it should be safe, secure and fun to play on. You shouldn't expect anything less from an online casino just because you're playing on a mobile phone. The best casinos for mobile are fast, responsive, and it should be easy to navigate around the website or app without too much bother.
These days, so many people have an iPad or other tablet device that it would be silly for online casinos not to offer their games on this handy device. Over the past year, many online casinos have in fact upped their game and now offer a version of their casino that's tailor-made for tablet devices, so you can play whenever you like, wherever you like.
This depends which online casino you choose to play at. Some casinos require you to download an app, while others will automatically redirect you to the mobile/tablet version of their site when you enter the casino's URL.
You'll be hard-pressed to find an online casino that doesn't work on either iOS (the operating system found on iPhones and iPads) or Android (used by Samsung and HTC smart phones among others). In fact, you'll find plenty of downloadable apps for real money casinos on both the iTunes Store and Google Play.
At most Australian online casinos, the no-download versions of games will differ from the downloadable versions by virtue of having simpler graphics and more basic animations, however the actual gameplay and odds will often stay the same.
The main difference between no-download (or flash casinos) and their downloadable equivalent is actually the range of games and stakes available, rather than anything within the games themselves.
This depends on the casino in question, and whether or not they offer native apps for certain devices. A growing number of online casinos use HTML5 technology for their mobile and tablet versions, meaning a uniform experience for players on different devices, however this is not always the case.
In addition, some online casino sites have launched tablet-specific software for players in Australia and overseas. This often involves animations and gameplay tailored specifically to the larger screen size, thus improving the playing experience.
The following is a list of some of the most common payment methods used by Australian online casinos, which are known to be safe:
If you'd like to learn more about these payment methods, you can visit their websites or check out some reviews of them.
No, you don't have to use a credit card to make a deposit at an online casino. You can use one of several online payment methods, such as Paypal or Skrill. By using these methods and others like them, you are not giving your credit card details to the casino. However, you'll need to have funds in your account, and you'll need to check on a casino's website whether or not they accept your chosen payment method.
These days you shouldn't have to wait around for ages to get your hands on all your lovely winnings. Several casinos are now even offering one-click withdrawal methods which take just minutes to complete.
At Casino.com.au we look for the casinos with the speediest payouts around. Check out our Reviews section to find out which casinos are top of the pile at the moment.
No deposit casinos are a great way to get into gaming without having to spend any money. If this is what you're after, look out for online casinos that offer you free money or free spins when you sign up.
Head to the 'Cashier' tab in the casino lobby and choose your method of withdrawal. You can withdrawal real money back into your bank account via virtually any method you wish, be it POLi, Visa or MasterCard. Some sites charge when you make a withdrawal, so check before you make your first cash deposit.
Yes, your initial deposit will allow you to play any online casino game that the site in question offers. There are no restrictions on how you spend your own money in that regard.
However when it comes to online casino deposit bonuses, some casinos will only allow you to unlock the bonus amount by playing certain games. This will be explained in the small print for any respectable Australian online casino.
All good online casinos offer secure encryption methods to ensure players’ personal information is protected when depositing and withdrawing their funds. There is no reason why one method would be any more or less safe than another.
A bonus is an online casino's way of rewarding players who choose to play with them. Two of the most common types of bonuses are deposit bonuses and free spins.
A deposit bonus is a little extra money that a casino gives you when you make a deposit. Let's say that a casino is offering a 50% bonus on deposits up to $300. This means that if you deposit $300 the casino will give you an extra $150, for a total of $450 to play with.
It's commonplace for a casino to offer what is known as a match bonus when you first sign up. The online casino will literally match whatever you deposit, up to a certain amount, essentially doubling your first deposit.
A free spin is essentially a free shot at winning on the online pokies. Usually a casino will give out a fixed number of free spins on a particular game, let's say 20 free spins on Starburst. Sometimes all you have to do to get these free spins is to log in to your account, whereas other times you'll be required to make a deposit.
Bonuses come with certain terms and conditions attached. These are used by the casino to make sure the bonuses they hand out don't get abused to their detriment. For starters, bonuses are usually valid only for a limited period of time. Bonuses also have some wagering requirements which you'll need to fulfil. For example, you might need to wager the initial bonus amount 40 times before you can make a withdrawal.
Many top Australian casinos online offer welcome bonuses for players making their first real-money deposit Down Under. Let's say you sign up for a 100% bonus up to $400, and you make the full deposit of AUD$400. To earn your $400 in free cash you will have to 'play through' a certain number of bets - often many times the initial deposit - in order to earn the bonus back into your account.
An online casino will normally allow you to use more than one bonus at the same time. You might sign up to an online casino on the same day that they're handing out 20 free spins on Gonzo's Quest, which means you'll be able to use both your welcome bonus (assuming you get one) and your free spins.
Not all online casinos require you to make a deposit before you start playing. Some will give you a bit of free money or some free spins to start you off. This is known as a no deposit bonus. Normally all you'd need to do is sign up with an online casino, and you'll find your free money right there in your account. You'll even get to keep any money you win using the bonus. As always, there tend to be certain terms and conditions attached. You should always read these to avoid disappointment.
First up, it helps to know which games you prefer to play. Some bonuses are more geared to pokies, while others are specific to table games like roulette, blackjack and baccarat.
It is also worth making a realistic estimate of how much time you have to play. It is not worth signing up for an attractive looking bonus if you are never going to put in enough hours to unlock the headline amount.
If it is permitted by the terms of the bonus offer, it can be profitable to play games with a small house edge. This way, even if you lose a small amount playing these games you will be up overall from recouping the bonus amount.
There is nothing worse than signing up for a great bonus deal and then losing your initial deposit before unlocking the bonus itself, so it can be worth playing for small stakes while unlocking it in order to get a lot of play for your money.
See our bonus guide for more.
