How We Rate Casinos: AusCasinos Rating Process Explained

Author: Daniel Evans

Daniel Evans Casino Reviewer

Daniel helps you to find the best online casinos to play, with his well-researched, unbiased and accurate...

Read more about the author

Daniel Evans Casino Reviewer

Daniel helps you to find the best online casinos to play, with his well-researched, unbiased and accurate...

Read more about the author

Last updated: 8 April 2025

Editorial use

Our experts write impartial, objective casino reviews based on strict editorial guidelines. As part of this process, we thoroughly research and fact-check all casino content. In our reviews, we strive to be honest, fair and balanced by covering the pros and cons of each casino. This is to help you make an informed decision about where to play. For more information, please refer to our Editorial Policy.

Ad disclosure

At AusCasinos, we earn a commission for new registrations and deposits made via our affiliate links. There’s no additional cost for you when clicking these links and our services remain free for our users. Our affiliate partnerships do not influence our casino content and we only recommend licensed casinos to ensure your safety. For more information, please refer to our Advertising Disclosure.

Understanding how we rate online casinos means you can make the right choices on where to play. We review the strengths and weaknesses of online casinos using strict review criteria - so you can make an informed choice.

Our reviews are written by our experienced and unbiased team of experts. They contain valuable, up-to-date, and accurate information to find the best online casino Australia offers.

At AusCasinos, we're all about testing sites casino sites - to provide the most comprehensive online casino reviews for you.

Let's explore some of the casinos we've reviewed and explain how we review sites - in detail.

How We Rate Casinos: Our Review Criteria

We rigorously approach our review criteria to ensure that only the top casinos deserve top marks. Our list covers all the big factors you can expect to see, from players' experience and trustworthiness to the overall quality of the sites compared to competitor sites.

Casino Bonuses (15% Weighting)

Based on our experience, we know that everyone loves a good bonus! And a quality bonus can really add to your playing experience, particularly if you're new to the world of online casinos and keen to get some additional funds to get you started. But a big bonus doesn't always mean good value. We look beyond the numbers to check out how fair the bonus is - to ensure it's worthwhile for both new and experienced players.

Welcome Bonuses

A welcome bonus (also known as a sign up bonus) is designed to grab your attention. For example, 100% up to $5,000 - get yours now! While this offer sounds amazing, it's worth asking whether it's too good to be true.

• What we look for: Decent match percentages (the higher, the better), clear info about deposit minimums and fair wagering requirements (the lower, the better). We also look for welcome bonuses that are easy to activate.
• Good example: A casino offers a 100% match bonus up to $200 with a 35x wagering requirement. You deposit $50 and get an extra $50 added to your bonus balance. A clear tracker shows how much you’ve wagered and what’s left. The bonus terms are easy to find, written in plain English, and no nasty surprises are hiding in the fine print.
• Bad example: A site flashes a massive 500% bonus on the homepage but hides a brutal 65x wagering requirement deep in the T&Cs. After you deposit, you realise you’re stuck with $2 max bets on pokies, table games don’t count towards wagering, and high-RTP pokies are off-limits.

Free Spins

Free spin offers are a fun way to try the pokies selection without risking your own cash.

• What we look for: The value of the free spins. For example, how many free spins are included and which online pokies you can play using the bonus. The best online casino sites will let you use them on a range of pokies, including new casino games and popular slots.
• What loses points: When high wagering requirements are tied to free spins, or there is a really low maximum win cap (like $50), the free spins offer is usually just a marketing ploy rather than a genuine offer.

No Deposit Bonuses

A no deposit bonus lets you try out a casino before parting with any of your cash. You'll get free credit just for signing up with the casino. These are typically pretty hard to find and, when available, can come with heavy restrictions.

• What we look for: Offers with fair wagering requirements and a reasonable max cashout.
• What loses points: Dodgy offers where the wagering is so high that converting the bonus into real winnings is pretty much impossible.

Cashback

Casino cashback deals refund a small amount of your net losses over a set period. This is usually either daily, weekly, or sometimes monthly, depending on the online casino. It's like a little safety net that helps protect you if you encounter a string of bad luck when gambling online.

• What we look for: A simple percentage, like '10% weekly cashback up to $100' that comes with fair terms and conditions.
• What loses points: Some cashback offers have restrictive terms. For example, an online casino may promote an amazing offer (e.g., anything above 20%), but you can only use it on specific weekdays. Or the offer may have strict qualifying terms, like having to deposit multiple times per week.

Loyalty Program

Loyalty programs (or VIP promotions) are designed to keep you coming back for more. You're often awarded with rewards, points, or extra perks. Most online casinos will offer different levels, or tiers, of these programs. For example, Bronze, Silver, Gold. The higher your tier, the better the offers.

• What we look for: How easy it is to move up levels in the program and how long it takes. We also check what each tier offers. For example, higher withdrawal limits, your own personal account manager, or special bonuses for your birthday. We also look at how transparent the progression system is.
• Good example: A points-based system that's crystal clear — something like '1 point for every $10 wagered'. You know where you stand, so when you climb to a new tier, you feel the difference with better bonuses, faster withdrawals, or even invites to exclusive tournaments.
• Bad example: A vague VIP scheme with no explanation of how you’re earning points or what it takes to level up. You might be classified as a VIP in your account profile, but no page on the site outlines what perks you’ve unlocked (if any).

Ongoing Promotions for Existing Players

Reputable online casinos offer more than welcome bonuses. The best sites also offer ongoing promos, such as free spins, pokies tournaments, and reload bonuses, to keep delivering value.

• What we look for: Frequent promos for existing customers. For example, is there a weekly reload bonus up for grabs? Can you access big money pokie tournaments? The more offers available the better.
• What loses points: Like most offers, those with heavy restrictions are marked down. For example, you may qualify for a reload bonus but only have a day to use it. Or there will be restrictions on your bet size when the reload bonus is activated.

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements refer to the amount of your own cash you'll need to wager to withdraw any winnings from your bonus. The lower the wagering requirements, the better the bonus. For example, a 200% bonus with 20x wagering is better than a 400% bonus with 60x wagering.

• What we look for: Casinos offering clear wagering requirements. For example, a site that says 'You must wager your deposit + bonus amount 40 times within 7 days'. So you know exactly what you're in for.
• What loses points: Anything over 50x deposit + bonus makes it hard to justify the value of the bonus. While we realise not every casino can offer ultra-low wagering, we look for fair terms and transparency.
• Real-world examples: We deposit $50 and get a $50 bonus. The wagering requirement is 35x the bonus (so 35 x $50 = $1,750). We expect that to be crystal clear before we hit "Deposit." So you know what you're signing up for.

Other Bonus Terms

Bonus terms can include extensive fine print, such as maximum bet limits, excluded casino games, and time limits. We check each site's T&Cs and provide all the information in our casino reviews.

• What we look for: Casinos that list maximum bet amounts during bonus play so you can't miss it.
• What loses points: The T&Cs are buried on the site and use complex legal jargon or sites referencing disclaimers, forcing you to click through multiple pages.

Games Selection (15% Weighting)

The best-rated casinos give you plenty of game options and cater to various tastes whether you're a fan of online pokies or live casino games.

Number of Games

• What we look for: The number of games on offer compared to the number of games the casino claims are available. While a few minor discrepancies is fine - blatant exaggerations aren’t acceptable.
• Good example: Plenty of game variety, including multiple game types, categories, top-tier game providers and a range of themes to offer variety and diversity for players.

New Releases

• What we look for: Frequent new titles on offer so players can benefit from new games from top providers.
• We test it: We monitor 'New Games' at each site (weekly or monthly). The best sites will add at least 5-10 new games each month - from established names or promising newcomers.

Range of Categories

• What we look for: A range of game categories catering to a wide range of players - from online pokies fans, to live roulette, poker and more.
• Good example: Casinos that feature a dedicated live dealer lobby with different variations of blackjack, roulette, and game-show-style titles.
• Bad example: A casino that only offers a few old-school table games but a tonne of 3-reel online pokies.

Exclusive Games

• What we look for: Casinos that offer a unique experience for players that can't be found elsewhere, like exclusive or branded games.
• What loses points: Casinos that say they're offering something 'exclusive', but really, it's just a different name of an existing game. Or the casino has just added its own logo to an existing game.

Filtering and Search

• What we look for: A good filter that lets you easily sort games by provider, volatility level, theme or Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The more filtering options, the better your chance of finding what you're after.
• Bad example: Sites that don't offer a search function, which makes it challenging to navigate and find what you want.

Quality of Suppliers

• What we look for: Top-quality software suppliers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution that have earned a reputation for quality gameplay and fair RNGs. While some lesser-known providers also provide high-quality games, we do our research to ensure they're licensed and tested by third parties.

Independent Testing

• What we look for: Games that have been tested by third-party auditors, like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, Gaming Labs International. This helps to ensure the games offer fair play and outcomes are completely random.
• We test it: We visit each site to check for certifications. Extra points go to those sites that share monthly payout reports.

Payment Methods (15% Weighting)

Local payment methods that offer convenience and fair payouts can really make or break your online casino experience. Processes should be easy, and you should be able to access your winnings quickly.

Deposit Methods

• What we look for: A good range of Australian payment options, like PayID, Visa, Mastercard, e-wallets (Skrill, NETELLER) and prepaid vouchers (Paysafecard).
• Good example: A casino that offers a large range of payment options, with no hidden fees and instant deposits.
• Bad example: Limited options for deposits with high fees and slow or incomplete deposit confirmations.

Deposit Limits

• What we look for: We're looking for sites that clearly state deposit limits. The minimum and maximum deposit amounts should be easy to see.
• What loses points: Casinos that hide limits until you’re at the cashier page.
• We test it: Our team deposits different amounts to check if the stated limits match the actual system.

Bonus Eligibility

• What we look for: We check to see if any payment methods are excluded from bonus eligibility. For example, e-wallet deposits (like Neteller or Skrill) are often ineligible for certain bonuses. We report our findings in our casino reviews.
• We test it: We ensure that you can claim a welcome bonus using a range of preferred Aussie payment methods. If any are excluded, we'll note whether this information is disclosed upfront.

Withdrawal Methods

• What we look for: While some casinos expect you to use the same method for deposits and withdrawals (for anti-money-laundering reasons), there still should be plenty of options. We make sure you're not forced into using a single route that may come with high fees or slow processing times.

Withdrawal Times

• What we look for: Casinos that offer fast payout times, typically within 24-48 hours for payment methods that support quick transfers.
• Bad example: Casinos that stall withdrawals for a week or longer. Or those that place 'pending' periods on your casino account that pressure you into cancelling your withdrawal request - and gambling more.

Withdrawal Fees

• What we look for: Sites that offer free withdrawal fees, or if there are fees, they're clearly mentioned. For example, 'we charge a $10 bank transfer fee for transactions under $100'.
• We test it: Our team tests small and large withdrawal amounts to check if there are any additional fees not clearly stated before making the request.

Cryptocurrencies

• What we look for: Casinos that offer a good range of crypto options, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other altcoins.
• Good example: Instant or near-instant transactions, minimal fees, and real-time exchange rates displayed.

Licensing and Regulation (15% Weighting)

Licenses require a casino to operate under specific rules designed to protect players. A reputable license means you'll benefit from a fair gaming environment.

Reputable License(s)

• What we look for: Sites that are licensed by some of the most well respected licensing bodies, like the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and Gibraltar Regulatory Authority.
• We test it: We verify the license number on the regulator’s website. If there's no match, we'll tell you - so you can avoid the site.

Verified Certificates

• What we look for: We check for clickable seals or license numbers on a casino site that leads to official sites. Reputable sites will feature these to promote their credentials.
• We test it: We check each of the seals and license numbers. Plenty of dodgy sites exist that copy the logos of reputable regulators or test labs without providing actual links or verification details.

License Breaches

• What we look for: Casinos that haven't previously experienced any fines or warnings. If they have, it can mean they've engaged in some dodgy practices, like misleading players through false advertising or withholding payouts.
• We test it: We do our research, checking news sites, forums, or the regulator’s website to see if the brand or its owner has encountered any problems.

Safety and Security (10% Weighting)

Before you share your personal or financial information, you need to trust that gambling sites will keep it safe. We examine how each casino protects your sensitive information, assessing how they handle account verification and separate player funds.

SSL/TLS Encryption

• What we look for: Secure encryption (ideally 128-bit or 256-bit). We prefer TLS, which is more robust than SSL.
• We test it: We click the padlock icon in the browser to ensure the URL begins with HTTPS.

Data Protection Policies

• What we look for: Privacy policies that clearly state how they store or share your data with third parties. We make sure sites talk about how cookies are used.
• We test it: We sign up and check how easy it is to opt out of marketing communications.

The KYC Process

• What we look for: Sites that request proof of ID, address verification, and possibly a copy of the payment method. A quality online casino should identify and verify required documents quickly (1-2 days max).
• What loses points: If a casino repeatedly requests new forms of ID and delays withdrawals they lose points with us.

Source of Wealth

• What we look for: Casinos that ask for for additional document when making large deposits to comply with anti-money laundering laws.
• What loses points: Sites that ask for unreasonable or overly invasive documents without explanation.

Separate Player Funds

• What we look for: Casinos that have segregated accounts specifically for player deposits and winnings, so your balance is protected if the casino faces financial issues.
• We test it: We check licensing, as the best licensing bodies will typically enforce this rule. We also check whether the casino states how it stores player funds.

Responsible Gambling (10% Weighting)

At AusCasinos, we believe that gambling should always be entertaining. If it starts to impact your financial or mental health, it's time to take a break. The top casinos will provide practical, responsible gambling tools to help you stay in control.

Deposit and Spending Limits

• What we look for: Sites that let you set your own daily, weekly, or monthly limits via your account dashboard.
• We test it: To ensure the tools work as intended, our experts will try exceeding these limits to ensure the casino is blocking further deposits as it should.

Self-Exclusion and Cool-Off Periods

• What we look for: Self-exclusion tools that lock you out of your account for a set period - no exceptions.
• Good example: The casino makes it easy to take a break, with clear self-exclusion options like 24 hours, 7 days, 6 months, or even 5 years. You pick the timeframe, and they lock your account down straight away — no questions asked, no hassle.
• Bad example: A site that doesn’t bother with proper self-exclusion tools or makes you jump through hoops, like emailing different departments just to freeze your account.

Time Alerts

• What we look for: Built-in reminders that pop up after every hour of play or after a certain wagering amount. These tools encourage you to take a break and monitor your spending.

Links to Gambling Addiction Support

• What we look for: Sites that offer easy to navigate links to gambling addiction support services, like ​​​​​​​Gambling Help Online or Gambler's Anonymous.
• We test it: We click on these links to make sure they lead to legitimate support websites and phone numbers and contact details are correct.

Customer Support (10% Weighting)

If you experience any issues when you're gambling online or just need a quick answer to your questions, access to a knowledgeable and responsive customer support staff is essential.

• What we look for: Round-the-clock, 24/7 support. Because most online casinos operate in vastly different time zones, you want to be able to get an immediate answer rather than wait until the next day.
• We test it: We contact a casino support team at various times throughout the day, including weekends, to check if their '24/7' claim holds up.

Channels

• What we look for: A variety of support channels available to give you a choice of how you want to make contact with a casino. From live chat to email queries and phone contact options. The best sites will offer multiple options, including social media and WhatsApp.

Professionalism

• What we look for: Friendly, knowledgeable customer service reps who can answer your questions.
• What loses points: Generic responses or teams that don't fully answer your question (usually a sign they've only partially read your message). We can also pick an AI chatbot in a second!

Response Times

• What we look for: Instant responses to live chat messages or within a minute or two. Email replies within 24 hours. Or, at minimum, an acknowledgement that they've received the message and are looking into it (or escalating it to their manager).
• What loses points: Delays in responses (anything over 24 hours).

Comprehensive FAQs

• What we look for: A well-written FAQ is your first point of call when experiencing issues at an online casino site. Often this section helps you solve common issues. For example, verifying your accouont or resetting your password.
• We test it: We check FAQs to find answers before contacting customer support. We give extra points to those who offer thorough answers and up-to-date information.

Company Ownership and Reputation (5% Weighting)

The owners of each casino site matter. The ethics of its parent company can shape the reputation of each casino. We consider each site's track record and the owner's approach to player satisfaction.

Transparent Ownership

• What we look for: An 'About Us' page that clearly explains the holding company. We also check that it has a legitimate address and ideally provides information about its executive team.
• What loses points: If there are vague references to an offshore corporation, no centralised 'About Us' section and no accurate details or contradictory addresses.

Established History

• What we look for: We check each casino's (and holding company's) longevity. A brand that has been around for over a decade indicates stability and thriving. If we can find WHOIS data and corporate reports, that's a great sign. If the company changes ownership multiple times, we’ll note any controversies in our reviews.

Sister Sites

• What we look for: If an operator runs multiple reputable brands, it can offer extra player benefits. For example, shared loyalty benefits or a bigger game library.
• What loses points: If a sister site has a poor reputation, we take a cautious approach to the entire group. These gambling sites will be added to our blacklist.

No Predatory Advertising

• What we look for: No misleading ads, pop-ups, or spammy tactics. We also take a look at how each of the gambling sites advertises on third-party and affiliate sites.
• We test it: We sign up for emails and check a casino only sends relevant promos. Sites sending daily spam or use exploitative language that encourages players to gamble more lose points.

Conflict Resolution

• What we look for: Quality casino sites will usually partner with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to manage unresolved player issues.
• Good example: Top-rated casinos will list clear steps to follow if you want to make a complaint. This should include contacting support, escalating to a manager and, if needed, contacting an ADR.
• Bad example: Unclear (or no) instructions for managing a dispute if you've got an issue.

User Experience and Site Design (5% Weighting)

The last things we check are usability and aesthetics. Based on our experience, a poor interface can ruin your fun when gambling online, even if the casino offers some of the best bonuses and casino games available. We also check out the design, speed of the site, mobile compatibility, and more.

Overall Design

• What we look for: Clear and simple navigation menus that make sense. We also prefer sites that feature minimal pop-ups and well-labelled categories so you can find what you're looking for quickly.
• We test it: Our team spend a lot of time on each site. They navigate to different pages and take note of anything broken, unexpected or glitchy.

Mobile Compatibility

• What we look for: Today, online casinos need to be fully optimised for a wide range of screens.
• We test it: We play the site using native apps and compare it against playing on a browser where it is available. Some sites offer fantastic browser-optimised mobile casino sites, but lacklustre (or no) apps (and vice versa).

Localisation

• What we look for: We ensure sites have local Aussie payment options and themes around local holidays.

Accessibility

• What we look for: We look for inclusive sites that offer text resizing, high-contrast modes, or compatibility with screen readers to support players with disabilities.
• What test it: Each site we visit is tested using standard accessibility tools. We also use screen readers to check that essential features are usable.

Interactivity

• What we look for: Our experts look beyond basic gameplay to ensure a range of tournaments, leaderboards, and loyalty missions are available to keep your online gambling experience exciting.
• We test it: We'll join online pokies tournaments, live poker tournaments and more. Our team checks whether or not the rules are clear, if leaderboard updates happen in real time, and how fast prizes are awarded.

Feedback From Players

• What we look for: Community insights are valuable when rating online casino sites. We visit lots of gambling forums and check social media groups to seek out player feedback. It's a great way to get a well rounded perspective on a site.
• We test it: If a site regularly receives complaints (like site crashes), we'll test it to see if we experience similar issues.

Conclusion

So, that's exactly how we rate online casinos. Our experts use all the review criteria listed above to systematically and fairly review any Aussie casino site we feature. We aim to provide a comprehensive, honest and balanced assessment of online casinos available to Australian players.

We always start with the non-negotiables, including licensing, security, and responsible gambling. Once we’re sure an online casino is safe for players, we move on to the features that can impact gameplay. These include the range of casino games on offer, types of bonuses, whether the terms and conditions are fair, and the quality of the customer service team.

Only the best online casinos meet our high standards. The lesser-rated sites usually lose points regarding categories like payout speeds, transparency, or customer support responsiveness. We're also willing to call out rogue casinos to help you avoid playing at dodgy sites.

With our casino reviews, you can ensure that you're always playing at trustworthy, high-quality, and fun online casino sites.

Daniel Evans Casino Reviewer

19 Articles 187 Reviews

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.

Read more about the author