Best Online Casinos Australia — Safe Real Money Gambling Guide

The online casino market is constantly changing, offering new bonus options, game mechanics, moving to accepting local currency and making the withdrawal process as fast as possible. For players, it’s important to keep up with the changes to start enjoying these new conveniences as soon as possible.

It’s important to not only look for the best offers, but to make sure you are playing on a safe platform. Playing at unlicensed venues can lead to some less-than-pleasant consequences, like data breaches and monetary fraud. We created this guide specifically so our readers can easily find a legitimate online casino that fulfils all their needs.

What Makes Online Casinos in Australia Worth Your Time

Online casinos neatly fit the modern lifestyle of an Aussie punter, allowing for a huge freedom of choice, both in terms of games and bonuses, while excluding all the unnecessary steps like having to dress up and drive to a casino. With mobile gambling developing faster than ever, people can access their favourite games in just a few taps and end their session whenever they like.

Physical venues have their charm, but good online casinos have way more to offer, often including live dealer games, sports betting and some exclusive titles, neatly packed into just one website – that’s something your local pub simply can’t compete with. Entertainment and accessibility are the keys to the success of AU online casinos. With secure money play and round the clock availability, it’s no secret why online casinos got so popular.

Key Advantages of Modern AU Online Casinos

Playing online can be a better option than regular casinos, given that the online casino of your choice is safe and offers features relevant to your playstyle. Some things that make casinos the best option:

• Accessibility. Online casinos Australia can be used at any time of the day or night, from anywhere. With mobile casino apps at the forefront, online casinos are easier to use than ever before.
• Extensive game libraries. Most online casinos offer hundreds, if not thousands of pokies titles, live dealer games, table games, progressive and regular jackpot pokies, along with specialty games.
• AUD-friendly payments. While this is also available at regular casinos, the lack of websites accepting AUD used to be a large factor in why players refused to play online. Now, this issue is gone and there is a specific niche of online casinos based around serving Aussie clients.
• Bonuses. Land-based casinos, in general, don’t have any bonuses, if we’re not counting free drinks and appetisers. Safe online casinos Australia always have some sort of bonus program. The bonuses can include welcome offers, reload bonuses, cashback, free spins and more.
• Free Play. Many casinos will allow you to test the games before you even sign up. This feature is simply unavailable at regular casinos.

Online gambling allows for more freedom of choice and generally creates a more exciting experience for most players.

How to Pick a Site That Fits Your Playstyle

The online casino should be chosen based on your personal preferences. The choice should largely depend on a few factors: your budget, bonus preferences, transaction speed and withdrawal limits, as well as providers. Of course, you should also consider pokies and game preferences, as well as whether you’d like to interact with other players. The key is to look through the casino’s website and really think about what you like, what you dislike and what you can tolerate.

Top Australian Online Casinos for Real Money Play

When choosing good online casinos for yourself, it’s important to know what specifically to look for. The best casinos all have similar features – safety, fast payments, high-quality games and a good license. However, these features aren’t universal and might look different on the websites.

The amount of research needed to confidently choose a good online casino makes it hard for players to do it on their own. Our team of experts created a specific list of criteria you can follow to easily detect trustworthy platforms without doing any research.

Trusted Platforms With Fair Games

When talking about all the things you need to keep in mind when choosing a game, a player obviously should care about playing a licensed, safe title. To ensure this, players must first evaluate the website itself.

1. Independent audits. Audits additionally check the fairness of the random number generators used to power all the games. Companies like eCOGRA and iTech Labs are leaders in determining the game’s fairness, so if you see their logos at a website, you can be sure that the games are safe.
2. The quality of the software providers. It not only indicates the quality of the games, but also the level of trust the casino has in the market. Big casino software companies like NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming and Apricot choose their collaborators carefully to uphold a good reputation.
3. Bonus round conditions. Before playing, it’s wise to look into the game's rules to determine if bonus rounds are at all achievable. The bonus rounds should be accessible with your playstyle and have clear activation rules.

Overall, if the AU online casinos seem fair, the games will be fair, too. Pay close attention the first time you visit the site, so the rest of your visits are lighthearted and fun.

Online Casinos With the Highest Slot Payouts

Casinos with the highest slot payouts are the ones that have the biggest number of high RTP games. RTP or return to player percentage is a number that determines how much money, on average, is returned to the players.

It doesn’t mean that if you bet A$100, you will get A$95 back from the game with 95% RTP, but rather that if you play 100 times, you will win back the 95% of what you bet in the meantime. So, the higher the RTP, the higher the chance of getting a big win.

Another important metric to note is Volatility, which determines the frequency and size of the wins. Low volatility means that the player will get small, but frequent wins, while high volatility means the exact opposite, big wins which happen rarely. Volatility doesn’t affect the total amount of prize money, but it largely affects the game process.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Australia? What You Should Know

You can legally play at online casinos based outside of Australia. Players are not punished for using offshore casinos, only the operators can face fines and bans, issued by the government.

Legally, no casinos have permission to operate or offer their services to Australian citizens, but this rule is hard to enforce on websites licensed outside of the country. Local operators are completely banned in Australia, but you can still play on offshore websites. 

Offshore Licensing Explained

It’s important to make sure the offshore casino of your choosing has a license, to make sure the casino safety and quality standards follow the requirements of the law of the country issuing the license. Different licenses offer different safety levels:

• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Clear pathway for any complaints, segregation of player funds from casino funds, and required strong responsible gambling rules.
• UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Highest remote technical standards for cybersecurity, transparency over protection of funds, easy dispute resolution, and heavy customer safety standards.
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Dedicated dispute process, clear path for complaints, emphasis on player security and high standard of cybersecurity.
• Curaçao. Emphasis on casino transparency with sourcing of funds, AML checks, liquidity to pay winnings and responsible gambling. Planned to introduce new structured reporting requirements.

All the listed licenses offer a general safety net for players and player funds, with the highest safety rate being the UKGC. Still, all the listed licenses have an adequate level of safety to enjoy your time at safe AU online casinos.

How to Stay Safe as an Australian Player

To learn whether the casino of your choice is one of the safe online casinos Australia has, you would have to click around the website and look up reviews.

Casino Games You Can Play Online in Australia

Real money casinos in Australia have a lot of games on offer. Some websites can host upwards of 5,000 games at a time. To choose the game you will enjoy, you need to learn the basics.

Pokies & High-RTP Slots

Pokies, also known as slots, are one of, if not the most popular, types of casino games in Australia. Pokies are a simple game, where the result is completely random. At the same time, pokies have several distinct types like classic 3-reel pokies, 5 and 7-reel pokies and video slots. Slots can differ in terms of mechanics, for example megaways pokies are a relatively new addition, extremely popular amongst players for the unprecedented amount of winning combinations available per spin. Pokies all have different RTPs, so we advise checking it before you settle on a particular game.

Table Games: Blackjack, Roulette & Poker

Table games have been a casino staple for centuries and have cemented themselves in the minds of all punters. When visiting an online casino, you will usually be presented with options like online blackjack, roulette and poker. Roulette is the most random of the bunch, but you can still figure out strategies to win as much as possible. Blackjack requires advanced calculations, with the point of the game being to get as close to 21 points as possible, without going over. The most social table game is definitely poker, where you play against other players, trying to beat their hand. Table games require a certain level of mastery, they pose a challenge to overcome, which appeals to a lot of players.

Live Dealer Rooms

If your goal is to replicate the vibe of a real casino without ever leaving the house, then live dealer games are made for you. You can expect casual banter at the table and an actual dealer that controls the game through the live video stream, or a lighthearted gameshow vibe. It brings a personal touch that RNG-based games lack. The entertainment and randomness of live dealer games isn’t based on a string of numbers the machine made up, it’s actual choices of people.

Specialty Games for Australians

AU online casinos are home to some games that can’t be easily categorised. Games like instant win slots and raffles, where you get the results immediately. Rapid-win crash games, where your goal is to withdraw your bet before the crash, keep you on edge every round. Classics like scratchies, which evoke the classic feeling of buying a lotto ticket, or keno, where you choose your numbers and wait for them to pop up in the winning lineup.

Fast & Safe Payment Methods at Australian Online Casinos

Safe online casinos Australia have a variety of payment methods available, from familiar and widely accepted to modern high-tech options. Most casinos offer several options, allowing players to choose what they prefer. If you’re still searching for the one payment method that will satisfy all your needs, we are here to give you all the info you need.

Credit Cards & PayID

Credit cards are extremely popular and widespread. Rarely does a person not have a credit card in today’s day and age. Australian casinos offer Visa and Mastercard transactions. If you already have a credit card, it’s a no-brainer to use it, but be aware that offshore casinos may charge an additional fee for credit card processing, and withdrawals can take around 3-5 days.

PayID is an extremely popular Australian payment option, which allows the player to make secure banking transactions, using just an email or a phone number. It’s a no-hassle option, perfect for making a deposit, but the withdrawal option can be limited on some websites.

Crypto Payments in AU Casinos

Crypto is the currency of tomorrow, there’s no arguing about it. Players, looking for highly confidential, fast transactions with no fees, should definitely look into making a crypto wallet. Crypto casinos usually have some additional bonus offers for players using specific currencies, too. It does require some tech-savviness, but crypto isn’t just a payment method, it’s an investment in your future, so we’d say it’s worth a try.

E-Wallets With Instant Withdrawals

E-wallets have been a go-to gambling payment option for many people. Some of the most widely accepted e-wallets are Neteller and Skrill, with PayPal being a less common, but still available option. E-wallets are a must at fast withdrawal casinos with minimal fees, but require you to make an account beforehand.

Tips for Winning Real Money at Online Casinos in Australia

Having fun is the main aim of playing at good online casinos, but winning is, admittedly, really fun, too. Of course, in the game of chance, there’s no way to predict a win, but you can still take some steps to increase your chances:

• High RTP games. The importance of RTP for the game outcomes is crucial. It determines the long-term odds of winning, so aiming for high RTP guarantees you a higher return rate on your wagers.
• Rational bonus use. Bonuses can up your game, but only if you plan ahead. Consider the wagering requirements and time limits to figure out what amount of bonus money would be comfortable for you to wager.
• Manage your bankroll. Your bankroll is an investment, and any investment needs to be reasonable and well-defined. You need to really think about how much money you can invest without risking your finances.
• Set spending limits. There needs to be a specific number per session that you never cross. Spending more doesn’t increase your chances of winning, but consistency does. Sometimes all you need to do is stop and try your luck another time.

The house always wins, so the best you can do is not lose. It’s the real truth that leads to success.

Red Flags – How to Spot Unsafe Online Casinos

Online casinos exist in a grey area of the Australian law, and many operators use this to perform shady business practices. Thankfully, these casinos are easy to spot.

The first thing to look for is a license. To be a licensed casino, the website needs to undergo tests, which determine its fairness. Lack of a license is a sign that some things aren’t right. Then, there are bonuses. The general rule of thumb is – if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Nothing comes with no strings attached. And always check Terms and Conditions, too. If the rules aren’t clear, don’t bother playing at all.

After you look through the website itself, it’s better to look up reviews. If the common problem amongst players is slow withdrawals that last months, it’s better to avoid the casino altogether. The same goes for poorly responsive customer support, it’s a clear indication of a casino not caring about its players.