So, you’re out there in the depths of the Internet, hoping to find a safe and reliable online casino to play some pokies for real money.
Then, the ugly truth comes forth – most casinos online are not what they promise to be.
This guide will help point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing safe online casinos and betting sites in Australia. We will present all the steps you need to take before you start spending money.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
Licensing Situation
Online sports betting in Australia is legal, which means the state issues licenses to bookmakers. Therefore, if you’re looking to bet on sports, it’s a no-brainer that you should choose a licensed Australian betting provider.
If you don’t know how to find this information, you can visit ACMA’s official website and check if a certain sports betting provider is licensed in the country.
When it comes to online casinos, other rules apply.
Casino sites can’t apply for an Australian license, so it’s important to ensure that the casino you want to use is licensed in another jurisdiction. Doing this will ensure that you can escalate a problem to the respective authorities that license the casino should you even come across an issue.
Fortunately, there are plenty of Australian online casinos that hold a valid operating license and are secure to play poker and table games.
This was the first step towards staying safe when gambling online down under – let’s see what else you need to know.
Payout Limits
This is more of an unwritten rule, but Australian gambling sites with low withdrawal limits are very likely a ripoff.
Why? If you happen to win a big progressive jackpot and the withdrawal limit is just A$4,000 monthly, how long does it take before you can withdraw the full amount? That’s right.
You should strive to find online casinos and betting sites that let you withdraw at least $30,000 per month. In the best-case scenario, look for online casinos with $50,000+ monthly limits or no limits at all.
This means the online casino operates with big revenue and is part of a large company that doesn’t mess around.
Software Providers
Gambling sites in Australia don’t own the games you play – they source them from software providers. So, it makes sense to play games from tried-and-true developers who wouldn’t risk their reputation by cooperating with under-the-table casinos.
Before depositing money, always check which casino game developers provide the games for the online casino. If you see names like Pragmatic Play, Betsoft, Microgaming, or NetEnt – it usually means that the casino site is secure to use.
Plus, by playing casino games from popular developers, you can always rest assured that both the RTP and RNG are on point.
Responsible Gambling Tools
Let’s face it – gambling can get out of hand if you’re not careful. This is why it’s extremely important that the casino you choose offers responsible gambling tools that will help you along the way if needed.
There should be deposit limits, cool-off periods, session limits, temporary or permanent self-exclusion, and so on.
If an Australian online casino doesn’t offer these, it generally means that it’s not safe.
You can find more information about responsible gambling on this website.
Design, Functionality & Mobile Experience
How does this play any part in whether or not a gambling platform is safe? You’d be surprised.
Legitimate sites put a lot of effort into their site functionality and mobile experience to ensure that users can play slots and table games without problems. This means they’ve invested a lot of money to make their casino work well – which further means that they’re here to stay.
Conversely, gambling sites that have paid no attention whatsoever to their site usability are either completely new or just looking to make a quick buck off of inexperienced players. Always stay away from online casinos that don’t work well.
So, You Think You’re Ready to Gamble Online in Australia
By following all of these pointers one by one, you will always end up playing games at secure Australian casinos. If only one is lacking – look for another site and don’t spend your money.
Staying safe when gambling online is of the utmost importance. After all, there is real money involved – and you want to be paid out if you do happen to get lucky.
There’s really no point risking when you can do the research beforehand.
Thanks for reading; we sincerely hope we’ve helped you understand and learn how to stay safe when gambling online in Australia.