The list of criteria I use to choose an online casino plays an important role in helping me ensure I only recommend trusted and safe platforms to my readers. At the top of this list is the legitimacy of these casinos. Online casino licenses play a crucial role in ensuring you're able to access a quality experience that also remains in compliance with standards and laws. I want to discuss the top Australian casino licenses in this guide to help you understand what to look for.
Let's first discuss what a casino license is. It's a type of document issued by an organisation that regulates online gambling activities. When a company wants to open up an online casino and offer slots, a betting service, and other solutions to the public, they need to submit a license application. The company that submits this application to a licensing authority is called the operator. If they pass the legislation verification and other assessments, then they can become a licensed provider of online gambling activities.
It's important to understand that there are different types of gambling licence options available. Some operators will choose to seek independent legal advice to determine which option will be most suitable for them. Once a license is granted to the operator, they'll be able to legally operate an online casino.
Something that you do need to keep in mind is that the government in Australia doesn't offer any local casino licensing options. In fact, many people would consider this an area with a lot of controversy in the country. This is why people in Australia will generally turn to offshore operators and casinos. That way, they can enjoy online gambling without the worries of the strict local laws regarding the development of local online casinos.
When it comes to finding a licensed casino in Australia, I generally focus on the type of license they have, which I'll cover later on in this guide. However, this is only one of the things that I tend to look at. While it's important to make sure the operator is licensed and that they comply with regulations, this isn't the only element that adds to their trust and reputation.
Other than the license, I also look at opinions regarding both the online casino and its operator. This gives me an idea of what other people have to say, especially those who decided to gamble on the platform. Then, I would also look at some other details, which I want to cover in this section.
Most licensing providers will take a look at an online casino's website. They want to ensure the casino has the appropriate security measures in place. However, even when they've done this, I still take it upon myself to further look into the security measures they have in place.
I usually start by ensuring there's an SSL certificate. This is a type of technology that gets installed on the server where the operator hosts the website. It helps to provide encryption for data transmitted, as an SSL certificate creates a secure connection when you visit the website. I also ensure they are transparent regarding the use of my personal information. They should only store the most essential data, and this should be encrypted in their database.
The next thing I like to look at is the operators and games I can play on these platforms. I always ensure that they have licensed providers when it comes to games. Additionally, I prefer software developers who are reputable. Some of the providers that I usually prefer include:
Amatic Industries
Novomatic
Of course, there are only a few. There are many more options available when it comes to online gambling providers. I also take a look at the types of games that I can expect. Casino games are generally considered to fall in the category of gaming NSW, but I want a diverse selection of themes to pick from.
The RTP and volatility of pokies I can play from Australia are also important. I generally ensure the games available on the platform allow me to get access to RTP ratings of 96% or higher. This is considered a good industry standard. It means the majority fo the money players bet is paid back in the form of winnings.
A medium volatility is also good for me. I like this because it helps to strike balance between how frequently you get matching symbols on the reels and how much they pay out. Max win is also an important factor, as it tells me how much someone can win if they max out the multipliers in the pokie.
I never overlook the payment methods I can access at these websites. I need to ensure there's a diverse selection of banking methods. For Australia, this excludes bank transfers, as that's usually risky. I also prefer to look away from credit or debit card payments.
E-wallet payments are my preferred choice. This includes options like Neosurf, MuchBetter, MiFinity, and AstroPay.
Crypto casinos are also on the rise, and they offer a level of convenience you won't get from some of the other payment options that are available. Just be sure to understand the fees involved if the casino requires you to manually send crypto instead of using a platform like Binance Pay.
Casino operators have quite a large number of gambling license options to choose from. Each has its own pros and cons. The most common ones you'll find with operators that accept Aussies include:
Curacao: The Curacao Gaming License is probably one of the most popular types that you'll come across. They offer licenses for a wide range of operators, including those that focus on sports betting and in play betting. They have relatively strict criteria they use before they will issue a license to an online casino.
Malta: In terms of online casino licenses, most experts will consider a Malta Gaming License to be superior when compared to other options. This is a golden standard, but also has the strictest rules and regulations in place. This is why many operators will first opt for a Curacao Gaming License and then later work their way to getting licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Kahnawake: The Kahnawake gambling license is particularly popular in Canada, but many casinos with the license also accept players from Australia. The gambling commission oversees the regulation of both online and land-based casinos.
Anjouan: Many operators opt for an Anjouan Gaming License, particularly due to the fact that it's quick to obtain, offers broad coverage, and it's a cost effective option. There are still strict license requirements in place to help protect the players.
While these are generally the most popular ones you'll also see that certain casinos have other licenses. Here are some of the others that also offer a good overall reputation:
Isle of Man
UK Gambling Commission
If you find an online casino that doesn't have one of these, then it's a good idea to do some extra research to determine the trustworthiness of the authoring body that provided their license.
There are several reasons why it's important for players to choose casinos with a licensed operator. Many people overlook some of the advantages, so I want to take a closer look at what you can expect and why this is so important.
Trust: One of the most important things that a gaming license adds to an online casino and its operator is trust. While the criteria that these licensing providers use differ, the organisations that handle these applications tend to go through several stages of vetting an operator and the casino they're planning to launch. This helps to ensure they've been assessed and the license provider deemed the operator trustworthy.
Better games: Software providers in the gambling industry would often prefer to work with operators and online casinos that have a good standing with their license provider. When you find an online casino that has a license from a reputable authority, then it also usually means they are able to partner with a larger number of providers. In turn, this helps to bring you a better selection of high-quality games.
Protection: When an online casino is licensed by one of the major governing bodies, they are required to provide a high level of customer support to all players who decide to register. Since they have to take support very seriously, it means you get a better level of protection in the process. You can get in touch with the support department if you have any questions. You'll notice several of these licensed casinos actually have live chat on their website to ensure they comply with the customer service requirements set out by the licensing body.
These are some of the main benefits you can expect if you decide to register and gamble at a licensed online casino. It's important to note that some casinos may offer even greater benefits, especially if they've been licensed by one of the stricter authorities in the industry.
Casino operators and the gambling provider both need to hold an online gaming license to ensure they're in compliance with the right regulations. However, there are several off-shore licensing providers, which can make it hard for the average gambler to understand which ones stand out. The Australian government doesn't issue license, but authorities like the Malta Gambling Commission and the Curacao Gaming Commission can offer these companies with valid licenses.
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