Best Online Casinos in Australia: Top 7 Aussie Casino Sites of 2022
We've reviewed the best online casinos in Australia for slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, and other real money games.
* The online casinos featured in this article may not be available in your region. Check with your local laws to see if online gambling is legal in your area and always play responsibly!
(Ad) The best online casinos in Australia offer generous welcome bonuses, a variety of banking options, and lots of casino games to play for real money (including the newest pokies!).
However, choosing the best online casinos for Australian players isn't easy, considering how many gambling sites there are to pick from. With new online casinos popping up every week, choosing the top casino sites can feel overwhelming.
We've reviewed the best Australian online casinos to help you find the best gambling sites to play for real money. Whether you're looking to play slots, online poker, blackjack, or roulette, the Ausssie online casinos below are a great place to start.
Best Online Casinos in Australia
- Ignition Casino: Best Australian online casino overall
- Slots Empire: Best for slots and online pokies
- Red Dog Casino: Best online casino for blackjack
- Cloudbet: Best for sports betting
- Aussie Play: Best online casino for video poker
- El Royale: Newest online casino
- Las Atlantis: Best welcome bonus offer
#1. Ignition Casino: Best Overall
Ignition is one of the best Australian online casino sites in Australia due to their generous welcome offer, fast payouts, and over 250+ online casino games.
Ignition Casino specializes in progressive jackpot pokies but also offers various other games for slot machine, poker, and blackjack enthusiasts. An exciting addition to Ignition's gaming roster is the world-class poker room, which lets you compete against other players in either Omaha or Texas Hold 'em.
Types of Games
Ignition's main attraction is the 30 progressive jackpot slots on offer, which is significantly more than what other Australian online gambling sites provide.
The site also has 70 other games, including 35 live casino games like blackjack and poker. While its non-progressive slots offering isn't as extensive as some Australian casinos, Ignition Casino is the go-to place for all your progressive jackpot needs.
Bonus Offers
Ignition offers several bonuses that depend on your payment method. If you choose to pay using cryptocurrency, you can get a 150% deposit match of up to $3,000. If you pay via credit card, you can get a 100% deposit match of up to $2,000. These bonuses are evenly split, so you can use them on any casino game the site offers. Even better, the bonuses have relatively low wagering requirements so that you can cash out more of your winnings faster.
In addition to the welcome bonus, Ignition provides extra weekly 100% deposit matches of up to $1,000, so you're always getting a good deal for your money with Ignition Casino.
Key Selling Points
The most attractive feature of Ignition Casino is the wide array of progressive jackpot slots and the full-on live poker room. The site accepts cryptocurrency and has a generous deposit match for new players and helpful 24/7 live chat support.
#2. Slots Empire: Best for Online Pokies
*Does not allow players from Australia.
Slots Empire is one of the best online casino sites for online pokies, roulette games, and progressive jackpots.
Slots Empire is a Roman-themed online casino that started up in 2019. Since then, it's expanded its offerings and is available on Android, iOS, and Windows, providing a seamless experience, no matter your device preference.
Types of Games
Despite its name, Slots Empire doesn't just have slots. The site offers a wide range of games, including table games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, and several poker variations, including Aces and Eights, Jacks or Better, Mystery Bonus Poker, and three-card poker. If you sign up for an account, you'll also get access to an exclusive set of live dealer games powered by Visionary iGaming.
The casino's main focus is its slot machines, and Slots Empire currently offers over 300 titles courtesy of RealTime Gaming. The casino is in the process of adding titles from other gaming companies, so you can expect their repertoire to increase in the future.
Bonus Offers
Slots Empire offers a 220% deposit match welcome bonus to new players, and if you choose to pay with cryptocurrency, you get an additional 20% on top of that.
Deposit bonuses aren't limited to new players — existing players qualify for a 100% match for every $30 they deposit, and the larger your lump sum, the higher the percentage match.
Slots Empire also runs a Game of the Month promo where you can get up to 80 free spins on a particular game, as long as you fulfil the minimum deposit requirements beforehand.
Key Selling Points
Slots Empire has a great selection of popular online pokies and offers a wide range of payment and withdrawal options. As a relative newcomer to the Aussie casino market, it has generous bonuses and offers that make it worth a look.
#3. Red Dog Casino: Best for Blackjack
*Does not allow players from Australia.
Red Dog Casino makes the top Australian online casinos list due to its extremely generous welcome bonus, which gives you plenty of money to spend browsing its wide selection of games. As with most online casino sites, Red Dog accepts a variety of payment methods and has recently added cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to its list of approved payment and withdrawal methods.
Types of Games
Red Dog Casino provides an extensive portfolio of games supported by RealTime Gaming, a big name in casino game software providers, so you have a large selection of slot machines, poker, table games, and even bingo. If you want to dip your toe in before committing to real-money games, all the slots and table games have free versions that work on credits instead of cash.
The platform also offers over ten live dealer games, catering to novice players and high-stakes experts.
Bonus Offers
To entice new players, Red Dog Casino has a hefty 320% deposit match welcome bonus. It's one of the largest deposit bonuses on any online casino site and comes with a comparatively low 35X wagering requirement despite the high bonus.
Key Selling Points
Red Dog Casino's website has a bright, lively, uncluttered design that makes it easy to navigate. The site also has 24/7 live chat support and a decent variety of games to keep you entertained.
#4. Cloudbet: Best Aussie Casino for Sports Betting
Cloudbet is one of the older Australian casino sites. Established in 2013, the site focuses on sports betting but does offer a smaller selection of real-money games such as slots and poker.
To stay competitive with other online real-money casinos, Cloudbet has undergone a recent website redesign and started offering live-dealer games. It's also adjusted its payment method and will only allow users to deposit and withdraw via cryptocurrency funds.
Types of Games
Cloudbet's main focus is sports betting instead of slots or table games. It offers an extensive sportsbook that allows players to see real-time odds in various formats, including American, decimal, fractional, Hong Kong, and Malaysian. The site lets you bet on almost any sport, including handball, darts, badminton, and winter sports, in addition to the biggies of rugby, soccer, Aussie rules, and cricket.
While its focus is on sports, Cloudbet provides access to some of the best casino games from licensed properties, including slots and poker. You may not get the range of options as with larger casinos, but Cloudbet works with reputable software providers that put quality over quantity.
Bonus Offers
Cloudbet has a generous welcome offer where it will match your initial BTC deposit, up to 5 BTCs — currently worth up to $20,000. However, unlike other real-money online casinos, it doesn't have many monthly or daily promos, so once you've used up your welcome bonuses, you shouldn't expect any more offers in the future.
Key Selling Points
The main appeal of Cloudbet is that it combines an extensive sportsbook with a decent array of games, including staples such as slots, poker, and table games. The focus on sports betting means that players get a wealth of data at their fingertips, making Cloudbet one of the best gambling sites for sports bettors who love making informed and educated bets.
#5. Aussie Play: Best for Online Poker
*Does not allow players from Australia.
While many top online casinos are international, Aussie Play has a distinctly Australian focus. The site's aggressively Aus theme may feel slightly over the top, but the number of games and bonuses more than compensates for the slightly gaudy design.
Types of Games
Aussie Play offers the complete roster of RealTime Gaming games, including over 200 slots, poker games, table options such as blackjack and baccarat, and even a few specialty games, including bingo.
The site also has a live gaming section where you can play real money games with other players. The live section comes from Visionary iGaming, which offers some of the most authentic live-dealer casino tournaments on the market today.
Bonus Offers
Aussie Play offers players up to five welcome bonuses, so it's a good idea to look through them before making your choice. These range from a 225% pokies bonus and 50 free spins on a particular game to a general site-wide 235% pokies bonus.
The site also regularly has new promos and free spins on slots, so keep an eye on the "specials" section whenever you log in.
Key Selling Points
In addition to being one of the few Aussie-themed online casinos, Aussie Play provides abundant promos and special offers to keep you busy. It also has extensive payment options, including Neosurf and Visa and accepts cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Tether, Litecoin, and Ethereum.
#6. El Royale: Best for Roulette
*Does not allow players from Australia.
El Royale is an international casino site with an appealing Roaring 20s theme and a solid collection of games, including free trials and real-money options. It's one of the younger Australian real-money casinos, but its styling and welcome bonuses make it an appealing alternative to many established AU casino sites.
Types of Games
El Royale Casino works with some of the biggest software providers in the business to bring you a wealth of casino games, including slots, poker, table games, and card games.
Like many of the best Australian casinos, El Royale carries the full roster of RealTime Gaming table and card games, including several types of Hold'em poker, blackjack, and roulette. The platform also has over 14 video poker variants and over 100 slots, including progressive jackpot games, bonus rounds, and floating symbol games, so you'll never get bored of playing the same few games over and over.
El Royale also has a live-dealer casino supplied by Visionary iGaming that includes live baccarat, blackjack and roulette. These games have much higher stakes than their digital counterparts and may not be suitable for players with a gambling problem.
Bonus Offers
As with most new online casinos, El Royale has generous bonuses for new sign-ups, but what makes the site notable is that it also offers plenty of promos for older players.
In addition to the 240% welcome deposit match, the platform also has a 260% second deposit match and regular free spins of various games. The rollover requirement for these welcome bonuses is the standard 35X, comparable to many of the best Aussie online casinos.
You can also take advantage of daily special offers, which give free spins on a particular game, or slot matches which increase if you use Bitcoin or Neosurf to make your deposit.
Key Selling Points
El Royale offers a slick, hassle-free gambling experience, with games from reputable software providers and frequent specials to keep you coming back for more. The casino site also has friendly 24/7 support via email, phone, or live chat, which is great if you run into any issues or have questions that the site doesn't answer.
#7. Las Atlantis: Best for Baccarat and Craps
*Does not allow players from Australia.
Las Atlantis is an online casino from the same developer as Red Dog and El Royale. This means you get a clean, easy-to-navigate interface, cheerful theming, and a selection of games that will keep you busy and entertained.
In addition to welcome offers and promos, the site also has a robust VIP program that encourages high-rollers while letting low-stakes players enjoy the benefits of regular gaming.
Types of Games
Las Atlantis uses the same software provider as many of the best Australian online casinos, which means that you should be familiar with the games if you've spent any time on an online gambling platform. The real-money games come from RealTime Gaming, while the live-dealer games are from Visionary iGaming, both reputable and reliable providers. While this reliance on a single provider means that you have a slightly limited range of games, it also means that you get the best options without having to trawl through thousands of sub-par options.
The online casino has over 250 real-money casino games, including several live casino games and specialty games such as bingo. The big draw is the extensive selection of slots, which is easy to navigate by type and theme. The site has several table games, including blackjack and poker variants and 14 video poker games.
Bonus Offers
Las Atlantis has generous first-time promos, notably a 280% first-time deposit match up to $14,000. The wagering requirement for the bonus is lower than normal, so you get more bang for your buck compared to other casinos online. If you decide to use cryptocurrency to fund your gaming, Las Atlantis will give you a better match percentage whenever you make a deposit using Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Key Selling Points
Generous crypto bonuses, an extensive library of games, and easy to navigate site make Las Atlantis an appealing option to play Australian online pokies or any other casino games.
What Is an Online Casino?
At its core, an online casino is simply a digital version of a traditional brick-and-mortar operation. Online gambling sites provide the same games as physical operations but allow you to play no matter where you are. Online gaming may be an option to consider if you like playing a pokie game or two before bedtime or while waiting in a queue.
How to Choose the Best Australian Online Casino
With hundreds of new online casinos popping up, it takes something special to become a top Australian online casino site. Online casino players must be cautious about scams and disreputable operations. In this list, we put in the research to recommend the best licensed, legal online casinos by comparing game variety, bonuses, and payment methods.
Also, simply because someone thinks that a particular casino is the "best", that doesn't mean that it's one you'll enjoy playing at. Most online casinos in Australia have specific themes — El Royale has a 20s theme, Slots Empire has a Roman theme, and Aussie Play has an Aussie theme. If you don't gel with the theme or the layout of the particular casino, you may not think it's as good as others. Always listen to your gut and play casino games that you enjoy on a platform that fits your style.
If you're shopping around for a new way to play online casino games, be sure to always keep the following considerations in mind. Not only will they keep you aware, but they'll also help you find the best Australian casino sites with the games you love to play.
Game Variety
Most of the best casinos offer hundreds, if not thousands, of games, so it's important to consider if a particular casino has the games you like playing. If you just want to play pokies, a sportsbook won't fit the criteria of what you enjoy.
Also, remember that not all casino games are made equal — which is where the software provider comes in. Since many online pokies are very similar, some unscrupulous software developers will push out hundreds of poorly-quality games with bad graphics, annoying sounds, and unfun gameplay. Stick to Aussie online casinos that work with software developers with a reputation for high-quality games.
Another aspect of game variety is whether the online casino has regular promos for the games you like. For instance, some casinos in Australia rotate promos for underperforming games, while others will have less frequent promos for popular games. If you have a specific game type you like, look at the casino's specials page to see how often they have rewards for the games you play.
Bonuses and Rewards
Almost all online casinos in Australia have a welcome bonus for new accounts. These bonuses are a core part of the casino's strategy to attract new players. However, the type of welcome bonus differs from casino to casino. Some offer very high deposit matches but have fine print regarding the wagering requirements on that bonus. Others may have a lower deposit bonus but pair that with lower wagering requirements, which means you get more playtime and earnings out of the bonus.
Another consideration when looking for the best online casino is that some focus exclusively on attracting new customers, while others focus on retention. The casinos that focus on retention frequently offer additional rewards and bonuses for existing customers. While these specials will never be as generous as the initial welcome deposit bonus, they're still an excellent way of getting additional funds for table and jackpot games.
Many of the best online casinos have VIP programs for people who spend a lot on the platform. These programs give out better match bonuses and more free spins, and some even give access to higher stakes games, but it's important to weigh up the cost of getting and staying in the VIP program against its rewards.
Payment Methods
Many popular online casinos in Australia are international outfits that allow Australian players to access their platform. This means that these casinos only allow international payment methods, such as credit cards.
However, many casino sites offer cryptocurrency as a payment method. The main appeal of using crypto to fund your online casino account is that it's more private, as your cryptocurrency wallet isn't tied to your identity. Some online casinos even offer higher welcome bonus matches for crypto deposits and higher limits for withdrawals to encourage people to use cryptocurrency instead of Australian dollars.
If you already have crypto investments, this may be an appealing method to fund your account, but it does have several drawbacks. The most significant is that cryptocurrency is extremely volatile, and the amount you deposit or withdraw may not have the same value when it arrives in your account, leading to potential losses.
Mobile App
While most people who visit casinos online do so via a desktop browser, mobile gaming has become increasingly popular. While playing casino games on a browser on your mobile device is possible, having a dedicated mobile app makes the process smoother and easier.
If an online casino offers a dedicated iOS or Android app, be sure to check it out and see how well it runs. High-quality apps improve the overall online gambling experience, while lower-quality casinos will do the bare minimum, leading to a potentially unpleasant or frustrating session.
How to Play Real Money Casino Games in Australia
Most of the best online casinos in Australia have trial options that allow you to try their games for free without spending real money. Playing these games is a good way to decide if you like a particular casino and are willing to commit to putting cash into your gaming experience.
In general, the process for playing with real money is the same, regardless of which online casino you choose. Many casinos have spent a lot of money developing a streamlined process that gets you started with minimal fuss and hassle.
Sign Up
The first step to gambling online with real money is to create an account with an Australian casino. This process usually requires clicking on the "sign-up" link, entering your email address, choosing a username and password, and potentially providing some additional details.
Most sites will require a validation step involving finding an email from the casino in your inbox and clicking on that link. Doing so tells the website that you've provided a genuine email and can proceed with the sign-up process.
The sign-up process is also where you claim your welcome bonus. Some sites will let you claim it automatically, while others require you to enter a promo code to take advantage of the offer. Be sure to claim your bonus before depositing money into your account — once you've made your first deposit, you won't be able to claim the welcome bonus again.
Deposit Money
Your casino account has a wallet, which is the funds you can spend on games. The biggest advantage of having a dedicated wallet is that you have full visibility of your funds, making it harder to go over your limit without noticing.
Depositing money into your wallet is straightforward. Most casino sites have a "cashier" link on your account page, and clicking on the link will take you to a page where you choose your payment method and how much you want to deposit. Once you've made your selection, simply follow the on-screen instructions and provide the necessary information. The deposit screen will also show any promo codes or deposit matches applied to your payment.
You can withdraw your winnings in the same way, though some Australian online casinos have minimum withdrawal thresholds you need to meet.
Start Playing
Once you have funds in your account, you can start playing any game that catches your fancy. Any winnings will go into your account, and you can keep an eye on your funds while you play.
Types of Popular Online Casino Games
Many of the best online casinos in Australia will offer a wide range of games, which tend to mirror those found in brick-and-mortar locations.
Slots/Pokies
Known as slots in most of the world, Australian pokies are the most ubiquitous and popular casino games, with over 40% of Australians playing them semi-regularly.
What makes online pokies so popular is their versatility. While the basic premise of having a set of drums with symbols and betting on having certain symbols align remains the same, pokies have diversified into various types, including:
Video online pokies: These pokies designed by software providers come in a massive array of themes. Many contain unique features and mini-games to keep the experience fun and engaging, but most people find their favourite online pokie based on themes that they like. Check out these online slot providers if you’re looking for the best slot sites.
Progressive pokies: Unlike traditional online pokies with a fixed jackpot and odds, progressive pokies have a jackpot that increases any time someone places a bet and only resets when someone wins. While the chances of winning a progressive pokie are slim, some lucky Australians have had life-changing wins in these games.
Classic pokies: If you're looking for a classic pokie experience without any bells and whistles, classic pokies are your first choice. These streamlined games usually work on a 3x3 grid and feature "traditional" symbols, like fruits, bells, and the number 7.
Poker
Poker is a card game that's simple to learn but incredibly difficult to master. It comes in a massive array of formats, and most casinos provide two main options for playing poker online:
Video poker: This type of poker pits the player against a machine. It's usually a simplified version of the game, removing much of the uncertainty and social elements of the game. Video poker often comes in a wider range of rule sets and can be a good introduction to the game for beginners.
Live casino poker: Live poker involves playing a game against human opponents and with a human dealer. Online live casino tournaments are incredibly popular, and many professional poker players make their living playing exclusively online. If you’re looking for the best place to play poker online, SFgate.com has a list of the best poker websites.
Sports Betting
People who love watching sports may find that betting on results can add a bit of spice to otherwise boring games. Very few Australian online casinos have a sportsbook, and it may be better to look for a platform specifically dedicated to betting, such as Cloudbet, which has many betting-specific features.
Blackjack
One of the most popular casino card games in the world, blackjack has very simple rules and an appealing rate of return. Online blackjack may pit players against machine opponents and an artificial dealer, but the best Australian online casinos have live casino blackjack, where you play with a live dealer and human opponents.
Roulette
Roulette is one of the simpler table games, where players place bets on which slot on the roulette wheel a ball will land in. Different variants, such as European roulette, double-ball roulette, and mini roulette, will have different odds and slightly different rules.
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Types of Gambling Bonuses at Australian Casino Sites
Every online casino has bonuses and rewards for new and existing Australian players, but keeping track of them can quickly become tricky. Here's a small breakdown of the most common bonuses that Australian online casinos offer, so you know what you're getting and any potential downsides.
No-Deposit Bonus
A no-deposit bonus is any reward credited to your account that allows you to take a certain action. Free spins or free cash are examples of no-deposit bonuses. You don't have to deposit any money to take advantage of this bonus type.
Free Spins
The best online pokies offer a range of free spins for certain games. In some instances, you'll need to claim these free spins with a promo code, while in other cases, they'll automatically apply once you start up the pokie game.
Deposit-Match
The most common Australian casino bonus is where the casino matches your deposit amount. However, this isn't technically free money, as bonuses often come with wagering requirements — how much money you need to spend before you can withdraw your winnings. For instance, if you get $50 in bonus funds and have a wagering requirement of 35X, you need to spend that $50 bonus 35 times before you can withdraw any winnings on that bet.
Welcome Bonus
Most online casinos provide a generous deposit match as their welcome bonus when you create a new account and log in.
Reload Bonus
Reload bonuses are similar to a welcome bonus, except they reward existing customers for continuous loyalty.
Advantages of Real Money Online Casinos in Australia
What makes online casinos different from their real-life counterparts is that you have significantly more options in the digital space. It's much easier to set up an online casino, even though companies still have to follow international and Australian gambling laws. New online casinos need to provide appealing offers to attract new clients. That's why so many online casinos in Australia offer generous promos for Australian players, including bonus money, free spins, and easy deposits and withdrawals using a wide range of payment methods.
Other advantages of AU online casinos versus land-based casinos include the following:
- No travel costs or travel time
- Exclusive focus on playing casino games
- No need to interact with real people
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best site for online slots?
Ignition Casino is the best online casino for pokies. Not only does it have the largest selection, but it also has regular rewards and promos to keep Australian players entertained.
What payment methods do most online casinos in Australia accept?
Most reputable online casinos accept credit cards, and a growing number are starting to accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Do any casino sites in Australia offer free games?
Some of the best Australian casinos offer trial games that work on credits instead of real money. These games allow you to hone your skills and play for fun without the additional pressure that real-money gambling brings.
Is gambling for real money legal in Australia?
According to the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, it is legal to participate in online gambling when the operator is on the licensed interactive gambling providers registry. When choosing the best Australian online casino, look for the company's license information to confirm they are a legal online gambling organisation.
* All the gambling websites featured in this article are for those of age 18+. Some of the online casinos listed on this page might not be available in your region. Always check your local laws to see if online gambling is legal in your jurisdiction. We may receive a referral fee from some of the online casinos listed in this review. However, this does not affect our opinions or evaluations.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a gambling addiction, here are some resources that can help:
Gamblers Anonymous Hotline: 1-626-960-3500
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