On this page
- What are the nine checks and how much is each worth?
- How do we judge a pokies lobby?
- Why does RTP transparency get its own check?
- How do we score a bonus for pokies players?
- What counts in the withdrawal and banking checks?
- Why is Australian access a hard cap?
- How do the scores in data/casinos.json relate to the rankings?
- How often are scores updated?
- Frequently asked questions
- Which casinos pass our checks right now?
Every casino on Online Pokies Insider is scored the same way: nine checks, fixed weights, a total out of 100. The checks are built around pokies, so a site with a deep lobby, clear RTP and fair bonus rules for pokies players beats a site that simply shouts the biggest welcome number. This page shows the weights, what earns and loses points, and how the scores in our data become the rankings you see.
What are the nine checks and how much is each worth?
The pokies lobby carries the most weight at 20 points, then bonus value and withdrawals at 15 each. RTP transparency, banking for Australians, and licence transparency are worth 10 each, Australian access 8, mobile play 7 and support 5, for a total of 100.
| Check | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Pokies lobby size and studios | 20 | Real pokies count seen from Australia, studio mix, mechanics on offer |
| Bonus value for pokies players | 15 | Wagering, pokies weighting, max bet, excluded games, cashout caps |
| Withdrawal speed and limits | 15 | Stated processing times, minimums, weekly and monthly caps |
| RTP transparency | 10 | RTP shown in game info screens, whether lower settings are used |
| Banking for Australians | 10 | AUD support, deposit methods, what withdrawal methods really exist |
| Licence and operator transparency | 10 | Published licence number, named operator, clear terms |
| Australian access | 8 | Whether the site accepts Australians or shows an outside-Australia banner |
| Mobile play | 7 | Lobby search and filters, pokies loading on a phone browser, cashier on mobile |
| Support | 5 | Live chat availability and whether answers match the written terms |
| Total | 100 |
How do we judge a pokies lobby?
We open the lobby from an Australian connection and count what Australians can actually play, not the headline game total. Studio variety, mechanics such as hold and win, Megaways, tumble and jackpots, and a working search and filter all earn points.
Geography matters here. NetEnt games are blocked for Australia at several casinos, and Aristocrat titles such as Lightning Link and Dragon Link are not offered online for real money to Australians at all, so a lobby that looks huge overseas can be thinner from Perth. Our game guides live under pokies games.
Why does RTP transparency get its own check?
Because the same pokie can run at different RTP settings. Studios release several versions, and a casino may pick a lower one. A site scores well here when the info screen in each game shows the RTP clearly and the figures match the studio’s top setting.
We check RTP inside the game’s info or help screen at the casino, because that is the version you are actually playing. A casino that hides RTP or runs lower settings across popular titles loses points.
How do we score a bonus for pokies players?
We score the terms, not the headline. Wagering requirement, whether it applies to deposit plus bonus, the maximum bet while the bonus is active, which pokies are excluded and any cap on winnings decide the score. A smaller bonus with fair rules can beat a giant one.
I would take 35x on the bonus only over 50x on deposit plus bonus almost every time. The breakdowns are on our pokies bonuses hub.
What counts in the withdrawal and banking checks?
Withdrawals are scored on stated processing times, minimum and maximum limits and fees. Banking is scored on what Australians can really use, and we are strict about PayID: only King Johnnie and Wolf Winner show it, and only for deposits. No casino publicly confirms PayID withdrawals.
That means a casino can score for PayID deposits, but nobody scores for PayID payouts, because none are confirmed. Crypto is often the quickest cashout route at these sites, and we credit it where the processing time is published. More on this at PayID pokies and crypto pokies.
Why is Australian access a hard cap?
A casino that shows a banner asking visitors to confirm they are outside Australia can never be placed in our top five, however well it scores elsewhere. It keeps its number, but its ranking position is capped, and we mention the banner every time we name it.
Neospin, Ricky Casino, Crownslots, 7Bit and King Billy show an outside-Australia banner. Neospin’s data is also unverified, because the site rate-limited our Australian checks. Casinos whose own terms restrict Australia, such as Yabby, or that block Australians, such as LuckyHills, are not listed at all.
We never suggest a VPN to get around a banner or block. It can breach the casino’s terms and put your winnings at risk.
How do the scores in data/casinos.json relate to the rankings?
Each casino’s entry in our data file holds its rating, the nine check total expressed out of 5 (score out of 100 divided by 20), plus a checked date. The ranking order is set from those ratings, then the Australian access cap is applied before anything is published.
- Score. Dean runs the nine checks and totals the weighted points out of 100.
- Convert. The total is divided by 20 and stored as the rating out of 5, for example 96 points shows as 4.8.
- Cap. Banner casinos are moved below the top five regardless of rating.
- Date. The checked date is updated, and every table on the site reads from the same file, so a change shows everywhere at once.
That is why you may see a banner casino with a high rating sitting below a lower rated site. The number reflects its pokies and cashier; the position reflects whether it wants Australian players.
How often are scores updated?
We recheck casinos regularly and whenever a reader reports a change. Bonus terms, payment methods and blocked games shift often, so any change that moves a check is rescored straight away rather than waiting for a scheduled review.
Commission never enters the score. See our affiliate disclosure, and report a change through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Can a casino pay for a higher score?
No. The nine checks and their weights are fixed, and commission is not one of them. A casino that pays us can still score poorly, carry warnings or be left off the site.
Why is the highest rated casino not number one?
If it shows an outside-Australia banner, the Australian access cap keeps it out of the top five. Its rating reflects its lobby and cashier; its position reflects that it does not openly accept Australians.
Do you score PayID withdrawals?
No casino publicly confirms PayID withdrawals, so none can score for them. King Johnnie and Wolf Winner show PayID for deposits only, and that is what we credit.
Why does the pokies lobby carry the most weight?
This is a pokies site. A casino with thin or geo-blocked pokies is a poor choice for our readers, whatever else it offers, so the lobby is worth 20 of the 100 points.
How do I know when a score was last checked?
Every casino carries a checked date in our data, and tables across the site read from that same file. When terms change and we rescore, the date moves with it.
Pokies carry a house edge, and no score changes that. Set limits before you play, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 if you need support, and see our responsible gambling page. BetStop at betstop.gov.au covers licensed Australian wagering providers.
Which casinos pass our checks right now?
These five score highest on our nine pokies checks today. The full ranked list of 18 is on the homepage.
-
1
Fastest cryptoJoe Fortune
4.8/5Welcome bonusUp to A$5,000 + 450 free spinsOver 5 deposits, 150% per deposit with crypto- Crypto paid in about 1 hour
- Bitcoin Lightning
- Licence number published
18+ | New players only | Wagering 50x deposit + bonus | Terms apply, check the casino site before you deposit. -
2
Aussie favouriteFair Go Casino
4.7/5Welcome bonus100% up to A$200, five times (A$1,000)Same code used on 5 deposits- A$5 crypto minimum
- AUD-only cashier
- 30x wagering
18+ | New players only | Wagering 30x deposit + bonus | Terms apply, check the casino site before you deposit. -
3
King Johnnie
4.6/5Welcome bonusUp to A$6,000 + 200 Kash SpinsOver 10 deposits, A$20 min each- Kash Kings loyalty
- USDT accepted
- 3,000+ games
18+ | New players only | Wagering 50x bonus, max bet A$20 | Terms apply, check the casino site before you deposit. -
4
SkyCrown
4.6/5Welcome bonusUp to A$8,000 + 400 free spinsOver 4 deposits- MiFinity and Apple Pay
- 7,000+ games
- 20+ cryptos
18+ | New players only | Wagering 40x bonus | Terms apply, check the casino site before you deposit. -
5
PlayCroco
4.4/5Welcome bonus200% up to A$5,000 + A$50 freeA$50 free chip unlocks after first deposit- A$10 Neosurf deposits
- Friday CrocoBoost
- A$10 free chip
18+ | New players only | Wagering 30x deposit + bonus | Terms apply, check the casino site before you deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a casino pay for a higher score?
No. The nine checks and their weights are fixed, and commission is not one of them. A casino that pays us can still score poorly, carry warnings or be left off the site.
Why is the highest rated casino not number one?
If it shows an outside-Australia banner, the Australian access cap keeps it out of the top five. Its rating reflects its lobby and cashier; its position reflects that it does not openly accept Australians.
Do you score PayID withdrawals?
No casino publicly confirms PayID withdrawals, so none can score for them. King Johnnie and Wolf Winner show PayID for deposits only, and that is what we credit.
Why does the pokies lobby carry the most weight?
This is a pokies site. A casino with thin or geo-blocked pokies is a poor choice for our readers, whatever else it offers, so the lobby is worth 20 of the 100 points.
How do I know when a score was last checked?
Every casino carries a checked date in our data, and tables across the site read from that same file. When terms change and we rescore, the date moves with it.