We have a small, Australia-focused team that actually play, time, and document things. No fluff. No "trust us, mate." Below is the exact process we follow — the stuff we measure, the shortcuts we won't take, and the little gotchas we've learned to look out for (because we've learned the hard way before).
Authors: Martha Simons · Dean Jonson
Last updated: 29 Aug 2025
WHAT THIS PAGE IS ABOUT
• Bonus value & rules (wagering, max cashout, prohibited games, max bet, expiry — the fine print that bites)
• Payout speed from request to funds landed (we literally timestamp it)
• RTP & volatility snapshots based on live playing sessions (5k–10k spins when possible)
• Payments for Aussies (PayID/bank, cards, vouchers, crypto rails)
• Licensing, safety tools, data practices (and where to complain if needed)
• Mobile UX & support: how quickly they respond, and how clearly they respond
HOW WE WORK (PRINCIPLES)
• Evidence over hype each time. With screenshots, timestamps, logs — or it didn’t happen.
• Same checks for all brands, so comparisons are fair.
• Risks are explicitly outlined; we’re pro-fun rather than pro-chasing losses.
• Independence: placements are not for sale. If we’re paid a commission, we disclose it — and we don’t change the parameters.
TEST ENVIRONMENT (REAL-WORLD, NOT LAB-COAT)
• Real accounts and real deposits; KYC if required.
• AU geolocation or AU-friendly routing.
• Devices: modern desktop (Chromium) and current iOS/Android.
• Fresh sessions (cache/cookies cleared); default game settings unless noted.
• Timing with a stopwatch and system timestamps. We keep notes. Lots of notes.
BONUSES — TURNING SMALL PRINT INTO NUMBERS
We translate T&Cs into a few metrics you can compare quickly. The basics we extract every time:
• Wagering type (e.g., 35× bonus vs 40× bonus+deposit)
• Max cashout (if any)
• Restricted games/contribution rules (the classic trap)
• Max bet per spin/hand while wagering
• Expiry windows for bonuses and free spins
When a cashout cap exists, we boil the deal down to one ratio that tells you how hard every dollar is to actually withdraw:
Effective Wagering per $1 Withdrawable = Total wagering required ÷ Max cashout
Quick example: AU$500 match, 35× bonus wagering, max cashout 5× bonus →
Total wagering = 35 × 500 = AU$17,500
Max cashout = 5 × 500 = AU$2,500
Effective wagering = 17,500 ÷ 2,500 = 7× per $1 you can actually take out.
Free spins? We price them as (spin value × number of spins) and then apply whatever wagering/cashout rules the casino attaches. If spins are locked to specific titles, we also note typical RTP bands and any bet caps.
Common pitfalls we flag (because we keep seeing them): 0–10% contribution games, short expiries, stealth country/provider exclusions, “max bet while wagering” gotchas, and catch-all “bonus abuse” clauses.
PAYOUT SPEED — THE CLOCK STARTS AT T0
We time each stage of a withdrawal and publish medians, plus notes for the weird cases (weekend holds, extra checks, etc.). Our timeline:
T0 — Withdrawal requested (method chosen)
T1 — KYC requested (docs + channel)
T2 — KYC approved
T3 — Processing started/approved
T4 — Funds received (bank/PayID/card/crypto confirmation)
We always state:
• Total time (T0→T4)
• Verification time (T0→T2) vs payment rail time (T3→T4)
• Whether reversal was possible (and for how long), and any fees/limits
A small but honest note: sometimes support says “up to 3 business days” and pays in two hours; sometimes the opposite — we log both and tell you which outcome is typical.
RTP & VOLATILITY — SNAPSHOTS, NOT PROMISES
We run 5,000–10,000 spins per title where feasible, across several providers. Logged every time: bet size, number of spins, total wagered/returned, session RTP (return ÷ wager), hit rate, top wins, and (where relevant) bonus frequency.
Short runs can be streaky — some sessions are ice-cold, others pop; that’s variance. We call out volatility in plain language and show best/worst stretches so readers aren’t blindsided.
PAYMENTS FOR AUSSIES — WHAT WE CHECK
• Bank transfer / PayID (where offered)
• Cards (issuer rules, 3DS, fees)
• E-vouchers (prepaid codes)
• Crypto rails (confirmations, fees, on/off-ramp limits)
For each method we log min/max, stated fees, verification needed, typical speed, and recurring hiccups. If a method is “available” but support steers everyone to something else, we’ll say so.
SAFETY, LICENSES & FAIRNESS
We note license details, dispute avenues and responsible gambling tools (self-exclusion, deposit/loss limits, timeouts, reality check). We will assess privacy/security posture and list providers in the lobby. When available, we will cultivate audit mentions or provider certifications. If we can't find a complaint path in two clicks - that's a smell and we note it.
MOBILE, UX & SUPPORT - DOES IT GET OUT OF YOUR WAY?
We consider onboarding friction, how clearly the bonus rules are presented in-flow, lobby speed, the game search/filter function and how complete their game info is. Support is assessed by first response times and time to resolution.
A personal pet peeve: "Live chat" turns into "leave your email" at 2p on a Tuesday. If that happens, it's often noted.
SCORING & WEIGHTS (SUBJECT TO SMALL TWEAKS OVER TIME)
• Payout speed — 25%
• Safety & licensing — 20%
• Bonus value & clarity — 20%
• Payments (AU suitability) — 10%
• RTP/volatility evidence — 10%
• Mobile UX & support — 15%
We publish category scores with short comments. If terms change, scores change — that’s the deal.
UPDATES, LOGS & DISCLOSURE
• Re-tests happen when big things move (bonuses, KYC/withdrawal rules, payment rails) and at least quarterly for active brands.
• We keep an internal log and show public “Last updated” dates on reviews.
• We may earn affiliate commissions. Placements and ratings are never sold; the test protocol above doesn’t bend.
• Responsible gambling: 18+ only. If it stops being fun, stop and seek help.
FAQ (SHORT)
Do you accept paid placements?
No. Commercial relationships are disclosed and don’t alter testing.
How big are your RTP sessions?
Typically 5k–10k spins per title across multiple providers. They’re comparative snapshots, not predictions.
How do you measure payout speed?
From T0 (request) to T4 (funds landed), with separate timings for verification vs the payment rail.
CONTACT
Questions or data requests? Use the site’s contact form — we read it, and yes, we reply.