The Best Casinos Australia Has To Offer

The country of Australia is known for its incredible beaches, friendly people, unique wildlife, and their progressive way of life.

They also boast some of the best casinos in the entire world, offering a wide range of different establishments suited for just about every player’s needs. For those that are planning a long trip to the infamous country, these are some of their casinos that aren’t worth missing.

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Pros and Cons of Live Dealer Games

Live Dealer casinos are a great way for players to have the benefit of playing from home and enjoying the thrill, ambience and excitement of a real establishment.

But before playing live dealer casino games, it is good to understand the pros and cons of this form of gaming.

Advantages

A big advantage of live dealer casinos is that you will be able to track your gameplay while online betting.  Once you have placed your bet you will be able to follow the action as it plays out as you get to watch everything via real time video feed.

Live dealer games at legitimate sites will make use of technology that ensures that these results are fair and random, even though they are not governed by an RNG.

Live dealer casinos try to ensure that they offer you the best possible gaming experience and will often have a news channel streaming in the background to show you that the action is taking place in real time, and not pre-recorded.

They also offer you the opportunity to interact with the dealers and this is just one way that gaming sites offer you a real time entertainment scenario.  You will also hear various sounds from other games that are being played, which further increase the real feel.

Live dealer casinos may vary in their action time, but this will depend on what you are playing.  The action may unfold faster or slower than what you are normally used to.

For example, with Roulette there may be between 80 and 100 spins each hour.  When playing in real time you may be able to speed up or slow down the action depending on what you prefer.

Sites that offer traditional and live dealer games will also give you two types of bonuses, and often the live options offer generous bonuses, but these will vary between sites, so always check that before you get started.

With a land based casino you may often have to wait for a table or deal with various other issues.  When deciding to play online these problems are no longer yours, and you can begin playing as soon as you have signed up.

Disadvantages

Even though live dealer games try to give you the best possible gaming experience there are some players who have said that the sounds from other entertainment on offer sound cold and canned, which do not really give them the real experience.

They have also said that the graphics and announcements do not have the unique brick and mortar experience.

Casinos pay more to run video streamed services, which mean there are only a small range of options such as Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack and variations Of Poker.  Land based casinos will allow you to move between various games which are more extensive.

Because it is more costly to maintain a live dealer operation you may notice that a minimum bet may be more than a land-based or normal online casino, but the experience coupled with the convenience is well worthwhile.

Types of Online Casinos

For the past few decades, the average casino, although different in many ways to its competitors, was similar to them in terms of the games it offered and how it operated.

Most land-based casinos offer a variation of slot machines, table games, and sometimes sports betting, depending on the location in question.

It was a premise that worked well, but visitors began to grow bored. While there were other options out there, like independent poker tournaments or bingo halls, for the most part, those who wanted to spend a day at the casino had some limited options.

This changed with the invention of the Internet, which allowed online operators to bring in any entirely new range of casinos that could be enjoyed by those that were bored of the generic experience they had after visiting a land-based venue.

While it took some years and some failures, we now live in an age where we can just as easily load up one of the more popular casinos if we want, but just as easily swap over to something more niche and entertaining.

These are some of the more common online casino types that can be found on the Internet.

1. The Common Casino

These are still, by far, the most popular, but there are plenty of reasons for that. They provide a solid experience, allow visitors to try out a number of different games, and often have special bonuses that can appeal those that are new to the casino industry.

These are the big names in the gambling world, and the ones that attract the most players from across the globe.

2. Online Video Poker Venues

Poker is the world’s number one favourite card game, and has held that title for the better part of the last one hundred years.

While there have always been poker tournaments and halls for players to visit and enjoy, the industry only truly took off once poker became digitized.

For the first time in history, people from all over the world were able to play poker in real-time against equally matched opponents, often with a live dealer managing the games.

3. Sports Betting Casinos

Sports betting has been handled by bookmakers for as long as there have been sports, but many online operators began to see the potential of offering sports betting deals to people that would otherwise not be able to access a physical bookies.

These are casinos that cover just about every sport and sporting bet available on the market, from tennis, cricket, rugby, and even live AFL betting.

4. Mobile Casinos

With the rise of modern mobile tech, it became possible for the first time to shift from a once desktop-dominated platform to one that allowed players to enjoy their favourite games from the comfort of their own bed.

It also allowed games to be played on the go and at any time, whether the player was at home, at work, or even at the grocery store.

Online Poker vs Table Poker

The world is filled with many options, and this also includes your gambling options. With all the options which form of poker is the right poker for you? Here we will look at online vs table poker – which do you chose, which is the better option? Both versions of poker are played with similar rule  (casino dependent) but differ quite a bit in strategy, winnings and social aspects.

Lets have quick look at the pros and cons of online poker and compare these to what to expect when playing poker at a table:

Online poker

The best part of online poker is the speed, the rounds progress much quicker as it is automated. Shuffling, splitting, dealing is instant as no human error or slowness is involved. A live game would see 30 hands in an hour, with 60 plus played in online games. If you can get more hands played – and win those hands using strategy, you increase your earnings a great deal.

Many people say the biggest con of playing online poker is being unable to see our opponents tells, but this is not the case anymore. Players at live tables go to extreme lengths to hide any possible tells – prom masks and hats to good old sunglasses, they hide every possible twitch and blink. This players with online opponents who focus on the other players can quickly pick up their tells. From betting big on good hands to folding on bad – people often relax their guards when they are not visible to their opponents. Take advantage of this slack and monitor their tells!

Live Poker

With your squinty eyed, dead pan faced opponent opposite you at an actual live game – maybe you are in poker heaven (or maybe poker hell – reading a face is not my strong point). The socializing  aspect of poker is one of the main pros of live games, and the ability to bluff and read tells is an art form!  People in a live match are also weaker and it might be easier to spot a tell, its hard to lie in real life.

Another huge plus in live poker is the higher buy ins – which means high pots to be won!

A live game can not only be thrilling to join but an exceptional live event just to watch – so hitting up an actual casino or tournament just to watch is well worth the effort.

So many Options

A live poker game can be quite thrilling, with the pressure and the excitement, the atmosphere lending to the gravity of the situation, but online poker could make more sense to you – dependent on what kind of a player you are. We are always fans of online, as its not just poker available, you can get anything from sports betting to online pokies – anything is available.

A flush is a flush, whether you are at a virtual table or a real solid poker table – so the rules of the game are set. Which means you can transfer between the two versions of poker easily and enjoy both dependent on your mood.

Additionally many professional poker players used to pick sides, you were either a online player or real world – with the rate of modern tech development people are now easily able to chose both versions and join in as they wish.

Biggest and Best Online Slot Releases 2018

Online casino game developers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech have all promised to be releasing online slots which will blow the minds of their players throughout 2018 and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

With the popularity of online casinos being on a near-continuous rise, the demand for bigger and better online slots is showing no sign of slowing down as players return to their favourite online casinos with near religious fanaticism, time and time again.

As such, here are our top picks for the latest online slot releases in 2018.

Finn and the Swirly Spin

This may just be our favourite new online slot for 2018 as it has introduced an entirely new playing style – the entire gameplay takes place inside a big spiral.

Lining up from the bottom left, the symbols are made up of cartoon-style icons, and the aim of the game is to send a key to the middle of the spiral which unlocks the bonus games.

Finn, the game’s hero, graces you with his presence every now and then to cast a magic spell and help you get the key closer to the centre of the spiral and win money.

With 4 bonus games, Finn and the Swirly Spin is a sure-fire winner.

King of Macedonia

King of Macedonia, based on the story of Alexander the Great, was first released as a live slot machine in 2016 across land based casinos and the IGT Gaming hit has just become available online.

With epic background music good enough to rival Hollywood blockbuster soundtracks, you’ll find it hard to focus on Aussie sports betting if game is an option instead and the portrait of Alexander himself acts as an expanding Wild symbol.

King of Macedonia will keep you captivated for hours of end.

Castle Builder II

Castle Builder, a 5-reel slot, sees you building castles, summer mansions, and manors, one spin at a time.

With special symbols which help you reach your goal faster and leave you with a bigger balance than what you started with, Castle Builder offers you a sum of bonus money every time you complete the construction of a building and a choose a husband for a princess.

Castle Builder II has improved upon the concept and the game has received a graphics and sound effect overhaul.

Well of Wonders

Well of Wonders may just be the most calming online slot game of all time, never mind just 2018! The atmosphere of the entire game is fantastic and the background music has evidently been created to help you feel relaxed.

Each spin will send 6 colourful gems shooting out a well and three matching ones will make room for new gems. Each time a 3-way match is made, the multiplier increase to help boost your winnings by up to 32x!

Planet of the Apes

Blockbuster sagas always make incredible online slots, and the Planet of the Apes online slot is no exception.

With two sides – one called Rise and the other Dawn – and 10 columns, Planet of the Apes features plenty of familiar faces and the soundtrack finishes this adrenaline-fueled game off perfectly.

The humans and the apes face off as usual, and you’ll feel conflicted over who to root for by the end of it. Get spinning now!

Learning To Play Online Casinos Safely

The last few decades have been an exciting time for both the world and the casino industry. We’ve been witness to the creation and growth of the Internet, and watched how it’s spread throughout the world and changed the way we interact with each other, and with the kinds of casino games we like to play.

For years, the only way to enjoy a game of slots or poker was to go out and visit the local venue. Sometimes, the local venue was a few hours away, meaning that a lengthy and expensive trip would need to be organised.

This all stopped the moment the internet allowed to us to simply access our games from home, and without ever having to spend more than we need to.

It hasn’t been completely flawless, however, and while crime has always plagued the casino industry, it’s gotten a lot worse for those that like to enjoy their games online.

Cyber criminals are constantly on the prowl, waiting to steal personal and financial information whenever they can, and many of them have targeted online casinos specifically, mostly because of the high volumes of money that casinos deal with every day.

This doesn’t have to affect you, as long as you know how to keep your details safe, and what to look out for in different sites. Make your online betting NZ that much safer with these helpful tips.

Online Casino Regulation

There are international agencies that exist to monitor various, popular casinos that do business online. Agencies like eCOGRA were put in place to ensure that players are never ripped off, and that everything is always kept safe and fair.

Before joining up with a new casino, make sure that they have the eCOGRA badge of approval so that you know the casino is legitimate and won’t make off with your invested money.

Learning To Use SSL

While browsing online, you may have noticed that some websites have the phrase, “SSL” in the URL bar at the top. This stands for Secure Socket Layer, and is a special kind of security meant to protect the details of the people that use that site.

It’s vitally important that whatever casino you use is SSL encrypted, meaning that whenever you type in your personal details, they will be safely locked away.

The easiest way to know is by checking whether the URL bar contains the SSL on the pages where you need to type in login or financial information.

Use Secure Banking Methods

Any casino worth your time will have more than a few types of banking methods, and each one has a different layer of security.

E-wallets, for example, require the same kind of details that you’d give to a casino, but generally are extremely safe to use. If you don’t want to give any of your information to the casino, you can simply use a charge card to load up a specific amount of money to an e-wallet of your choice, keeping your identity completely anonymous from any prying eyes.

With these methods, playing your favourite games can be done in a secure environment, without you having to worry about potential crime.

Understanding Australian Gambling Legislation

It is estimated that approximately 80% of all Australian adults participate in gambling in one form or another and Aussies have often been referred to as the “world’s biggest gamblers”.

There are many land-based casinos based in Australia and the highly popular pokies (slots and video poker) are a common sight in pubs across the nation.

With regards to sports betting, the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) permits both tote wagers and fixed-odds betting and there are nearly 3000 TAB outlets across the country.

Even though the laws regarding gambling have always been on the more liberal side of things, it’s important that players and punters understand the legislation in place and how it affects them.

Regulating Gambling in Australia

The regulation of gambling is achieved on two levels in Australia: central government supervises the industry and adds and amends laws as necessary, while regulation also takes place at the state and territorial level.

Below you will find a list of all the organisations involved in the regulation of the Australian gambling industry, as well as the regions in which they have authority.

  • Australian Capital Territory: ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
  • Northern Territory: Licensing Commission
  • New South Wales: Office of Liquor, Gaming, and Racing
  • South Australia: Independent Gambling Authority
  • Queensland: Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
  • Victoria: Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
  • Western Australia: Department of Racing, Gaming, and Liquor
  • Tasmania: Tasmanian Gaming Commission

Interactive Gambling Act of 2001

This act, which targets online operators, was passed in 2001 with the intent of protecting the general public against the harmful effects of gambling.

Players were still able to access online casinos without any legal repercussion (such as online pokies NZ), but it became illegal for operators based within Australia to offer their services to Australians or to advertise real-money internet-based games across all forms of media.

Recent Changes to Australian Gambling Legislation

When Alan Trudge was appointed as the Minister of Human Services under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in 2016, things began to change and Trudge was given the task of getting Australia’s $20 billion gambling industry up to scratch with modern standards.

He did not take this instruction lightly and soon the following revisions to the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 were introduced and passed into law:

  • Punters can join an online self-exclusion register for a period of their choosing, but no less than 3 months
  • Online bookmakers are require to offer a pre-commitment scheme to punters which allows them to set voluntary betting limits
  • Online sportsbooks are no longer able to offer ‘free bets’ or ‘free credit’ to Aussie punters to prevent punters from going into debt from gambling

Interactive Gambling Bill of 2016

The Interactive Gambling Bill of 2016 was finally passed in August 2017 and aims to address illegal offshore gambling operators. The new measures include, amongst others:

  • The requirement of a license under Australian State or Territory Laws by anyone providing a regulated interactive gambling service in the country, such as online casinos
  • The prohibition of operators offering lines of credit to punters in Australia

How Australian Gambling Legislation Affect You

Even though the Interactive Gambling Bill of 2016 aims to completely outlaw the use of offshore online casinos by Australian residents, the laws are still at present time ambiguous as to the legality.

As such, Australian players are still permitted to access licensed and regulated online casinos which are operated offshore and there are plenty of reputable sites to enjoy.